Jim Tressel, the highly regarded former head coach who led Ohio State University to a national championship in 2002, has been proposed as a candidate for lieutenant governor of the state. This nomination adds Tressel to a growing roster of former athletes and coaches who have transitioned into political roles.
Tressel earned the nickname “The Senator” during his coaching tenure, primarily due to his composed and dignified presence. Although speculation about his potential candidacy for various offices has circulated over the years, he has not previously held a political position. However, after concluding his coaching career, he took on the role of president at Youngstown State University.
The landscape of sports figures entering politics is extensive, with many having made significant contributions to both realms. A notable example is Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, who excelled as a football player at the University of Michigan. He started his political journey as a member of the U.S. House from Michigan before ascending to the roles of vice president and then president, completing Nixon’s term following his resignation.
Another prominent athlete-turned-politician is Herschel Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy recipient from the University of Georgia. Walker attempted to secure a U.S. Senate seat in 2022, though he did not succeed. More recently, former President Donald Trump has proposed Walker for the position of ambassador to the Bahamas.
Steve Largent, an NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver, made his mark in sports from 1976 to 1989 with the Seattle Seahawks before serving eight years in the U.S. House representing Oklahoma. Similarly, Heath Shuler was a noteworthy quarterback at the University of Tennessee and later won a seat in the North Carolina U.S. House in 2006, where he served three terms.
Tommy Tuberville, who previously led the Auburn University football program, was elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama in 2020. Meanwhile, Lynn Swann, a celebrated receiver with four Super Bowl victories with the Pittsburgh Steelers, unsuccessfully campaigned for governor of Pennsylvania in 2006.
In addition, Tom Osborne, a coach with three national championships at Nebraska, transitioned into a political career, serving as a congressman for three terms in the 2000s. Steve Garvey, who once achieved MVP status with the Los Angeles Dodgers, attempted a Senate run in California in 2024 but was defeated by Democrat Adam Schiff.
Bill Bradley, a two-time NBA champion with the New York Knicks and a member of the basketball hall of fame, dedicated nearly two decades to serving in the U.S. Senate and made a run for the presidency in 2020.
Kevin Johnson, a three-time NBA All-Star with the Phoenix Suns, was elected as mayor of Sacramento, California, on two occasions. Jack Kemp, another former athlete, notably played as a quarterback for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills before serving in Congress and as the national housing secretary. Kemp was also the running mate of Bob Dole in the 1996 presidential election.
Dave Bing, who primarily played for the Detroit Pistons before being honored in the basketball hall of fame, became the mayor of Detroit in 2009 during a tumultuous period for the city.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, originally from Austria, transitioned from world champion bodybuilder and movie star to governor of California in 2003, securing re-election easily three years later. Byron White, famously nicknamed “Whizzer,” showcased his athletic prowess as a running back at the University of Colorado in the 1930s before serving on the U.S. Supreme Court for over 30 years.
Lastly, Jim Bunning, a Hall of Fame pitcher with no-hitters in both leagues, spent nearly 25 years in Congress, serving in the U.S. House and Senate.
It’s important to clarify that Herschel Walker’s Senate candidacy occurred in 2022, not 2002, as previously stated.
