20 famous musicians who could've been pro athletes

Some people may know Marvin Gaye as one of the smoothest crooners with hit songs like “What’s Going On” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” but at one point, he decided to take a break from music and try something different. Former NFL player Lem Barney became friends with Gaye, and in 1970, he helped Gaye earn a tryout with the Detroit Lions, but it ultimately didn’t work out with all parties. 

Before Billy Ray Cyrus took on the world of country music, he had dreams of being an MLB player. Cyrus was a catcher who attended Georgetown College on a baseball scholarship and was hopeful he would play for teams like the Cincinnati Reds or the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, while he was in college, he decided to pursue his music dreams instead. 

As a promotion before the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, R&B singer SZA met up with Simone Biles to not only show off her handstand skills, but she also mentioned her dreams of one day becoming a professional gymnast. Before SZA was breaking records in the music industry, she trained in gymnastics for over ten years and was even the captain of her team. 

J. Cole is one of those rappers who is not only a fan of basketball, but he’s also previously referenced the sport in his lyrics. Although Cole played basketball in high school, he didn’t play it while attending St. John’s University. Since then, Cole has had brief stints playing professionally in the Basketball Africa League and the Canadian Elite Basketball League. 

Rod Stewart may be known as one of the best-selling artists of all time, but he’s also been passionate about soccer. As a teenager, he had a trial with Brentford Football Club, but he never signed officially.  

Before Dave East’s claim to fame as a rapper, he played basketball at the University of Richmond and Towson University. As a talented forward, he also played on several AAU teams alongside athletes like Michael Beasley, Ty Lawson, and Kevin Durant. Although his dreams of being in the NBA didn’t come to fruition, East has been seen participating in several celebrity All-Star games.

Sam Hunt may be known as one of the top singers in country music today, but he also had the chance to make it in the NFL. He played quarterback during his college years at Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2008, Hunt had a brief tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs, but it didn’t work out as planned. Soon after, he moved to Nashville to pursue his music endeavors. 

Rapper Wale is no stranger to the sports world, he’s appeared on TV segments such as ESPN’s First Take and Fox Sports’ Undisputed, and hosts the annual wrestling event WaleMania. However, before Wale decided to pursue music, he was a running back and wide receiver at Robert Morris University and Virginia State University. 

Before Avril Lavigne was making hit songs like “Sk8er Boy,” she was quite the athlete in her teenage years. She ran track and field, played softball and ice hockey before she decided to pursue music.

Prince played basketball while in junior high and high school. Other celebrities, including Charlie Murphy and Kevin Garnett, have often told tidbits about playing pickup games against Prince. 

Before Sheryl Crow was releasing songs like “If It Makes You Happy” or “Soak Up the Sun,” she was quite the star athlete during her high school days. As a track and field star, Crow won all-state honors and medals in the 75-meter low hurdles. 

Before the world knew 2 Chainz as the Atlanta rapper dropping club bangers, he was well known as a star sixth man on his high school’s basketball team. He was highly recruited by a few colleges, and ultimately chose to play Division 1 basketball at Alabama State University. 

Garth Brooks is one of the most popular singers in country music, but before he pursued music, he was quite the athlete in his younger years. In high school, he played football, baseball, and ran track and field. He also earned a track and field scholarship at Oklahoma State University and competed in javelin. 

While Rick Ross was in high school, he was a standout offensive lineman, which earned him a football scholarship to historically Black college Albany State University. He didn’t think his heart was in football, so he left the school and decided to take music more seriously. 

Most people know Britney Spears for her hit songs like “...Baby One More Time” and “Oops! I Did It Again.” However, before Spears came onto the music scene, she was a high school teenager who played point guard for her school’s basketball team. 

Some people know rapper Nelly for hit songs like “Hot In Herre” and “Country Grammar,” while others know him to be a huge sports fan, he can be seen courtside at plenty of pro games. However, before he came onto the hip-hop scene, he had dreams of making it to the major leagues. As a standout baseball player in high school, he earned tryouts with teams such as the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Following his high school years, country singer Toby Keith briefly played semi-professional football with the Oklahoma City Drillers while he was still pursuing music with the East Money Band. However, once he didn’t make the United States Football League’s Oklahoma Outlaws team, he decided to go after his music dreams full-time. 

Master P is the type of artist who’s lived many lives, while some know him as a rapper and businessman, he was also a professional athlete for a brief stint. He always had a passion for basketball and even earned an athletic scholarship at the University of Houston. In 1999, Master P joined the training camp roster for the Charlotte Hornets and participated in two exhibition games. He then earned a preseason roster spot on the Toronto Raptors, however he was waived during the regular season.

Johnny Mathis may be known for his hit songs like “Chances Are,” “Misty,” and “It’s Not For Me to Say,” but he was also once star athlete in his younger years. As a high jumper and track and field athlete, Mathis earned a scholarship to San Francisco State University. At a meet in 1955, he even beat his rival, NBA legend Bill Russell. Mathis was also invited to try out for the 1956 Olympic team, but declined to focus on his music career. 

Some people know Chase Rice as a previous contestant on Survivor: Nicaragua, and others know him as a country music singer. However, before his fame, he was a football linebacker for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and during his days at AC Reynolds High School, he won a 4A state championship.