There is no objective top ten of athletes who became musicians: the available lists choose different names, and “best” and “worst” depend on taste. This ranking weighs three things: sustained musical work, recognition beyond sports fame, and the response to the work—keeping chart visibility distinct from critical approval. It ranges from athletes who built a second profession to those whose music was a brief or poorly received experiment.
The 10 best and worst athletes turned musicians
-
Wayman Tisdale: the strongest sustained career
The former NBA forward made jazz bass a serious second career after basketball. Bleacher Report wrote in 2011 that Tisdale released eight albums and that Face to Face topped Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart in 2001. That combination of continued output and chart recognition makes him the clearest “best” case here. The same outlet reported that he played 12 NBA seasons, averaging 15 points and six rebounds per game. Bleacher Report’s profile of athlete-musicians.
-
Bernie Williams: a musician’s education and collaborators
The former New York Yankees center fielder pursued music beyond the occasional celebrity recording. MLB.com reports that Williams returned to school for a music degree, recorded with Bruce Springsteen and Béla Fleck, co-wrote a book with Paul Simon, and received a Latin Grammy nomination. Bleacher Report also describes his classical guitar training and reports that two of his albums reached the top five of the U.S. Jazz chart. His formal study and activity with musicians outside baseball give this crossover unusual depth. MLB.com’s account of baseball players who make music.
-
Mike Reid: from defensive line to country songwriting
Reid played defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals before pursuing music. Stadium Talk identifies him as a standout athlete-musician and lists his albums, making him a compelling country crossover. The evidence available here is less detailed on his songwriting credits and industry honors than it is for Tisdale or Williams, so the case rests on the breadth of his move from professional football into recorded music rather than a specific award claim. Stadium Talk’s athlete-musician ranking.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.#1 Best Overall
Sale
InnoGear Mic Stand Tripod Boom Arm Floor Microphone Stand Height Adjustable- Adjustable Height & Solid: The height of the microphone stand with boom arm is adjustable from 28.1 inches to 89.8 inches by adjusting the knobs, perfect for people in all age groups. It features upgraded supporting structures for better load-bearing capacity, holding your microphone in position.
- Steady Tripod Stand: The high-quality thickened steel poles enhance the exceptional stability and durability of this mic stand. Compared to other lighter stands that are easy to tip over, our mic tripod stand is as heavy as 4.0lbs, serving indoor and outdoor use.
- Flexible & Detachable Boom Arm: The boom arm of the stand is adjustable from 16 inches to 30 inches in length and it can rotate 360° horizontally as well as up to 180° vertically. You can choose the best angle and length of performance by easily adjusting the knobs on the boom arm. Remove the boom arm and attach the mic clip, then you can also use it as a straight mic stand.
- Portable Carrying Bag: The package comes with a premium carrying bag and the floor mic tripod stand is easy to disassemble into several pieces which allows it to easily pack into the small carrying bag (19.5”×8.3” ) and fit anywhere, easy to transport and store.
- Wide Compatibility: Two different styles of mic clips in package are compatible with most types of microphones such as Shure SM58, Shure SM48, Shure PGA48, Samson Q2U, ATR2100x-USB, etc. The included metal 3/8” to 5/8” screw adapter is suitable for Blue Yeti, Snowball, Hyper X QuadCast, SoloCast, Shure SM7B, AT2020, Fifine AM8 and more.
-
Shaquille O’Neal: rap records and DJ Diesel
O’Neal’s music career spans rap and electronic dance performance. GRAMMY.com describes his work as extending across decades and notes his DJ Diesel identity. Stadium Talk reports that his 1993 album Shaq Diesel went platinum and that “(I Know I Got) Skillz” reached No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100; those figures are secondary-source reporting, not a complete measure of his musical standing. The longevity and shift into DJ performance make this more than a one-album curiosity. GRAMMY.com on athletes’ music careers.
-
Manny Pacquiao: a singing career with chart and regional recognition
The boxer’s crossover is vocal rather than instrumental. GRAMMY.com reports that Pacquiao appeared on the Adult Contemporary chart in 2011 and had two certified-platinum albums in the Philippines. Those milestones suggest audience reach, though they do not by themselves establish critical acclaim or a sustained international recording career. His inclusion also shows why a ranking like this needs to account for different markets and musical roles, not just U.S. pop charts. GRAMMY.com’s Pacquiao profile.
Rank #2
Amazon Basics Sturdy Portable Microphone Boom Arm Stand, Height Adjustable with Cable Management, Foldable Tripod Base, Up to 85.75", Black- Adjustable microphone stand designed to hold a microphone securely in place (microphone clip sold separately) at the height you choose
- Long boom arm with molded plastic counterweight; adjust to standing height for singing or speaking or seated height for playing an instrument
- Versatile design folds flat for use as straight mic stand; max height 85.75 inches; base width 21 inches
- Sturdy steel construction; ultra-light for easy transport
- Compatible with 3/8-inch to 5/8-inch adapter; clip-on cable holder keeps cords out of the way
-
Barry Zito: a country EP after baseball
Former MLB pitcher Zito released No Secrets, a six-song country EP, in 2017. MLB.com covered the project and quoted Zito discussing a possible lineup involving teammates; FOX Sports later described the EP as helping open other music opportunities. That is evidence of a real post-baseball effort, but the cited coverage does not establish chart success or major critical recognition. His place is therefore stronger as a committed crossover than as a proven hitmaker. MLB.com on Zito’s music.
