Top 10 Amazing Athletes Who Were Late Bloomers

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 are looking at professional athletes who achieved greatness even though they started their careers later than most in their sport.

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 trophies 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.

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 out-maneuver 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.

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. 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.

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. 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 1995, picking up consecutive MVP honors as well.

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 to compile a 19-8 record in the big leagues. 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.

It’s never too late to start something new. Couture, 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, Couture 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.

If something is broke, fix it. Dickey’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 fastballs, curveballs and breaking balls, Dickey would occasionally throw a pitch he dubbed “The Thing”. He later realized that “The Thing” was in fact a knuckleball. 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 Cy Young Award, awarded to the best pitcher.

Age ain’t nothin’ but a number – at least, that’s what this NHL goaltender believed. Drafted in 1994, Thomas would not earn a starting job until the 2006-07 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 Smyth trophy for playoff MVP – becoming the oldest player ever to receive the honor.

Most athletes go to college to improve their game, not discover it. Mutombo 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, Mutombo 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.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Rocky Marciano

Brandon Weeden

Steve Deberg

Never give up: especially if you’re an aspiring quarterback with a 6’2, 200lbs frame and a rocket for an arm. Unable to make an NFL roster until the age of 27, Warner would quickly prove his worth by leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl title – picking up awards for league and playoff MVP along the way. Signed as 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. 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, just in case.

Do you agree with our list? Who is your favorite athlete who started late? For more entertaining Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.