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7 College Athletes Who Became Celebrities
Although many college athletes dream of continuing their athletic careers at the professional level, the majority never get the chance. However, since the remaining athletes comprise such a large pool of diverse talents, many of them continue on to fame and fortune in other ways. The following celebrities were all college sports stars.
The Rock COLLEGE: University of Miami DEGREE: Criminology B.S. YEARS: 1989-1992 Although it can be argued that Dwayne Johnson did enjoy a career as a professional athlete, few people know that the man known as "The Rock" was actually a stud defensive tackle long before he began his life in the ring. Playing for the University of Miami on a full football scholarship, The Rock hoped and dreamed of making it to the NFL. Although a back injury sidelined those plans, he was a part of the Miami Hurricanes National Championship Team in 1991. There is no video evidence of him throwing a People's Elbow during a regulation game, but it'd be hard to believe that these early days of physical abuse didn't prepare him for his astronomically successful career in the WWE. Brian Dennehy COLLEGE: Columbia, Yale DEGREE: History A.S., Dramatic Arts B.A. YEARS: 1960, 1965-1968 A veteran Chicago actor who has won Tony Awards for his performances in Death of a Salesman and others at the Goodman Theatre, Brian Dennehy has a history of kicking ass. Long before the Tommy Boy and Rambo star had an acting career, he served in the United States Marine Corp. Upon his discharge, he attended Columbia University on a football scholarship where he planned on majoring in History, and was known as #70. It wasn't until he transferred to Yale to study Dramatic Arts that his potential was truly realized. Dean Cain COLLEGE: Princeton DEGREE: History B.A. YEARS: 1984-1988 Not only did this Man of Steel enjoy a successful college career as an athlete, but Dean Cain is the only player on this list to actually make it to the big show. Cain played free safety at Princeton, where his record-setting 12 interceptions in a season garnered the attention of the Buffalo Bills, who signed him as a free agent in 1988. Unfortunately for Cain, a knee injury during camp ended his brief career, but fortunately gave him the motivation needed to give acting a shot. Gerald Ford COLLEGE: University of Michigan DEGREE: Economics & Political Science B.A. YEARS: 1931-1935 We must not forget that "celebrity" does not only refer to actors, as our 38th President of the United States was also a college athlete in his day. Gerald Ford led the Michigan Wolverines to undefeated seasons and National Championships in 1932 and 1933. He was a center and a linebacker, playing on both sides of the ball and presenting a dominant force on the field. The University of Michigan later retired his number (48), partially because of his football accomplishments but mostly on account of the whole President of the United States thing. Jamie Foxx COLLEGE: U.S. International University DEGREE: Music Arts B.A. YEARS: 1986-1990 Though he studied music in college, Jamie Foxx broke school records at Terrell High School in Texas and had ambitions of playing for the Dallas Cowboys. It was this experience that later gave director Oliver Stone the confidence to cast Foxx in the football film Any Given Sunday. While Foxx's many talents in music, comedy and drama were ultimately far more developed than his athleticism, it is safe to say that Jamie Foxx is one of the most well-rounded and versatile talents of his generation. Jim Caviezel COLLEGE: Bellevue Community College, University of Washington DEGREE: Generals, History B.S. YEARS: 1987-1991 (This is not a picture of Jim playing basketball, but you get the idea.) The actor best known for playing the role of Jesus in Passion of the Christ had ambitions of playing in the NBA long before his days on the silver screen. Standing tall at 6 feet, 3 inches, Jim Caviezel played basketball at Bellevue Community College, before a foot injury sidelined him for good. While he once had dreams of playing in the NBA, this unexpected injury gave Caviezel the impetus to begin acting, which has since served him very well. Forest Whitaker COLLEGE: State Polytechnical University, University of Southern California DEGREE: Music B.A. YEARS: 1978-1982 (This is not a picture of Forest Whitaker, but again, you get the picture.) Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker is known as one of the most intense actors performing today. However, few people know that he used to be an intense defensive tackle as well. Whitaker attended California State Polytechnic University on a football scholarship, before a back injury led to his transfer to the music conservatory at USC. It was here that Whitaker got in touch with his artistic side, and continued down a path that would lead him to fame, fortune and accolades.
