10 NFL stars who traded helmets for politics as RFK Jr 'considers' Aaron Rodgers as running mate

10 football players who went into politics

NFL players frequently look for new options and professional routes after they retire. Many retired football players continue to work in the sport, but many more pursue careers in new fields, like politics. According to recent rumors, independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr is considering selecting New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers as his vice-presidential running mate, per BBC News. Here are 10 of the most popular NFL players who decided to go into politics after finishing their football careers.

1. Aaron Rodgers

According to reports, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is considering making a bold political move: being the running mate for third-party contestant Robert F Kennedy Jr. Given the significance of this period in Rodgers' football career, his possible foray into politics begs questions about his post-NFL future. Kennedy's interest in Rodgers has emerged from continuous conversations, highlighting the unique partnership between the football player who recently retweeted RFK's post about President Joe Biden.

2. Herschel Walker

Star running back Herschel Walker earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy while playing at the University of Georgia. Walker was a player for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings. Donald Trump appointed Walker to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition in 2018. Encouraged by Trump, Walker declared in 2021 that he would be a candidate for the Republican Senate seat in the 2022 election.

3. Alan Page

Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Alan Page was an All-American at Notre Dame before the Minnesota Vikings selected Alan Page in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft. After retiring from football, he was elevated to assistant attorney general and then elected as an associate member of the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1992. He held the role for 18 years before stepping down in 2010.

4. Steve Largent

Before even playing a game for the Houston Oilers, Steve Largent was traded to the Seattle Seahawks after the team selected him in the 1976 NFL Draft. In his 14 seasons with the Seahawks, he established himself as one of the league's top wide receivers and earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1994, he was elected to Congress and later won three more terms. Later, in 2002, he entered the race for governor of Oklahoma but was not successful.

5. Jon Runyan

Jon Runyan, known as 'The Enforcer,' played offensive lineman for the NFL for 14 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Runyan expressed interest in a congressional race as soon as he retired in 2009. He was chosen to serve a second term in the House of Representatives for the state of New Jersey in 2012 after winning the election in 2010. His stint in office ended in 2014 when he pulled out of the race.

6. Anthony Gonzalez

With Peyton Manning as his quarterback for five seasons, Anthony Gonzalez amassed 109 career receptions for 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns. Gonzalez declared his intention to run as a Republican for the Ohio House of Representatives in 2018 after he retired from football. He was the winner of the 2020 election that took place for the post. After two years in office, he made the decision not to seek reelection in 2022.

7. Heath Shuler

Joseph Heath Shuler played as a quarterback for the University of Tennessee after leading his high school team to three state football championships. The quarterback went on to succeed in Congress and rise to prominence as a 'Blue Dog' Democrat. From 2007 until 2013, he served as the 11th congressional district representative for North Carolina. He has since worked as a lobbyist and is currently a senior advisor at law firm BakerHostetler.

8. Colin Allred

Democrat Rep Colin Allred from Texas played linebacker for the Tennessee Titans from 2006 to 2010 before he entered politics. Allred deferred his admittance to law school since he was accepted to play in the NFL right out of graduation from Baylor University. According to Allred's official House of Representatives page, he suffered a career-ending injury after five seasons in the NFL, which led him to return to his job as a civil rights attorney. He was initially elected to Congress in 2018 and currently serves as the 32nd District representative for Texas.

9. Dwayne Woodruff

Dwayne Woodruff kept showcasing his talent and commitment to football and law after graduating. Woodruff continued to play for the Steelers and practiced law for three years. After retiring from football, Woodruff opened his own legal firm and went on to establish the prestigious Woodruff & Flaherty, PC as a founding partner. Later, in 2005, Woodruff sought and won an election to the position of judge on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, where he has primarily handled family court cases.

10. Jack Kemp

Former football player Jack Kemp played in three major league teams — the NFL, the Canadian Football League, and the American Football League — before entering politics. Kemp served as George H W Bush's secretary of housing and urban development along with being a member of the US House of Representatives representing New York from 1971 to 1989. Moreover, Kemp — who died in 2009 — tried unsuccessfully to win the Republican presidential nomination in 1988.