[Music]
some things just get better with age
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top 10
athletes who started late for this list
we’re looking at professional athletes
who achieved greatness even though they
started their careers later than most in
their sport
number 10 bill Durnan this late-blooming
goaltender for the montreal canadiens
had a Hall of Fame career that could be
described as short and sweet Durnan
bounced around the minor leagues for
nearly ten years before finally getting
his chance in the NHL once there he did
not disappoint winning six Vezina Trophy
as the league’s top goaltender as well
as two Stanley Cups Durnan was a pillar
of consistency for the Habs starting
your NHL career at the age of 27 is rare
by today’s standards and was equally
impressive and unlikely in the 1940s
although Durnan only played for seven
seasons he’s often considered among the
greatest net minders ever to strap on
the pads number nine Didier Drogba
hailing from the West African nation of
Ivory Coast this legend of the beautiful
game took an unconventional route to
stardom unlike most pro footballers
Drogba never attended a football academy
and only played in organized youth
leagues at the age of 15 however he was
blessed with an uncanny ability to
protect the ball using his size and
strength to outmaneuver his opponents at
the age of 26 Drogba transferred from
French club Marseille to renowned
English football club Chelsea where he
would eventually make his mark on the
history of the game despite his late
start
Drogba has consistently performed at the
highest level earning his reputation as
a clutch player
number eight Antonio Gates getting a
closest gate it’s a touchdown this NFL
tight end got his shot in the NFL by
playing a completely different sport
entering college with the desire to play
both football and basketball Gates was
told he would have to choose one or the
other
choosing basketball gates achieved
success as a power forward
however NBA scouts weren’t interested in
him and Gates decided to try out for the
NFL despite not playing a single snap of
college football the San Diego Chargers
signed him as an unrestricted free agent
in 2003 the year he turned 23 dropping
back Flutie stepping up dumps it near
Seidel it’s caught by gates touchdown
San Diego gates would quickly prove that
despite his lack of experience
he was extremely effective on a football
field setting numerous records at his
position gates continues to find success
as a star in the NFL Antonio Gates
touchdown
brilliant NFL career number seven Hakeem
Olajuwon most athletes learn their craft
while their age is still in the single
digits
Hakeem Olajuwon is not most athletes
this Nigerian basketball legend didn’t
pick up the sport until he was already
15 he was brand new to the game of
basketball what followed was two years
of lackluster performances and limited
playing time while attending the
University of Houston he then spent the
summer working out with NBA star Moses
Malone and the following year
Olajuwon returned to school a new man he
led Houston to consecutive NCAA
championship games and was then drafted
first overall by the Houston Rockets
considered one of the greatest centers
in NBA history
Olajuwon cemented his legacy by winning
back-to-back championships in 1994 and
95 picking up consecutive MVP honors as
well
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
94 number six Randy Johnson Randy
Johnson pitches six great innings and a
wins number 300 learning a little
control can go a long way
struggling early in his career because
he couldn’t control his pitches this MLB
legend adjusted his delivery and at the
age of 30 broke out two compiled in
nineteen and eight record in the big
leagues no change this was only the
beginning for Johnson as he would
quickly become one of the most respected
athletes at his position criticized
early on for being too tall to be an
effective pitcher the big unit used his
stature to dominate the competition
Johnson will be remembered for his
imposing height and blistering fastball
not to mention a slew of MLB pitching
awards and records
[Applause]
number five Randi could sir it’s always
been the age-old question who would win
the boxer or the karate guy it’s never
too late to start something new good sir
a household name in the UFC world didn’t
break into the MMA scene until the age
of 33 this was due in large part to a
seven-year stint in the United States
military as well as numerous years
training to become an Olympic wrestler
while the latter never came to fruition
Kuchar would turn to MMA while working
as a wrestling coach at Oregon State
University being a little long in the
tooth didn’t stop him from competing in
a record 15 title fights or from
becoming the oldest fighter to win a UFC
championship at 44 years old
not a bad way to earn a pension but
whoever was scared that was going to get
hurt or ski you know yeah it’s gonna
hurt but training hurts they’re
everything about the sport is physical
and your body is amazing it adapts to
all of those things that you put it
through number 4 r.a.dickey
if something is broke fix it Dicky’s
lack of success early on in his career
can be attributed to the fact that he
was trying to be something he was not
throwing the standard variations of fast
balls curveballs and breaking balls
Dickey would occasionally throw a pitch
he dubbed the Singh he later realized
that the thing was in fact a knuckleball
knuckleball is very unpredictable
although the movement is chaotic and
severe if you throw it right that’s a
beautiful thing
perfecting the pitch Dickey transformed
himself into one of the greatest
knuckleball pitchers in league history
after bouncing around the MLB for a
number of years he found success with
the New York Mets and at the age of 38
won the National League siyoung award
awarded to the best pitcher one is for
