Sports stars that have a second non-sport career

There are many sports stars that have a second career to fall back on. These second careers also give an athlete a chance to live out their other non-sport dreams. If an athlete has an injury, life crisis or just retiring, they have another career they can rely on, or passion they can develop after sports. Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Hughes second career choice is being a nurse. He got his nursing degree from Alcorn State, and put it to good use during the summer lockout. During the summer lockout Hughes took a job as an on-call nurse. He plans to go to anesthesiology school when his football career is done.

Shaquille O'Neal

In 2011, Shaquille O'Neal, regarded as one of the most dominant basketball players, announced his retirement after 19 years playing in the NBA. O'Neal has played for Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Sun, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. Shaquille O'Neal has a second career as a policeman. In the offseasons O'Neal did routine police work in Miami. When he retired from the NBA he wanted to become a sergeant or do undercover work for the police. O'Neal also has done some acting and has a music career.

Lance Armstrong

Cyclist Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France tittle an impressive seven consecutive times. In 1996, he was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer. He fought the odds and amazingly recovered. He returned to cycling only to retire for the second time in 2011. His second career developed because of his bout with cancer. He is the founder of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which is considered one of the top groups for cancer research funding in the United States.

Kerri Strug

In 1996, Kerri Strug competed in the Olympics in Atlanta. She was part of the gymnastic team that won the gold medal for the United States. She collapsed from an injury after successfully completing her routine. She was carried off by her coach. After leaving sports, Strug began her second career as a school teacher in California.

Jack McDowell

Jack McDowell retired after a 12 year MLB career. In 1993, he won the American League Cy Young Award. McDowell played for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Anaheim Angels. After baseball, his second career was playing guitar for the rock band Stickfigure. McDowell is also involved in other music ventures.

George Foreman

In 2002, George Foreman was named one of the 25 best boxers of all time by Ring magazine. He is a two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. His most lucrative second business was a deal that he made with Salton. They developed the popular George Foreman Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine. This deal has netted him more money than he made during his boxing career.