Lefties are quite rare and only comprise of around 10 percent of the human population. There are currently just under 140 left-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball making up nearly 40 percent of active pitchers. This means game-changing left-handed pitchers are quite highly sought after. The following legendary left-handers are the reason why!
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]]>Lefties are quite rare and only comprise of around 10 percent of the human population. There are currently just under 140 left-handed pitchers in Major League Baseball making up nearly 40 percent of active pitchers.
This means game-changing left-handed pitchers are quite highly sought after. The following legendary left-handers are the reason why!
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We live in an age where if a person doesn’t know how to do something, all they have to do is Google it or look up a tutorial on YouTube and voila, they’re an instant expert! You would think that there are limits to how far a YouTube education can get you, but apparently, even […]
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]]>We live in an age where if a person doesn’t know how to do something, all they have to do is Google it or look up a tutorial on YouTube and voila, they’re an instant expert!
You would think that there are limits to how far a YouTube education can get you, but apparently, even Olympians have resorted to watching YouTube videos to improve their performance.
Instagram
Enter Julius Yego, a 27-year-old athlete that is now a World Champion and planning on doing even better going forward. What’s Yego’s sport of choice? “I have passion for javelin throw, I think somewhere in my blood is written javelin,” Yego shared with reporters.
Julius Yego’s Inspiring Story
In his school years, Yego was a natural with the javelin. He set many records and had dreams of competing, but a lack of financial resources stood between him and his goals. Yego qualified for the World Junior Championships in Poland, but sadly, he was unable to attend and compete due to a lack of funds.
Yego shared that it was so frustrating being unable to attend the Championships in Poland because he “had worked so hard,” and he commented that it was one of the biggest regrets of his life.
Despite disappointments, Yego remained undeterred in reaching his goals. Coaching was expensive, but watching some of the best javelin throwers in the world on YouTube was completely free.
Coach Of The Year: YouTube
Looking Forward To Rio
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If you were tasked with naming five of the all-time greatest women’s soccer players of all time, we would confidently bet Mia Hamm would be one of them. But what in particular about this epic soccer star has made such an everlasting impression on the game? It’s What Happened Off The Field That Counts For someone […]
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]]>If you were tasked with naming five of the all-time greatest women’s soccer players of all time, we would confidently bet Mia Hamm would be one of them. But what in particular about this epic soccer star has made such an everlasting impression on the game?
It’s What Happened Off The Field That Counts
For someone who never really liked attention (let alone the legacy she eventually created), Mia Hamm certainly persuaded us otherwise on the field with her vivacious goal scoring ability. But the real essence of Mia was her humbling ability to tear apart defenses and embarrass opponents with complete style and grace.
It’s easy to list her accomplishments as an athlete. From being the youngest player to play on the U.S. National team to claiming FIFA’s World Player of the Year for two consecutive years, her stats provide undeniable proof of her success. But far beyond her accomplishments was her willingness to assume the responsibility of becoming the face of women’s soccer, despite her reserved and timid demeanor.
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Mia’s talents thrust her into the spotlight at an early age, making her the aspiration of millions of little girls all over the world. Her desire to shy away from cameras and interviews, though, was overshadowed by her recognition of what the sport truly needed to grow in popularity.
Mia told Forbes: “It is important that these young girls see themselves as the future. Sometimes in this day and age of instant gratification, you just assume it is going to be there. Growing up, I never thought I’d play on the National Team or play soccer in the Olympics because it wasn’t there. When the opportunity came, I wanted to play as long as I could. I am optimistic. As a female athlete, you have to be.”
She carried the weight of an entire sport on her shoulders on and off the field.
An Everlasting Impact, Beyond The Wins
Mia Hamm’s everlasting impact on women’s soccer goes far beyond the goals, stats, and wins. It’s what you didn’t see that made her a true legacy.
Mia took on interviews, posed for photo shoots and embraced the media—not for her own selfish incentives, but for the greater good of the sport she loved so much. Her ferocious competitive nature was only second to her unwavering commitment to her teammates.
“I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team,” she said. “I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.”
Julie Foudy also referenced this loyalty when Mia was asked to do a magazine photo shoot after the 1999 World Cup. Her response? “I would love to—if I can do it with these four players as well.”
