A professional sports career can end suddenly and leave an athlete decades to fill with something else. Many choose entirely different fields, which often require new skills, education, or connections, and go on to do great things. Here are some examples that show how ambition, discipline, and opportunity can combine to create success beyond stadiums and arenas. Credit: Wikimedia Commons After retiring from Major League Baseball, Vaughn wanted to address housing problems in urban areas. He co-founded OMNI New York, a real estate company specializing in rehabilitating neglected apartment buildings. By 2007, the company had completed renovations on more than 1,200 units, including major projects in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Winning an Academy Award was Bryant's first headline following his final season in 2016. He wrote and narrated Dear Basketball, which took Best Animated Short Film. Outside of filmmaking, he co-founded a foundation with his wife to aid homeless individuals and support youth programs, and granted hundreds of Make-A-Wish requests. Credit: Youtube A series of injuries cut Carillo's professional tennis career short in 1980. Rather than leave the sport entirely, she built a life in broadcasting that earned her national recognition. She has covered the Olympics, won Sports Emmy Awards, and received Peabody Awards for documentaries on women in sports and Billie Jean King. Credit: Instagram If you can recall the day Johnson announced he was HIV-positive in 1991, you also remember how it changed his public role. He proceeded to create the Magic Johnson Foundation to offer scholarships, community technology centers, and HIV/AIDS education. Those programs have reached thousands across the United States and are providing access to resources often unavailable in underserved areas. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Only one person has been elected to both the Baseball Hall of Fame and the U.S. Senate, and that was Bunning. He pitched a perfect game in 1964, then turned to politics after his playing days ended. His political career lasted over twenty years and reflected a steady commitment to public service that matched his competitive drive on the field. Credit: Wikimedia Commons You may remember Bol from his participation in unusual publicity events, such as riding a horse in a race and playing in a hockey game, to attract donations. His fundraising supported relief work and emergency aid. The athlete's post-basketball life focused on advocacy, where he used unconventional methods to keep attention on his cause. Credit: Wikimedia Commons We all watched Johnson dominate in the wrestling ring before he made the leap to Hollywood. His first role in The Mummy Returns opened the door to leading parts in blockbuster franchises and animated features. Credit: Youtube Bill Bradley had already built an impressive résumé with an Olympic gold medal in 1964 and ten seasons for the New York Knicks before entering politics. His work in office addressed tax reform, education, and urban policy, where he applied the same discipline and preparation that defined his playing tenure. Credit: Wikimedia Commons An injury in 2012 forced Hammon to consider what came next, and coaching became the path she chose. Two years later, the San Antonio Spurs hired her as the first full-time, paid female assistant coach in NBA history. She has taken on responsibilities in game planning, player development, and in-game adjustments. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Retirement from football in 1969 marked the start of Kemp's political career. He was a part of the U.S. House of Representatives for eighteen years before joining President George H.W. Bush's cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He later became the Republican nominee for vice president in 1996. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Long after his final fight in 1997, selling more than 100 million grills worldwide made Foreman a household name. His business ventures have included automotive franchises and high-profile brand endorsements. At the same time, he has continued his ministerial work to offer guidance and mentorship in his community. Credit: Wikimedia Commons It's unusual for a Hall of Fame pitcher to trade the mound for a camera, but Johnson did exactly that in 2009. Before his baseball days, he studied photojournalism at the University of Southern California, a passion he returned to full-time. He also serves as a special assistant to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Credit: Instagram While his time at the NFL may have been short, Rolle's academic record set him apart. As a Rhodes Scholar, he studied at Oxford before completing his medical degree. He now works as a neurosurgery resident at Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he specializes in pediatric cases. Credit: Youtube Fans of Good Morning America know Strahan as a lively and engaging co-host, but his media ventures began once his playing days ended. He now balances hosting $10,000 Pyramid with providing NFL analysis for Fox Sports. His broadcast work has earned multiple Emmy Awards and keeps him in front of national audiences daily. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Few boxers have matched Pacquiao's combination of longevity and titles, with twelve world championships across eight weight divisions. Before he fully retired, he turned to politics and was elected to the Philippine Senate in 2016. Pacquiao's second chance has moved his energy toward shaping national policy to address issues affecting millions of Filipinos.
