⏱️ 5 min read

Professional athletes are often viewed through the narrow lens of their sporting achievements, but many have led fascinating double lives with careers that extend far beyond the playing field. From medicine to music, and from engineering to entertainment, these remarkable individuals have proven that athletic prowess doesn’t preclude success in other demanding professions. Their stories challenge our assumptions about specialization and demonstrate the transferable skills that sports can develop.

Medical Professionals Who Excelled on the Field

Perhaps no career path seems more divergent from professional sports than medicine, yet several athletes have managed to balance both demanding vocations. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, an offensive lineman who won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, earned his medical degree from McGill University while playing in the NFL. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he opted out of the 2020 season to work in a long-term care facility in Quebec, treating elderly patients on the frontlines.

Former rugby player turned doctor, Ken Catchpole of Australia, pursued medicine after his playing career was cut short by injury. His discipline and mental toughness on the rugby pitch translated seamlessly into the rigorous demands of medical school and practice. Similarly, Socrates, the Brazilian football legend, was a qualified physician who earned his degree while captaining his club team and leading Brazil’s national squad in the 1982 World Cup.

Athletes in the Entertainment Industry

The transition from sports to entertainment has become increasingly common, with several athletes successfully establishing second careers in film, television, and music. However, some pursued these passions simultaneously with their athletic careers rather than waiting for retirement.

Damian Lillard, the NBA All-Star point guard, has maintained a serious career as a hip-hop artist under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A. His albums have received critical acclaim within the hip-hop community, demonstrating genuine artistic merit beyond celebrity vanity projects. Similarly, Shaquille O’Neal released multiple rap albums during his basketball career, with his debut going platinum.

Former NFL player Terry Crews built a successful acting career that eventually eclipsed his football achievements. While his entertainment career flourished after retirement, he began pursuing acting opportunities while still playing professional football, appearing in commercials and small roles that would later launch his Hollywood career.

Engineering and Technical Professions

The analytical thinking required in engineering meshes surprisingly well with the strategic elements of competitive sports. Frank Ryan, who quarterbacked the Cleveland Browns to an NFL championship in 1964, simultaneously earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Rice University. He later became a professor and university administrator, proving that complex playbook study and advanced mathematics aren’t mutually exclusive pursuits.

John Urschel, former NFL offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, retired early from football to pursue his passion for mathematics. During his playing career, he published multiple peer-reviewed mathematics papers and earned a master’s degree from Penn State. He’s now pursuing his Ph.D. at MIT, focusing on spectral graph theory and numerical analysis.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Many athletes leverage their competitive instincts and strategic thinking into successful business ventures, but some were entrepreneurs before fame found them on the field. Magic Johnson built a business empire while still playing for the Lakers, establishing himself as a savvy investor and entrepreneur. His business acumen has proven as legendary as his no-look passes, with investments spanning movie theaters, restaurants, and real estate.

Roger Staubach, the Hall of Fame quarterback, founded his own real estate company while still playing for the Dallas Cowboys. The Staubach Company eventually became one of the most successful commercial real estate firms in the United States, which he sold for over $600 million in 2008. His success demonstrates that the leadership and decision-making skills honed on the football field translate directly into the boardroom.

Law and Public Service

The discipline and advocacy skills required in legal practice have attracted several notable athletes. Byron “Whizzer” White played professional football before attending Yale Law School and eventually becoming a Supreme Court Justice. His appointment by President Kennedy made him one of the most distinguished examples of an athlete transitioning to public service.

NFL player Michael Oher, whose story inspired the film “The Blind Side,” pursued legal studies while playing professional football. Similarly, Australian Rules footballer Heritier Lumumba qualified as a lawyer while playing AFL, demonstrating his commitment to social justice issues that extended beyond his sporting platform.

Education and Academia

Several athletes have maintained careers in education while competing at the highest levels. Steve Spurrier worked as a graduate assistant coach while playing professional football in the off-season, beginning a coaching career that would eventually lead to a Hall of Fame induction. His ability to balance playing with teaching others demonstrated the depth of his football knowledge.

Phil Mulkey, who played professional baseball, simultaneously worked as a high school teacher and coach. He would teach during the school year and play minor league baseball during summers, managing both careers successfully before eventually focusing solely on education.

The Transferable Skills Connection

These remarkable individuals demonstrate that the skills developed through competitive sports—discipline, time management, strategic thinking, and mental toughness—transfer seamlessly to other professional domains. Their success in multiple careers challenges the notion that early specialization is necessary for excellence. Instead, their stories suggest that diverse interests and the ability to balance multiple demanding pursuits may actually enhance performance in all areas. These athletes prove that the human potential for achievement extends far beyond any single field, inspiring future generations to pursue their varied passions without limitation.