Election Day 2010: Athletes who Made an Impact

On Election Day 2010, eight former professional athletes ran for different positions in the government.  

All eight of these athletes either played in the NBA or NFL. The MLB and NHL did not produce any politicians that ran for office in 2010. 

Four of these sports figures have won their respective elections, while two former athletes are in races that are still too close to call. 

Sadly, two former professional athletes could not convince voters that their leadership skills gained on the field or court would translate to a political office. 

Here are some former professional athletes that appeared on ballots on Nov. 2, 2010, along with some political ads. 

The Losers

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DALLAS - APRIL 25: Forward Tracy McGrady #1 of the Houston Rockets makes the slam dunk on top of Shawn Bradley #44 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2005 at the American

What is worse?  Losing an election or being dunked on? 

Republican Shawn Bradley lost his bid for the 44th District seat in the Utah House of Representatives against the incumbent, Tom Cosgrove.  

Bradley played on the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks during his 12-year career in the NBA. 

The 7'6" center was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft.  

The other loser this year is Republican Damon Dunn, who was running for California Secretary of State. 

Dunn hardly got on the field in two seasons in the NFL. The wide receiver/kick returner played on the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. 

Too Close to Call: Dan Neil

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 25: Dan Neil #62 of the Denver Broncos looks on during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2004 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Broncos 23-10. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Ima

Former NFL player Dan Neil ran for office on the Texas State Legislature.  

Currently, the race is too close to call.  

Neil may decide to ask for a recount after losing by only 15 votes.   

Neil is a former Texas Longhorn and Denver Bronco. In eight seasons with the Broncos, the offensive lineman started 104 games.  

Dan Neil put up a good fight, but it appears he will most likely lose. 

Too Close to Call: Chris Dudley

Currently, Chris Dudley is holding a very thin lead in the election for the governor of Oregon. 

If Dudley defeats John Kitzhaber, it will be a big upset. However, even though Dudley is winning right now, he will lose if certain voting trends continue.  

Chris Dudley was a center in the NBA for 16 years. He played with the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns.  

Here is a video of Chris Dudley getting into an altercation with Shaquille O'Neal after being dunked on. 

Hopefully, this is not the reason why he may not win his election. 

Mitch Lyons

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10 Oct 1999: Head Coach Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers talking to Mitch Lyons #85 on the sidelines during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the Steelers 24-21. Mandatory C

Republican Mitch Lyons won a spot in the Michigan State University board of trustees.  

Lyons spent seven seasons as a tight end in the NFL from 1993-1999. He played for the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers.  

Lyons only had one touchdown in his entire career. 

Alan Page

http://nflbook.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/page.jpg

Former NFL player and Democrat Alan Page was re-elected to Minnesota's State Supreme Court yesterday. 

Page was inducted into he Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, and was ranked 34th in a Sporting News list of the top 100 greatest football players.  

In 1971, when playing with the Minnesota Vikings, he won the NFL MVP award as well as the Defensive Players of the Year award. 

After graduating from Notre Dame, Page played 15 years in the NFL. The defensive tackle played on the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears during that time.  

Page may be the greatest former professional athlete ever to be successful in politics.  

Here is a great video discussing Page's career in the NFL. 

Heath Shuler

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9 Nov 1997: Quarterback Heath Shuler of the New Orleans Saints during the Saints 13-10 win over the Oakland Raiders at UMAX Coliseum in Oakland, California. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport

In North Carolina, former NFL player Heath Shuler was re-elected to the House of Representatives.  

The Democrat is a former first-round draft pick made by the Washington Redskins. 

The quarterback went to Tennessee, and then played five seasons in the NFL from 1994-1998. 

Shuler also spent time with the New Orleans Saints, and he clearly had trouble not turning the ball over. 

In 28 games played, he threw 33 interceptions and fumbled 13 times. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is 15-33. 

Let's hope he is a better politician than quarterback. 

Here is a funny attack ad on Shuler. 

Jon Runyan

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 18: Jon Runyan #69 of the Philadelphia Eagles crouches into position during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on November 18, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Republican Jon Runyan, a former NFL offensive lineman, was elected to the House of Representatives in New Jersey. 

He defeated the the Democratic incumbent, John Adler. 

Runyan spent most of his 14-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles protecting Donovan McNabb.  

Some opponents called him a dirty player, and Runyan is famous for going against Michael Strahan.  

At one point during his campaign, Runyan was asked to name a Supreme Court decision from the last 10 years.  

His response was the Dred Scott decision, which occurred in 1857!  Here is a link to the video.

Here is a funny attack ad on Jon Runyan.