Buzz
Fans often overlook the personal lives of athletes, focusing solely on their professional achievements. Rarely do we get a glimpse into their lives beyond the field or court.
However, a closer look reveals some fascinating and unexpected hobbies that these sports stars pursue in their free time.
10. Mike Tyson: The Unexpected Bird Enthusiast
Is there anything Mike Tyson hasn’t accomplished? From reigning as the heavyweight champion of the world to gracing the screen in blockbuster films, battling in WWE rings, and captivating audiences in a Broadway solo performance, Tyson has done it all. He’s even famously claimed to have tasted human flesh.
Given his eclectic history, should it come as a shock that Tyson has also ventured into the world of competitive pigeon breeding and racing?
Tyson has often shared that pigeons were his first true passion. Ever since he spotted them soaring through his Brooklyn neighborhood as a child, he’s been captivated by these urban birds. Today, he manages a pigeon coop in New Jersey, home to more than 400 pigeons.
True to his unpredictable nature, Tyson grabbed media attention last October when he alleged that the government was plotting to eliminate his cherished rock doves from the US.
9. Tim Duncan Chooses the Depths of Undermountain Over the Prestige of the Hall of Fame
Tim Duncan embodies understatement: he’s one of the NBA’s most laid-back players, with a no-frills playing style and no flashy signature moves. Known as the “Big Fundamental,” his approach is straightforward and effective. With over 15 years in the NBA, four World Championships, and two MVP awards, he’s more than comfortable with being called unexciting.
However, Duncan does let loose when he’s immersed in Dungeons & Dragons. He’s open about his passion for role-playing fantasy games and is a regular at Texas Renaissance Fairs. When he joined the Spurs, he even asked to be called “Merlin.”
8. The NFL’s Most Devoted Star Wars Enthusiast
NFL enthusiasts from the late 1970s recall Lester Hayes as one of the league’s top cornerbacks. His exceptional defensive skills, combined with his liberal use of stickum, played a key role in securing two Super Bowl victories for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders during the 1980s.
Hayes was as passionate about the Star Wars saga as he was about football. He was so captivated by the epic space adventure that he reportedly watched it over 70 times. His admiration was so profound that he once suggested Luke Skywalker would excel as a cornerback if he played football. One of his most memorable remarks came in the early ’80s when he proclaimed himself the NFL’s “only true Jedi.”
Hayes’ remarkable on-field performances even led some of his teammates to half-believe he might truly be connected to the Force.
7. The Linebacker Who Loves Comic Books
He’s the hero comic book enthusiasts crave—and the one they truly deserve.
When Lance Briggs, the Chicago Bears linebacker, isn’t dominating opponents on the gridiron, he’s often spotted leisurely exploring the aisles of his neighborhood comic book shop.
The seven-time NFL Pro Bowler, famous for his hard-hitting tackles, has harbored a deep love for comics since he was a child. Even at 33, he dedicates hours to meticulously searching for the perfect comic before making a purchase.
In 2011, Briggs elevated his passion by writing his own comic for Top Cow Productions. Titled Seraph, the series blends “faith with action” to narrate the tale of a troubled hero who gains supernatural abilities after a suicide attempt. Briggs also launched a social networking platform for fellow fans and regularly organizes comic book donation drives for underprivileged children.
6. The Memory Wizard of Professional Basketball
Jerry Lucas lived the dream career every basketball player aspires to. After an All-American stint at Ohio State—leading the Buckeyes to three consecutive Final Fours and a national championship in 1960—he transitioned seamlessly to the NBA, where he clinched a title with the New York Knicks and later earned a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Lucas wasn’t just a basketball prodigy; he possessed a unique talent that transcended the court. Throughout his life, he was fascinated by memory techniques, often memorizing and categorizing everyday objects. From alphabetizing complex words like “chandelier” to memorizing pages from the New York phone book, Lucas dedicated years to honing his memory, dreaming of becoming a magician post-retirement.
After retiring from basketball in 1975, Lucas became a renowned memory education specialist. His work focuses on helping children enhance their memory skills, and he has authored several books on the subject.
5. The Baseball Star Who Loved R&B
On the field, Dick Allen was a standout outfielder. Off the field, he pursued his passion for R&B music as a singer.
