Top 10 Amazing Athletes Who Were Late Bloomers

[Music]

[Music] some things just get better with age

some things just get better with age

some things just get better with age welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10 athletes who started late for this list

athletes who started late for this list

athletes who started late for this list we’re looking at professional athletes

we’re looking at professional athletes

we’re looking at professional athletes who achieved greatness even though they

who achieved greatness even though they

who achieved greatness even though they started their careers later than most in

started their careers later than most in

started their careers later than most in their sport

their sport

their sport number 10 bill Durnan this late-blooming

number 10 bill Durnan this late-blooming

number 10 bill Durnan this late-blooming goaltender for the montreal canadiens

goaltender for the montreal canadiens

goaltender for the montreal canadiens had a Hall of Fame career that could be

had a Hall of Fame career that could be

had a Hall of Fame career that could be described as short and sweet Durnan

described as short and sweet Durnan

described as short and sweet Durnan bounced around the minor leagues for

bounced around the minor leagues for

bounced around the minor leagues for nearly ten years before finally getting

nearly ten years before finally getting

nearly ten years before finally getting his chance in the NHL once there he did

his chance in the NHL once there he did

his chance in the NHL once there he did not disappoint winning six Vezina Trophy

not disappoint winning six Vezina Trophy

not disappoint winning six Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender as well

as the league’s top goaltender as well

as the league’s top goaltender as well as two Stanley Cups Durnan was a pillar

as two Stanley Cups Durnan was a pillar

as two Stanley Cups Durnan was a pillar of consistency for the Habs starting

of consistency for the Habs starting

of consistency for the Habs starting your NHL career at the age of 27 is rare

your NHL career at the age of 27 is rare

your NHL career at the age of 27 is rare by today’s standards and was equally

by today’s standards and was equally

by today’s standards and was equally impressive and unlikely in the 1940s

impressive and unlikely in the 1940s

impressive and unlikely in the 1940s although Durnan only played for seven

although Durnan only played for seven

although Durnan only played for seven seasons he’s often considered among the

seasons he’s often considered among the

seasons he’s often considered among the greatest net minders ever to strap on

greatest net minders ever to strap on

greatest net minders ever to strap on the pads number nine Didier Drogba

hailing from the West African nation of

hailing from the West African nation of Ivory Coast this legend of the beautiful

Ivory Coast this legend of the beautiful

Ivory Coast this legend of the beautiful game took an unconventional route to

game took an unconventional route to

game took an unconventional route to stardom unlike most pro footballers

stardom unlike most pro footballers

stardom unlike most pro footballers Drogba never attended a football academy

Drogba never attended a football academy

Drogba never attended a football academy and only played in organized youth

and only played in organized youth

and only played in organized youth leagues at the age of 15 however he was

leagues at the age of 15 however he was

leagues at the age of 15 however he was blessed with an uncanny ability to

blessed with an uncanny ability to

blessed with an uncanny ability to protect the ball using his size and

protect the ball using his size and

protect the ball using his size and strength to outmaneuver his opponents at

strength to outmaneuver his opponents at

strength to outmaneuver his opponents at the age of 26 Drogba transferred from

the age of 26 Drogba transferred from

the age of 26 Drogba transferred from French club Marseille to renowned

French club Marseille to renowned

French club Marseille to renowned English football club Chelsea where he

English football club Chelsea where he

English football club Chelsea where he would eventually make his mark on the

would eventually make his mark on the

would eventually make his mark on the history of the game despite his late

history of the game despite his late

history of the game despite his late start

start

start Drogba has consistently performed at the

Drogba has consistently performed at the

Drogba has consistently performed at the highest level earning his reputation as

highest level earning his reputation as

highest level earning his reputation as a clutch player

number eight Antonio Gates getting a

number eight Antonio Gates getting a closest gate it’s a touchdown this NFL

closest gate it’s a touchdown this NFL

closest gate it’s a touchdown this NFL tight end got his shot in the NFL by

tight end got his shot in the NFL by

tight end got his shot in the NFL by playing a completely different sport

playing a completely different sport

playing a completely different sport entering college with the desire to play

entering college with the desire to play

entering college with the desire to play both football and basketball Gates was

both football and basketball Gates was

both football and basketball Gates was told he would have to choose one or the

told he would have to choose one or the

told he would have to choose one or the other

other

other choosing basketball gates achieved

choosing basketball gates achieved

choosing basketball gates achieved success as a power forward

success as a power forward

success as a power forward however NBA scouts weren’t interested in

however NBA scouts weren’t interested in

however NBA scouts weren’t interested in him and Gates decided to try out for the

