7 Sporting Stars who Excelled in More Than One Sport

Explore the extraordinary talents of internationally acclaimed sports stars who have not just excelled but dominated in more than one sport, shining a light on their exceptional athleticism, versatility, and unparalleled commitment to excellence across diverse sporting arenas.

Although the world of rugby union allows players to switch clubs with ease, there is not much in the way of transfer shocks when compared to their footballing cousins. However, there was one recent switch that made headlines and even more so because it was a switch of sport as well.

Step forward Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit and his decision to miss out on the current Six Nations – a decision made after signing up for NFL stardom instead and with the 23-year-old joining their international player pathway (IPP) the aim is to secure a place on a team’s 2024 roster.

If this is to be the case, the former Welsh international has 10 weeks to prove his worth and should things go to plan, Rees-Zammit will become the latest of a long line of sports stars who have operated at more than one discipline.

Then again, just because a switch has been made, does not necessarily mean it is going to be a success either and this is where we are going to shine a light on those who have tried their hand at something else during their career.

Was the side hustle a success or was it a complete bust? That is the question we are looking to answer and we will do so by highlighting some of the most well-known multi-sport starts and their achievements (or lack thereof)

John Surtees

First up, we serve up one for the petrolheads and if you know your motor racing history, you will certainly know of the name John Surtees and if you do not, we will explain why you should. Simply put he is an icon in the world of motorsport.

Not only had Surtees won the 500cc Motorcycle World Championship on four separate occasions (the precursor to what is now known as MotoGP) but he also found success on four wheels as well.

Not just any success and with Surtees also entering the world of Formula One, the British racing legend would rule the roost exactly 60 years ago. Being the only man to date that has won the top class in motorcycling and motorsport and perhaps an achievement that will never be matched.

Michael Jordan

El Gràfico, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Next we go to the basketball court and although some names have dared to snare the title of ‘Greatest Of All Time’, the likes of Lebron James and Kobe Bryant still have to bow down to the GOAT himself Michael Jordan. 

NBA Championships no less than six in just eight years and you can add five MVP awards to his list of honours as well. You can also factor Olympic Gold for Team USA in 1984 and 1992 as Jordan was part of the ‘Dream Team’ at the Barcelona games.

However, the two championship three-peats bookended a less-than-spectacular switch to baseball and with the former Chicago Bull announcing a shock linkup with the Chicago White Sox after his first basketball retirement, his switch can only be considered a swing and a miss.

Never making it to MLB, he had to make do with stints at the Birmingham Barons – a Minor League affiliated team to the Chicago White Sox and a spell in the Arizona Fall League and although there were plenty of hoop dreams, his time with baseball was more a nightmare. 

Bo Jackson

U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Robert Matthew Schalk, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Another stateside multi-sport star next and one that found success in both baseball and American football. Bo Jackson is the name and athleticism is the game as his versatility made him a household name in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Jackson played professional baseball as an outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball and was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB draft. Three years later, he would win the MVP award at the 1989 All-Star game.

He also had a successful career in professional football as a running back in the NFL. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but making his debut with the Los Angeles Raiders he would earn Pro Bowl honours in 1990. Just one year later and his gridiron career would come to a shuddering halt.

Hampered by injury in the playoffs, Bo would call time to American football interests in 1991 but a famous Nike ad campaign featuring the slogan "Bo Knows" became iconic and helped solidify his status as a household name.

Gerwyn Price

Now we go to the oche, as Gerwyn Price comes under the spotlight and in this instance, you could argue that the switch of sports was far beneficial to the career in question. Like Louis Rees-Zammit, Price ended up leaving rugby behind but instead joined the darts tour circuit.

Price played rugby union for clubs such as Cross Keys, Neath and Glasgow Warriors and also represented his country at the 2005 Under 21 World Championship. However, a decade later and the Welsh warrior would be throwing darts instead of balls.

By 2014, Price had joined the PDC’s Qualifying School and just seven years later he would be king of Alexandra Palace just seven years later. His only world title to date but ‘The Iceman’ is always in the mix when it comes to the big prizes.

Carl Lewis

University of Houston, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Next up, we go to the world of track and field and although athletes can usually win medals at both the 100m and 200m races at the same events, it is far harder to win the 100m and the Long jump. That is unless you are Carl Lewis. 

The American athlete has won no less than nine Olympic gold medals and also one silver – making him one of the most successful Olympians of all time. In addition to this, he also managed to win 10 gold medals at the World Championships between 1983 and 1993.

Not only did the 62-year-old win the 1984 and 1988 100m gold but between 1984 and 1996 he won the Long jump at the Olympics. While his four-gold haul in Los Angeles 40 years ago means he is only one of three athletes to win that many golds at the same Olympics. 

Ian Botham

Best known for his cricketing skills, Ian Botham or ‘Beefy’ as he was otherwise known also played football for Yeovil Town and Scunthorpe United between 1978 and 1985 and he would make 11 Football League appearances for the latter.

As equally adept as either a footballer or a cricketer, Botham decided that it was the swing of the bat which would see him go further and it is fair to say that he made the right decision after playing 102 Test matches for England between 1977 and 1992.

The pinnacle of those 102 must be the 1981 Ashes series against Australia. In the third Test at Headingley, he produced a stunning all-round performance, scoring 149 runs and taking 5 wickets for 1 run in 28 balls, which turned the match in England's favour and led to an unlikely victory.

Jim Thorpe

Harris & Ewing Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While saving perhaps the very best for last, we have to go back more than 100 years and the multitude of sporting achievements that Jim Thorpe collected at the start of the 20th Century. Starting at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm and two gold medals in the Swedish capital.

With entries in both the Pentathlon and Decathlon, Thorpe would do the business in both and he would also do the business when it came to American football. In the formative years of the NFL, he was one of their biggest names.

Playing for teams such as Canton Bulldogs and the New York Giants, he is regarded by many as the greatest ever to play the sport and with all this greatness, he still had time to play baseball in the minor leagues for the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Reds.

Despite facing discrimination and challenges throughout his life, Jim Thorpe's achievements continue to inspire athletes around the world, and his legacy serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination – something that Louis Rees-Zammit will need during his NFL trial.