In every acceptance speech and interview (and there were plenty), Mia would spend at least 10 minutes crediting her teammates, friends, and family for her success—not for show, but in true sincerity. She carried the weight of a country on her shoulders, yet never embraced the glory as all her own.
Wikimedia Commons
Mia’s selflessness and grace just made her incredible dominance on the field all the sweeter. In high school, she was invited to the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival, before leading the University of North Carolina Tarheels to four NCAA Championships. Mia was only 19 years old when she became the youngest team member in history to win the World Cup, and only a few years later set a new record as she netted her 108th international goal.
During her career, Mia won three ESPY Awards, was a five-time USA Soccer Female Athlete of the Year, and joined teammate Michelle Akers as the only women and American’s on FIFA’s list of the 125 Greatest Living Soccer Players.
Her titles and achievements only amplified her greatness, growing her fan bases to one of the largest of any American athlete. While the awards serve as a measurable reminder of all she’s done, her ability to do it all without compromising her character is something fans of all ages can admire.
Mia Hamm defined a new precedent for professional athletes—not only in the eyes of aspiring soccer players, but for millions of sports lovers all across the world. No matter how distant a memory her career may be, Mia Hamm’s essence will forever live on in the beautiful game.
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It is fair to say that under normal circumstances a man who rose to the pinnacle of his sport, won the most famous event in that sport seven times consecutively, and did so whilst beating cancer, would normally be held up as an absolute role model for others in life. Lance Armstrong’s story, however, was […]
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]]>It is fair to say that under normal circumstances a man who rose to the pinnacle of his sport, won the most famous event in that sport seven times consecutively, and did so whilst beating cancer, would normally be held up as an absolute role model for others in life.
Lance Armstrong’s story, however, was not that simple.
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The Early Years
Armstrong started his career as a triathlete. It wasn’t until he turned 21 in 1992 that he moved into professional cycling. He had some minor success up until 1996 when he was diagnosed with a potentially fatal form of testicular cancer.
He took two years off from the sport while he fought and beat his cancer. He also founded the “Lance Armstrong Foundation” to assist other cancer survivors.
Hitting His Stride
Flickr
On his return to cycling, Lance joined the US Postal/Discovery team and met with astonishing success. He won seven back-to-back Tour de France titles between 1998 and 2005. He picked up a bronze medal in the Olympics. Then he retired from the sport for a second time at the end of 2005.
So far, so good but controversy was waiting around the corner.
Doping Allegations
Wikipedia
“The Sunday Times has confirmed to Mr. Armstrong that it never intended to accuse him of being guilty of taking any performance-enhancing drugs and sincerely apologized for any such impression.”
The allegations of Lance Armstrong using performance enhancing drugs were rampant during his career, but as The Sunday Times found in 2004, you can’t print rumor as fact.
From 1999 onward, Armstrong shrugged off allegations of doping at every turn and then in 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency found him guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs after all.
Armstrong would go on to admit that the allegations held some truth and refused to fight any of them in the public eye. This cost him $75 million in a single day when all of his sponsors dropped him simultaneously.
Does It Matter That Much?
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Jeremy Dorn told Bleacher Report that while Armstrong’s doping is indeed wrong, there were other more important matters to consider such as the work Armstrong’s charity had done, arguing: “no matter what you think about him, can we all agree that $500 million donated to charity for cancer research is inherently a good thing?”
Bob Denton, a cancer survivor agrees: “Really, compared to the life and death issues of cancer that Lance has embraced, cheating in the Tour is small potatoes.”
Caden Brody, also a cancer survivor, does not, saying: “We cannot deny he raised a lot of awareness and money for cancer. As a survivor, I commend that. Unfortunately, he undid everything, in many ways, by his sociopathic need to bully, win, play mind games, and he used cancer as a cloak to cover his sins. If he’d confessed ages ago in true remorse? We’re a pretty forgiving people. But this is a forced, ‘I still want to compete in something so I better apologize’ thing.”
Human Failings, Superhuman Achievements
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It’s probably fair to say that “Lance Armstrong the drug cheat” is hard to draw inspiration from. It is also fair to say that the man who beat cancer, won seven Tour De France titles and raised ha;f a billion dollars for good causes is more than just a drug cheat.
