Five athletes who were once musicians

They weren’t half bad, either!

By Davie Wong, Sports Editor

Athletes are known for many things: Their rippling bodies, their varying personalities, and the number of records that they may or may not hold, just to name a few. One of the things that you don’t often hear about an athlete is their musical talent! And I mean, why would you? It turns out that some athletes had quite the secret double life as star musicians. Here are just some of the many athletes that have made splashes in the musical world.

Shaquille O’Neal

That’s right. Before the 7’1” giant of the NBA gained worldwide infamy for his massive boards and huge dunks, he was throwing down in the studios. Between 1993 and 1999, the big man released four studio albums, and they were far from terrible.

In fact, Shaq made it into the top 25 on the US Music Charts, and within the top 8 of the US R&B Music Charts. His first album, Shaq Diesel, went platinum, and his second, Shaq Fu: Da Return, made it to gold. Although his success on the records never launched him into the clouds, one could say his bars of fire were a slam dunk.

Manny Pacquiao

While it feels like the name Manny Pacquiao just never disappears, it’s because the man won’t let it. From legendary fights to causing drama in the Filipino Senate, Manny Pacquiao just seems to be everywhere. Including on record?

Unknown to many until only a couple years ago, the superstar boxer is actually a published musician. Manny has released three albums, nearly all of them in Tagalog. And while his music may not be a hit to many, it definitely isn’t a knockout for his bank account, as his career in the ring gives him more than enough cash to publish whatever he wants to.

Deion Sanders

When you think of legendary two sport players, there aren’t many on the list. Deion Sanders is one of them, playing in the NFL and the MLB. Sanders was better known for his career in the NFL, but it didn’t stop him from playing both. Along with being a father, Sanders constantly had his hands full.

Yet he still found time to make music. Sanders has released two studio albums, with his best being in 1994. His album, Prime Time made it to number 70 on the US Hip-Hop charts, and topped at 14 on the US Heatseekers charts. How he found time to crank out smash hits while making, taking, and giving hits, I’ll never know, but then again, Deion Sanders is truly a man from another world.

Guy Lafleur

Well here’s a name that no one expected to see. Guy Lafleur is a household name out east, but even out there it was because of his legendary hockey career. What many often forget is that during his reign on the ice in the late ’70s and early ’80s, Guy loved himself some disco. In fact, he loved it so much, he made his own album.

Guy Lafleur is a published disco dude. Wow, try saying that five time fast. But in all seriousness, Lafleur published his own disco album in 1979. Being the multicultural man he was, Lafleur put the record out in both English and French. I can’t say it did too well, but I mean, give the man some credit—at least he tried!

Floyd Mayweather

No, I’m not calling him Money Mayweather… Crap, I just did, didn’t I? Well, his nickname isn’t an understatement—the man is made of money. And if he’s taught us anything, it’s that money can buy you anything, including places on music albums.

Mayweather has been featured on multiple albums from famous musicians like G-Unit and Ludacris. Unlike everyone else on this list, Mayweather hasn’t published his own album, but his involvement in music makes him a musician nonetheless. And perhaps his decision to not create his own music is the wisest one. I know I’m already tired of hearing from him.