knuckleball that strikes
number three Tim Thomas age ain’t
nothing but a number at least that’s
what this NHL goaltender believed
drafted in 1994 Thomas would not earn a
starting job until the 2006-2007 season
already 32 this ageless wonder threw
caution to the wind and took the league
by storm
winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s
top goaltender in 2009 and 2011 feeling
his trophy case was still a little light
Thomas then 37 led the Boston Bruins to
a Stanley Cup victory in 2011 during the
campaign he would also win the Conn
Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP becoming
the oldest player ever to receive the
honor number two dikembe mutombo most
athletes go to college to improve their
game not discover it matumbo was
attending Georgetown University with the
goal of becoming a doctor when he was
recruited to play basketball and
introduced to the game already at the
ripe old age of 21 he quickly adapted to
the sport using his enormous stature to
dominate opponents going up against
people who had been playing basketball
their whole lives matumbo would end up
winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of
the Year award four times and became one
of the most decorated defensive players
in NBA history not bad for an aspiring
doctor from the Congo when I was an NBA
rookie someone asked me what I thought
my career would be like I never dream it
will include this before we unveil our
number one pick here are some honorable
mentions Marcie
building fellow Sweden
[Music]
strong at 36 was it time to try
something else how about winning and
Kansas City has been good to Steve de
Berg and so maybe number 17 has finally
found a home number one Kurt Warner Kurt
Warner tanks quick drop never give up
especially if you’re an aspiring
quarterback with a 6-foot to 200-pound
frame and a rocket for an arm unable to
make an NFL roster until the age of 27
Warner wood quickly proved his worth by
leading the st. Louis Rams to a Super
Bowl title picking up awards for league
and playoff MVP along the way Warner
pact to throw Rainbows the far sideline
it is signed is an unrestricted free
agent and released by the Packers in
1994 Warner was stocking shelves at a
local grocery store before he managed to
find success with the Rams
what am i doing if I’m gonna chase after
my dream I’ve got to take the first step
often mentioned as one of the greatest
rags-to-riches stories in NFL history
Warner will be remembered for a lengthy
record-setting career next time you’re
at the grocery store ask the stock boy
for his autograph
Shia’s didn’t case let’s get back to
business let’s go get the one next week
and it’s Todd said let’s shock the world
do you agree with our list who’s your
favorite athlete who started late for
more entertaining top 10s published
every day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com this time I’d like to try
King Richard
[Music]
you
some things just get better with age
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top 10
athletes who started late for this list
we’re looking at professional athletes
who achieved greatness even though they
started their careers later than most in
their sport
number 10 bill Durnan this late-blooming
goaltender for the montreal canadiens
had a Hall of Fame career that could be
described as short and sweet Durnan
bounced around the minor leagues for
nearly ten years before finally getting
his chance in the NHL once there he did
not disappoint winning six Vezina Trophy
as the league’s top goaltender as well
as two Stanley Cups Durnan was a pillar
of consistency for the Habs starting
your NHL career at the age of 27 is rare
by today’s standards and was equally
impressive and unlikely in the 1940s
although Durnan only played for seven
seasons he’s often considered among the
greatest net minders ever to strap on
the pads number nine Didier Drogba
hailing from the West African nation of
Ivory Coast this legend of the beautiful
game took an unconventional route to
stardom unlike most pro footballers
Drogba never attended a football academy
and only played in organized youth
leagues at the age of 15 however he was
blessed with an uncanny ability to
protect the ball using his size and
strength to outmaneuver his opponents at
the age of 26 Drogba transferred from
French club Marseille to renowned
English football club Chelsea where he
would eventually make his mark on the
history of the game despite his late
start
Drogba has consistently performed at the
highest level earning his reputation as
a clutch player
number eight Antonio Gates getting a
closest gate it’s a touchdown this NFL
tight end got his shot in the NFL by
playing a completely different sport
entering college with the desire to play
both football and basketball Gates was
told he would have to choose one or the
other
choosing basketball gates achieved
success as a power forward
however NBA scouts weren’t interested in
him and Gates decided to try out for the
NFL despite not playing a single snap of
college football the San Diego Chargers
signed him as an unrestricted free agent
in 2003 the year he turned 23 dropping
back Flutie stepping up dumps it near
Seidel it’s caught by gates touchdown
San Diego gates would quickly prove that
despite his lack of experience
he was extremely effective on a football
field setting numerous records at his
position gates continues to find success
as a star in the NFL Antonio Gates
touchdown
brilliant NFL career number seven Hakeem
Olajuwon most athletes learn their craft
while their age is still in the single
digits
Hakeem Olajuwon is not most athletes
this Nigerian basketball legend didn’t
pick up the sport until he was already
15 he was brand new to the game of
basketball what followed was two years
of lackluster performances and limited
playing time while attending the
University of Houston he then spent the