It is ultimately for the individual to decide whether to admire him or not. We are all human and we have all succumbed to temptation at some point in our lives; might it be best to remember Armstrong for the good he did rather than his human failings?
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From 2007 to 2015, few hitters in Major League Baseball were as feared as Josh Hamilton. But it’s not his athletic prowess we are here to recognize today. Hamilton has a success story unlike any other. For years, he battled demons that would have killed most people, but with the power of family and religion, […]
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]]>From 2007 to 2015, few hitters in Major League Baseball were as feared as Josh Hamilton. But it’s not his athletic prowess we are here to recognize today. Hamilton has a success story unlike any other.
For years, he battled demons that would have killed most people, but with the power of family and religion, Hamilton mounted a seemingly impossible comeback that will inspire generations of baseball players.
Understanding Hamilton’s Roots
Instagram
One could analyze stats of Josh Hamilton’s illustrious nine-year career for days, but to really get a full appreciation of Hamilton, you have to understand his roots.
In 1999, Hamilton was the first-overall draft pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Yet, he didn’t make his major-league debut until 2007. The struggle all started in 2000 which was a season ending injury.
Unable to participate in the sport he grew up playing every day, Hamilton looked for other sources of entertainment. Being a millionaire right out of high school meant Hamilton had the funds to experiment.
The Slippery Slope Of Addiction
Instagram
Before too long, Hamilton befriended a local tattoo parlor where he quickly amassed up to 32 tattoos. Alongside this lifestyle came parties with the wrong crowd. Up until that point, Hamilton steered clear of drugs and alcohol. All it took was one day to change all of that.
After trying his first alcoholic drink, Hamilton experimented with cocaine merely hours afterward.
In an exclusive interview, Hamilton explained his mental state during his experimentation saying “there is a little guy that lives right here,” as he points to his forehead. “That’s the guy that tells you not to use drugs. When I take my first drink. That little guy leaves. I’ve never used drugs without having a drink first.”
It was this mentality that kept Hamilton on drugs for years. Meanwhile, his body deteriorated in front of the eyes of his loving friends and family. But right when Hamilton was at his lowest point, divine intervention stepped in.
Dealing With The Devil
Instagram
In June of 2006, Hamilton was having reoccurring dreams of intense fights with a terrifying figure he believes to be the devil. Yet, after the MLB called Hamilton to reinstate his eligibility, the dreams starting taking a positive turn.
Suddenly, Jesus Christ was fighting alongside Hamilton and together, they defeated the devil. Back in reality, another person stood nearby to fight the upcoming challenges. Hamilton cites his grandmother as an inspiring force in his recovery and success in baseball. She helped him remain focused on his faith and on the game.
Later on, Hamilton admitted that he “abused my body. I abused it badly. I think I’ll pay for that the rest of my life.” While Hamilton managed to squeeze nine stellar seasons out of his tumultuous life, the physical effects began to plague him.
2015 saw him with a new string of injuries, but that didn’t stop him from trying to come back once again from the “impossible.” For anyone who has dealt with inner demons in the face of defeat, look to Josh Hamilton as a shining example of what a little faith and family can accomplish.
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Some of the biggest athletes in the world have gone through some major hurdles to get to the top. A select few of them wind up changing the lives of many people in the process. This is the tale of one of the most prolific figures to ever lace up a pair of boxing gloves. […]
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]]>Some of the biggest athletes in the world have gone through some major hurdles to get to the top. A select few of them wind up changing the lives of many people in the process. This is the tale of one of the most prolific figures to ever lace up a pair of boxing gloves.
Struggling To Live
Frederick Manligas Nacino
Born in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao had big dreams just like any other kid. Unfortunately, he dealt with some major issues. While attending the sixth grade, his parents separated when his father’s infidelity was exposed, and he dropped out of high school because of poverty issues. In his home country, poverty is a major issue, and while he was growing up, nearly half of the population were living well below the poverty line.
Confused at what to do, Pacquiao turned to his uncle Sardo Mejia for advice. The man taught Pacquiao about boxing and what it can do for the soul. “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no world champion Manny Pacquiao,” stated Mejia.
