Professional Athletes Who Obviously Took A Sip From The Fountain Of Youth
Unfortunately, when it comes to growing old, there is nothing we can truly do. Sure, there is dye to cover up gray hair and cream to help with wrinkles, but at the end of the day, aging is part of life. But, for a select few, growing older is just another chance to prove just how totally awesome they are.
Yes, we are talking about professional athletes who not only owned their respective sports in their heyday but have come out on top of the aging game. From David Beckham to Michael Irvin, these photos prove that some professional athletes don't age like the rest of us.
Steve Young Still Looks Like A Star QB
For 15 seasons, Steve Young played in the National Football League as a quarterback, primarily for the San Francisco 49ers. And while the former Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer is no longer a young QB setting passing records, in the right lighting, he almost looks the same!
After retiring from professional football at the end of the 1999 season, Young traded in his pads and helmet for a headset, becoming a sports analyst for ESPN. As a man in the latter half of his 50s, he's not looking too shabby as he spews off the pre- and post-game show facts on TV!
Roger Federer Certainly Learned Proper Hair Care
Professional Swiss tennis player Roger Federer came on the scene in the late 1990s, with his first ATP final in 2000 at the Marseille Open. From there, the long-haired teenager went on to become one of the best in the world, winning 20 grand slam titles so far in his career.
Thankfully, with age and experience came a much better haircut for the professional athlete. While Federer still looks pretty much the same in the face, growing up led to shorter hair and clearer skin. But, let's be honest, he's still as much fun to watch play now as he was back in the '90s.
Lisa Leslie Couldn't Look More Stunning If She Tried
Before she became the first woman to ever dunk during a professional women's game, Lisa Leslie was the seventh overall draft pick at the inaugural WNBA draft in 1997. From there, Leslie went on to become a three-time MVP, an eight-time All-Star, and a two-time WNBA Championship winner.
After her 11-season career as the center for the Los Angeles Sparks, Leslie hung up her basketball sneakers. And while she might not be scoring points buzzer-beaters anymore, she is surely scoring a whole lot more in the youthful-looks department. This former pro is simply radiating!
Gabrielle Reece Hasn't Aged A Day
Professional volleyball player Gabrielle Reece looks just as beautiful now as she did when she was playing for Florida State University back in the '80s. But her looks have nothing to do with her being a powerhouse in the sport. During her long career, Reece received many accolades, including the Offensive Player of the Year in 1994–95.
She also held the record for most WBVL kills for four consecutive years, from 1993-1996. And while all of that is very impressive, we'd love to know how she looks like she is still in college and not like she's a mother of two!
Mark Messier Still Rocks The Bald Head
Honestly, we're fairly certain former professional ice hockey player Mark Messier drinks from the fountain of youth every morning. Today, he literally looks no different from the time he won his first of six Stanley Cup championships.
It probably has something to do with the fact that he was never really one to grow his hair out. Even so, after playing a contact-heavy sport like ice hockey for a quarter of a century, from 1979 through 2004, you'd think he'd look a bit worse for the wear. But no, Messier is as bald and handsome as ever.
If Possible, Michael Irvin Looks Better After 12 Years Of Pro Ball
Michael Irvin, aka "The Playmaker," played in the National Football League as a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys for a solid 12 years. During his time on the team, Irvin became known as one of "The Triplets" who helped bring Dallas three Super Bowl titles.
It's no wonder he doesn't look like he's aged a day since the '90s! If we won three rings, we'd probably look like we found the fountain of youth, too. Regardless, Irvin is now a sports commentator on the NFL Network and is a major presence in the University of Miami's football program, his alma mater.
Alex Rodriguez Still Has A Youthful Glow About Him
Alex Rodriguez, aka A-Rod, played 22 seasons in the MLB, as both a shortstop and third baseman. Starting off with the Seattle Mariners for seven seasons, A-Rod then played three seasons for the Texas Rangers before ending his career playing for the New York Yankees for twelve seasons.
And, through all of that, he still looks like the goofy, nice kid who signed with the Mariners at the age of 17. Of course, now in his mid-40s, the former professional athlete has a few more lines around his eyes and mouth, but he still has quite a youthful, dewy complexion. It probably helps that he's engaged to J-Lo.
Slap Some Hair On Ray Allen's Head And He'll Look 25
After playing for 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association, Ray Allen retired in 2014. He entered the NBA draft in 1996, after gaining wide recognition for his long-range shooting while playing for the Connecticut Huskies. During his time in the NBA, he played for the Bucks, the SuperSonics, and the Celtics.
He was then inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. And, as you can clearly see by the pictures, he doesn't look like he's aged a bit! Slap some hair on top of Allen's head, and he'll look very similar to the young pro he was in the '90s.
No Matter The Age, Cristiano Ronaldo Always Looks GQ Ready
Aside from the early-2000s highlights, Cristiano Ronaldo had going on in his curly hair, the professional soccer player doesn't look like he's aged all that much since being signed to Manchester United at the age of 18. If anything, he's only become better looking and more knowledgeable of hair coloring and styling.
Often regarded as one of the best players of all time, the Portuguese soccer star has won 30 major trophies, appeared in over 1,000 professional games, and has scored more than 700 senior career goals for both club and country teams. And he's not thinking about retirement anytime soon.
An Older Tim Duncan Is Just A Young Tim Duncan In Disguise
Power forward Tim Duncan was drafted to the San Antonio Spurs back in 1997. Very quickly, he proved to be a valuable asset and is now considered to be one of the greatest power forwards in the history of the game. Sixteen years and five championships later, Duncan retired and found himself assistant coaching the Spurs.
