Not all legendary athletes started their sporting careers as teens. Some faced the challenges of a shadowed past, some realized their passion for sports late, and some were just at the right place at the right time. Their stories show that pursuing one’s dreams, no matter what your age, is possible. Today, we look at ten athletes who started their careers yet became legends in their game.
Bernard Hopkins: Boxing
After spending five years in prison at age 18, Bernard Hopkins used his time inside to train intensively and earn respect in the boxing world. When he was released, he lost his first fight, but he refused to give up and became a successful boxer. Hopkins won the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions at 49, becoming the oldest world champion in history.
Jamie Vardy: Soccer
Vardy used to be an ordinary factory playing non-league soccer before becoming a Premier League sensation. His tenacity paid off when he signed with Leicester City at age 25. Vardy’s incredible rise culminated in leading Leicester to an improbable Premier League title in 2016, becoming one of the league’s top scorers along the way.
Kurt Warner: NFL
He used to work in a grocery store after college, and an NFL career seemed like a distant dream. That changed when he caught the attention of NFL scouts while playing for the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. In 1998, he joined the St. Louis Rams and took the NFL by storm in 1999, winning two MVP awards and leading his team to their first Super Bowl victory.
Didier Drogba: Soccer
Didier Drogba began his professional soccer career at 21, a late start compared to many of his peers. He quickly made up for lost time, becoming a key player for Chelsea FC. Drogba’s powerful presence and clutch performances helped Chelsea secure multiple Premier League titles and a memorable Champions League victory in 2012.
Rocky Marciano: Boxing
Rocky turned to professional boxing at 23 after serving in the army during WWII. He quickly became a champion with 16 consecutive knockout victories, eventually claiming the heavyweight title in 1952. Marciano maintained an unbeaten record throughout his career, a rarity in boxing history, sealing his legacy as one of the sport’s greats.
Junior dos Santos: MMA
A construction worker by trade, Junior dos Santos started his MMA training at the age of 21. Within a few years, he emerged as a dominant force in the sport with his powerful striking skills. In 2011, he won the UFC Heavyweight Championship by defeating Cain Velasquez at UFC on Fox 1.
Jimmy Graham: NFL
He began his career in the NFL as a raw talent, having switched from basketball to football while attending the University of Miami. His athleticism and hard work transformed him into one of the league’s top tight ends, and Graham went on to win five Pro Bowl selections (2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) over the course of his career.
Vince Papale: NFL
Vince Papale seized his spot with the Philadelphia Eagles at an open tryout at the age of 30. A part-time bartender and teacher, Vince’s athletic ability impressed the team and launched his NFL career. The movie Invincible shows how grit and determination can lead to extraordinary things.
Kimbo Slice: MMA
This fighter gained fame through street fighting videos before transitioning to professional MMA in his 30s. Slice’s journey from street fighting to a career in organizations like the UFC and Bellator MMA proves that success can come from the most unexpected places.
Randy Johnson: MLB
Johnson was overlooked in his baseball career until his late 20s, but his breakthrough came with his dominating fastball and imposing stature, which transformed him into one of the most formidable pitchers of his era. He led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a World Series championship in 2001 and won five Cy Young Awards.