He started training Pacquiao in boxing, and at the age of 12, the future world champion won his first fight against a 16-year-old boxer in General Santos City. “For Uncle Sardo, it was the ultimate blessing that his little nephew shared his favourite hobby,” Pacquiao stated in his autobiography. “Even though he had no formal training, we both took it seriously and knew that we were going to be champions one day.”
While the victory was grand, it didn’t give Manny the spark he needed to go forth with this newfound career. Unfortunately, that came from the death of his friend Eugene Barutag in the ring, who was aspiring to be a famous boxer just like him. “Even though he died, I thought ‘I will continue our dream, our battle,'” Pacquiao said.
The Mark Of A Champion
Pixabay
Pacquiao quickly ascended up the weight division with an astonishing 32-2 record and a run with the WBC International super bantamweight title. His big break came on June 23, 2001, when he fought Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF super bantamweight title. This wasn’t an ordinary match for Pacquiao. This was his first match in the United States, and with it taking place at the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the pressure was on.
That night, he showed the entire world what the Philippines already knew, and he captured the title.
It didn’t end there. During his illustrious career, Pacquiao’s popularity and skill have earned an estimated net worth of $190 million.
A Hero To His People
Malacañang Photo Bureau
In 2007, Pacquiao shifted into politics with a run for a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives. While he lost in a major blowout, he won a seat in the Sarangani province in 2010 and was re-elected in 2013. In 2015, he drew media attention when he announced plans to run for Senator.
“I will not be absent because the whole country would be my responsibility,” he said in a press release. Under the United Nationalist Alliance party, he was one of 12 new members of the Senate, and with 16 million votes, he was one of the most popular in the bunch.
Pacquiao officially retired from boxing in April 2016 to focus on being a Senator, but he came out of retirement eight months later to face Jessie Vargas for the WBO welterweight title. Eight months after winning the belt, Pacquiao would lose it to Jeff Horn in Australia.
While many people assume Pacquiao would challenge the boxer for a rematch, that would be on the backburner as violence in his home country continues to escalate. Whether he’s facing an opponent in the ring or facing another issue in his home country, Manny Pacquiao is living proof that determination and a strong mindset will bring you success.
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The world of professional sports is notoriously dense with unimaginable pressure. When performing in the public eye, athletes face a degree of physical and mental stress that regular civilians could hardly begin to imagine. This, in combination with the pain of injury, makes it unsurprising that many are led down drug-ridden paths. How they recover […]
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]]>The world of professional sports is notoriously dense with unimaginable pressure. When performing in the public eye, athletes face a degree of physical and mental stress that regular civilians could hardly begin to imagine. This, in combination with the pain of injury, makes it unsurprising that many are led down drug-ridden paths. How they recover is nothing short of amazing…
Andre Agassi
Wikipedia
Tennis may have a reputation for being a dignified, graceful sport, but even the primmest and most proper athletes are capable of concealing ugly secrets. There may be no greater example of this than that of Andre Agassi, the legendary tennis champ who recently revealed that a hidden struggle with meth dependency at one point threatened to end his career.
Agassi came clean about his use of hard drugs in his recent tell-all autobiography, in which he detailed everything from failing drug tests to lying to the authorities. Luckily, the athlete was able to overcome his addiction in 1997, going on to successfully revive his legendary career.
Brett Favre
Wikimedia Commons
Thanks to his wildly successful career as an NFL quarterback (not to mention his notoriously long list of endorsements), Brett Favre is a household name. There is one detail about the athlete’s past that is not as widely-publicized, however: his battle with prescription drug addiction.
Like so many Americans today, Favre developed a dependency on drugs after being prescribed opiate painkillers to treat a series of injuries. His addiction to the drug Vicodin soon became emphasized by his increasing alcohol consumption, ultimately leading Favre to suffer a serious seizure. The incident served as a wake-up call for the superstar, who got clean and went on to break records and cement his place in football history.
David Thompson
Wikimedia Commons
Though he did still manage to have a long and impactful career in the NBA, fans will always be left to wonder what David Thompson could have done had he reached his full potential. Sadly (as is the case with many celebrities), his use of alcohol and cocaine quickly became far more than just a fun escape from the pressures of the public eye.