As you can see by these before-and-after pictures of Duncan playing, he doesn't seem to have aged at all from the time he was drafted to the end of his reign on the court. Maybe a bit more facial hair, but that's about it!
Katarina Witt Still Looks Like She Can Skate Circles Around Everyone
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Katarina Witt proves that if you figure skate hard enough, your looks will be completely frozen in time. It's amazing how one of the most successful figure skaters of all time still looks like she can throw a triple axel without thinking twice about it!
During her career, Witt won six consecutive European Championships, a two-time silver World's medalist, and a four-time World's champion. And we're just going to throw it in here: she is an all-time beautiful lady! Since retiring from figure skating, Witt has worked in film and television, most notably as a judge on the UK series Dancing on Ice.
Alex Morgan Is Only Getting Prettier
Honestly, we're fairly certain professional soccer player Alex Morgan has found the fountain of youth, as she is getting better looking with age. But what's more impressive than her seemingly ageless appearance is her career. Let's start with college, where she was the lead scorer for the California Golden Bears.
From there, she was the first-round pick of the 2011 WPS Draft, getting snagged by the Western New York Flash. As a lot of pro athletes do during their career, Morgan hopped around a lot, going from team to team. As of 2020, she plays forward for the Tottenham Hotspurs and is co-captain of the United States National Team.
Deion Sanders Looks The Same
Deion Sanders, aka "Prime Time," has been in the professional sports circuit for most of his life. He played in the National Football league from 1989 until 2005 and as a Major League Baseball player from 1989 until 2001. In that time, he was lucky enough to play in both the Super Bowl and World Series, making him the only athlete to do so.
As impressive as that is, we're more concerned about how he's able to look like he's 53 going on 20. If he'd like to bottle up whatever magic he has cooked up to make him look that fresh and young, we'd buy it!
Lose The Salt And Pepper And Grant Hill's Ready To Play
Former professional basketball player Grant Hill played in the league for 19 years, from 1994 through the 2013 season. He is considered to be one of the best all-around players in the history of the game, often leading his team in rebounds, points, and assists.
As you can tell, even after playing almost 20 years of professional ball, Hill looks as young as ever. Honestly, if he shaved the salt and pepper beard, he'd look just as he did while playing for Duke University from 1990-1994! Well, maybe not that young; but you catch our drift.
Put A Hat On Derek Jeter And He Could Pass For A Younger Him
Derek Jeter is arguably one of the most popular players of his generation, especially among Yankees fans. The shortstop played his entire 20-year career on the New York-based team, helping them win five World Series Championships during his time. Recently, he's been elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving 396 out of 397 votes, the second-highest in MLB history.
Of course, Jeter is no longer playing for the Yankees, but if he threw a hat on his head, he really looks as though he could step onto the field with the Miami Marlins, the team he happens to partially own.
David Beckham Is Gorgeous, Period.
Seriously, how is it fair that former professional soccer player David Beckham can go from being a teen heartthrob on a poster tacked on teenage girls' walls to Mr. GQ? This man literally won the lottery in the looks department. Well, either that or he found an anti-aging cream and has yet to share it with the world.
Before retiring in 2013, Beckham played as a professional for 20 years, in which time he won 19 major trophies. With his wide-range of skills, such as his passing, bending free-kicks, and crossing ability, Beckham is wildly recognized as one of the best midfielders of his generation.
With A Hat, Tiger Woods Looks Like He Did In The '90s
After a remarkable junior, college, and amateur career, Tiger Woods turned pro by the age of 20, in 1996. As of 2020, he is ranked second in men's golf major championships while holding the record for the most PGA Tour wins. Well, technically he's tied for first, but that's neither here nor there.
Even though he's been a professional athlete since before he could legally go to a bar, Woods doesn't look like he's aged. He still has that great smile, and as long as he keeps a golf hat on his head, no one would ever know about his receding hairline!
Reggie Miller Still Has Lovely Skin
For 18 years, Reggie Miller played professional basketball as a shooting guard for the Indiana Pacers. During his time on the team, Miller became wildly regarded for his three-point accuracy, especially against the New York Knicks, earning him the nickname the "Knick Killer."
He is wildly regarded as the greatest Pacers player of all time. Of course, he should also be wildly regarded as another professional athlete that just doesn't age. He looks like he was just drafted onto the team, even though that happened back in 1987. Please, Mr. Miller, share your skincare routine with us!
Same Smirk, Same Barry Sanders
It's funny how many people tend to change up their smiles through the years, sometimes without even noticing. Well, for former Detroit Lions player Barry Sanders, that is not the case! This two-time NFL Offensive Player of The Year clearly has his mind set on this little smirk.
At least it helps him maintain his youthful appearance! Maybe that's the key, keep smiling the same way for over 20 years, and you too can look as though you're ready to jump in as a star running back. Oh, and make sure to have the same hairstyle, too.
Maria Sharapova Went From Cute To Stunning
Former professional tennis player Maria Sharapova went from being this cute teenager just starting out her career to an absolute stunner. During her career, Sharapova was lucky enough to win a career Grand Slam; she's one of ten females and the only Russian to hold the title.
Because of her obvious good looks, when Sharapova isn't on the court playing a friendly pick-up match, she's modeled for some big-name companies. Most notably, she's modeled for Cole Hann and has appeared on the cover of a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She recently retired in 2020.