The Rock
COLLEGE: University of Miami DEGREE: Criminology B.S. YEARS: 1989-1992
Although it can be argued that Dwayne Johnson did enjoy a career as a professional athlete, few people know that the man known as "The Rock" was actually a stud defensive tackle long before he began his life in the ring.
Playing for the University of Miami on a full football scholarship, The Rock hoped and dreamed of making it to the NFL. Although a back injury sidelined those plans, he was a part of the Miami Hurricanes National Championship Team in 1991. There is no video evidence of him throwing a People's Elbow during a regulation game, but it'd be hard to believe that these early days of physical abuse didn't prepare him for his astronomically successful career in the WWE.
Brian Dennehy
COLLEGE: Columbia, Yale DEGREE: History A.S., Dramatic Arts B.A. YEARS: 1960, 1965-1968
A veteran Chicago actor who has won Tony Awards for his performances in Death of a Salesman and others at the Goodman Theatre, Brian Dennehy has a history of kicking ass.
Long before the Tommy Boy and Rambo star had an acting career, he served in the United States Marine Corp. Upon his discharge, he attended Columbia University on a football scholarship where he planned on majoring in History, and was known as #70. It wasn't until he transferred to Yale to study Dramatic Arts that his potential was truly realized.
Dean Cain
COLLEGE: Princeton DEGREE: History B.A. YEARS: 1984-1988
Not only did this Man of Steel enjoy a successful college career as an athlete, but Dean Cain is the only player on this list to actually make it to the big show.
Cain played free safety at Princeton, where his record-setting 12 interceptions in a season garnered the attention of the Buffalo Bills, who signed him as a free agent in 1988. Unfortunately for Cain, a knee injury during camp ended his brief career, but fortunately gave him the motivation needed to give acting a shot.
Gerald Ford
COLLEGE: University of Michigan DEGREE: Economics & Political Science B.A. YEARS: 1931-1935
We must not forget that "celebrity" does not only refer to actors, as our 38th President of the United States was also a college athlete in his day.
Gerald Ford led the Michigan Wolverines to undefeated seasons and National Championships in 1932 and 1933. He was a center and a linebacker, playing on both sides of the ball and presenting a dominant force on the field. The University of Michigan later retired his number (48), partially because of his football accomplishments but mostly on account of the whole President of the United States thing.
Jamie Foxx
COLLEGE: U.S. International University DEGREE: Music Arts B.A. YEARS: 1986-1990
Though he studied music in college, Jamie Foxx broke school records at Terrell High School in Texas and had ambitions of playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
It was this experience that later gave director Oliver Stone the confidence to cast Foxx in the football film Any Given Sunday. While Foxx's many talents in music, comedy and drama were ultimately far more developed than his athleticism, it is safe to say that Jamie Foxx is one of the most well-rounded and versatile talents of his generation.
Jim Caviezel
COLLEGE: Bellevue Community College, University of Washington DEGREE: Generals, History B.S. YEARS: 1987-1991
(This is not a picture of Jim playing basketball, but you get the idea.)
The actor best known for playing the role of Jesus in Passion of the Christ had ambitions of playing in the NBA long before his days on the silver screen.
Standing tall at 6 feet, 3 inches, Jim Caviezel played basketball at Bellevue Community College, before a foot injury sidelined him for good. While he once had dreams of playing in the NBA, this unexpected injury gave Caviezel the impetus to begin acting, which has since served him very well.
Forest Whitaker
COLLEGE: State Polytechnical University, University of Southern California DEGREE: Music B.A. YEARS: 1978-1982
(This is not a picture of Forest Whitaker, but again, you get the picture.)
Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker is known as one of the most intense actors performing today. However, few people know that he used to be an intense defensive tackle as well.
Whitaker attended California State Polytechnic University on a football scholarship, before a back injury led to his transfer to the music conservatory at USC. It was here that Whitaker got in touch with his artistic side, and continued down a path that would lead him to fame, fortune and accolades.
Although many college athletes fall short of their professional sport dreams, many of them still enjoy tremendous success in other fields. While acting, entertaining, and US Presidency may not have been the original goals of these college athletes, their second choices have made them all first-rate celebrities.
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