10 Athletes with Surprising Off-Field Interests

Danica Patrick Winery/Facebook

While athletes shine in stadiums and arenas, their lives off the field are equally intriguing. Some channel their competitive spirit into unique hobbies and side gigs far from the sports world. Curious about what your favorite athlete does in their downtime? Here are 10 athletes whose off-field interests will make you see them in a new light.

Serena Williams (Tennis): Fashion Icon

Serena Williams/Facebook

Serena Williams is a tennis legend with a wide-ranging impact. Forbes magazine crowned her one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world for several years. She’s also a force in fashion with her clothing line, S by Serena, and has had numerous appearances on the covers of top fashion magazines like Vogue.

Russell Wilson (Football): Tech Investor

Russell Wilson/Facebook

When Russell Wilson isn’t dominating on the football field, he’s making plays in the tech world as a savvy investor. His portfolio includes companies like Justworks and ZenLedger. Additionally, Wilson has invested in Tally Technology, a cutting-edge predictive gaming platform that secured $4 million in funding led by esteemed venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.

Ibtihaj Muhammad (Fencing): Entrepreneur & Motivational Speaker

Ibtihaj Muhammad/Facebook

As the first Muslim-American woman to win an Olympic medal while wearing a hijab, Ibtihaj Muhammad made history in the fencing world. Her commitment to modest fashion led her to found Louella in 2016, a clothing company offering stylish options for women who share her values. Beyond her athletic achievements, she inspires others as a motivational speaker and entrepreneur.

Ronda Rousey (MMA): Gamer & Actress

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Ronda Rousey was once the most dominant force in MMA, becoming the first woman to win an Olympic medal in judo and later the first UFC Women’s Champion. Now, she’s pursuing a career in gaming and acting, even appearing in the movie Mortal Kombat. She has also successfully transitioned to WWE, becoming a Raw Women’s Champion and headlining numerous pay-per-view events.

Tony Hawk (Skateboarding): Philanthropist

Tony Hawk/Facebook

Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk isn’t just about tricks. He’s also a philanthropist who founded the Tony Hawk Foundation, which helps build skateparks for underprivileged youth. Since its inception in 2002, the Tony Hawk Foundation has helped fund over 600 skatepark projects across the United States to provide a safe and accessible place for young people to skate and be active.

Kyrie Irving (Basketball): Musician

 Kyrie Irving/Facebook

With a career marked by incredible court achievements, this NBA star has a lesser-known passion for music. Kyrie Irving can play the piano and has even released his own music. In addition to his musical pursuits, he has been recognized for his Indigenous activism and involved in different philanthropic initiatives, including supporting the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Laurie Hernandez (Gymnastics): Creative Expressions 

Laurie Hernandez/Facebook

As a gold medal-winning gymnast, Laurie Hernandez is known for her impressive athletic achievements. Beyond the gym, she nurtures her creativity through reading, drawing, writing poetry and stories, dancing, and listening to music. She has also showcased her dancing skills on a broader stage, winning season 23 of the TV show “Dancing with the Stars” alongside her partner Val Chmerkovskiy.

Kelly Slater (Surfing): Environmentalist

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Surfing champion Kelly Slater is passionate about protecting the environment, particularly the world’s oceans. He’s a vocal advocate for environmental causes. Slater has also been involved in various beach cleanups and has partnered with organizations to help protect marine life, using his platform to raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation.

Wayne Gretzky (Hockey): Wine Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Wayne Gretzky /Facebook

Wayne Gretzky, the legendary hockey player, has an eclectic range of off-field interests. He is a successful wine entrepreneur with his winery and distillery, Wayne Gretzky Estates. Gretzky is also an avid golfer and owns his golf course, The Bear’s Club. Being the global ambassador for the NHL and Canadian culture, Gretzky promotes hockey and Canadian heritage worldwide.

Danica Patrick (Racing): Winemaker and Health Enthusiast

Danica Patrick Winery/Facebook

As co-owner of Somnium Vineyards in Napa Valley, Danika crafts exceptional wines. Through her podcast, “Pretty Intense,” Danica Patrick shares her fitness and wellness expertise and shows her assorted interests. Notably, her Somnium Vineyards wines have received high accolades, including a 96-point rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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