Five musicians who were also rocking sports stars
The music and sports industries have always enjoyed a close working relationship over the years. From the ring walk tune chosen by world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury to the beats used by UFC star Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett to prepare him for war. The top gladiators in combat sports spend many hours choosing music that sets a mood, inspires them on their approach to the ring, and helps win over the fans.
Boxing and MMA aren’t the only sports where music plays a big part in the spectacle. The NFL Super Bowl halftime show has become almost as famous as the game itself. The 2021 Super Bowl from Inglewood, California, will live long in the memory, featuring legends of the rap game Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Eminem. Those who watched the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals by three points are likelier to recall who opened the halftime show than who scored the winning points.
Music’s influence in sports is evident, so it’s no surprise that more than a few talented musicians and band members gave real thought to pursuing a career in sports. They had enough talent in both fields to make it big. At one point in their young careers, they weighed up performing at packed-out music venues against competing in professional sports and attracting the attention of the biggest online betting sites.
In this article, we bring our five favorite musicians with undeniable skill and passion for sport. If it had not been for that one major life decision, their chapter in the history books could’ve been a different tale.
Serge Pizzorno
You’ll know him as the top name from Kasabian, and he looks every inch a rock star. But did you know we could’ve been cheering his goals in soccer rather than the hit-selling records of his band?
As a child, Pizzorno dreamed of playing in the English Premier League for the team he has followed his entire life, Leicester City. The Foxes famously won the EPL against all the odds, and if things had turned out differently, Serge could’ve been playing his part rather than watching from the stands. But doesn’t every kid in the United Kingdom grow up wanting to play soccer on the big stage?
Most do, but by all accounts, Serge’s skill helped set him apart from the pack. He went one better by proving his merit on the field of play when participating in the Soccer Aid charity match. The boy has skills, and although he was playing against several other celebrities, he was one of the few that looked at home on a soccer field.
Julio Inglesias
The best-selling Latin music star of all time, ahead of his son Enrique, Julio Inglesias is another who fancied himself as a soccer player. He went a step further than Pizzorno and was on the books of Real Madrid Castilla in the Spanish Segunda Division. You don’t get there without having talent with the soccer ball at your feet.
With a career in Spanish soccer pending, Julio suffered the pain of having his career cut shot. An injury forced him to retire from professional sports, and although that would’ve been a massive blow at the time, Julio had the character to make it work.
He used the injury to drive his music career, and, as they say, the rest is history. Inglesias went on to become more famous than any soccer player. It’s funny how life works out sometimes.
Curtis James Jackson III
50 Cent has never tried to hide his passion for sport, particularly the noble art. As a youngster, he loved boxing and went on record telling fans he seriously considered pursuing a career in prizefighting. It doesn’t make much imagination to imagine him in the ring, fighting his way to the top.
He may not have made it as a professional boxer, but his passion for the sport never left him, and when he had made his fortune, he returned. He spent a short time involved in boxing promoting, helping build the careers and reputation of the warriors of tomorrow.
Curtis worked with some talented fighters during that stint, but things didn’t work out as planned. He’s better staying on the safe side of the recording studio and doing what he does best.
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