During the 1960s and ’70s, Allen was one of baseball’s most intimidating sluggers, shining brightest with the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox. In 1972, while playing for the Sox, he had a standout season, smashing 37 home runs, driving in 113 RBIs, and batting .308 to secure the AL MVP award.
Beneath his tough exterior lay a soulful voice, and Allen often spent his free time in recording studios. He even performed the national anthem at major events in Philadelphia, including a memorable performance before a packed Spectrum crowd at a 76ers game.
His dedication to music paid off, leading to a record deal. In 1965, he released a single album with his soul group, The Ebonistics.
4. The Mailman Keeps Delivering
Karl Malone stands apart from the crowd. Despite his status as a basketball legend, he remained deeply connected to his modest roots. Raised in rural Louisiana, Malone developed a profound love for the outdoors. His passion for fishing and hunting carried over into his NBA career, where he was celebrated for his relentless work ethic and infamous for his physical style of play (just ask Isaiah Thomas and David Robinson).
Away from the court, Malone sought balance by retreating into solitude. The open road became his escape, a place where he found tranquility. The highway was his refuge.
In the early 1990s, he turned a childhood dream into reality by founding a trucking company, Malone Enterprises Trucking, Inc. Although the venture lasted less than two years, Malone’s passion for trucking endured. During the NBA season, he often took to the road in his Big Rig to clear his mind.
In 2005, Malone demonstrated his versatility off the court by using his trucking expertise to assist in removing debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
3. The Defensive End Fascinated by the JFK Assassination
Before his untimely death in a car accident, Derrick Thomas was destined for a Hall of Fame career with the Kansas City Chiefs. A standout defensive end from the University of Alabama, Thomas quickly made his mark in the NFL. In his rookie season, he recorded 10 sacks and 75 tackles, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection. Known for his dedication to children’s charities, Thomas’ commitment to helping kids stemmed from his own challenging upbringing.
Thomas’ early life was marked by hardship. At just five years old, he lost his father, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War. Growing up without a father was difficult, and Thomas faced numerous struggles before his mother and community intervened to guide him.
One of Thomas’ enduring passions was his fascination with the US military, particularly its aviation history and the many conspiracy theories surrounding it. He was especially captivated by the JFK assassination, studying countless documents and reading hundreds of books on the topic. He considered Oliver Stone’s film, JFK, to be “true to life” and even met with Marina Oswald, Lee Harvey Oswald’s widow, and eyewitness Jean Hill during a Kansas City radio show.
As he delved deeper into his research, Thomas began to see the connection between the political decisions leading to the Vietnam War and his father’s death. He believed that the bullet that killed Kennedy also indirectly took his father’s life. Thomas theorized that if Kennedy had survived, the US might not have escalated its involvement in Vietnam, and his father might have returned home safely.
2. The Gridiron Star Who Conquered the Legal World
During the 1970s, the Minnesota Vikings boasted one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses. Led by their legendary front line—the Purple People Eaters—the Vikings made four Super Bowl appearances in a single decade.
Alan Page, a defensive tackle, was a cornerstone of that success. Over his 12-year career with the Vikings, he played in all four Super Bowls, earned nine Pro Bowl selections, and was named an All-Pro nine times. Yet, despite his football achievements, Page had grander ambitions—he envisioned a future beyond sports, one dedicated to practicing law. His legal career has proven to be as remarkable as his time on the field.
Page knew his football career wouldn’t last forever. While still playing for the Vikings, he began taking law courses at the University of Minnesota. After retiring from football in 1981, he joined the Minneapolis Attorney General’s office as an assistant. He later made history by becoming the first African-American Associate Justice on the state’s Supreme Court, where he has served for over two decades as of 2014.
1. The Linebacker Who Wrestles Snakes in His Free Time
Many football players transition to high-profile careers after retiring from the sport. Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long became successful actors, while others like Dan Dierdorf and Phil Simms excelled as sports commentators.
However, few football players venture into herpetology—the study of snakes and reptiles. Chad Brown is a rare exception.
Brown’s fascination with snakes started in childhood but grew during his time as a student-athlete at the University of Colorado. In 1991, as a freshman, he purchased a boa constrictor to keep in his dorm room. Over the years, his collection has expanded to include thousands of snakes.
Even after entering the professional football arena, Brown maintained his passion for herpetology. He went on to establish his own exotic reptile pet store, which unfortunately was destroyed in a fire.
