Top 10 Athletes Who Once Worked Regular Jobs Before Having Pro Careers

The items in this list have been selected by the author of the list for you to vote and comment on.
The Top Ten
1 Kurt Warner Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a former American football quarterback, a current part-time TV football analyst, and a philanthropist.

Went from a grocery store worker to becoming an arena league quarterback to becoming an NFL MVP and a Super Bowl champion with the Rams. Would end up in the pro football hall of fame.

2 Evan Gattis

Once a promising baseball prospect, Gattis went from dealing with substance abuse to working jobs as a ski lift operator, parking lot valet, and janitor before returning to baseball. He would be drafted by the Atlanta Braves before winning a World Series title with the Houston Astros.

3 JJ Watt Justin James "J. J." Watt is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Texans with the 11th pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and played college football at Wisconsin. ...read more.

Worked as a pizza delivery guy before resuming his football career to being drafted by the Texans.

4 Dennis Rodman Dennis Keith Rodman is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association.

Worked at an airport before having an NBA career including five NBA titles and a spot in the hall of fame.

5 Tommy Maddox

Sold insurance before signing to join the Arena League and XFL winning the league MVP. Then, he resumed his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would win a Super Bowl ring.

6 Wilt Chamberlain Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He was born on August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia and died on October 12, 1999 in Los Angeles due to heart failure.

Wilt Chamberlain set the books by scoring the most points scored in a single game (100), most rebounds in a game (55), and most consecutive field goals (18).

He played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. His biggest rival was former Boston Celtics center Bill Russell, but they are also good friends. He won 2 NBA Titles, 1 with the 76ers and one with the Lakers. ...read more.

Carried luggage as a bellhop at a local country club. We know how his NBA career went.

7 Alonzo Mourning

Worked by hanging curtains in a drapery shop once before becoming an NBA champion and a hall of famer with the Miami Heat.

8 Vince Papale

Bartender and substitute teacher who tried out and made the Philadelphia Eagles squad where he would spend three seasons and special teams captain.

9 Carl Lewis Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete who won nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, and 10 World Championships medals, including eight gold. His career spanned from 1979 to 1996, when he last won an Olympic event.

Flipped burgers at McDonalds before becoming an Olympic track & field gold medalist.

10 John Starks

Worked at a Safeway supermarket before becoming a key member of the 1994 New York Knicks squad that reached the NBA Finals. Also had a dunk over Michael Jordan and the Bulls in 1993.