Ex-NFL players Gonzalez, Allred join list of former athletes to serve in Congress
Former NFL player Colin Allred takes the oath of office for the United States House of Representatives on Dec. 3, 2019. Credit: Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla
When the 116th United States Congress was sworn in Thursday, the 435 members of the House of Representatives included former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez and former Tennessee Titans linebacker Colin Allred. A look at former NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball players who served on Capitol Hill:
In this Nov. 29, 2018 photo, Rep.-elect Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio is photographed in a studio at the National Republican Congressional Committee offices in Washington. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster
Player Key team Branch, years Party, State
Colin Allred NFL Titans House, 2019- D, Texas
Bill Bradley NBA Knicks Senate, 1979-97 D, New Jersey
Jim Bunning MLB Phils House, 1987-99 R. Kentucky
Senate, 1999-2011
Philadelphia Phillies' Jim Bunning shown in this March 1966 file photo. Credit: AP
LaVern DilWeg NFL Packers House 1943-45 D, Wisconsin
Anthony Gonzalez NFL Colts House, 2019- R, Ohio
Jack Kemp AFL Bills House, 1971-89 R, New York
Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp (15) is pictured in Buffalo, N.Y., circa 1960s. Credit: AP
Steve Largent NFL Seahawks House, 1995-2003 R, Oklahoma
Tom McMillen NBA Knicks House 1987-93 D, Maryland
Wilmer Mizell MLB Cardinals House, 1969-75 R, North Carolina
Tom Osborne NFL Redskins House, 2001-07 R, Nebraska
Heath Shuler NFL Redskins House, 2007-13 D, North Carolina
Jon Runyan NFL Eagles House, 2011-15 R, New Jersey
Morris Udall NBL* Denver House, 1961-91 D, Arizona
*NBL was a precursor to the NBA
Worth noting: Gerald Ford, our 38th President, had offers to play for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers after being a star center for the University of Michigan's national championship football teams in 1932 and 1933. He went on serve as Republican congressman from Michigan from 1949-73, ultimately becoming Speaker of the House, Vice President and then President.
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