Unusual Jobs Athletes Had Before They Were Famous

When we think of our favorite athletes, it can be easy to assume they have always been at the top of their game. After all, being some of the most talented in their field isn't something that comes overnight and often takes years of dedication before they climb to the top. Still, that doesn't mean all of them became legendary athletes straight out of school.

In fact, the unusual jobs athletes had before they were famous go to show they were once just like the rest of us. While things might not have worked out in their first careers, they certainly took off once the world realized just how talented these athletes really are.

Jim Thorpe dug ditches before becoming the world's greatest athlete

There are plenty of reasons that Jim Thorpe is considered to be the greatest athlete the world has ever seen, and most of them are thanks to his impressive Olympic Games. Still, things were once very different for the athlete. It seems some of his training regime was working as none other than a ditch digger, but that's not all. For almost two decades, Thorpe also appeared as an extra in Hollywood. His parts? They weren't B movies or working as a supporting actor. Instead, Thorpe was an extra. 

Roger Federer worked as a chauffeur during his tennis career

Believe it or not, but Roger Federer was actually in the middle of his tennis career when he took a U-turn and worked as a chauffeur for a time. That was all thanks to shin splints and a hip injury that halted his play in 2001. This came one year after Federer dominated the Olympics and became a household name. Rather than stop work altogether, the tennis legend decided to drive around fellow tennis star Michael Lammer who was also battling injuries at the time. Lammer said that Federer would drive him to school and the train station before the pair attended physical therapy together to recover.

Chris Paul was a gas station attendant before dominating the NBA

Being a part of the NBA might have been the ultimate dream for Chris Paul and is something he's done since 2005, but things haven't always been that easy for the basketball player. Instead, he once spent his days working as a gas station attendant in North Carolina. Thankfully, Paul was in good company, as the star worked at his granddad's gas station before he hit the big time and turned basketball into a career. 

Usain Bolt has returned to being a DJ since his sprinting career

What happens when you're the fastest man on the planet? You turn quite a few heads and go down as a household legend. At least, that's long been the case for Usain Bolt, who has wowed millions of people with his speed on the track at a host of competitions and Olympic Games. Still, sprinting isn't the only thing that's kept him busy all these years. When he's not on the track, it seems that Bolt loves nothing more than getting behind the decks and spinning a few tunes. At least, that's what appears to be the case, as Bolt has been working on his music once again since retiring from sports.

The unusual jobs athletes had before they were famous might not be what we entirely expect from our favorite stars. Still, for many, it helps to make them feel even more down to Earth than they ever did before.