Chad Ochocinco and 10 Other Athletes That Could've Made a Living in Other Spor

Many of today’s top athletes have perfected their craft in their respective sports but have given up other sports to do so.

Whether they gave it up before college or after, these secondary sports have been one of the many things that they have had to sacrifice to rise to the elite class of their game.

Here is a list of 10 athletes who could have made a living in other sports.

Chad Ochocinco never ceases to amaze with his antics.

The Cincinnati Bengals wideout has always said soccer was his first love and he proved it this offseason.

He took part in a four-day tryout for Sporting Kansas City of the MLS, however, he failed to make the team.

He was given the opportunity to continue to train with the team.

Rajon Rondo has been the general in every sport he played.

He is the starting point guard for the Celtics, and he reportedly played pitcher in baseball and quarterback in football.

Rondo is quick enough to return to the field and he has a sharp eye to find receivers in tight coverage

Before Antonio Gates was a seven-time All-Pro tight end for the San Diego Chargers, he was a power forward for Kent State University averaging 16 points and eight rebounds.

Prior to that, he was a runner-up for Mr. Basketball in Michigan.

After NBA scouts told him his game wouldn’t pan out in the NBA, he arranged a workout in front out NFL scouts and as many as 19 teams were believed to have been interested.

The Chargers were the first team to host him, they signed him as an undrafted free agent and the rest is history.

Tony Romo has made his golf career one of the talks of the town in Dallas.

An amateur golfer, he has played in several competitions and done pretty well.

Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash is a two-time NBA MVP and a seven-time All-Star, but basketball wasn’t his first love.

Nash grew up playing soccer and he has said several times he could have played it professionally if he pursued it more.

He has not only expressed interest in owning stake in an team, he joined the USL-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC team’s ownership group and helped Vancouver to be named a site for a future MLS team.

Coming out of Junipero Serra High School, Tom Brady was a multi-sport star. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB draft as an All-State catcher.

While Brady saw more promise in his football career, he does have some talent on the diamond and it would’ve been interesting to see his baseball career play out.

But I’m sure Bill Belichick wouldn’t be interested.

Nationals outfielder/first basemen Matt Stairs has been a nomad during his 18-year-career.

He’s spent time with the Montreal Expos, Chunichi Dragons (Nippon Professional Baseball), Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and his current club.

The Canadian-born Stairs excelled at hockey in his youth.

Along with his baseball career, he also has coached two high school hockey teams.

Terrell Owens is not only making his mark as one of the greatest wide receivers to play the game, but he also has decent ability on the court.

He not only played in high school and college at Tennessee-Chattanooga, but he is often found throwing down in celebrity All-Star games.

Chris Johnson is fast.

Whether it’s on the field or the track that surrounds it, he continues to impress everyone with his blazing speed.

He also admitted that if the lockout continues, he’d be interested in joining the US Track and Field team. 

In addition to being a basketball phenom at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Lebron James also excelled on the gridiron.

James was named first-team all state as a wide receiver his junior year and his sophomore year he led his team to the state semifinals.

Standing at 6'8" and weighing 250 pounds, he’d be a huge target for Colt McCoy in Cleveland.