Top 15 Athletes Turned Politicians

By Michael Terrill

Top 15 Athletes Turned Politicians

Athletes Turned Politicians — There are the athletes who retire from their respective sport without any clue what they want to do in their second career. Then there are the athletes who retire with lofty goals, including a life in the world of politics. These are the top 15 athletes who shined in their prime to become politicians.

15. Jon Runyan

Jon Runyan

15. Jon Runyan

Jon Runyan — Former Oilers/Titans, Eagles, Chargers offensive lineman Jon Runyan was an All-Pro selection in 1999 and he’s a member of the Eagles’ 75th Anniversary Team. He also started in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans and Super Bowl XXXIX as a member of the Eagles. Unfortunately, both times he was on the losing team. Not long after football, Runyan assumed office as a member of the House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 3rd district.

14. Bob St. Clair

Bob St. Clair

14. Bob St. Clair

Bob St. Clair — For 10 seasons, offensive lineman Bob St. Clair suited up for the San Francisco 49ers. The nine-time All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl selection was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He’s also a member of the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and he had his No. 79 retired by the 49ers. His position as Mayor of Daly City, Calif. may not stack up against some of the other politicians on this list, but he’s considered a politician nonetheless.

13. Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp

13. Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp — As a member of the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills, Jack Kemp was selected to seven AFL All-Star teams. He led the Bills to back-to-back AFL championships in 1964 and 1965, which was a big reason why he was named the 1965 AFL MVP. He holds numerous AFL records for the quarterback position. Kemp was elected Congressman of New York’s 39th district in 1971 and stayed in the House of Representatives until 1989.

12. Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford

12. Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford — While at Michigan, Gerald Ford was the team’s center and linebacker who helped the school to back-to-back national championships (1933 and 1934). After his naval service in World War II, he turned to a life of politics. He spent time in the House of Representatives as a member from Michigan’s 5th district. He also became Vice President when Richard Nixon’s VP was forced to resign and then President when Nixon resigned.

11. Kevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson

11. Kevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson — Kevin Johnson is considered one of the best point guards in Phoenix Suns history. The four-time NBA All-Star had his No. 7 retired by the franchise, which makes sense considering he owns several team records. Johnson is currently the Mayor of Sacramento and was instrumental in keeping the Sacramento Kings in their current residence.

10. Jim Bunning

Jim Bunning

10. Jim Bunning

Jim Bunning — On June 21, 1964, Jim Bunning became only the fifth pitcher in the modern era to toss a perfect game. It’s a very big deal considering there are only 21 men to accomplish the feat in the modern era. The nine-time All-Star also pitched a no-hitter in 1958 and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996. In politics, he has been a member of the House of Representatives and held office as a Kentucky Senator.

9. Dave Bing

Dave Bing

9. Dave Bing

Dave Bing — Basketball Hall of Famer Dave Bing accomplished plenty in the sport during his career, including being the 1968 NBA scoring champion and getting elected to seven All-Star games. As a politician, Bing’s claim to fame was as the Mayor of Detroit from 2009-2013.

8. Byron White

Byron White

8. Byron White

Byron White — Halfback Byron White was a two-time NFL rushing champion (1938, 1940) and a three-time All-Pro selection. He also is a member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team, which is an incredible accomplishment considering he only played for three seasons prior to entering World War II. After the war, he studied law and became a politician. He was an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1962 to 1993.

7. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger

7. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger — Arnold Schwarzenegger is most famous for his action movies, but what many may not realize is that he actually got his start in the sport of bodybuilding/weightlifting. In fact, he’s the youngest person ever to be crowned Mr. Olympia, an award given to the greatest bodybuilder in the world. He would go on to win seven Mr. Olympia competitions, among many other strongest man contests. He became the Governor of California in 2003.

6. Steve Largent

Steve Largent

6. Steve Largent

Steve Largent — Steve Largent is widely regarded as the greatest Seattle Seahawks player of all-time. The reality is it stretches far beyond that as he at one point held a handful of NFL records, including most touchdown catches. The Pro Football Hall of Famer represented Oklahoma’s 1st district for a whopping four terms.

5. Bob Mathias

Bob Mathias

5. Bob Mathias

Bob Mathias — Two-time Olympic gold medalist Bob Mathias became the youngest gold medalist to win a track and field event at the age of 17 years old. If that weren’t enough, he also led Stanford to the Rose Bowl in the same year he won his second Olympic gold medal in the decathlon. He became the first person ever to appear in the Rose Bowl and Olympics in the same year. Mathias was a four-term Congressman from 1967 to 1975.

4. Bill Bradley

Bill Bradley

4. Bill Bradley

Bill Bradley — Bill Bradley is one of the smartest former professional athletes in existence. The Rhodes Scholar at Oxford is an Olympic gold medalist, Final Four Most Outstanding Player, AP College Player of the Year, two-time Sporting News Player of the Year, two-time NBA champion, two-time Consensus First Team All-American and had his No. 24 retired by the New York Knicks. As a U.S. Senator from New Jersey, he held office from 1979 to 1997.

3. Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao

3. Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao — Boxing great Manny Pacquiao is known for dominating in the ring. In fact, his 56-5-2 record and 19 titles, including seven major world titles, makes him arguably the greatest boxer currently in the game. He has used his fame to help others, which includes becoming a politician. In 2010, he became a member of the Philippine House of Representatives.

2. Alan Page

Alan Page

2. Alan Page

Alan Page — Alan Page has a storied football career. The 1971 NFL MVP is a Super Bowl champion, an AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, a six-time First-Team All-Pro, a member of the 1970s All-Decade Team and he had his No. 88 retired by the Vikings. He also is a member of the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame. He became the first African-American to serve as an Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

1. Ken Dryden

Ken Dryden

1. Ken Dryden

Ken Dryden — The legendary Ken Dryden was considered the best goaltender of his time. His 258 wins, 46 shutouts, six Stanley Cup victories and surplus of awards is all the evidence needed to prove it. The Hockey Hall of Famer shocked the hockey world when he announced his early retirement. Dryden wanted to focus on other things, including politics. He served as a member of the Canadian Parliament for York Centre from 2004 to 2011.

Share On Facebook

Share