What NFL and NBA players are doing during lockout
At 5-foot-9 Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nate Robinson probably always needed a backup plan to the NBA. So, if the NBA lockout persists, Robinson is planning to try out in the NFL. Robinson did play college football and basketball for the University of Washington, so it isn't such a stretch.
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce spent some time in Las Vegas this July playing the World Series of Poker. He played his cards the same way he plays basketball, wisely picking his spots to make moves and made it deep into the second day before his chip count just couldn't keep up.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest, who's trying to rebrand himself with a new name, has had a busy offseason. Following the name change, the baller formerly known as Artest, tried his hand at stand-up comedy hosting a tour at the Hollywood Improv. Always the entertainer, he's indicated that he'll head to Europe where he might play a little ball and try acting.
Colt McCoy didn't let the NFL lockout keep him away from football. The Cleveland Browns quarterback remained focused on the game with team workouts and by hosting a football camp for kids of all ages
Rather than let the bills pile up, Charles Clay mowed them down — literally. The former University of Tulsa fullback/tight end worked as a day laborer, cutting grass and doing other similar work outdoors
It seems Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco used this lockout to try his hand at just about everything. But first, he took a shot and earned a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City of the MLS. On March 25 he played a reserve game with the team
Next, Ochocinco said he'd try professional bull riding. On May 14, the wide receiver took on a 1500-pound bull named Déja Blu. Come on Chad, let's just stick to football.
We're starting to think that Ochocinco is easily bored. In June the Bengals star hopped in Jeff Burton's ride for a trip around the track in Atlanta at a cruising speed — by NASCAR standards. What's next for Ochocinco? Hopefully football, now that the lockout is over.
Free-agent Chad Pennington has opted to not play this season. The former Miami Dolphins quarterback, 35, suffered from shoulder injuries much of last season and will take at least this season off to partner with Sam Rosen as a TV analyst for FOX Sports this fall.
New England Patriots superstar Tom Brady opted for a quiet hiatus with his loved ones, including a trip to Disneyland with his son and working on construction of two — yes, two — Los Angeles-area homes with wife Gisele Bündchen
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo shot a 9-over 81 at the local qualifier at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas in early May to end his dream of reaching the US Open in June. We think he was a little distracted this year. On May 28 in front of a few hundred of his closest friends and family — including Cowboy greats Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman — Romo married former Miss Missouri Candice Crawford
Davone Bess had no shortage of offseason activities to fill his time. The Dolphins wide receiver ran a grueling workout program for other receivers and volunteered his time to various organizations, including the Bess Route Foundation he started last year. Bess' activities included chopping trees, digging ditches, laying tiles and organizing a charity basketball game.
Zoltan Mesko demands a lot of himself on the field and off. Rather than focus on the NFL lockout, the Patriots punter delved into the world of private equity and managed a $1.5 billion portfolio for Graham Partners in Pennsylvania. But don't worry about his game — Mesko spent his lunch breaks at a local high school practicing his punting.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers saw no better time to pursue his passion than during the NFL lockout. Rodgers focused on his record label, Suspended Sunrise Recordings, a project he has been trying to get started the past few years.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd used the offseason to build his résumé, concentrating on his musical interests and sales skills. Lloyd made rap demos that he tried to sell to video games and TV shows and also worked in sales for a company that supplies steel to the aerospace industry.
In 2009 Jimmy Clausen made the decision to forgo his senior season at Notre Dame and commit to the NFL Draft. The Carolina Panthers drafted the quarterback in the second round with the 48th overall pick. But, thanks to the extended offseason, Clausen returned to Notre Dame and finished his degree in sociology.
Baltimore Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski has been an occasional professional boxer since 2006, but this extended break gave him a chance to get back in the ring for the first time since 2007. On March 12 Zbikowski defeated Richard Bryant in Las Vegas by TKO. On March 26 he won again in Atlantic City by unanimous decision. He won again on April 23 after a first-round knockout at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Okla. But controversy followed. Zbikowski was suspended after one test detected a substance found in a certain drug in his system. However, the suspension was lifted following a second test.
Defensive end Ray Edwards is unhappy with the Minnesota Vikings' offer for the 2011 season. Edwards decided to try boxing and won his professional boxing debut against T.J. Gibson on May 21 by unanimous vote from the judges. Edwards could have a career in boxing, but he's going to have to work hard to win over the fans, who were less impressed and feel he is "overrated."
Kevin Kolb waited patiently behind Donovan McNabb for three seasons, but when he finally got his chance to shine, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback suffered a concussion, allowing Michael Vick a chance at the starting position. Though Kolb doesn't know if he will be traded this season, he stayed in shape during the lockout with four workouts a week and relaxed with a weekly fishing tournament.
Lockout or not, Troy Bergeron was going to play football. The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver has bounced between the AFL and NFL for years, so it should have been no surprise that he returned to arena football following the announcement of the NFL lockout.
What better way to tell the world about the lockout than create a series on YouTube aptly named "Life of a Lockout". New York Jets defensive lineman Sione Pouha chronicled his daily life with his family, his workouts and what he did to stay motivated. The best part? Pouha's beverage company sponsored the video series.
Denver Broncos safety David Bruton took this lockout break to really give back to his community. In April, Bruton went back to where he grew up in Ohio to become a substitute social studies and math teacher at Jane Chance Elementary School and Miamisburg High School
Philadelphia Eagles lineman Winston Justice opened a coffee shop in Philadelphia. The shop uses coffee from areas that Justice has visited on missions trips and it's reported that 20 percent of the profits will go right back to the community. As for the shop's name, Justice said, "Coffee makes you feel better."
Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore made pottery cool in the 1990 movie "Ghost," and perhaps, Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley will make it cool again today. Nicknamed 'Captain Chaos,' Cooley and his wife opened a gallery where he proudly sells pieces of art he's crafted in his home pottery studio.
Dallas Clark is used to taking cues from quarterback Peyton Manning, but during the NFL lockout, he took cues from a Hollywood director. The Indianapolis Colts tight end recently filmed a cameo appearance for a CBS drama series
While he formed his band Tripping Icarus in 2009, the lockout provided Minnesota Vikings punter and bass player Chris Kluwe the opportunity to focus on his music. The Minneapolis-based band released its second album in early 2011
If you're going to take a ride around Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you need to ride with the best. The 1969 Indy 500 champion Mario Andretti took Pittsburgh Steelers' Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu for a ride around the track. It was a nice graduation present for Polamalu, who spent the earlier part of the year back in the classroom earning his bachelor's degree from USC.
Source: fox