him and Gates decided to try out for the

him and Gates decided to try out for the NFL despite not playing a single snap of

NFL despite not playing a single snap of

NFL despite not playing a single snap of college football the San Diego Chargers

college football the San Diego Chargers

college football the San Diego Chargers signed him as an unrestricted free agent

signed him as an unrestricted free agent

signed him as an unrestricted free agent in 2003 the year he turned 23 dropping

in 2003 the year he turned 23 dropping

in 2003 the year he turned 23 dropping back Flutie stepping up dumps it near

back Flutie stepping up dumps it near

back Flutie stepping up dumps it near Seidel it’s caught by gates touchdown

Seidel it’s caught by gates touchdown

Seidel it’s caught by gates touchdown San Diego gates would quickly prove that

San Diego gates would quickly prove that

San Diego gates would quickly prove that despite his lack of experience

despite his lack of experience

despite his lack of experience he was extremely effective on a football

he was extremely effective on a football

he was extremely effective on a football field setting numerous records at his

field setting numerous records at his

field setting numerous records at his position gates continues to find success

position gates continues to find success

position gates continues to find success as a star in the NFL Antonio Gates

as a star in the NFL Antonio Gates

as a star in the NFL Antonio Gates touchdown

touchdown

touchdown brilliant NFL career number seven Hakeem

brilliant NFL career number seven Hakeem

brilliant NFL career number seven Hakeem Olajuwon most athletes learn their craft

Olajuwon most athletes learn their craft

Olajuwon most athletes learn their craft while their age is still in the single

while their age is still in the single

while their age is still in the single digits

digits

digits Hakeem Olajuwon is not most athletes

Hakeem Olajuwon is not most athletes

Hakeem Olajuwon is not most athletes this Nigerian basketball legend didn’t

this Nigerian basketball legend didn’t

this Nigerian basketball legend didn’t pick up the sport until he was already

pick up the sport until he was already

pick up the sport until he was already 15 he was brand new to the game of

15 he was brand new to the game of

15 he was brand new to the game of basketball what followed was two years

basketball what followed was two years

basketball what followed was two years of lackluster performances and limited

of lackluster performances and limited

of lackluster performances and limited playing time while attending the

playing time while attending the

playing time while attending the University of Houston he then spent the

University of Houston he then spent the

University of Houston he then spent the summer working out with NBA star Moses

summer working out with NBA star Moses

summer working out with NBA star Moses Malone and the following year

Malone and the following year

Malone and the following year Olajuwon returned to school a new man he

Olajuwon returned to school a new man he

Olajuwon returned to school a new man he led Houston to consecutive NCAA

led Houston to consecutive NCAA

led Houston to consecutive NCAA championship games and was then drafted

championship games and was then drafted

championship games and was then drafted first overall by the Houston Rockets

first overall by the Houston Rockets

first overall by the Houston Rockets considered one of the greatest centers

considered one of the greatest centers

considered one of the greatest centers in NBA history

in NBA history

in NBA history Olajuwon cemented his legacy by winning

Olajuwon cemented his legacy by winning

Olajuwon cemented his legacy by winning back-to-back championships in 1994 and

back-to-back championships in 1994 and

back-to-back championships in 1994 and 95 picking up consecutive MVP honors as

95 picking up consecutive MVP honors as

95 picking up consecutive MVP honors as well

well

well [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] 94 number six Randy Johnson Randy

