Here Are All of the Former Athletes Running for Office on Election Day
It’s Election Day and millions of Americans will be going to the polls to cast their votes for candidates and issues.
Among the candidates running for national office are nine former athletes, ranging from a former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver to a World Series champion on the 1985 Kansas City Royals.
The former Colts receiver is Anthony Gonzalez, who played five seasons in Indianapolis from 2007-2011. His career got off to a fast start with 37 and 57 catches in his first two seasons, but was derailed by injuries. Gonzalez was set to start alongside Reggie Wayne in 2009 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Gonzalez never recovered and retired two years later.
Happy Election Day! pic.twitter.com/NTEdHFijkV
— Anthony Gonzalez (@anthonygonzalez) November 6, 2018
Now 34, Gonzalez has a new career in politics. He is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Ohio’s 16th district as a Republican.
Another athlete running for national office is Colin Allred, a former linebacker with the Tennessee Titans who played from 2007-2010. He was primarily a backup, starting in only two games in his career. His best years were 2008 and 2009 when he had 19 tackles in each of those years.
Allred, a Democrat, is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 32nd district in Texas.
Join Colin and our volunteer team for an ‘Election Eve’ phone bank! We’re coming together to call Colin’s supporters to make sure they know where to vote tomorrow. #TX32 https://t.co/0LVPQYOTNB pic.twitter.com/P7fLCAAVZk
— Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) November 5, 2018
The most well-known and successful politician among the current crop of athletes who ventured into public life is Jim Jordan. Jordan, a Republican, is seeking his seventh term in the U.S. House from Ohio’s fourth district.
Before he turned to politics, Jordan was a two-time NCAA national champion in wrestling. Jordan is also campaigning to become the Speaker of the House to replace Rep. Paul Ryan should the GOP hold the House.
Had a great morning in Beaverdam! Met with Mayor LePine’s small group and visited the Vandyke’s Midtown Market pic.twitter.com/XPRg29XH6G
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) November 5, 2018
Two other athletes are running for statewide offices.
Napolean Harris, who played linebacker for seven seasons in the NFL, is running for re-election in the Illinois State Senate. Harris played from 2002-2008 for the Raiders, Vikings and Chiefs. He was a starter for most of his career, recording 8.5 sacks. He is running as a Democrat.
Adam Greenberg got hit in the head in his first major-league plate appearance for the Chicago Cubs in 2005. He suffered a compound skull fracture and basically was forced into retirement. He did, however, sign a one-day contract with the Miami Marlins in 2012 and got one more at-bat in Major League Baseball before calling it quits.
He is now running for a seat in the Connecticut State Senate as a Republican.
Great to catch up with an old teammate and buddy @ryanhoward big things are coming!! @LurongLiving pic.twitter.com/GFwGtFrYXb
— Adam Greenberg (@adamgreenberg10) September 28, 2018
Jesse White, a former minor-leaguer in the Cubs farm system from 1959-1966, is seeking his sixth term as the Secretary of State for the State of Illinois. White, a Democrat, played three years in Triple-A, but never made it to the big leagues.
There are three other former pro athletes who are running for local seats.
Aaron Rouse, a former defensive back with the Packers and Giants from 2007-2009, is running for a seat on the Virginia Beach City Council. He is an independent.
Clint Didier, a former tight end on two Super Bowl-winning Redskins teams in 1982 and 1987, is running to be be Franklin County Commissioner in Washington State. Didier played for the Redskins and Packers from 1982-1989 and had 141 career catches and 1,923 receiving yards. He is running as a Republican.
Finally, Frank White, who played second base for the Kansas City Royals for 18 years from 1972-1990, had the longest professional career among the current crop of political candidates. White was on the Royals team that won the World Series in 1985. He was a five-time all-star, eight-time Gold Glove winner, and was named the MVP of the 1980 ALCS.
White, a Democrat, is seeking his second term as the county executive of Jackson County, Missouri.
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