Which Pro Athletes Would Make the Best (or Worst) Politicians

by Dan Holmes, October 21, 2025

It’s one thing to lead a locker room. It’s another to command a legislature. Yet the public often treats athletes like natural-born statesmen, as though the ability to dunk or pitch translates into running a government. Sports stars display charisma, clout, and confidence that outweighs policy knowledge. But not every athlete is built for public service. Some would thrive, others would torch the whole building.

Sports Politics Guide

• Legacy of Athlete Politicians
• Who Might Be Great in Office Today?
• The Ones Who Should Stay Far Away
• Political Chaos and Athletic Fame
• The Double-Edged Sword of Sports Stars in Politics
• Can Sports Train Future Leaders?
• Table of Athletes who Became Noted Politicians

The Legacy of Athlete Politicians

There’s a long, if not especially wide, tradition of athletes who became politicians. Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, played center and linebacker at the University of Michigan and was MVP in 1934. He wasn’t flashy, but Ford’s quiet leadership and team-first ethos helped steady a post-Watergate nation.

Then there’s Jack Kemp, a former Buffalo Bills quarterback who later served nine terms in Congress and ran as the Republican Vice-President nominee in 1996.

Jim Bunning, the Hall of Fame pitcher, brought his competitive fire to the U.S. Senate from Kentucky, championing conservative values in D.C..

Bill Bradley, a Princeton basketball legend and New York Knicks star, spent 18 years in the Senate as a thoughtful, measured Democrat.

These professional athletes who became politicians had something crucial in common: discipline, intellect, and a willingness to trade stardom for service.

Who Might Be Great in Office Today?

Today’s crop of stars is more media-savvy and brand-conscious than ever. Some would rather build a tequila empire than a policy platform. But a few modern athletes show signs they could bridge the worlds of sports and statesmanship.

Start with Charles Barkley. The Round Mound of Sound has never been short on opinions, some sharp, some divisive but he brings an honest, common-sense tone rare in modern discourse. Barkley has flirted with a gubernatorial run in Alabama and regularly critiques political hypocrisy with clarity and humor. As an independent voice, he could draw bipartisan appeal.

David Ortiz is another. “Big Papi” has natural charisma, cross-cultural fluency, and broad appeal, especially among Latino voters. The Red Sox star is beloved in Boston and back home in the Dominican Republic, where his voice carries significant weight. Ortiz’s personal story of immigration, perseverance, and community engagement checks nearly every political box.

Then there’s Wayne Gretzky, who remains a unifying figure in Canada and an understated presence in the U.S. Despite his reluctance to wade into political waters, The Great One has leadership qualities rooted in humility and grace. In a climate often driven by outrage, Gretzky’s steadiness would be a welcome alternative.

For soccer, Megan Rapinoe is a standout. Polarizing to some, adored by others, she’s already played a quasi-political role in the culture wars. But regardless of where one stands on her positions, Rapinoe understands how to command a platform and advocate forcefully. Her confidence, coalition-building, and media mastery would make her a formidable politician.

The Ones Who Should Stay Far Away

Politics demands more than boldness. It requires listening, compromise, and a willingness to absorb criticism without spiraling. That rules out a lot of professional athletes, particularly those who equate disagreement with betrayal.

Aaron Rodgers might be brilliant under center, but his disdain for mainstream media, confrontational style, and tangled takes on science and society suggest he’d struggle in an environment where negotiation and trust-building are vital. Rodgers seems to thrive on alienation, an asset in football, a liability in government.

Curt Schilling is even more extreme. Once a postseason hero, he’s since torpedoed any chance of national leadership with inflammatory remarks, conspiratorial social media posts, and a lack of self-restraint. In a just world, sports politics would demand more than fame, it would demand maturity. Curt Schilling’s public record fails that test.

