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Athletes prime years are often short and sweet. As they retire from their illustrious careers, many transition seamlessly into unexpected professions, ranging from politics to medicine. Moreover, with increased awareness of the financial uncertainties post-retirement, athletes are actively preparing for life after sports, recognizing the need to safeguard their long-term success. In this list, we note some athletes who did just that by successfully navigating this transition.
Hayley Wickenheiser
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Not only is Wickenheiser one of the most successful women’s hockey players of all time, but one of the greatest Olympians ever. A four-time Olympic gold medalist for Team Canada, the Hockey Hall of Famer also became the Assistant Director of Player Development with the Toronto Maple Leafs. She was in her final year of medical school when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Wickenheiser reportedly offered emergency help during the early days of the crisis and has played a prominent role in the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment.
Muhsin Muhammad
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Muhammad played 14 seasons in the NFL, with the Carolina Panthers and also the Chicago Bears. After his playing days ended and he dabbled as an NFL analyst and television host, “Moose” helped start a private equity firm – for which he became managing director. Muhammad is also an active philanthropist, most notably founding “The M2 Foundation for Kids.”
Nate Hughes
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An All-American at Alcorn State, Hughes spent time with the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars. He played eight games for the Jags in 2009, the only season he saw NFL regular-season action. No problem, as Hughes has done well for himself after football. According to USA Today, Hughes attended medical school, was a full-time nurse, and is currently a resident at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. His training is in anesthesia.
Wayne Chrebet
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Chrebet is one of the true success stories in the NFL. The underdog New Jersey native caught 580 passes during an 11-year career with the New York Jets (1995-’05) and found himself in the team’s Ring of Honor. During his life after football, Chrebet has reportedly run two restaurants on Long Island. He’s also spent time as a financial advisor.
Vinnie Johnson
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“The Microwave” was instant offense off the bench for the Detroit Pistons during most of the 1980s and into the ‘90s. He helped the “Bad Boys” to back-to-back NBA Championships. When it was time to leave the court, Johnson continued to shine – especially as a leader. He founded an international automobile group and served as CEO of the Piston Group. In addition, Johnson is a member of the Michigan Minority Business Development Council.
Mark Wohlers
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Wohlers enjoyed a solid major-league career, for the most part. During the 1995 to ’97 seasons with Atlanta, Wohlers recorded 113 saves. He’s been part of a different team for some time now. “Team Wohlers” real estate agency is one of the most prominent realtor groups in the Atlanta area. After all, Wohlers should be pretty good at “closing a deal.” Pun intended.
Ryan Dempster
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Dempster spent 16 seasons in the majors, starring both as a starting pitcher and reliever. He was always a character while in the game, and his love for life in Chicago has paved the way for a second career as a budding entertainer. Dempster has tried his hand at stand-up comedy and also hosted a talk show, “Off The Mound,” for charity. During the coronavirus pandemic, Dempster has posted online video workouts and pitching technique drills for young baseball players cooped up in the house.
Marshall Leonard
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The former New England Revolution defender, Leonard had his moments during four seasons in MLS. However, Leonard has since made a name for himself off the pitch. Dr. Leonard lives in the New York City area and completed his residency in emergency medicine in 2019, and stated he wants to teach fellow residents and med students.
Drew Bledsoe
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Bledsoe might have lost his job to Tom Brady, but he still had a fine 14-year NFL career. That included more than 44,000 passing yards and just over 250 touchdown passes. Since leaving the NFL following the 2006 season, Bledsoe started Doubleback Winery, which proved to be rather successful. He also reportedly has spent time as an assistant high school football coach.
Kareem McKenzie
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McKenzie spent his entire 11-year NFL career playing in the New York City area — for both the Jets and Giants. A dependable offensive lineman, McKenzie also proved that dependability when his football career ended. The two-time Super Bowl champion earned his Master’s degree and is currently a counselor specializing in mental health. It’s an example of a quality NFL player making a difference off the field and enjoying a successful second career.
Jordy Nelson
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According to the Wisconsin State Journal from June, Nelson seems to be enjoying retirement from the NFL. Nelson, who caught more than 600 passes for over 8,587 yards while playing 10 seasons — mostly with the Green Bay Packers – now is content spending quality time with his family. He also helps out a few days a week on a family farm back in Kansas. Sometimes, the simple life proves to be the best.
Adrian Dantley
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Dantley enjoyed a long and successful NBA career with a host of teams from 1976 to ’89. He averaged 24.3 points for his career and was a six-time All-Star. Though today’s NBA fans probably don’t have any real recollection of Dantley, they might be aware of his life after pro hoops. A story that’s been regularly told, the Hall of Famer, who likely does not need to work, reportedly likes to spend his time working as a school crossing guard in Maryland.
