10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career
We often make the mistake of judging people and their talents and intentions, especially when these people are from the world of entertainment. It is a common notion that sports stars, in particular, are shallow people who care about nothing but their fitness and skills, and their virtue on the basis of their sense of allegiance is often questioned, since players are often seen changing teams. However, some players have proven that they deserve more than criticism as money-minded athletes who have their sense of loyalty only to clubs that pay well, and their talent is only used for kicking or throwing balls. Here is a list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. Let’s take a look at their devotion for their country and their passion for sports.
10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career
10. Rocky Bleier
Rocky Bleier, born on May 25, 1926, is a former professional American player who later became a successful coach. He played in the National Football League as a halfback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played for one season in the year 1968, and then continued from 1971 to 1980. After playing for University of Notre Dame, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968. After his rookie year, he joined the US Army and volunteered duty during the Vietnam War in 1969. He received grenade and gunshot injuries, and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service and is the tenth place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. After his recover, he returned to the Steelers, and went on to win four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is one of the most noted athletes who served in military during pro career.
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9. Ted Williams
Ted Williams, born on August 30, 1918, was a professional American baseball player who later became a manager. He played for 19 years at the Major League Baseball as a left fielder for the Boston Red Sox in 1939-1942 and 1946-1960. He is one of the greatest hitters in the sport and is the ninth place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. He joined the Red Sox in 1939 and immediately became a sensation. His career was interrupted in 1943, when he went to serve three years in the US Navy as a certified Aviator and Marine Corps during World War II. He returned to MLB in 1946, and proved himself. He returned to active military duty for parts of 1952 and 1963 for the Korean War in the Marine. He also played, in 1957-58, and retired in 1960. He is one of the most respected of all athletes who served in military during pro career.
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8. Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra, born on May 12, 1925, is a former American baseball player who later became a manager and coach. He played for most of his 19 year career as a catcher at the Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees during 1946-1965. He is one of just 4 players who has been named the Most Valuable Player of the American League three times and is the eighth place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. Assuming different roles as a player, manager or coach, he has appeared in 21 World Series. He played from a young age, but he served in the US Navy during World War II, where he served as the mate of a gunner on the USS Bayfield. This was during the D-Day invasion. To serve his duty, Yogi kept his baseball career halted from 1944 to 1945. He is one of the greatest of the athletes who served in military during pro career.
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7. Bob Feller
Bob Feller, born on November 3, 1918, was an American baseball player. He played as a pitcher in the Major League Baseball for 18 seasons for the Cleveland Indians. He pitched during 1936-1941 and again during 1945-1956, during which he played 570 games, with a win-loss record of 266-162, having pitched in 3827 innings and is now the seventh place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. He was a prodigy bypassing the minor leagues, and played for the Indians at the age of just 17, and was the first pitcher to win 24 games in a season before 21 years of age. Feller has several other records. His career was interrupted for four years, when he served as Chief Petty Officer aboard the USS Alabama in World War II. He returned to baseball in 1946 and pitched for 11 seasons. He was one of the top athletes who served in military during pro career.
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6. Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford, born on October 21, 1928, is a former American baseball player. He spent his 16 year career playing at the Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the New York Yankees. He was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974 and is the sixth place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. He was one of the best baseball players of all time. He was signed in by the New York Yankees in 1947 as an amateur free agent whom he represented throughout his career. He started playing professionally at the Major League Baseball since 1950. After a successful rookie year when which he got voted the AL Rookie of the Year, he served his duty in the Army. This was during the Korean War, and his career was halted for 1951-52, after which he rejoined the Yankees to become one of the best athletes who served in military during pro career.
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5. Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach, born on February 5, 1942, is a former American football players who later became the executive chairman if Jones Lang LaSalle. He was a star player for the National Football League, who played as a quarterback. He played for the Dallas Cowboys and played for the club for five seasons, during which he appeared for Super Bowl, leading them to victory twice. Before he joined professional football, he attended the US Naval Academy where he won the Heisman Trophy and is now the fifth place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. After his graduation, he served in the Navy Supply Corps in 1964-68, and went to serve his duty in Vietnam. After that, he rejoined the Cowboys and established himself as a celebrated player. He is one of the most accomplished among athletes who served in military before pro career.
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4. Bill Sharman
Bill Sharman, born on May 25, 1926, was an American professional basketball player who later became a successful coach. He was famous for his tenure with the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and is the fourth place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. He was a 10-time NBA Champion, as he remained a part of the winning teams of Celtics and as coach or executive of the Los Angeles Lakers. He is credited with the introduction of the morning shootout. He was also the 12 time World Champion, including ABL and ABA titles. He was also famous as a coach. Before his basketball career, he served in the US Navy during the World War II, between 1944 and 1946. During 1950-55, he played minor league baseball as a professional, and played basketball for several seasons. He is one of the noted athletes who served in military before pro career.
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3. Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson, born on January 31, 1919, was an American baseball player. He was the first African-American to play in the Major League Baseball of the modern era, breaking the baseball colour line. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, starting in 1947. He and his team helped in putting an end to the racial segregation that downgraded coloured players to the Negro league. Robinson upheld a great example by the use of non-violence and great talent and is the third place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. He played for 10 seasons, and led the Dodgers to their 1955 World Series win. Before joining pro baseball, he served in the military, where he was subjected to several racial discriminations and segregations, too. He was honourably discharged in 1944, and was one of the top athletes who served in military before pro career.
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2. Ahmard Hall
Ahmard Hall, born on November 13, 1979, is an American football player. Originally, he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans whom he joined as an undrafted free agent in the year 2006. He had a rather unconventional start of his career, as, after graduating from Angleton High School where he was not much of a prominent football figure, he attended the University of Texas after a gap and is the second place achiever place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. In his college years, he played for the Longhorns team, after which he joined the Titans. In his rookie year, he played 14 games. In his six year career, he has also played for special teams. During the gap years from 1998 to 2002, he joined the Marine Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant, and served in Kosovo and Afghanistan. He is one of the most talented athletes who served in military before pro career.
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1. David Robinson
David Robinson, born on August 6, 1965, is a retired American basketball player. He played at the National Basketball League for the San Antonio Spurs as the center for his entire career. He was a 10 time NBA All-Star, 2-time Olympic gold winner, 2-time NBA Champion and the NBA MVP in 1995, aside from being the inductee in many honourable lists as well as in the top place in our list of 10 Athletes who served in Military during Pro Career. He was also a prominent player in college football, noticed for winning college football’s highest honours as he starred at the Naval Academy. Though he was drafted by the Spurs, he first had to complete two years of active duty service. He became a civil engineering officer at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, after graduating. He was among athletes who served in military before pro career and had an illustrious NBA career.
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There are many other athletes who have served in the military. Many of them, like the athletes mentioned above, served the country before joining their favourite sport or even interrupted their lucrative sports careers to fight for their country, and returned. Some of them were not so fortunate, and gave their lives for their country, as well. But, those who were lucky enough to get out of the wars alive used the opportunity to follow their dreams, and make their country proud, in more ways than one.