-
Clint Dempsey: one purposeful hip-hop collaboration
In 2006, the U.S. soccer player recorded “Don’t Tread” with Texas rappers for a World Cup promotional campaign. Bleacher Report and Stadium Talk both identify the Nike campaign context. It was a memorable sports-and-music tie-in, but a single campaign track is not evidence of a sustained music career. Dempsey ranks here as a notable one-off, not as a musician with a documented second profession. Bleacher Report’s account of “Don’t Tread”.
Recommended Free Tools
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Rank #3
CAHAYA Mic Stand Floor Adjustable - Tripod Boom Arm Microphone Stand with Carrying Bag 2 Mic Clips 3/8" to 5/8" Adapter for Singing Podcast Compatible with Blue Yeti Shure SM58 SM48 Fifine K669B- Stable Tripod Base: CAHAYA tripod microphone stand has legs that extend wider than most, keeping your microphone securely in place. Hollow bottom supports prevent bending and help distribute weight, reducing vibration. Non-slip foot pads keep the stand in place.
- Carrying Bag & Universal Mic Clips: The mic stand floor comes with carrying bag and 2 mic clips: barrel style & clothespin style, compatible with most types of microphones like Shure SM58, Shure SM48, Shure PGA48, Samson Q2U, HyperX QuadCast, etc.
- Stand Height Adjustable: Microphone stand height can be adjusted from 25.2” to 62.2”, perfect floor use mic stand for outdoor use like stage performance, speeches, meeting rooms, party, wedding, karaoke sing or live broadcasts etc.
- Extendable & Removable Boom Arm: Boom arm extends freely within 16.9”-30.1” and 360° angle rotatable through adjustment knobs which allows for easy positioning. Simply remove the boom arm and attach microphone clip to convert the mic stand into a traditional straight mic stand.
- Portable and Quick to Assemble: All parts could be stored in a provided carrying bag for convenient transport. Assemble or disassemble in just 2 minutes for quick, effortless use.
-
Bronson Arroyo: a covers album that divides opinion
The former Boston Red Sox pitcher released Covering the Bases in 2005, an album of rock covers. MLB.com notes contributions including spoken word by Stephen King and appearances by Theo Epstein and guitarist Michael Landau. Bleacher Report calls the album weak; MLB.com’s account is more favorable in its description of the project. That split is a reminder that “worst” is not a settled verdict: the collaborators and concept are concrete, while reception varies by reviewer. MLB.com on Arroyo’s album and Bleacher Report’s assessment.
-
Deion Sanders: chart visibility, harsh reviews
Sanders released the rap album Prime Time, which included “Must Be the Money,” and performed on Saturday Night Live. MLB.com reports that the album reached No. 70 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart and quotes a negative AllMusic assessment; Stadium Talk describes the record as widely panned. Chart presence shows that the project was noticed, not that critics embraced it. The contrast makes Sanders one of the clearest cases where fame and measurable visibility did not translate into strong critical reception. MLB.com on Sanders’s album and reception.
Rank #4
On-Stage MS7701B Euro Boom Mic Stand (For Vocal and Instrument Microphones- Versatile: Adjustable-height mic stands adapt to studios, stages, podcasts, and more.
- Durable: Steel-built mic stands with non-slip rubber feet for secure, stable support.
- Compatible: Adjustable boom arms offer 30" reach and standard threading for wide equipment compatibility.
- Portable: Folds flat for easy storage, transport, and convenient travel between setups.
- Precise: Removable boom arm adjusts angle for accurate microphone positioning and optimal sound capture.
-
Carl Lewis: a notorious pop attempt
The Olympic sprinter released the album Modern Man in 1987. Stadium Talk judges the record harshly and also cites Lewis’s 1993 national anthem performance. “Worst” is an editorial label, not an objective category; in this ranking, Lewis lands near the bottom because the cited coverage presents the work as a cautionary example rather than a sustained or independently recognized music career. Stadium Talk’s assessment of Carl Lewis.
What makes an athlete-musician crossover work?
Sports fame can introduce an audience, but it is not evidence of musical craft or staying power. The strongest cases above show commitment over time, recognition in music contexts, or meaningful collaborations. Some projects were promotional singles or celebrity releases; others became sustained work. Taste still matters, and a chart position measures audience activity rather than critical quality.
Music can also play a role in athletes’ lives without becoming a public career. GRAMMY.com quotes eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt saying, “We enjoy music as athletes. It helped hype us up or calm us down depending on the type of genre.” That describes music’s place in sport, not a claim about recording quality. GRAMMY.com’s feature and quote from Bolt.
Newer crossovers can change the list
The category keeps evolving. FOX Sports’s August 2025 overview discusses LiAngelo Ball’s song “Tweaker” and reports a $13 million Def Jam deal following the song’s attention. Because the deal claim is reported by a sports outlet and can change with later developments, it is best treated as a reported contemporary example rather than a settled measure of a lasting music career. The same FOX Sports article revisits Barry Zito’s six-song EP, illustrating the difference between a brief opportunity and a long-established body of work. FOX Sports’s 2025 overview.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
