Iconic Athletes Who Now Work 9 To 5 Like The Rest Of Us

Myron Rolle had already graduated from Oxford University with a medical anthropology master’s degree before being drafted by the Tennessee Titans. And the footballer continued his education when he left the NFL, studying at Florida State’s College of Medicine. Myron now works in the field of neuroscience at both Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School!

Even NFL players can use Uber to earn a bit of surplus money. AJ Francis has found it difficult to make the leap from the training field to the active roster as a nose tackle. But rather than sit sulking, the 330-pounder spends his spare time driving others around his home city, making up to $50 an hour in the process.

Ed Newman made one of the unlikeliest career moves by an NFL player ever in 1995, when he was appointed a county court judge! The former Miami Dolphin regular studied at his home state’s main university during his footballing years. And Ed now counts one of his former teammates, Tony Nathan, as his bailiff, too!

Ty Law’s no doubt literally jumped for joy over the success he’s achieved since leaving the NFL. The former defensive back has opened no fewer than 25 of his Launch Trampoline Parks across New England and various other U.S. regions. And apparently he occasionally turns up at the Rhode Island branch to participate in a spot of trampolining dodgeball, too!

Tony McGee has his fingers in many pies. Or should we say donuts? The former NFL star owns an Indiana branch of Dunkin’ Donuts, after all. He’s also launched Brothers Reaching Out, an organization designed to provide mentorship, and serves as the CEO of HNM Global Logistics, an Orlando-based freight firm.

Eddie George has pivoted into several different areas since leaving the NFL behind. He’s acted as a spokesperson for Tennessee lifestyle program GetFitTN, graduated from Northwestern University with an MBA, and appeared on the stage as an actor. In fact, this winner of the Heisman Trophy has even graced Broadway in a production of Chicago.

Brandon Copeland may still be a regular in the NFL. But that hasn’t stopped the footballer from planning for life after sport. During his downtime Brandon works as an analyst for Weiss Multi-Strategy Advisers. The Ivy League graduate’s also passed on his words of wisdom as a financial literacy teacher.

Muhsin Muhammad enjoyed no fewer than 14 seasons as an NFL star, most of which came with the Carolina Panthers. And it was also in Charlotte that the wide receiver launched his second career. Muhsin’s the managing director of Axum Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in the Old North State that owns a majority in the franchise known as Wild Wing Café.

Dermontti Dawson wasted little time in branching out from football after quitting the NFL. But the real estate firm that he launched eventually went bankrupt. Proving you can’t keep a Hall of Fame inductee down, though, Dermontti bounced back as a sales exec for a San Diego-based promo company named Prime Time Plus.

Wayne Chrebet enjoyed nearly a dozen seasons as a New York Jet before reinventing himself in the world of finance. The NFL star landed plum jobs with Barclays Capital and Morgan Stanley, eventually serving as the assistant vice president at the former. Wayne then continued his remarkable rise up the corporate career ladder when he moved to Stifel Financial Corp.

Keith Fitzhugh was forced to give up his footballing dreams after failing to fulfil his early potential in the NFL. The safety then bagged a train conductor job to make ends meet. And it’s a role that appears to suit Keith much better. In fact, he’s since been promoted to terminal superintendent at the Atlanta Norfolk Southern Railway.

You may be aware of Bernie Kosar’s money problems since leaving the NFL. He went bankrupt during 2009, having lost almost every cent of the $19 million he’d earned as a footballer. Bernie later aligned himself with a grill restaurant at Ohio’s Northfield Park and also became a regular on the motivational speaker circuit, in an attempt to claw some of the money back.

Kareem McKenzie wasn’t afraid to get outside assistance during his 11 seasons with the New York Giants and Jets. The two-time Super Bowl winner regularly sought counseling throughout his time in the NFL and is now planning to help a new generation of footballers deal with their mental health issues. Yes, Kareem became so interested in this field that he studied for a Ph.D. in professional counseling.

