Keep Your Day Job: 15 Alternate Professions for Sports Superstars

Did you ever wonder what someone like Tiger Woods or Tom Brady might do if they couldn’t compete in their respective sports? 

The members of this list are famous for being incredible athletes. But whether it's injury or retirement, every athlete’s sports career must come to an end sooner or later. 

Here is a list of some alternate professions these athletes might want to seek.

15. Kevin Kolb: Hunter

Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kevin Kolb recently signed a deal to keep him wearing red for five years, earning him just under $64 million. 

With Kolb still competing as an unproven commodity, his luck may run out soon if the Cardinals do not start winning games. 

Born in Victoria,Texas, Kolb is an avid outdoorsman. He has been quoted in the media talking about his love for hunting and fishing.

Don’t expect lavish campsites and high tech gear for Kolb’s hunting outings, however. Kolb prefers to head out into the wilderness in the most bad-ass way possible. Armed with only a Bowie knife and his trusty dogs, Kolb enjoys hunting wild boar with his friends. 

"Our dogs go and find 'em first, and then we stab the pigs. It's a little bit dangerous, but as long as you know what you're doing, you'll be all right," Kolb reports.

For now, Kolb can learn how to hunt Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers. 

14. Ray Lewis: Snuggie Spokesmodel

Ray Lewis is known for his overwhelmingly intense persona and jaw-dropping physicality on the football field. You better believe opposing quarterbacks always keep a wary eye on No. 52 during games.

Hopefully those quarterbacks won’t see Lewis’ bizarre Snuggie campaign. In an apparent effort to promote his clothing line “RL52”, Ray Lewis has taken the blanket-with-sleeves company by storm with his own official Ray Lewis purple Snuggie.

Let’s hope he doesn’t decide to start wearing it to games.

13. Shaquille O'Neal: Rapper/Genie

Shaquille O’Neal stands at a massive 7'1".  During his career, O’Neal won four NBA championships and was a 15-time NBA All-Star.

Although it’s been over 10 years since Shaq released his last rap effort entitled Respect, it’s still a possibility that he could head back into the studio to revamp his music career.

If that doesn’t work out, maybe O’Neal could dust off his wardrobe from the 1996 film Kazaam and spend the rest of his days granting wishes to children.

12. Curt Schilling: Professional Gamer

Curt Schilling won the World Series three times during his long career, tallying 3116 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.46.

When Schilling is not reliving his MLB glory days, he enjoys spending his time in virtual reality playing games such as "World of Warcraft," "Advanced Squad Leader," and "EverQuest." Schilling even developed a game of his own called "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning," due out in Fall 2011.

11. Tiger Woods: Spear Fisherman

Lately Tiger Woods has been getting more attention for his scandals than his talent. Formerly the highest- paid professional athlete in the world, Woods has led an amazing career with 14 major championship victories.

In his spare time, Woods likes to head underwater to go spear fishing with friends. This rare hobby may come in handy if Woods can’t get back on track and start winning after his injury and personal troubles.

Now we just have to wait for the reports of Woods’ wild mermaid affairs to surface. 

10. Brian Wilson: Sea Captain

World Series Champion Brian Wilson is known as one of the best closers in baseball. However, he is equally famous for being one of the most eccentric characters to ever play professional sports.

Wilson made a hilarious post-Series appearance on George Lopez’ late night talk show "Lopez Tonight" dressed head-to-toe in sailor apparel.

With how unpredictable the Giants’ pitcher seems, anything is possible.

9. Randy Moss: NASCAR Driver

Randy Moss is one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play in the National Football League. His records and stats prove that beyond any reasonable doubt.

Moss is also known for his strange behavior off the field. He is always unfiltered and bizarre in press conferences and interviews.

In 2008, Moss became a 50% partner in a team with the NASCAR-sponsored Camping World Truck Series. He could have the opportunity to showcase a different kind of speed if he ever decided to get behind the wheel of one of his trucks.