The party-heavy lifestyle proved too much for the athlete, pushing him to seek sobriety multiple times through multiple rehabilitation centers as his career unraveled. Luckily, his efforts stuck in time to save his life, leading the Hall of Famer to a peaceful, drug-free retirement.
Josh Hamilton
Flickr
MLB star Josh Hamilton has had a somewhat rocky path to success, to say the least. Before finally finding redemption in the form of a $125 million spot on the Angels’ roster, the struggling athlete famously spent nearly a decade scraping rock bottom as the effects of crack cocaine chipped away at his once-powerful body and mind.
After losing his first multi-million dollar pro contract, his home, his will to live, and a dangerous amount of weight, Hamilton sought out his kind-hearted grandmother for help in his darkest hour. Thanks to her guidance as well as a newfound connection with religion, Hamilton was able to get clean and come back to the major leagues stronger than ever.
Lawrence Taylor
Wikimedia Commons
Few may know that Lawrence Taylor, frequently said to be the most-feared player in NFL history, has had experience fighting off some pretty terrifying demons of his own. Since his retirement, Taylor has revealed via autobiography that he struggled immensely with cocaine and crack dependency near the beginning of his now-legendary career.
The superstar’s explosive book not only detailed his regular use of high-risk substances, but also the efforts NFL officials took to keep his secret under wraps, including knowingly disregarding the topic during negotiations and even accepting fraudulent drug test samples. Though the league may have turned a blind eye, Taylor was able to spot his own red flags, prompting him to quietly seek help and get sober.
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While many Internet celebrities sign deals for reality shows, there are plenty of hard working athletes that could provide as much excitement or drama with the camera on them. We decided to suggest a few folks that have the ability to entertain us with a reality program surrounding their life. Most of these athletes actually […]
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]]>While many Internet celebrities sign deals for reality shows, there are plenty of hard working athletes that could provide as much excitement or drama with the camera on them. We decided to suggest a few folks that have the ability to entertain us with a reality program surrounding their life.
Most of these athletes actually have some pretty strange personal habits, as you’ll see pretty quickly!
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If someone asked you, “who’s the richest NFL player of all time?” what would you say? You wouldn’t even have to be a diehard football fan to venture a few reasonable guesses. Perhaps Peyton Manning? John Madden? Brett Favre? Joe Montana? You’d be close with all of those guesses, but actually, the richest NFL player […]
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]]>If someone asked you, “who’s the richest NFL player of all time?” what would you say?
You wouldn’t even have to be a diehard football fan to venture a few reasonable guesses. Perhaps Peyton Manning? John Madden? Brett Favre? Joe Montana?
You’d be close with all of those guesses, but actually, the richest NFL player of all time is much less of a household name than all of those players.
That eliminates Tim Tebow, in case that was the only football player you knew the name of…
Twitter
Does the name Roger Staubach mean anything to you? No, we figured not. Unless your last name also happens to be Staubach and you’re related to Roger, you might not even know the difference from Roger Staubach or a football.
The $600 Million Dollar Man
Maybe the name Roger Staubach should mean something to us. After all, this guy knew how to make money! Perhaps the most surprising piece of trivia about his net worth, which is north of $600 million, is that very little of it came from his football career!
It’s not that Staubach wasn’t a good football player. Actually, he was pretty great at football. His bio includes two Super Bowl victories in which he was a crucial factor as the star quarterback and team MVP one year. He was also a six-time Pro-Bowler.
YouTube
So, how did Staubach make all of his money? Real estate. No, not like the “real estate agents” littered in your network, including your cousin, uncle, niece, and 40% of your college friends. Staubach was a legitimate real estate broker.
How Staubach Made All Of His Money
The key to his success, as with many wealthy people, was productivity. He didn’t spend his off-seasons laying poolside or lifting weight after weight while grunting relentlessly. Instead, he worked long hours as a real-estate broker to care for the needs of his family.
“I was 27 and we had three children,” shared Staubach.“If I got hurt, I knew I had a family to provide for, and it was not crazy money in the NFL then.”
Staubach didn’t get to his insanely high net worth with his part-time career in real estate. A short time after his retirement in 1979, Staubach started to aggressively expand his company. He proved that his earlier success was no fluke as his business began to grow rapidly, and eventually, Staubach looked to sell.