94 number six Randy Johnson Randy

94 number six Randy Johnson Randy Johnson pitches six great innings and a

Johnson pitches six great innings and a

Johnson pitches six great innings and a wins number 300 learning a little

wins number 300 learning a little

wins number 300 learning a little control can go a long way

control can go a long way

control can go a long way struggling early in his career because

struggling early in his career because

struggling early in his career because he couldn’t control his pitches this MLB

he couldn’t control his pitches this MLB

he couldn’t control his pitches this MLB legend adjusted his delivery and at the

legend adjusted his delivery and at the

legend adjusted his delivery and at the age of 30 broke out two compiled in

age of 30 broke out two compiled in

age of 30 broke out two compiled in nineteen and eight record in the big

nineteen and eight record in the big

nineteen and eight record in the big leagues no change this was only the

leagues no change this was only the

leagues no change this was only the beginning for Johnson as he would

beginning for Johnson as he would

beginning for Johnson as he would quickly become one of the most respected

quickly become one of the most respected

quickly become one of the most respected athletes at his position criticized

athletes at his position criticized

athletes at his position criticized early on for being too tall to be an

early on for being too tall to be an

early on for being too tall to be an effective pitcher the big unit used his

effective pitcher the big unit used his

effective pitcher the big unit used his stature to dominate the competition

stature to dominate the competition

stature to dominate the competition Johnson will be remembered for his

Johnson will be remembered for his

Johnson will be remembered for his imposing height and blistering fastball

imposing height and blistering fastball

imposing height and blistering fastball not to mention a slew of MLB pitching

not to mention a slew of MLB pitching

not to mention a slew of MLB pitching awards and records

awards and records

awards and records [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] number five Randi could sir it’s always

number five Randi could sir it’s always

number five Randi could sir it’s always been the age-old question who would win

been the age-old question who would win

been the age-old question who would win the boxer or the karate guy it’s never

the boxer or the karate guy it’s never

the boxer or the karate guy it’s never too late to start something new good sir

too late to start something new good sir

too late to start something new good sir a household name in the UFC world didn’t

