26 Professional Athletes Who Went Into Politics

List of Professional Athletes Who Went Into Politics Ranked by Fame and Popularity. It seems that many athletes have opinions about politics. Some professional athletes have made the successful transition to become politicians later in life, after they retired from the game. Some athletes focus on local governments, while others are elected to national offices.

Who is the most famous professional athlete who went into politics? Arnold Schwarzenegger tops our list. Schwarzenegger held the professional body building title of Mr. Universe from 1968-1970 and the title of Mr. Olympia from 1970-1980. He also has had a successful career as a politician serving as the Governor of California from 2003-2011. On top of all that, Schwarzenegger starred in hit movies like “Terminator” and “The Running Man.”

Several NBA players have also went into politics. Kevin Johnson played basketball in the NBA, from 1987-2000, for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. He is the current Mayor of Sacramento, a position he has held since 2008. Bill Bradley played basketball in the NBA from 1967-1977 for the New York Knicks. He also served as a United States Senator from 1979-1997, representing New Jersey.

Why do you think so many athletes go into politics? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Kevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson played basketball in the NBA, from 1987-2000, for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. He is the current Mayor of Sacramento, a position he has held since 2008.

Age: 51

Birthplace: Sacramento, California, United States of America

Profession: Basketball player, Businessperson, Politician

Credits: 2 Guns, Contraband, Empire State, The Philly Kid

Also Ranked

#32 on People Who Should Be in the Basketball Hall of Fame

#27 on The Top NBA Players with No Championship Rings

#22 on The Greatest Point Guards in NBA History

#6 on The Best '90s Point Guards

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Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger held the professional bodybuilding title of Mr. Universe from 1968-1970 and the title of Mr. Olympia from 1970-1980. He also has had a successful career as a politician serving as the Governor of California from 2003-2011.

Age: 69

Birthplace: Thal, Austria

Profession: Bodybuilder, Television director, Businessperson, Politician, Investor, + more

Credits: The Terminator, Predator, Total Recall, Pumping Iron

Also Ranked

#50 on Celebrities Whose Lives You Want

#8 on Celebrities Whose Names Are Hardest to Spell

#2 on The All-Time Greatest Action Stars

#2 on The Best Political Nicknames

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Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp was a professional Quarterback playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Calgary Stampeders, L.A./San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills. He also served in the United States House of Representatives, representing New York from 1971-1989.

Age: Died at 74 (1935-2009)

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America

Profession: Politician, American football player

Also Ranked

#86 on The Best Quarterbacks of All Time

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#22 on The Most Overlooked Quarterbacks of All Time

#22 on Athletes With the Coolest Post-Sports Careers

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Jesse Ventura

Jesse "The Body" Ventura had a successful professional wrestling career and he is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. He served as the governor of Minnesota from 1999-2003.

Age: 65

Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America

Profession: Talk show host, Wrestler, Politician, Television producer, Author, + more

Credits: Predator, The Running Man, Off the Grid with Jesse Ventura, Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura

Also Ranked

#33 on The Best WWE Superstars of the '80s

#23 on The Best WWE Heels Ever

#74 on The Greatest WWE Superstars of All Time

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