CLEMMONS, North Carolina — In the world of sports, there are many astonishing and unexpected facts one might be surprised to discover about famous celebrity sports players. While some players may have come from fortunate, well-off circumstances, there are still many athletes who escaped poverty before they became world-known champions in the field of sports.
Here are some famous sports players who one may not have expected to come from immensely difficult beginnings, but in the end, finally made it toward the top of their own game.
Michael Oher
Michael Oher, who shares one of the most famous rags-to-riches stories, had a really tough start.
The Tennessee Titans tackle’s life took a turn when he was adopted by Leigh Anne Tuohy after an upsetting childhood. Growing up and playing at Ole Miss, he eventually became a first-round pick during the 2009 NFL draft.
His life was presented in the 2009 film The Blind Side, a movie receiving international acclaim and awards, putting the ex-Baltimore Raven in the spotlight. Now, thanks to the Titans, Oher has a Super Bowl ring, while having a heartwarming biographical film under his belt.
LeBron James
Could you have ever guessed that LeBron James, winner of four MVP awards and two NBA championship rings to ever have had a very rough background?
Yes, the “best basketball player in the world,” considered by critics, initially, came from very harsh beginnings.
Born in 1984, James spent the first few years of his life with four generations of his family in a big house on Hickory Street, near downtown Akron. During the fourth grade, James spent two-thirds of his life without a home, moving constantly every few months with his mother from one apartment to the next.
Known as one of the greatest players in the history of basketball, King James, in the end persevered, dominated and blazed through the charts, helping transcend the modern game.
Tom Brady
A player for the New York Jets, won against several of the other teams playing on an annual basis, after being a loyal backup quarterback to Drew Bledsoe.
Brady actually didn’t become known in the world of sports until 2000, as he did not spend much time on the field in his first college seasons. After 1995, Brady graduated from University of Michigan and it was in five years, he moved on to the NFL, finally being drafted onto the New England Patriots. Originally playing as backup to Drew Beldsoe, Brady finally had his “super-star” moment when he secured a win for his team against the St. Louis Rams at Super Bowl XXXVI.
According to Bleacher Report, after the sixth-round pick of the Patriots, Brady became the greatest signal-caller of all time.
From a back-up to Beldsoe, to nine trips to the Pro Bowl and many Super Bowl rings, Brady is the epitome of the rags-to-riches story for many NFL quarterbacks.
Diego Maradona
Another real example of the rags-to-riches story is none other than legendary Argentine soccer player, Diego Maradona- a player who came from nothing and achieved numerous wonders.
Concerning Maradona’s background, Stewart Coggin of About.com has said, “One of six children in a poor family, he says in his autobiography that his father never allowed him to go without a meal, but that he had to work in a factory from 4 a.m. each day to do so.”
Maradona was a champion for clubs such as Barcelona and Napoli, helping his home country hold the World Cup trophy in 1986. Having a much hailed career, Maradona has accomplished great achievements on the pitch, even under the circumstances he had overcame to reach there.
Victor Cruz
For the 27 year-old pass-catcher, Victor Cruz, life had not been so easy in regards to his collegiate career.
After being sent home two times for poor grades, according to Bruce Arthur of the National Post, Cruz finally decided to shape up his game.
Being a student of University of Massachusetts, the player went on to have an extraordinary professional life under the UMass masthead. When the 2010 draft shut its doors, The Giants took an interest in Cruz, who was undrafted, becoming a huge part of Big Blue’s offensive attack.
Cruz’s story has been inspirational to many for not only has he won a Super Bowl ring, but he had gone from an un-drafted wide receiver to signing a six-year deal with the Giants worth about $46 million.
Yasiel Puig
Chaos and upheaval are words that could describe Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig as he made his way to the major leagues.
His tale was recorded by Jesse Katz of Los Angeles Magazine. In it, there was mention of Puig’s journey from Cuba to the U.S., being a dangerous tale of confusion, corruption and chaos.
In his later life, Puig signed a deal with the Dodgers and became a legendary name. Now, he stands as a man who has truly survived the ultimate rags-to-riches story.
Josh Hamilton
Although these stars have their merits, it is also worth noting the legacy that Los Angeles outfielder Josh Hamilton brought with his own backstory.
Considered one of the top players in the country when he was working his way through the Tampa Bay Rays farm system, Hamilton was known to be the No. 1 pick in the 1999 MLB draft.
Though Hamilton’s baseball career suffered quite a bit after becoming involved with drugs and alcohol, it is still notable the amount of accomplishments he made despite starting off with humble beginnings.
Caron Butler
A classic example of the biggest rags-to-riches story in sports history is none other than Caron Butler’s. The basketball player’s journey to the NBA was bombarded with numerous problems.
NBA’s Sekou Smith explained that after being a drug dealer at the age of 11, Butler was arrested 15 times before his 15 birthday. He did not discover his love for basketball until he played it while serving his time in a detention center.
By taking his fate in his own hands, Butler grasped a hold of his life when he became the Big East Player of the Year at Connecticut, at a lottery pick in the 2002 Draft and finally morphing into a two-time All-Star and NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
In a mere 12 years, Butler had worked diligently to expedite his growth, as not just a player, but more importantly as a person.
Oher, James, Brady, Maradona, Cruz, Puig, Hamilton and Butler are players who have worked tirelessly with arduous amounts of effort in multiple various angles in order to go from “rags-to-riches.” Sources of motivation for prospective players, they serve as role-models of determined individuals who became very successful and powerful sports players.
These background stories are timeless inspirational examples of what it truly takes to make it to not just the top of one’s sports game, but one’s internal game as well.
– Noor Siddiqui
Sources: Bleacher Report, Sports Stats, 4 for 4, Biography