Bryant Reeves
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Better known as “Big Country.” Reeves starred at Oklahoma State and managed to eke out a rather serviceable NBA career for six seasons with the Vancouver Grizzlies (second-team All-NBA Rookie squad). Reeves, though, eventually lived up to his memorable nickname. He became a farmer, living a simple, but certainly productive life. All in all, it seems Reeves has done pretty well for himself.
Mo Vaughn
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Vaughn slugged more than 300 home runs and was a three-time All-Star during his Major League Baseball career with Boston, the Anaheim Angels, and the New York Mets from 1991-2003. When he put the bat back on the rack for good, Vaughn became managing director of a group that rehabbed low-income housing units in the New York City area. He reportedly also owns a trucking company. Some would say Vaughn has enjoyed an even more successful post-baseball career.
Tito Santana
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Yes, we’re including pro wrestlers on this list. Why not? A member of the WWE Hall of Fame, Santana was one of the most popular wrestlers during the 1980s and into the ‘90s. After leaving the squared circle for good, Santana became a teacher and coach at a New Jersey grade school. Santana, born Merced Solis, reportedly has also coached wrestling.
Brian Orakpo/Michael Griffin
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Brian Orokpo and Michael Griffin were both great football players during their day. The former linebacker and safety combined for six Pro Bowl nods between the two of them. When their football glory dimmed, Orakpo and Griffin, teammates while playing for the Tennessee Titans, teamed up again to open a Gigi Cupcakes franchise near Austin, Texas. Fans might remember that there was a commercial made about the two. Pretty sweet.
Maya DiRado
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DiRado won swimming gold in the 200-meter backstroke and 4×200 relay freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics. At the same Games, DiRado also won silver in the 400-medley and took home a bronze in the 200-medley. In addition to her Olympics success, she also won world championship and Pan Pacific Championship gold. Since her success during the 2016 Summer Games, DiRado worked as a business analyst and has thrived within the banking environment.
John Holecek
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A standout linebacker at Illinois and with the Buffalo Bills during the 1990s, Holecek might be even more successful as a coach than he was as a player. Holecek coaches high school football at Loyola Academy, located in north suburban Chicago. Holecek, also the school’s assistant athletic director, has won two state championships. His Ramblers also finished as runner-up four other times since he took over the program before the 2006 season.
Randy Johnson
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During his playing days, “The Big Unit” was one of the more feared hurlers in the majors. Following his Hall-of-Fame career that featured 303 wins, 4,875 strikeouts, five Cy Young Awards, and a World Series title, he picked up photography as a second career. Visit Randy Johnson Photography to check out some of his work. In doing so, music fans should be impressed. Johnson has captured images of such rock heavyweights like Soundgarden, Slayer, Metallica, Kiss, and Rush — just to name a few.
Ty Law
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The Hall-of-Fame defensive back recorded 53 interceptions during his 15-year NFL career – winning three Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots. When it ended following the 2009 campaign, Law opened Launch Trampoline Park. These have been all the rage with elementary and middle-school kids and a haven for birthday parties over the years. As with football, Law found something else to be good at.
Myron Rolle
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Rolle never actually played a regular-season game while spending parts of three seasons with the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. Though his NFL career did not pan out, Rolle, a star defensive back and Rhodes Scholar while at Florida State, is a third-year neurosurgery resident at Harvard Medical School. He was also on the front lines in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. That included working 24-hour shifts in the emergency room.
Mark Hamilton
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Hamilton played less than 50 games in two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (2010 and ’11). However, life after baseball appears to be more fulfilling for Hamilton. In 2020, Hamilton graduated from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine in New York. He was slated to start his residency in Long Island specializing in radiology.
Randy Gregg
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A defenseman on those dominant Edmonton Oilers teams of the 1980s and into the 1990s, Gregg won five Stanley Cup titles over his playing career. When his playing days were finished, Gregg traded his hockey sweater for a physician’s coat. He’s gone on to enjoy a successful career as a sports medicine doctor in Edmonton. Which has made for a great second career.
Charles Tillman
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The former ball-hawking defensive back, most notably with the Chicago Bears, did not take it easy after his football career ended following the 2015 season. Tillman, who had always been active within the Chicago community, took his post-NFL career to a federal level – as an FBI Agent. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, as of 2019, Tillman was an FBI agent on a promotional basis through 2020.