The NBA has its share of stars who should not go near elected office. Kyrie Irving is a phenomenal talent but a puzzling communicator. His forays into flat-earth theory, vaccine skepticism, and cryptic social posts reveal a mind prone to mysticism and distrust traits ill-suited to governance.

Draymond Green of Golden State, for all his court IQ and candor, lacks the emotional discipline needed for leadership. He’s impulsive and unapologetically combative. Debate and discussion would likely give way to personal attacks and verbal elbows. Green’s energy might electrify sports talk shows, but politics is less forgiving.

Jimmy Butler brings intensity and work ethic, but his notorious locker-room friction and self-centered mentality could translate poorly to coalition-building. Politics isn’t about being “that guy” on the court: it’s about building consensus and serving all.

Political Chaos and Athletic Fame

Some athletes don’t aspire to office but still wade into controversy. Their public stances on issues whether informed or performative make headlines and complicate their legacies. LeBron James, for instance, is deeply engaged in community building and voter outreach, but his cautious approach on China and other issues has drawn fire from both the left and right. He’s not necessarily a bad potential politician but he’s one with blind spots.

Novak Djokovic, in tennis, has shown disdain for vaccine mandates, immigration policies, and health protocols. While not inherently political, his behavior during COVID-19 revealed a confrontational stubbornness that could alienate constituencies.

Brett Favre has also seen his reputation sullied not just by political commentary, but by actual scandal involving welfare funds in Mississippi. While he’s not angling for office, the incident underscores the hazards of political entanglement for athletes without training or caution.

Hope Solo, the former U.S. soccer star, combined elite performance with a trail of personal controversies. She’s been outspoken about gender equity in sports, but her off-field conduct would pose major liabilities in a political run. Sports fame doesn’t inoculate against public accountability.

The Double-Edged Sword of Sports Stars in Politics

The appeal of athlete politicians lies partly in their familiarity. They are household names, accustomed to cameras and crowds. But celebrity is no substitute for service. Some athletes, especially those who’ve led teams or built community efforts, understand how to listen and adapt. Others see politics as a new arena for ego and spectacle.

There’s also the question of ideology. While many athlete politicians have emerged from Republican or centrist camps, others like Rapinoe or Colin Kaepernick represent more progressive causes. Voter appetite for sports stars politics tends to shift with cultural winds. Heroism on the field doesn’t always translate to credibility at the lectern.

And increasingly, fans and voters are aware of the line between performative activism and meaningful engagement. Athletes who tweet policy ideas or show up at rallies don’t automatically earn respect. In some cases, they alienate half the electorate before they’ve even filed paperwork.

Can Sports Train Future Leaders?

There’s a compelling argument that elite sports prepare people for the burdens of leadership. Time management, pressure, teamwork, sacrifice: these are political skills too. The best athletes develop thick skin and quick judgment, traits prized in high-stakes environments.

Still, the leap from stadium to senate isn’t automatic. It requires a mental shift from personal glory to public service. The few who’ve made the transition successfully, Bradley, Kemp, Ford did so by putting ego aside and committing to the process. They became athletes who became politicians by choice, not by applause.

Today’s environment is different. Online sports betting apps and social media have turned players into brands. The temptation to commodify every opinion makes it harder to distinguish real conviction from shallow engagement. That’s why the idea of athlete politicians is often more appealing than the reality.

Only a few athletes truly belong in the arena of public service. Barkley, Ortiz, Rapinoe, and Gretzky all show signs they could contribute meaningfully. Their charisma is backed by humility, their opinions shaped by experience. They don’t just seek attention, they seek change.

Others, like Rodgers, Schilling, Irving, and Butler, would bring noise but little nuance. Their talent on the field is unquestionable. Their political potential? Far less so. And for those already involved in sports politics, the lesson is clear: fame is fleeting, but decisions in office last.

The next time a retired slugger, quarterback, or MVP hints at a run for office, ask the only question that really matters: Do they want the job or just the applause?

Athletes Who Became Notable Politicians