summer working out with NBA star Moses
Malone and the following year
Olajuwon returned to school a new man he
led Houston to consecutive NCAA
championship games and was then drafted
first overall by the Houston Rockets
considered one of the greatest centers
in NBA history
Olajuwon cemented his legacy by winning
back-to-back championships in 1994 and
95 picking up consecutive MVP honors as
well
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
94 number six Randy Johnson Randy
Johnson pitches six great innings and a
wins number 300 learning a little
control can go a long way
struggling early in his career because
he couldn’t control his pitches this MLB
legend adjusted his delivery and at the
age of 30 broke out two compiled in
nineteen and eight record in the big
leagues no change this was only the
beginning for Johnson as he would
quickly become one of the most respected
athletes at his position criticized
early on for being too tall to be an
effective pitcher the big unit used his
stature to dominate the competition
Johnson will be remembered for his
imposing height and blistering fastball
not to mention a slew of MLB pitching
awards and records
[Applause]
number five Randi could sir it’s always
been the age-old question who would win
the boxer or the karate guy it’s never
too late to start something new good sir
a household name in the UFC world didn’t
break into the MMA scene until the age
of 33 this was due in large part to a
seven-year stint in the United States
military as well as numerous years
training to become an Olympic wrestler
while the latter never came to fruition
Kuchar would turn to MMA while working
as a wrestling coach at Oregon State
University being a little long in the
tooth didn’t stop him from competing in
a record 15 title fights or from
becoming the oldest fighter to win a UFC
championship at 44 years old
not a bad way to earn a pension but
whoever was scared that was going to get
hurt or ski you know yeah it’s gonna
hurt but training hurts they’re
everything about the sport is physical
and your body is amazing it adapts to
all of those things that you put it
through number 4 r.a.dickey
if something is broke fix it Dicky’s
lack of success early on in his career
can be attributed to the fact that he
was trying to be something he was not
throwing the standard variations of fast
balls curveballs and breaking balls
Dickey would occasionally throw a pitch
he dubbed the Singh he later realized
that the thing was in fact a knuckleball
knuckleball is very unpredictable
although the movement is chaotic and
severe if you throw it right that’s a
beautiful thing
perfecting the pitch Dickey transformed
himself into one of the greatest
knuckleball pitchers in league history
after bouncing around the MLB for a
number of years he found success with
the New York Mets and at the age of 38
won the National League siyoung award
awarded to the best pitcher one is for
knuckleball that strikes
number three Tim Thomas age ain’t
nothing but a number at least that’s
what this NHL goaltender believed
drafted in 1994 Thomas would not earn a
starting job until the 2006-2007 season
already 32 this ageless wonder threw
caution to the wind and took the league
by storm
winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s
top goaltender in 2009 and 2011 feeling
his trophy case was still a little light
Thomas then 37 led the Boston Bruins to
a Stanley Cup victory in 2011 during the
campaign he would also win the Conn
Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP becoming
the oldest player ever to receive the
honor number two dikembe mutombo most
athletes go to college to improve their
game not discover it matumbo was
attending Georgetown University with the
goal of becoming a doctor when he was
recruited to play basketball and
introduced to the game already at the
ripe old age of 21 he quickly adapted to
the sport using his enormous stature to
dominate opponents going up against
people who had been playing basketball
their whole lives matumbo would end up
winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of
the Year award four times and became one
of the most decorated defensive players
in NBA history not bad for an aspiring
doctor from the Congo when I was an NBA
rookie someone asked me what I thought
my career would be like I never dream it
will include this before we unveil our
number one pick here are some honorable
mentions Marcie
building fellow Sweden
[Music]
strong at 36 was it time to try
something else how about winning and
Kansas City has been good to Steve de
Berg and so maybe number 17 has finally
found a home number one Kurt Warner Kurt
Warner tanks quick drop never give up
especially if you’re an aspiring
quarterback with a 6-foot to 200-pound
frame and a rocket for an arm unable to
make an NFL roster until the age of 27
Warner wood quickly proved his worth by
leading the st. Louis Rams to a Super
Bowl title picking up awards for league
and playoff MVP along the way Warner
pact to throw Rainbows the far sideline
it is signed is an unrestricted free
agent and released by the Packers in
1994 Warner was stocking shelves at a
local grocery store before he managed to
find success with the Rams
what am i doing if I’m gonna chase after
my dream I’ve got to take the first step
often mentioned as one of the greatest
rags-to-riches stories in NFL history
Warner will be remembered for a lengthy
record-setting career next time you’re
at the grocery store ask the stock boy
for his autograph
Shia’s didn’t case let’s get back to
business let’s go get the one next week
and it’s Todd said let’s shock the world
do you agree with our list who’s your
favorite athlete who started late for
more entertaining top 10s published
every day be sure to subscribe to
watchmojo.com this time I’d like to try
King Richard
[Music]
you
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