Posted February 29, 20205 yr Ok so I was wondering how many different examples we could think of for sports stars who went on to completely change their identity by taking a different career path either in the showbiz industry or in less glamorous forms. The first example I thought of was Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a professional wrestler turned Hollywood actor. Also I thought of Vinnie Jones, a professional football player who went on to make many movies and star as the ‘hard man’ bad guy. In the same sport, Dion Dublin, once a striker for the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa and Coventry, now a daytime TV presenter for a housing show. One more example who took a similar path, Andrew Flintoff, once a professional cricketer, now presenting BBC’s car show Top Gear. What other examples can you think of?
February 29, 20205 yr We had a talk the other week from a non-league footballer who owned a church so that sort-of counts ;) On a similar tack, Margaret Court became a Christian minister, although probably not one this site's demographic would be particularly fond of.
February 29, 20205 yr Eric Cantona has been an actor and Imran Khan is now prime minister of Pakistan.
February 29, 20205 yr Former Test cricketer David Shepherd became a bishop. Seb Coe was briefly a Tory MP after retiring from athletics. Chris Chattaway (who took part in the first four-minute mile) did the same.
February 29, 20205 yr Mick Channon was a footballer and then become a successful horse racing trainer.
February 29, 20205 yr The jockey Dick Francis became a best selling author and the England cricket captain Mike Brearley became a psychoanalyst.
February 29, 20205 yr Any notable sports stars that went on to begin a singing career? Vinnie Jones if I recall appeared on Top of The Pops once. Chris Kamara released an album last year.
February 29, 20205 yr Author Chris Kamara released an album last year. Oh yes, I also recall former England manager Terry Venables released a couple of songs including a jazz record for the 2002 World Cup.
February 29, 20205 yr Terry Venables had a UK Top 40 hit with a cover of 'If I Can Dream' back in 2010 which got to #23 in the charts.
March 21, 20205 yr Rebecca Romero won a silver in rowing in Athens 2004 and gold in cycling in Beijing 2008 at the Olympics.
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