Philadelphia Eagles running back AJ Dillon might consider a professional pickleball career when his football days are done.

While Dillon, 27, is still relatively new to America's fastest-growing sport, he seems rather confident that he can master the intricacies of the game in the years to come.

"All I’m saying is that the rate at which I got better is a generational run," said Dillon, during Episode 48 of his Toonen To Dillon Podcast in May. "I can be the LeBron James of pickleball. I can be the [Lionel] Messi of pickleball. Just give me time."

That's quite a statement because legends like James and Messi obviously occupy GOAT status in their respective fields of expertise - basketball and soccer - and Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters continue to pile up tournament medals at a ridiculous pace.

Let's just say that Dillon is setting high expecations for himself, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially when relentless training and a commitment to excellence are already an integral part of your routine.

The former Green Bay Packer, who co-hosts Toonen To Dillon with his brother-in-law, Will Toonen, subsequently shared a funny story about his introduction to pickleball earlier this year.

"When we were back in Green Bay, my foundation, the Dylan Family Foundation, we put together with a bunch of other sponsors and stuff, we did "Pickleball For A Purpose" in Appleton. It was a great cause. We had some kids there, raised some money, and did some good in the community," mentioned Dillon. "We were playing, and this is like my first time playing, so I’m hitting around and I’m like, ‘Will, this is kind of fun. Let’s stay here. Let’s keep playing.’ He’s like, ‘The event’s done, but I know a spot. Let’s go.’ We pull up to this spot. It’s called The Picklr in Green Bay. You can't see in it, so we pull up in the parking lot and I’m like, ‘Is it closed? I see no lights on.’ He’s like ‘Nah. That’s just how it is. You can’t see in.’ So then you walk in, and there’s like all these courts, they’ve got food and drinks there, they’ve got open court like MyPark or you can reserve a court. Bro, it’s serious. People have their own clothes, their own shoes, wrist tape, the whole shebang. We ended up playing for two-and-a-half hours. I was hooked. I’m hooked."

Nevertheless, that first experience on the 20x44 was far was flawless.

The kitchen proved problematic for him.

"I was charging the net. You’re not allowed to do that," recalled Dillon with a laugh. "I was like, ‘Is that in?’ They’re like, ‘You can’t step there.’ I’m over the net spiking."

We wish Dillon the best of luck in his quest to reach pickleball stardom someday.

If he needs a mentor in Philadelphia, teammate Jake Elliott can certainly lend a helping hand.

Elliott is a pickleball enthusiast to the max.

Stay tuned.