The popularity that many athletes generate allows them to be successful in other areas. Politics is one arena that several sports stars choose to pursue when their playing careers are over. Athletes have served our country and abroad as politicians as a way to help others and build an even greater legacy. Some have been members of the United States Congress, while others use their local popularity in the city they played in to become mayor.
Politician and Inspirational Penn State Football Player
While playing football for Penn State in a game against rival, Ohio State, Adam Taliaferro made a routine helmet-to-helmet tackle that would change the course of his life. He had broken his neck a si
Former Guard for the Phoenix Suns
Kevin Johnson played in the NBA for 12 years before becoming the mayor of Sacramento in 2008. Prior to becoming a household name Johnson starred at UC Berkeley where he earned All-American honors on t
Retired Head Football Coach for the University Of Nebraska
Tom Osborne led the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team to three national championships, 13 conference championships, and 13 overall bowl wins during his 25 years as head coach from 1973
Seattle Seahawks Hall Of Fame Wide Receiver
Pro Football Hall of Famer, Steve Largent, is the epitome of an American hero. After his 14-year career in the NFL he served his country in the United States House of Representatives as a republican
Olympic Track & Field Legend and Former Congressman
Jim Ryun is one of the most famous American track and field competitors of all-time. Ryun first made waves in high school when he became the first high schooler to run a sub-four minute mile. He still
Former NHL Coach
Jacques Demers, a Canadian native, is a senator and former head hockey coach. Born in1944 in Montreal, Quebec, Demers has been nicknamed The Honorable for all that he has made of himself in the seve
Former NFL Player and Congressman
Heath Shuler is a former NFL quarterback who played in the NFL for four seasons. Prior to his time in the NFL, Shuler was a highly recruited quarterback out of high school who won two North Carolina c
Only Eight Division World Champion in Boxing History
Manny Pacquiao's legacy is cemented as one of the greatest boxers of all time, a global humanitarian, and a hero in his home country of the Philippines. Pacquiao is the only boxer to win a world champ
All-American Defensive Back
From 1969-1971, Tommy Casanova was a household name to any college football fan as the defensive back for the LSU Tigers was constantly making headlines. Casanova was a three time All-American for LSU
Six Time NHL Stanley Cup Winner
Frank The Big M Mahovlich is a former Liberal Senator for the Canadian Senate and a retired NHL ice player. Several NHL teams scouted Mahovlich while he was playing for the Northern Ontario Hockey A
Former Seven-Time NBA All-Star
Dave Bing played 12 seasons in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons, Washington Bullets and Boston Celtics. During that span he averaged over 20 points and six assists per game in route to earning seven A
The popularity that many athletes generate allows them to be successful in other areas. Politics is one arena that several sports stars choose to pursue when their playing careers are over. Athletes have served our country and abroad as politicians as a way to help others and build an even greater legacy. Some have been members of the United States Congress, while others use their local popularity in the city they played in to become mayor.
Politician and Inspirational Penn State Football Player
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