25 Athletes Who Became Politicians
Arnold Schwarzenegger (Bodybuilding) - Governor of California
A world-renowned bodybuilder and action star, he transitioned from Hollywood to the political arena. As a Republican, he successfully ran in the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election, serving as the state's 38th governor for two terms until 2011.
George Weah (Football/Soccer) - President of Liberia
The only African player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or, Weah is a legendary footballer. Following his sporting career, he entered politics and was elected as the 25th President of Liberia in 2018, serving until 2024.
Manny Pacquiao (Boxing) - Senator of the Philippines
Considered one of boxing's greatest, Pacquiao won world championships in eight different divisions. His immense popularity propelled him into politics, where he was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives and later served as a Senator of the Philippines.
Bill Bradley (Basketball) - U.S. Senator
A Hall of Fame basketball player for the New York Knicks, Bradley won two NBA championships and an Olympic gold medal. He leveraged his athletic discipline for public service, representing New Jersey in the U.S. Senate for three terms from 1979 to 1997.
Jack Kemp (American Football) - U.S. Representative
A former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, Kemp was a prominent figure in the Republican Party. After his NFL career, he served nine terms as a U.S. Representative from New York and was later the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Jesse Ventura (Wrestling) - Governor of Minnesota
Known as "The Body" during his professional wrestling career with the WWF, Ventura made a surprising turn to politics. Running on the Reform Party ticket, he was elected the 38th Governor of Minnesota in 1998, serving a single term.
Vitali Klitschko (Boxing) - Mayor of Kyiv
One of the most dominant heavyweight boxers of his era, Klitschko retired with multiple world titles. He became deeply involved in Ukrainian politics, leading protests and eventually being elected as the Mayor of Kyiv in 2014, a position he continues to hold.
Kevin Johnson (Basketball) - Mayor of Sacramento
A three-time NBA All-Star point guard, Kevin Johnson had a successful career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. After retiring from basketball, he ran for office and was elected as the 55th Mayor of Sacramento, California, serving from 2008 to 2016.
Dave Bing (Basketball) - Mayor of Detroit
A Hall of Fame basketball player and NBA scoring champion, Bing played for the Detroit Pistons. Following a successful business career, he was elected as the 74th Mayor of Detroit in 2009, serving until 2014.
Steve Largent (American Football) - U.S. Representative
A Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, Largent was a Pro Bowl-level talent. After his NFL career, he served four terms as a U.S. Representative for Oklahoma from 1994 to 2002, becoming a key figure in the Republican Party.
Tom Osborne (American Football/Coaching) - U.S. Representative
A college football coaching legend, Osborne led the Nebraska Cornhuskers to three national championships. Following his retirement from coaching, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Nebraska, serving from 2001 to 2007.
Heath Shuler (American Football) - U.S. Representative
A former college football star quarterback at the University of Tennessee, Shuler was the third overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. After his football career, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for North Carolina, serving from 2007 to 2013.
Jim Bunning (Baseball) - U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative
A Hall of Fame baseball pitcher, Bunning was known for his durability and no-hitter games. He successfully transitioned to politics, serving in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate for Kentucky from 1987 to 2011.
Alan Page (American Football) - Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
A Hall of Fame defensive tackle and the 1971 NFL MVP, Page dominated the league. After earning a law degree while still playing, he embarked on a distinguished legal career, becoming the first African American to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Judo) - U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative
An Olympic judoka who competed in the 1964 Tokyo Games, Campbell was a decorated athlete. He went on to become a U.S. Representative and later a U.S. Senator for Colorado, becoming the only Native American to chair the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
Jon Runyan (American Football) - U.S. Representative
A former offensive lineman who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Runyan was known for his toughness and reliability. After his retirement, he successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives for New Jersey, serving from 2011 to 2015.
Colin Allred (American Football) - U.S. Representative
A former linebacker for the Tennessee Titans, Allred turned his focus to law and public service. After graduating from law school, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas's 32nd congressional district, a role he holds today.
Glenn Jacobs (Wrestling) - Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee
Best known as the WWE wrestler "Kane," Jacobs was one of the most physically imposing figures in professional wrestling history. Leveraging his public name recognition, he successfully ran for and was elected Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, in 2018.
Burgess Owens (American Football) - U.S. Representative
A former NFL defensive back who won a Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders, Owens' career spanned ten seasons. He transitioned to politics and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Utah's 4th congressional district in 2020.
Jim Ryun (Track & Field) - U.S. Representative
A legendary middle-distance runner, Ryun was the first high school athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile. His career in public service included five terms as a U.S. Representative for Kansas from 1996 to 2007.
Bob Mathias (Decathlon) - U.S. Representative
Mathias is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon, winning in 1948 and 1952. He was the youngest male to win an Olympic track and field gold. He went on to serve four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for California.
J.C. Watts (American Football) - U.S. Representative
A standout quarterback at the University of Oklahoma and in the Canadian Football League, Watts entered politics after his sports career. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 4th congressional district, serving from 1995 to 2003.
Doug Henry (American Football) - State Senator in Tennessee
A football player at Vanderbilt University, Henry made a name for himself in public service. He became a prominent Tennessee politician, serving in the State Senate for over 40 years, becoming the longest-serving member of the legislature.
Lynn Swann (American Football) - Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
A Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Swann won four Super Bowl titles. After his stellar career, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Herschel Walker (American Football) - U.S. Senate Candidate
A Heisman Trophy-winning running back from the University of Georgia, Walker had a legendary career in both college and the NFL. He entered politics in 2022, running for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia.
