Athletes Are Just Like Us: Winter Edition
Elite athletes are in a unique position—often wealthy once they go pro, their rare talent and status put them in the same segment of society as billionaire executives, show business celebrities, and the born rich and famous.
Despite this fact, athletes never seem quite comfortable in their station; and it's not unusual for fans to feel the same way.
Maybe it's because injury, age and even general ineffectiveness make their careers—and therefore status—fleeting in comparison to a movie star or entrepreneur. Or, perhaps their physical gifts do nothing to preclude a average, humble childhood, much less a very tough on.
My money is on the idea that we see them win and lose, succeed and fail, regardless of the circumstances—unless you're former-NFL d-lineman / creeper Albert Haynesworth or the unrepentant and banned Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, there's no "golden parachute."
It's likely that the sum-total of a bunch of factors make it easier for most sports fans to relate to their favorite athletes, because so few of the men and women who share the sphere of the rich, famous and elite with them can even claim one.
Fortunately, this theory is easily put to the test, because plenty of pics proving athletes are just like us have made their way to social media apps and to the news itself.
They’ll Never Grow out of Go-Karts
1 of 44Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
Instagram ID: josebats19
Caption: #sunday #funday #family #fun lets do this!!! #race #fun #gokarts
They Take Pictures of Too Many Meals
2 of 44Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
Instagram ID: patricklwillis
Caption: After a great team win tonight. They fed us some good ol southern BBQ n I tell yah I sure do miss this authentic taste. #teamwin #49ers #blessed
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
They Look Really Awkward Riding a Horse
5 of 44Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs
Instagram ID: greenranger14
Caption: Was looking for black beauty but found me a white bronco...crazy how I had to come all the way to Inner Mongolia to get on one of these for the first time lol
They Do Weird Stuff in Elevators
7 of 44Nathan Beaulieu, Montreal Canadiens
Instagram ID: natebeaulieu
Caption: Tough day at the office #quads
They Act Like They Own the Laundromat
9 of 44Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
Instagram ID: thoroughbred_fred
Caption: Lounging at the laundromat
They Can’t Resist a Game of Monopoly
10 of 44Evan Turner, Boston Celtics
Instagram ID: slumdog_mi11ionaire
They Cherish Time with Loved Ones
11 of 44C.J. Wilson, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Instagram ID: cjwilsonphoto
Caption: A couple days ago @lisallaofficial snapped this shot of@oso.kuma and I #HuggingItOut - I'm at the airport again and can't wait to get home. Being half Great Pyrenees,he actually never smells funky, their coats natural oils actual repel dirt and grime. #rescuedogs #mansbestfriend #TheMajesticDog
They Got Caught Up in the Planking Craze
12 of 44Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Instagram ID: dougmartin22
Caption: #tbt #Planking #DontTryThisAtHome
They Make Stupid Bets with Their Friends
14 of 44Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles
Instagram ID: mark_sanchez
Caption: This is what happens when you lose a bet to@nickwoolery and hangout at Willie Colon's house too long! Haha #seanpaul #rows #hangtime ps- thx Dominique !
They Appreciate Truly Awful Tattoos
17 of 44LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Instagram ID:kingjames
Caption: My guy Shane Battier said he was out somewhere and a guy ran up to him to show him this tatted on his leg. I really don't know how I'm suppose to feel about it. Lol. Ummm I guess that's pretty cool/creepy/awesome all the same time!
They Can't Resist Photo Ops with Statues
20 of 44Thanasis Antetokounmpo, New York Knicks
Instagram ID: thanasis_ante43
Caption: I found him ine the zoo and were chillin...hehe
They’re Drawn to the Bright Lights of Las Vegas
21 of 44Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
Instagram ID: puigyasiel
Caption: Primera vez en vegas #goodtime #goodday #sundayfunday #lasvegas
They Make Questionable Fashion Choices
22 of 44Damontre Moore, New York Giants
Instagram ID: damonster98
They Have Too Many Gadgets
23 of 44Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
Instagram ID: royhibbert55
Caption: All I need in this world. My iPad, Samsung S4, iPhone, Call Of Duty Ghost rechargeable battery and my@klipschaudio headphones. What about y'all. Take of pic of what y'all can't live without.
They're Terrible at Wrapping Presents
24 of 44Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles
Instagram ID: kevingausman12
Caption: I think I did this right haha #SpeedGiftWrapping
They Have Dogs Who Steal Their Thunder
25 of 44Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Instagram ID: blakegriffin32
Caption: home sweet home @hypericeusa
They Pass out After Thanksgiving Dinner
26 of 44Matt Kemp, San Diego Padres
Instagram ID: therealmattkemp
Caption: Happy Thanksgiving!
They Hate the IRS
27 of 44Evan Mathis, Philadelphia Eagles
Instagram ID: evanmathis69
Caption: #tbt with @jimmyfallon
They Enjoy Screwing with Wildlife
29 of 44Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
Instagram ID: giancarlo818
Caption: Shhh, Be vewy vewy quiet. I'm hunting cwocodiles
They Support the Troops
30 of 44Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Instagram ID: easymoneysniper
Caption: Shoutout my bruh LTJG Derek Young. A young Naval Academy Vet! #shwag
They Instagram Selfie Their Through Vacations
31 of 44Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
Instagram ID: robinsoncano
Caption: No Caption
They Love the Snow
32 of 44Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
Instagram ID: sammywatkins
Caption: Full of joy
They Love Kate Upton
34 of 44Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
Instagram ID: kateupton
Caption: Excited to be in Cleveland to support the #cavaliers @CC_Sabathia@justinverlander
They Go Overboard with the Gum
35 of 44Jon Dorenbos, Philadelphia Eagles
Instagram ID: jondorenbos
Caption: New record boys. @bigjerryg @djpaulyd --- 25 pieces. Ballin. #MentalToughness #perseverance
They Think T-Rex’s Handicap Is a Laughing Matter
36 of 44Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
Instagram ID: dwighthoward
Caption: Lol
They Love Paul Rudd
37 of 44David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
Instagram ID: davidortiz
Caption: This guy make me laugh....with the funny paul rudd
They Mess with Sleeping Friends
38 of 44Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
Instagram ID: ndamukong_suh
Caption: #TBT Caught my boy @nick_fairley251slippin’ on the way to Minnesota!!!!! Get healthy soon bro
They’re Suckers for Baby Animals
40 of 44Rory McIlroy, PGA
Instagram ID: rorymcilroy
Caption: Great to be back defending@AusOpenGolf and The Australian Golf Club is looking amazing. Bring it on! #AusOpenGolf #weeJoey
They Occasionally Bow to Peer Pressure
41 of 44Cody Latimer, Denver Broncos
Instagram ID: codylatimer14
Caption: Me and my big ten bro @bfowler13 with our rookie cuts #fried #tookitlikeG's
They Think They’re Pulling off That Hat but They’re Not
42 of 44Jose Reyes, Toronto Blue Jays
Instagram ID: lamelaza_7
Caption: amo aya
They Like to Soak in the View
43 of 44Iman Shumpert, New York Knicks
Instagram ID: imanshumpertthe1st
Caption: .her.
They Go All out for Halloween…like ALL out
44 of 44Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
Instagram ID: showtimetate
Caption: Team mates halloween party after a great bye week! Sooo happy and lucky to be able to spend this time with the guys I go to war with along with the Girlfriends and wives that firmly stand by our sides we are so lucky I tell Ya. Did @elisepollard and I costumes scare yall at all?
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