8. Hunter Pence: Tech Support

Hunter Pence has sparked a fire under the Philadelphia Phillies on the road toward an inevitable first-place finish in the NL East.

Pence has spoken about his love of computers and virtual reality in a number of media appearances. On his off days, Pence spends his time playing computer games like "World of Warcraft" on the internet. Pence said in an interview, “But really, it's for the competitive edge in me. I always have to be competing.”

Maybe there will come a time when Pence will put his computer savvy to work and start answering phones for the likes of Dell or Apple.

7. Anna Kournikova: Doll Collector

Anna Kournikova, despite popular belief, was a talented tennis player who was once the No. 8-ranked female tennis player in the world. Now she spends her time as a trainer on the NBC show "The Biggest Loser."

She remains an avid traveler and stays involved in a number of international charities. One of Kournikova’s hobbies includes collecting dolls from foreign countries. Hopefully husband and singer Enrique Iglesias is okay with that sort of thing. 

6. Herschel Walker: Ballerina

Or is it ballerino?

It’s no secret that Walker’s NFL career has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game. He is one of six players in the history of the NFL to amass over 60 rushing touchdowns and 20 receiving touchdowns.

Walker mixed in bouts of ballet with heavy lifting during his NFL career workout routine. In 2008, Walker revealed in an interview that he suffers from a multiple personality disorder. Apparently this explains why Walker doesn’t remember much of his career and has tried to commit suicide on occasion.

Black Swan anyone?

5. Dennis Rodman: Wedding Dress Model

Dennis Rodman is an athlete who is more famous for his bizarre actions than his athletic ability. Still, that didn’t stop Rodman from becoming one of the NBA’s most prolific rebounders.

Rodman famously wore a wedding dress to a publicized event to promote sales for his autobiography.

What potential bride wouldn’t want to see how her gown looks on a 6'6" man with lime green hair before wearing it on her big day?

4. Tom Brady: Uggs Model

Tom Brady is undeniably one of the greatest regular season and postseason quarterbacks to ever lead a team. As time goes on, he only seems to improve.

With model wife Giselle at his side, perhaps Brady might turn to modeling to support his family. Recently, the New England QB joined a campaign for the fuzzy boot company.

For now, Tom sticks to wearing the boots in his spare time and not on the field. Maybe the people at Uggs can get the ball rolling and put some cleats on the bottom of their boots.  

3. Ron Artest: Superhero

Who would ever think that perennial bad boy Ron Artest would turn the page and start campaigning for world peace?

The Los Angeles Lakers SF took time off from guaranteeing championships to apply to have his name changed. What did he pick? First name “Metta,” last name "World Peace."

The only thing crazier than the name is the fact that Artest got his inspiration from fellow lunatic and name changer Chad Ochocinco. The duo might finally be able to achieve world peace, together.

2. Dan Marino: David Hasselhoff's Stunt Double

Dan Marino is one of the few professional football players that needs no introduction. Although he was never able to win a Super Bowl, Marino will go down as one of the game’s all-time greatest.

Now it appears as if Marino has got a bit of the acting bug, appearing in a number of commercials for the weight-loss program Nutrisystem.

With his uncanny resemblance to the Hoff, Marino might have a career filling in for him on some of his film roles.

Granted that depends on David Hasselhoff actually getting a new film role.

1. Mike Tyson: Pigeon Racer

One of the most feared and unpredictable boxers to ever set foot in the ring, Mike Tyson is a unique brand of crazy. He now spends his time in self-loathing misery on reality television.

Tyson said in an interview, “"My whole life has been a waste—I've been a failure."

"I just want to escape. I'm really embarrassed with myself and my life. I want to be a missionary.”

Unfortunately he left off the part where he meant to say "bird" missionary.

Tyson spends much of his time attending to his 400 pigeons in his home in Arizona. Tyson has even been appearing on his own pigeon-racing reality television show Taking on Tyson.

I'll keep watching.