When they are not playing games, preparing for them, or recovering from one, professional athletes spend their leisure time just like any other person. Here are some professional athletes and their niche interests outside of the work that they are known for on the TV screen.
Myles Turner, NBA, Indiana Pacers – Legos
Instead of playing video games like most kids, Pacers center Myles Turner spent most of his childhood building Legos. Now as an 8-year veteran in the NBA, he still manages to put at least 3-4 hours of his day towards crafting sets together.
“That’s literally all I do on my down time” Turner said. “I’ve already gone through a 120,000 Legos since the season started.”
The self-titled “Lego brick connoisseur” shares his awesome collection with fans via social media. A few projects from his collection feature an ever-building Lego city, a collage of a posterizing dunk he had last season, and a 7’2 Darth Vader, or “Darth Myles.”
Alex Morgan, US Soccer – Book Writing
Alex Morgan is one of the most decorated athletes to touch foot on a soccer field. She’s helped lead the U.S Women’s National Team win two World Cups (2015 and 2019), as well as a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
She is also the author of multiple children’s books. “The Kicks” is her 12-book series centered around 4 soccer players who explore themes of teamwork and empowerment. She started in 2013 and has last published “Fans in the Stands“ in 2021. “Saving the Team”, the first book of the series, reached number seven on the New York Times Best Sellers list for middle school-age children.
Nikola Jokic, NBA, Denver Nuggets – Horses
After leading the Denver Nuggets to their first ever NBA championship, the next focus for Nikola Jokic was going back home to Serbia to watch his horse’s race. Harness racing has been a hobby for Jokic ever since his teenage years. He once spoke on how when he was younger, he momentarily quit basketball so that he’d have more time for the interest.
“I quit when I was 12 or 14. It was for about like six months. The only thing I wanted to do was race horses,” Jokic said. “I returned for one game, but I told the coach I had to leave at halftime for another horse race.”
The Joker owns more than half a dozen horses, which he attends to during the offseason. For him, that connection to the animal allows him to take his mind off basketball.
Mookie Betts, MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers – Bowling
Los Angelos Dodgers outfielder and second baseman has been dominating the diamond for some years now. But before he ever played baseball, his first passion was bowling. Coming from a family where the sport was popular, Betts picked up a bowling ball as early as 3 years old. He continued throughout high school, where he was named Tennessee boys bowler of the year in 2010.
Though once he made an MLB roster, bowling became a past-time activity. Now during off seasons, its reported that Betts spends as often as six days a week in bowling alleys.
The all-star outfielder even competed in the 2023 PBA U.S. Open, where he held his own amongst the best bowlers in the country.
Jamaal Williams, NFL, New Orleans Saints – Anime
Saints running back Jamaal Williams is regarded by fans as to being one of the best personalities in the NFL. Part of that has to be credited to his love for anime. His bubbly personality is seen in interviews and on social media where he speaks very descriptively about anime.
His anime fixation does not only occur outside the field, but it also finds its way onto the gridiron. In OTAs (Organized Team Activities), Williams once practiced with an anime visor on his helmet. And last season when he was on the Detroit Lions, he went viral for his iconic player introduction.
“Swag kazekage, leader of the hidden village on the den” he said in reference to Naruto.
Williams’ unwavering passion for being what he calls, an “anime nerd” is what brings to light and inspires many that it’s fine to have unconventional interests, even as a professional athlete.