The Richest, Nicest Football Player We Know
In 2008, Staubach sold his company to Jones Lang Lasalle for roughly $640 million dollars. Not all of that money was Staubach’s, as he had given extensive equity to his employees as the company grew over the years. Still, he made some sweet dough, not to mention that he won over his employees by being one of the nicest bosses ever.
Twitter
So, were you surprised at who holds the title of richest NFL player of all time? Go impress your friends with your knowledge of random football trivia, but don’t forget to share this story on Facebook first!
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Is it really that surprising that many athletes go on to have even more fruitful post-sports careers? After all, to become a successful pro athlete is not just a physical endeavor. It requires inhuman discipline, focus, strategy, and oftentimes, pure savvy, all skills which translate wonderfully to the business world. Success is just a natural […]
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]]>Is it really that surprising that many athletes go on to have even more fruitful post-sports careers? After all, to become a successful pro athlete is not just a physical endeavor. It requires inhuman discipline, focus, strategy, and oftentimes, pure savvy, all skills which translate wonderfully to the business world.
Success is just a natural part of life when you’re a demigod who’s good at everything.
Mario Lemieux
For Mario Lemieux, the game of hockey is the gift that just keeps on giving. There are very few athletes that can claim to have dominated their sport quite as thoroughly as this superstar on skates. While his wildly successful career as an NHL hockey player led to him to earn back-t0-back Stanley Cup wins for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the victories continued long after “Super Mario” hung up his skates for good. How so, you ask? In retirement, he bought the team, rescued it from financial distress, and eventually led them to claim a third championship title in 2009.
How so, you ask? In retirement, he bought the team, rescued it from financial distress, and eventually led them to claim a third championship title in 2009.
Wikimedia Commons
Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley never earned a championship ring during his long (and otherwise successful) career in professional basketball, though you wouldn’t know it based on how much press coverage the “Round Mound of Rebound” still receives today.Whether he is making headlines for his brazen political commentary or his hilariously inept golf swing, the broadcaster, author, spokesperson, and 11-time NBA All-Star always manages to maintain the same coziness with publicity that he was known for decades ago. It’s as though retirement only makes Barkley busier!
Whether he is making headlines for his brazen political commentary or his hilariously inept golf swing, the broadcaster, author, spokesperson, and 11-time NBA All-Star always manages to maintain the same coziness with publicity that he was known for decades ago. It’s as though retirement only makes Barkley busier!
Wikimedia Commons
Vinnie Jones
In his native England, Vinnie Jones is known as the soccer sensation that dominated the field all throughout the late 20th century. Across the pond, the ball-playing bloke is known for his work in an entirely different (though equally glamorized) industry: acting.
“Hard Man” Jones retired from professional soccer in 1999 following a long career of leading teams, winning championships, and head-butting men in the testicles in pursuit of victory. The former athlete then moved to the United States, where his interest in the silver screen soon led to him appearing in a wide variety of films, including such recognizable titles as X-Men: The Last Stand and Juggernaut.
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Gerald Ford
Yes, you read that correctly: The Gerald Ford really qualifies as an item on this list. Before taking on the fun little retirement gig of becoming the leader of the free world (amongst other diplomatic achievements), Mr. Ford was making national headlines for a completely different reason: he was a college football superstar.
Though he never made to the professional level, the diplomatic linebacker led the University of Michigan to two consecutive national championships during his time as a student, prompting the school to eventually retire his number. The never-ending adoration was mutual, and Ford remained a notorious supporter of the team all throughout his presidency.
Wikimedia Commons
Hakeem Olajuwon
During his time in the NBA, soft-hearted superstar Hakeem Olajuwon was nicknamed “The Dream” for his demeanor on and off the court (though the simplified spelling probably helped too).
While others in his position may have seen retirement as a wake-up call, Olajuwon’s separation from the sport only led him to an even more dreamlike existence: real estate. Sure, it seems hard to believe that buying and selling high-end Houston homes could possibly be as glamorous as being an NBA All-Star, but the $100 million fortune Olajuwon has amassed through his practice is truly the stuff of fairy tales.
Wikimedia Commons
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