Being an athlete is not something very easy as you need a lot of stamina to be active in the field. However, it becomes a lot more easy for a professional athlete if he remained a cop or having military background in the past. There are many instances in the history of sports when a professional joined the army or a big name enter the sports for accomplishment of their passion. Here are the complete details about the top 10 most popular athletes who served in military.
1 – Pat Tillman: NFL
Pat Tillman is the first name on our list as he played four seasons in NFL. He was one of the best safety player and remained the part of Arizona Cardinals before entering the US Army in 2003. Tillman had great passion for his country and he served the forces during Iraq and Afghanistan wars after turning down an expensive signing with the Cardinals.
2 – Ted Williams
One of the biggest name of Major League Baseball also had the military background and he has influenced the world with his brilliance in the field. He played the entire 19 seasons of his professional career in MLB with Boston Red Sox. However, he went on missing the matches during World War 2 and Korean war.
3 – Jackie Robinson: MLB
Robinson is the first black colored player to enter in the MLB. He was one of the second baseman who performed magnificently in the field. He joined Kansas City Monarchs in 1945 and later on, enter Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Robinson was a second lieutenant in 1943 and fought in second world war, where he was the part of tank batallion.
4 – David Robinson: NBA
One of the most iconic player of 90’s have played as a center for almost 15 seasons. During his tenure in NBA, he remained the part of San Antonio Spurs from the year 1989 to 2003 as they picked him in 1987 draft. Before coming to NBA, David Robinson was a military man and served in Navy after graduating from army school.
5 – Yogi Berra: MLB
Having started his career in 1946 with New York Yankees, Yogi Berra played 18 season with them before joining Mets in 1965. Throughout his career, he impressed the world with his incredible catching ability and considered as the best catcher so far in the history. However, he was the part of US army formerly and also appeared in world war 2, where he was a gunner.
6 – Jack Dempsey: Boxing
Jack Dempsey is the only man from professional boxing who is the part of this list as he served World War 2 as a lieutenant. He also remained the part of USS Arthur Middleton crew in US Army when they went on invasion in Okinawa. Dempsey regarded as the best boxer of his times. He won the World Heavyweight Championship and keep on defending the title for many years.
7 – Roger Staubach: NFL
Before starting his professional career in National Football League, Roger Staubach joined the US Naval Academy during his college. He has great passion for serving in military and didn’t join Dallas Cowboys until 1969 after being selected in draft in 1964. During this time, he served in the supply corps and later on became one of the best quarterback in the history.
8 – Joe DiMaggio: MLB
Joe DiMaggio was an American professional baseball player, who enter the MLB after being signed with New York Yankees in 1936. He remained the part of team until 1942 and then went on participating in world war 2 as he joined US Army. In 1946, he made a comeback and continued his professional career with the same franchise as a center-fielder.
9 – Arnold Palmer: Golf
The GOAT Arnold Palmer need no introduction as no one came near him when we talk about professional golf records. He won 62 PGA tours during his professional career and was one of the best in business. However, he also remained the yeoman for the commander of the 9th Coast Guard during his golf career.
10 – Alejandro Villanueva: NFL
Alejandro Villanueva attended the United States Military Academy and served in 3 tours with US Army in Afghanistan. He also played football from Army Black Knights and became captain. In his professional career, he joined Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 and later on Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played from the year 2015 to 2020.
All these are the details about the top 10 most popular athletes who served in military. If there is any change, we will make them available here. Stay tuned for more information!