Fred Smerlas undoubtedly has many strings to his bow. After hanging up his football boots, the five-time Pro Bowler founded a Massachusetts-based firm dealing with fundraising efforts for the emergency services. Alongside Steve DeOssie, Fred also has a Rhode Island steakhouse. And don’t be surprised to see him become involved in a political campaign in the near future, too.

Raghib Ismail spent nearly a decade in the NFL, having first enjoyed two years in the Canadian equivalent. After quitting the sport, the man nicknamed Rocket started earning five-figure sums on the motivational speaker circuit. Yes, Raghib now tries to inspire others at everything from business functions and school assemblies to church gatherings.

Bernard Reedy certainly believes in paying it forward. The three-time Tampa Bay Buccaneer has spent much of his downtime from the NFL driving wheelchair users around as a Car Ride employee for as little as $11 an hour. But Bernard feels that his clients give him the impetus to keep plugging away at his footballing dreams.

Maya DiRado became one of Team USA’s biggest stars of the Rio Olympics, thanks to the four medals she won in the pool. Instead of moving into coaching, though, the swimmer then chose to shift into the field of healthcare provider procurement. Maya first worked as a McKinsey and Co. consultant before landing an associate position at King Philanthropies.

In 2018 Brian Orakpo decided to wave goodbye to the NFL after a full ten seasons. The edge rusher was already prepared for life after sport, having set up a cupcake firm with another former footballer, Michael Griffin. Gigi’s Cupcakes has become a big hit with the sweet-toothed public of Austin. And the pair intend on going into business together again in other fields.

Kerri Strug endeared herself to the nation at Atlanta 1996 when she won Olympic gold for the vault, despite carrying a severe injury to her ankle. The gymnast even had to be lifted to the podium by her coach. After quitting the sporting world, Kerri studied social psychology and communications at Stanford. Following a spell as a second grade teacher, she moved to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, where she works as a grant manager.

After a promising start, Vince Young failed to sustain his early potential and retired from the NFL after just a few seasons. He later returned to the University of Texas to complete his education and was soon appointed by the same establishment’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. Vince’s key role today is to help raise funds for youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds.

Vin Baker enjoyed a 13-season stint in the NBA, earning more than $100 million in the process. And yet thanks to a hard-drinking habit, the former basketball star still ended up virtually penniless. To get his life back on track, Vin took on management jobs at both a Massachusetts summer camp and a Connecticut branch of Starbucks.

Darko Milicic reportedly raked in more than $50 million during his decade in the NBA. But he decided against simply sitting on his mountain of cash after retiring from the sport. After a brief attempt to make his name in the world of kickboxing, the Serbian returned to his homeland, where he currently works on an apple farm exporting the fruit to everywhere from Africa to Dubai.

Adrian Dantley spent 15 seasons playing for the likes of the Buffalo Braves and the Utah Jazz. But that was back in the era when NBA stars didn’t earn megabucks. So the one-time Rookie of the Year was forced to take a part-time job as a crossing guard in Maryland after hanging up his basketball shoes. Adrian’s since helped to save the lives of two people during his unlikely second career.

Shandon Anderson spent a decade in the NBA, steering the Miami Heat to a famous championship win in 2006. Shortly afterwards, the basketball star retired from the sport and immersed himself in the world of vegan cuisine. Shandon improved his skills in the kitchen at several culinary schools before opening his own restaurant, Drunk Art, in Atlanta.

Tito Santana made his name in the wrestling ring during the late 1970s. But after leaving the world of body slams behind, the former WWE star decided to pursue something a little more sedate. The man born Merced Solis now earns a living teaching Spanish at a New Jersey middle school.

Drew Bledsoe had plenty to celebrate during his playing days, having made the Pro Bowl on four occasions during a 14-year career in the NFL. And now he has something to celebrate with. The footballer opened up a winery in the Washington region of Walla Walla with a long-time pal after quitting the game. And their Doubleback Winery wines have since built up an impressive reputation in the industry, too.