a household name in the UFC world didn’t

a household name in the UFC world didn’t break into the MMA scene until the age

break into the MMA scene until the age

break into the MMA scene until the age of 33 this was due in large part to a

of 33 this was due in large part to a

of 33 this was due in large part to a seven-year stint in the United States

seven-year stint in the United States

seven-year stint in the United States military as well as numerous years

military as well as numerous years

military as well as numerous years training to become an Olympic wrestler

training to become an Olympic wrestler

training to become an Olympic wrestler while the latter never came to fruition

while the latter never came to fruition

while the latter never came to fruition Kuchar would turn to MMA while working

Kuchar would turn to MMA while working

Kuchar would turn to MMA while working as a wrestling coach at Oregon State

as a wrestling coach at Oregon State

as a wrestling coach at Oregon State University being a little long in the

University being a little long in the

University being a little long in the tooth didn’t stop him from competing in

tooth didn’t stop him from competing in

tooth didn’t stop him from competing in a record 15 title fights or from

a record 15 title fights or from

a record 15 title fights or from becoming the oldest fighter to win a UFC

becoming the oldest fighter to win a UFC

becoming the oldest fighter to win a UFC championship at 44 years old

championship at 44 years old

championship at 44 years old not a bad way to earn a pension but

not a bad way to earn a pension but

not a bad way to earn a pension but whoever was scared that was going to get

whoever was scared that was going to get

whoever was scared that was going to get hurt or ski you know yeah it’s gonna

hurt or ski you know yeah it’s gonna

hurt or ski you know yeah it’s gonna hurt but training hurts they’re

hurt but training hurts they’re

hurt but training hurts they’re everything about the sport is physical

everything about the sport is physical

everything about the sport is physical and your body is amazing it adapts to

and your body is amazing it adapts to

and your body is amazing it adapts to all of those things that you put it

all of those things that you put it

all of those things that you put it through number 4 r.a.dickey

if something is broke fix it Dicky’s

if something is broke fix it Dicky’s lack of success early on in his career

lack of success early on in his career

lack of success early on in his career can be attributed to the fact that he

can be attributed to the fact that he

can be attributed to the fact that he was trying to be something he was not

was trying to be something he was not

was trying to be something he was not throwing the standard variations of fast

throwing the standard variations of fast

throwing the standard variations of fast balls curveballs and breaking balls

balls curveballs and breaking balls

balls curveballs and breaking balls Dickey would occasionally throw a pitch

Dickey would occasionally throw a pitch

Dickey would occasionally throw a pitch he dubbed the Singh he later realized

he dubbed the Singh he later realized

he dubbed the Singh he later realized that the thing was in fact a knuckleball

that the thing was in fact a knuckleball

that the thing was in fact a knuckleball knuckleball is very unpredictable

knuckleball is very unpredictable

knuckleball is very unpredictable although the movement is chaotic and

although the movement is chaotic and

although the movement is chaotic and severe if you throw it right that’s a

severe if you throw it right that’s a

severe if you throw it right that’s a beautiful thing

beautiful thing

beautiful thing perfecting the pitch Dickey transformed

perfecting the pitch Dickey transformed

perfecting the pitch Dickey transformed himself into one of the greatest

himself into one of the greatest

himself into one of the greatest knuckleball pitchers in league history

knuckleball pitchers in league history

knuckleball pitchers in league history after bouncing around the MLB for a

after bouncing around the MLB for a

after bouncing around the MLB for a number of years he found success with

number of years he found success with

number of years he found success with the New York Mets and at the age of 38

the New York Mets and at the age of 38

the New York Mets and at the age of 38 won the National League siyoung award

won the National League siyoung award

won the National League siyoung award awarded to the best pitcher one is for

awarded to the best pitcher one is for

awarded to the best pitcher one is for knuckleball that strikes

number three Tim Thomas age ain’t

number three Tim Thomas age ain’t nothing but a number at least that’s

nothing but a number at least that’s

nothing but a number at least that’s what this NHL goaltender believed

what this NHL goaltender believed

what this NHL goaltender believed drafted in 1994 Thomas would not earn a

drafted in 1994 Thomas would not earn a

drafted in 1994 Thomas would not earn a starting job until the 2006-2007 season

starting job until the 2006-2007 season

starting job until the 2006-2007 season already 32 this ageless wonder threw

already 32 this ageless wonder threw

already 32 this ageless wonder threw caution to the wind and took the league

caution to the wind and took the league

caution to the wind and took the league by storm

by storm

by storm winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s

winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s

winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in 2009 and 2011 feeling

top goaltender in 2009 and 2011 feeling

top goaltender in 2009 and 2011 feeling his trophy case was still a little light

his trophy case was still a little light

his trophy case was still a little light Thomas then 37 led the Boston Bruins to

Thomas then 37 led the Boston Bruins to

Thomas then 37 led the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup victory in 2011 during the

a Stanley Cup victory in 2011 during the

a Stanley Cup victory in 2011 during the campaign he would also win the Conn

campaign he would also win the Conn

campaign he would also win the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP becoming

Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP becoming

Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP becoming the oldest player ever to receive the

the oldest player ever to receive the

the oldest player ever to receive the honor number two dikembe mutombo most

honor number two dikembe mutombo most

honor number two dikembe mutombo most athletes go to college to improve their

athletes go to college to improve their

athletes go to college to improve their game not discover it matumbo was

game not discover it matumbo was

game not discover it matumbo was attending Georgetown University with the

attending Georgetown University with the

attending Georgetown University with the goal of becoming a doctor when he was

goal of becoming a doctor when he was

goal of becoming a doctor when he was recruited to play basketball and

recruited to play basketball and

recruited to play basketball and introduced to the game already at the

introduced to the game already at the

introduced to the game already at the ripe old age of 21 he quickly adapted to

ripe old age of 21 he quickly adapted to

ripe old age of 21 he quickly adapted to the sport using his enormous stature to

the sport using his enormous stature to

the sport using his enormous stature to dominate opponents going up against

dominate opponents going up against

dominate opponents going up against people who had been playing basketball

people who had been playing basketball

people who had been playing basketball their whole lives matumbo would end up

their whole lives matumbo would end up

their whole lives matumbo would end up winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of

winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of

winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award four times and became one

the Year award four times and became one

the Year award four times and became one of the most decorated defensive players

of the most decorated defensive players

of the most decorated defensive players in NBA history not bad for an aspiring

in NBA history not bad for an aspiring

in NBA history not bad for an aspiring doctor from the Congo when I was an NBA

doctor from the Congo when I was an NBA

doctor from the Congo when I was an NBA rookie someone asked me what I thought

rookie someone asked me what I thought

rookie someone asked me what I thought my career would be like I never dream it

my career would be like I never dream it

my career would be like I never dream it will include this before we unveil our

will include this before we unveil our

will include this before we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable

number one pick here are some honorable

number one pick here are some honorable mentions Marcie

mentions Marcie

mentions Marcie building fellow Sweden

building fellow Sweden

building fellow Sweden [Music]

[Music]

[Music] strong at 36 was it time to try

strong at 36 was it time to try

strong at 36 was it time to try something else how about winning and

something else how about winning and

something else how about winning and Kansas City has been good to Steve de

Kansas City has been good to Steve de

Kansas City has been good to Steve de Berg and so maybe number 17 has finally

Berg and so maybe number 17 has finally

Berg and so maybe number 17 has finally found a home number one Kurt Warner Kurt

found a home number one Kurt Warner Kurt

found a home number one Kurt Warner Kurt Warner tanks quick drop never give up

Warner tanks quick drop never give up

Warner tanks quick drop never give up especially if you’re an aspiring

especially if you’re an aspiring

especially if you’re an aspiring quarterback with a 6-foot to 200-pound

quarterback with a 6-foot to 200-pound

quarterback with a 6-foot to 200-pound frame and a rocket for an arm unable to

frame and a rocket for an arm unable to

frame and a rocket for an arm unable to make an NFL roster until the age of 27

make an NFL roster until the age of 27

make an NFL roster until the age of 27 Warner wood quickly proved his worth by

Warner wood quickly proved his worth by

Warner wood quickly proved his worth by leading the st. Louis Rams to a Super

leading the st. Louis Rams to a Super

leading the st. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl title picking up awards for league

Bowl title picking up awards for league

Bowl title picking up awards for league and playoff MVP along the way Warner

and playoff MVP along the way Warner

and playoff MVP along the way Warner pact to throw Rainbows the far sideline

pact to throw Rainbows the far sideline

pact to throw Rainbows the far sideline it is signed is an unrestricted free

it is signed is an unrestricted free

it is signed is an unrestricted free agent and released by the Packers in

agent and released by the Packers in

agent and released by the Packers in 1994 Warner was stocking shelves at a

1994 Warner was stocking shelves at a

1994 Warner was stocking shelves at a local grocery store before he managed to

local grocery store before he managed to

local grocery store before he managed to find success with the Rams

find success with the Rams

find success with the Rams what am i doing if I’m gonna chase after

what am i doing if I’m gonna chase after

what am i doing if I’m gonna chase after my dream I’ve got to take the first step

my dream I’ve got to take the first step

my dream I’ve got to take the first step often mentioned as one of the greatest

often mentioned as one of the greatest

often mentioned as one of the greatest rags-to-riches stories in NFL history

rags-to-riches stories in NFL history

rags-to-riches stories in NFL history Warner will be remembered for a lengthy

Warner will be remembered for a lengthy

Warner will be remembered for a lengthy record-setting career next time you’re

record-setting career next time you’re

record-setting career next time you’re at the grocery store ask the stock boy

at the grocery store ask the stock boy

at the grocery store ask the stock boy for his autograph

for his autograph

for his autograph Shia’s didn’t case let’s get back to

Shia’s didn’t case let’s get back to

Shia’s didn’t case let’s get back to business let’s go get the one next week

business let’s go get the one next week

business let’s go get the one next week and it’s Todd said let’s shock the world

and it’s Todd said let’s shock the world

and it’s Todd said let’s shock the world do you agree with our list who’s your

Top 10 Amazing Athletes Who Were Late Bloomers

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