Election Day: 25 Athletes Who Would Make Great Politicians
Election Day is tomorrow and many of you are weighing some pretty heavy decisions. Allow me to alleviate the grave nature our country is in with a light-hearted look at athletes and politics.
Recent years have seen a vast decline in athletes willing to take up political arms during their careers. It is sad because so many of them would do so well.
While only a minority of the following athletes have actual political aspirations all of them would do quite well at the voting booth.
25: Cody Ross (Mayor)
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Cody Ross has come from nowhere this post season. He single handily got the Giants to the World Series and has not stopped producing. He would win a bid for a San Francisco mayoral race in a landslide.
24: Aaron Rodgers (Governor)
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The good people of Wisconsin care about two things, cheese and the Packers...and beer. Okay, so three things. The Packers though are at the top. With that said, Aaron Rodgers is the best Packer they have today.
With an awful running game and porous offensive line, Rodgers still makes their favorite team relevant. He will never be more beloved than he is in the state of Wisconsin.
23: Mark Sanchez (Mayor)
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Mark Sanchez has a few things going for him. One blaring advantage is his marketability. The California native would easily capture a mayoral race in with his good looks and charm. He would also have the ever growing latino vote to bank on as well.
The New York mayoral seat would be his.
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22: A.J. Pierzynski (Mayor)
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A.J. Pierzynski is the type of player that fans love when he is on your team and absolutely hate when he is anywhere else. That sounds an awful lot like a mayor to me.
Pierzynski is beloved by the Chicago faithful. He would only have to sway the north side Cubs vote to seal a victory. A.J. combines humor and a dedication to say what is on his mind. Both would be valuable assets as a politician.
21: Drew Brees (Mayor)
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Drew Brees received the keys to the city. He has already won the hearts and minds of those in New Orleans, all he would need now is his name on the ballot.
20: Derek Fisher (Mayor)
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We in Los Angeles know that there is only so much you can count on from the Lakers, one of which is the dedication given each year by Derek Fisher.
He is also the head of the player's union which he has served happily for the past few seasons.
19: Landon Donovan (Senator)
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Landon Donovan was immortalized in a moment this year at the World Cup. His goal against Algeria in stoppage time came with the whole nation watching.
At that moment he could have been president. Now a few months removed, he will have to settle for senator.
18: Tom Brady (President)
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Tom Brady is the best player on the best team. He has a smoking hot wife and a 100% job approval rating in his current vocation. Any president would love to have all of that going for him.
17: Ron Artest (City Council)
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Ron Artest is a coo coo bird. He has said as much. But you know what? He cares. Artest has proved as much as he is set to auction off his newly acquired championship ring to charity.
A man like Artest would not be interested in the role of big government. I think he likes to see that his actions are positive for the people around him. He would be perfect for city council.
16: Pau Gasol (President)
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Pau Gasol is immensely popular in his home country of Spain. He would have no problem getting the seat as President there.
He is even more popular than most of his soccer colleagues, for a soccer crazed country like Spain, that is saying something.
15: David Beckham (Prime Minister)
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David Beckham is the most famous athlete to ever come from England. The love his fellow countrymen have for the midfielder was illustrated when he was kicked off of international duty by Fabio Capello.
The country and it's media responded in kind with harsh criticism. He has the media savvy and love of his people to take the highest post in the land.
14: Shaquille O'Neal (President)
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A good portion of the campaign trail is shaping the message to help your side win. That is exactly what O'Neal has done at every spot he has landed in.
Despite leaving his previous destinations on bad terms, he is welcomed with open arms at his new team. At every locale, he turns the bad story lines into humorous ones. He would be the best message manipulator the campaign trail has ever seen.
13: Tim Tebow (Governor)
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Tim Tebow is loved in Florida and he is loved by the right wing. He was the man at one of the state's more popular schools while at the University of Florida.
More than that his affinity for Christianity would propel him into the higher rungs of political echelons. The red state would find a lot to love.
12: Lance Armstrong (President)
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Cancer survivor, Tour de France winner seven times over and founder of his own charity organization Live Strong, there is much to like about Lance Armstrong.
The American public would fawn over his accomplishments.
11: Brock Lesnar (Governor)
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While Brock Lesnar has shown little to no aspirations for civic duty, I can't help but notice that he hails from the same state as Jesse Ventura. Perhaps the state of Minnesota is just destined to be ruled by former wrestlers.
10: Michael Phelps (President)
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Sure he had the whole marijuana thing go down after the Olympics. But please keep in mind that our last three commanders in chief have all admitted to drug use in some form. So there, he is a natural.
9: Sidney Crosby (Prime Minister)
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There have not been this much passion for a Canadian born athlete since Wayne Gretzky. Not only is Crosby arguably the best in the NHL. He also clinched a gold medal for his country with a late goal against the United States.
8: Josh Hamilton (Senator)
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Josh Hamilton is one of those feel good stories you love to hear about. Man loses his way and turns to drugs and alcohol. Man gets better and turns into an All-Star caliber player.
Hamilton's story of hope is one we all need in our lives.
7: Dhani Jones (Senator)
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Dhani Jones has always been about challenging himself. He is a Pro Bowl linebacker, writer, ambassador to Operation Smile, and host of Dhani Tackles the Globe.
He is a charismatic person that doesn't mind a little hard work.
6: Karl Malone (Governor)
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Karl Malone loved everything about Utah. The people and the pace of life was right up his alley. The NRA card carrier would be a perfect fit as governor.
5: Curt Schilling (Senator)
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Curt Schilling has made no efforts in hiding his political allegiances. He was a devout supporter of George Bush. He most recently took up arms for John McCain in the latest presidential election.
Last year he was mentioned as a possible suitor to the vacant seat left by the passing of Ted Kennedy. It may be only a matter of time before he takes up the political life.
He could very well get the job in Massachusetts. The state has shown recently that they have no problems with voting for a Republican.
4: Myron Rolle (President)
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Myron Rolle has the intellect to rule a nation. Not only is he a gifted athlete, he is the safety for the Tennessee Titans. He is also has the brains to go far in public office.
He was a Rhodes scholar in 2008. That is something he shares with a few of the nation's former presidents.
3: Baron Davis (Senator)
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Baron Davis got into the political game during Barack Obama's campaign. Baron Davis was a vocal supporter of the president and took great pride in introducing him at various rallies.
The time spent with the president could have sparked some political interest of his own.
2: Manny Pacquiao (President)
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Manny Pacquiao is already a senator in his home country of the Philippines. But his popularity only continues to grow.
A future as the president of his home country is well within the realm of reason.
1: Charles Barkley (Governor)
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Barkley once considered running for Governor of his home state of Alabama. As far as he has let on, it is something that remains in the back of his mind.
If he ever does decide to run, the people of Alabama will know exactly what is on his mind.
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