Becoming a professional athlete is incredibly difficult. Most are born with some level of natural talent, and this ability is honed through years of intensive training and sacrifice. Even after all that, they may only play at the highest level for a few years before fading into obscurity.
Then there are the true superstars. These individuals possess a rare combination of natural ability, willpower, work ethic, and luck. In the course of their careers, they break records, capture championships, and become household names within their respective sports.
Even rarer: the athletes who manage to succeed at multiple sports. Refusing to be defined by one label, these exceptional men and women constantly push the boundaries of what the human body is capable of. If you want to be awestruck, check out the on-field accomplishments of the following individuals.
1. Bo Jackson
In the words of his successful 1980’s Nike ad campaign, “Bo knows football.” He excelled on the gridiron during his college days in Auburn, winning the Heisman Trophy while also participating in baseball and track.
He chose MLB over the NFL after graduation, signing with the Kansas City Royals and performing feats such as running up outfield walls and making near-impossible throws from the warning track. He later came to an agreement with Raiders owner Al Davis that allowed him to compete in both sports, and during his rookie season he averaged 5.4 yards per carry as a running back and set a Monday Night Football record with 221 rushing yards.
After a freak hip injury in his fourth NFL season, Bo was forced to concentrate on baseball again. He was voted the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 1993, although the following season would be his last. Still regarded as one of the most incredible all-around athletes to ever live, Jackson (and fans) were unfortunately robbed of the chance to see what he could’ve accomplished during a full career.
2. Alex Zanardi
This professional racer didn’t enjoy a great deal of success during his Formula One days, but he won two CART championship titles and became one of their most popular drivers. His open-wheel racing career ended in 2001, however, when a tragic crash on a German track left him with two amputated legs.
Refusing to give up, Zanardi designed and built his own custom prosthetic legs and returned to racing full-time in 2004. He became part of the World Touring Car Championship, and he won multiple races before announcing his retirement in 2009.
He also became involved in handcycling during his rehabilitation, eventually winning two golds and a silver during the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. In addition, he’s captured five gold and two silver medals in championship events in Denmark, Canada, and the United States.
3. Holly Holm
Known as “The Preacher’s Daughter,” Holm holds the distinction of being the first person to win world titles in both MMA and boxing. Her career as a fighter started after taking a cardio-kickboxing class, and a few years later she was regarded as one of the best female welterweights in the world (being named Female Fighter of the Year by Ring Magazine in 2005 and 2006). By the time she transitioned to MMA, she had defended her titles 18 times in three weight classes and amassed a pro record of 33-2-3.
Holm made her MMA debut in 2011, using devastating leg kicks to notch a 2-round TKO. After a string of wins for multiple promotions, she signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC in 2014.
After winning her first two fights with the company, she was given the opportunity to compete against Ronda Rousey, who was enjoying the third year of her title reign. Despite being a major underdog, Holm knocked out the champion in the second round with a head kick and became part of sports history. As of this writing, her MMA record is a perfect 10-0.
4. Jim Thorpe
In a poll conducted by ABC Sports, this Oklahoma native was voted the greatest athlete of the 20th century ahead of legends such as Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, and Michael Jordan. While no longer a household name like the other men on the list, Thorpe’s achievements are timeless.
In 1912, Thorpe won Olympic gold medals in both the decathlon and pentathlon. He also competed in both college and professional football, eventually being voted into their respective Hall of Fames. In addition, he played professional basketball and baseball, had a Pennsylvania town named in his honor, and served as the first president of what would eventually become the NFL.
5. Deion Sanders
In college, the man known as “Prime Time” excelled at football, baseball, and track. He entered the NFL after graduation, working as a cornerback and kick returner for the Atlanta Falcons. Able to run a 40-yard dash in a mind-blowing 4.27 seconds, Sanders quickly became a star in the league. Over the course of his Hall of Fame football career, he won two Super Bowls, recorded 53 interceptions, and racked up 5,722 yards on kickoff and punt returns.
He also played professional baseball for nine seasons with the Yankees, Red, Braves, and Giants. During the 1989 season, he became the only person in history to hit a major league home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week. He also played in the 1992 World Series and later wrapped up his MLB career with a combined 558 hits, 39 home runs, 186 stolen bases, and .263 batting average.