Myron Rolle isn’t the only NFL star with an impressive medical pedigree. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif studied the subject at McGill University in Montreal during his time off with the Kansas City Chiefs. And since establishing himself in the franchise’s offensive line, Laurent’s also found the time to invent a device that’ll help combat the problem of concussion in the sport.

Mark Wohlers can still lay claim to pitching the third-fastest ball in baseball history. But after suffering a serious drop of form, the MLB star decided to switch his attention to a far more ruthless endeavor. Yes, Mark now earns a living with his wife managing a real estate firm.

Alongside younger sibling Scott, Rick Steiner formed one of the best tag teams in WWE history. And he’s since gone from sidewalk slams to selling properties. Yes, the man born Robert Rechsteiner currently works in the slightly less physically demanding world of real estate. Rick also finds the time to serve on the board of his local school, too.

Jordy Nelson no doubt found life after the NFL easier to adjust to than most. After all, he’d already spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers juggling a family-based sideline. Yes, during the offseason he’d head home to work a full half-day on a Kansas farm, with typical duties including combine driving and cow herding.

Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has scored more career points in the NBA than Karl Malone. And the former basketball star’s list of achievements outside the court is pretty impressive, too. Over the years, Karl’s owned everything from Teriyaki restaurants and ice cream joints to car dealerships and Jiffy Lubes. The entrepreneur even once drove trucks for a living.

Adam Morrison twice won the NBA championship with the LA Lakers ahead of hanging up his basketball shoes in 2012. He then completed a sports management degree at Gonzaga, before landing a student assistant position at the same college. Adam’s still working there, though now in a different capacity: an assistant video coordinator.

LaRue Martin failed to build on his promising college form when he eventually made it to the NBA. But he’s been far more successful away from the basketball court. After climbing the career ladder at UPS, the 7-footer was appointed a district public affairs and community services manager in Illinois.

Brandon Roy looked like becoming an all-time NBA great when he was announced as Rookie of the Year. But a series of serious knee injuries eventually forced him out of the professional game after just five seasons. Brandon’s still stayed within the sport, though. He now makes a living teaching basketball at a Washington high school.

Randy Johnson tried to put off retirement from the MLB as long as possible. The pitcher was the relatively old age of 47 when he finally walked away from the field. Since then, he’s switched his attention to photography, and in particular taking photos of rock bands. KISS, Metallica, and Rush are just a few of the musical giants Randy’s lensed over the years.

Archie Manning played in the NFL for no fewer than 15 years. But his footballing talents have inevitably been overshadowed by those of his sons Eli and Peyton. The two-time Pro Bowler also owns a popular New Orleans eatery — and a football-themed one at that — named Manning’s. And he was once again usurped by his offspring when Peyton opened up the slightly swankier Saloon 16.

Aaron Maybin chose to explore his creative side after leaving the footballing world back in 2013. Not only did the former NFL star launch a nonprofit designed to provide support for the artistic community in Baltimore, but he now teaches art at an elementary school as well. Proving that he’s one of the good guys, Aaron also helped to raise enough money to provide his workplace with both new heating and student uniforms.

Former New York Yankees star Homer Bush once appeared on an ESPN show with the title of “Broke.” But this wasn’t another example of a sportsman going bankrupt after splashing the cash a little too wildly. No, Homer graced the special as a financial advisor having carved out a new career in the wake of his baseball retirement.

Antoine Walker raked in more than $100 million during his NBA career but had somehow blown through it all by 2010. The Boston Celtics star’s now determined to make sure others don’t commit the same financial mistakes. Yes, Antoine currently earns a crust as a Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment consultant, advising a new generation of athletes to handle their money much more wisely than he did.

It’s fair to say that Ricardo Silva has probably made more of an impression in his second career than his first. The former footballer only played for the Detroit Lions on 14 occasions. But he’s now inspiring a generation of kids as a high school geometry teacher in Washington, D.C.