Sports second acts: Plenty of paths for J.J. Watt to follow
Houston athletes have found success off the field in movies, television, theater and even the clergy
With J.J. Watt co-hosting along with Erin Andrews the CMT Music Awards on Wednesday night, there has been speculation about the path he might follow after football.
He wouldn’t be the first Houston athlete to have a second act. A look at some others: 1.
Michael Strahan. The Houston Westbury and TSU alum who went on to a successful career with the New York Giants began co-hosting with Kelly Ripa the syndicated daytime television show “Live! with Kelly & Michael” in 2012. He left earlier this year for a hosting role on “Good Morning America.” 2.
Eddie George. The former Oilers running back earned outstanding reviews this year for his seven-week run on Broadway as Billy Flynn in “Chicago: The Musical.”
3.
George Foreman. The Houston native who became boxing’s world heavyweight champion is an ordained minister also known for his promotion of “The George Foreman Grill.” 4.
John Lucas. The former Rockets point guard who had longstanding problems with illegal drug use now oversees a Houston treatment center for athletes with similar issues. 5.
Dan Pastorini. The former Oilers quarterback raced hydroplanes and on drag strips and also co-starred in a couple of movies, including one, “Killer Fish,” with Lee Majors. 6.
Ernie Ladd. “The Big Cat,” a former Oilers defensive lineman, had a successful career as a professional wrestling villain. 7.
Gifford Nielsen. The former Oilers quarterback has had several roles within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is now a general authority of the church. 8. Craig Reynolds. The Houston Reagan alum and former Astros shortstop is pastor of the Second Baptist Church North Campus in Houston. 9. Bo Eason. The former Oilers safety became an actor and playwright. His “Runt of the Litter” opened to critical acclaim off-Broadway in New York and has toured in more than 50 cities. 10. Jon Runyan. The former Oilers offensive tackle was a U.S. representative from New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district from 2011-2015. 11. Mary Lou Retton. An Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics who trained in Houston and was the darling of the 1984 Games, she made cameo appearances as herself in the movies “Scrooged” and “Naked Gun 331⁄3: The Final Insult.” 12. Zina Garrison. After winning three Grand Slam titles in mixed doubles, she founded the Zina Garrison Foundation for the Homeless and the Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Program, supporting inner-city tennis in Houston.