They Played for How Many Teams?
When players hear their name announced on draft day or sign their first professional contract, they have hopes and aspirations of spending their careers with that one team.
But professional sports are a cruel business.
Athletes can get cut and traded at any point in time. So much for the days of players spending an entire career with a single franchise.
This list shows the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL athletes who have played for a record number of franchises in each of their leagues.
Here are the most traveled athletes in sports.
NFL: J.T. O' Sullivan
1 of 5Though he has been all over the league, J.T. O' Sullivan isn't exactly a household name. But the quarterback has been part of 11 different NFL teams over nine seasons. Here is a quick look at his crazy NFL journey.
New Orleans Saints (2002-2004)- drafted in the 6th round, no NFL appearances
Green Bay Packers (2004)- served as a backup
Chicago Bears (2005)- wasn't on the 53 man roster
Minnesota Vikings (2005)- no NFL appearances
New England Patriots (2006)- wasn't on the 53 man roster
Carolina Panthers (2006)- wasn't on the 53 man roster
Chicago Bears (2007)- wasn't on the 53 man roster
Detroit Lions (2007)- made the roster, played in four games, threw for one touchdown
San Francisco 49ers (2008)- was announced as the starting quarterback, started eight games, threw for eight touchdowns
Cincinnati Bengals (2009)- made the roster, played in three games
San Diego Chargers (2010)- made the roster
Oakland Raiders (2010)- made the roster
MLB: Octavio Dotel
2 of 5The Major League Baseball player has played for 13 different franchises since joining the league in 1999. As of April 17, 2011, he has a career record of 54-47, a 3,74 ERA, 1,077 strikeouts and 108 saves. Here are the various teams that Octavio Dotel has played for in his MLB career.
New York Mets: 1999
Houston Astros: 2000-2004
Oakland Athletics: 2004-2005
New York Yankees: 2006
Kansas City Royals: 2007
Atlanta Braves: 2007
Chicago White Sox: 2008-2009
Pittsburgh Pirates: 2010
Los Angeles Dodgers: 2010
Colorado Rockies: 2010
Toronto Blue Jays: 2011
St. Louis Cardinals: 2011
Detroit Tigers: 2012
NBA: Four-Way Tie
3 of 5The NBA has seen four players play for 12 different franchises. Those players are Chucky Brown, Tony Massenburg, Jim Jackson and Joe Smith.
A table has been provided for each player's hectic basketball career.
Chucky Brown:
| Team | Year |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 1989-1991, 2001 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 1991-1992 |
| New Jersey Nets | 1992-1993 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1993 |
| Houston Rockets | 1995-1996 |
| Phoenix Suns | 1996 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 1996-1997 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 1997-1998 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 1999, 2000 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 1999-2000 |
| Golden State Warriors | 2001 |
| Sacramento Kings | 2002 |
Tony Massenburg:
| Team | Year |
| San Antonio Spurs | 1990-1991, 2004-2005 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 1991-1992 |
| Boston Celtics | 1992 |
| Golden State Warriors | 1992 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1994-1995 |
| Toronto Raptors | 1995-1996 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 1996 |
| New Jersey Nets | 1996-1997 |
| Vancouver Grizzlies | 1997-1999, 2000-2002 |
| Houston Rockets | 1999-2000 |
| Utah Jazz | 2002-2003 |
| Sacramento Kings | 2003-2004 |
Jim Jackson:
| Team | Year |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1992-1997 |
| New Jersey Nets | 1997 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 1997-1998 |
| Golden State Warriors | 1998 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 1999 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 1999-2001 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2001 |
| Miami Heat | 2001-2002 |
| Sacramento Kings | 2002-2003 |
| Houston Rockets | 2003-2004 |
| Phoenix Suns | 2005-2006 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2006 |
Joe Smith:
| Team | Year |
| Golden State Warriors | 1995-1998 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 1998, 2006-2007 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 1999-2000, 2001-2003 |
| Detroit Pistons | 2000-2001 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2003-2006 |
| Denver Nuggets | 2006 |
| Chicago Bulls | 2007-2008 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2008, 2009 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2008-2009 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 2009-2010 |
| New Jersey Nets | 2010 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2010-2011 |
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NHL: Mike Sillinger
4 of 5Mike Sillinger has played for 12 NHL teams and has been traded nine times, both NHL records. The center certainly knows his way around the league. Sillinger currently works for the Edmonton Oilers' front office.
Here is a look at his busy career.
Detroit Red Wings (1990-1994)
Anaheim Mighty Ducks (1994-1995)
Vancouver Canucks (1995-1997)
Philadelphia Flyers (1997-1998)
Tampa Bay Lightning (1998-1999)
Florida Panthers (1999-2000)
Ottawa Senators (2000)
Columbus Blue Jackets (2001-2002)
Phoenix Coyotes (2003)
St. Louis Blues (2003-2005)
Nashville Predators (2005)
New York Islanders (2006-2009)
Bouns Slide for the European Soccer Fan
5 of 5Peter Shilton has played for 11 soccer clubs in England. The goalie has split 1005 appearances with the 11 clubs, added 125 caps for England and even coached a team.
Here is a look at Shilton's club career.
Leicester City (1966-1974)
Stoke City (1974-1977)
Nottingham Forest (1977-1982)
Southampton (1982-1987)
Derby County (1987-1992)
Plymouth Argyle (1992-1995)
Wimbledon (1995)
Bolton Wanderers (1995)
Coventry City (1995-1996)
West Ham United (1996)
Leyton Orient (1996-1997)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
