Musicians who were once sportsmen

Many people view sports and music as entirely separate realms. It makes it hard to imagine that there are some people out there who have successful careers in both fields. This can make sports betting on online sites like Sbobet more interesting when you know the athlete is multi-talented.

Bernie Williams

Bernie Williams is one of the most popular examples of a sportsman-turned-musician. He played baseball for the New York Yankees from 1991-2006. After his 16-year career, he pursued his passion for classical guitar and released two jazz albums. One was even nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2009!

Oscar de la Hoya

“The Golden Boy of Boxing” Oscar de la Hoya competed professionally from 1992 to 2008. He released a self-titled Latin Pop album in 2000. Though it was nominated for a Grammy, the album was the only venture de la Hoya had in music.

Alexi Lalas

Alexi Lalas was a soccer player for the United States from 1991-1998. He also participated in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic Games. After his retirement from the sport, he played in a rock band. His band, the Gypsies, opened for Hootie & the Blowfish in 1998. His latest album, Sunshine, was released in 2018.

Wayman Tisdale

Wayman Tisdale is one of the best college basketball players to date, having the NCAA Outstanding Freshman trophy named for him. He had an illustrious 12-year career in the NBA. He then retired to become a jazz bassist—his album Face to Face topped Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz charts in 2001.

Johnny Mathis

Johnny Mathis is the one on this list probably best-known for his music over his athletic career. He was asked to try out for the 1956 Olympic team competing in the high jump. His career in music, however, has been so influential that he was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for three different recordings.

Mathis is still an avid golfer. He frequently holds tournaments named after himself, sponsored by Shell. Since 1982, there has also been established the Johnny Mathis Invitational Track & Field Meet at San Francisco State University.

1985 Chicago Bears

You probably didn’t expect to see an entire sports team on this list… The 1985 Chicago Bears football team recorded the “Super Bowl Shuffle” which reached No. 41 on the Billboard charts. They are the first sports team to be nominated for a Grammy.

Roy Jones Jr.

Roy Jones Jr. was a professional boxer who had moderate success as a musician in the early 2000’s. He released his first solo album, Round One: The Album, in 2002. He went on to create the Body Head Bangerz and in 2004, they released Body Head Bangerz: Volume One. His last single, “Can’t Be Touched,” was recorded in 2004 as well.

Nobody has to stick to just one hobby or one career for their entire lives. The distinctive careers of these athlete-musicians should inspire and entertain anyone who loves both sports and music.

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