PLAYING THE FIELD

Monson isn’t the first sportsman to get political. These five got it right

01 Arnold Schwarzenegger

As governor of California, the former Mr Universe passed the first greenhouse emissions cap in the United States.

02 Bill Bradley

A former democratic senator for New Jersey, Bradley won two championships with the Knicks and an Olympic gold medal for basketball.

03 George Weah

Named African Football Player of the Century in 1996, the Ballon d’or winner used his success as a springboard to run for president of Liberia.

04 Pelé

It was a natural fit when Pelé served as Brazil’s sports minister in 1995, later stepping up to take on the role of Unesco Goodwill Ambassador.

05 Jesse Ventura

The WWE Hall of Famer hung up the spandex in 1990 to serve as Brooklyn Park mayor, before becoming governor of Minnesota in 1998.