Who says Congress won’t play ball? From the field to the capital, here are seven famous athletes who went on to become politicians:

1. Jon Runyan (R-NJ) This former offensive tackle played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 years, first as a Tennessee Titan, and later as a Philadelphia Eagle. In 2000, Runyan and the Titans played the XXXIV Super Bowl, losing narrowly. Now retired from football, Runyan currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.

2. Bill Bradley (D-NJ) Rhodes scholar and former presidential candidate Bill Bradley represented New Jersey in the U.S. Senate between 1979 and 1997. Before his political career, however, Bradley was a well-known basketball player, who won a gold medal in the 1964 Olympics. Later, he went to play for the Knicks, leading them to victory in two championships and earning himself a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

3. Bob Mathias (R-CA) Bob Mathias was only 17 years old when he won his first gold medal in the 1948 Olympics decathlon. When the 1952 Olympics rolled around, Mathias won again. During these four years, he set three world records, including youngest man to win an Olympic track and field title. Fifteen years later, Mathias was elected to the House of Representative, where he served two terms. Mathias died in 2006 at the age of 75.

4. Steve Largent (R-OK) A wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, Largent set multiple receiving records during his 14 seasons in the NFL, including most receptions. In 1995, a year after being elected to the House of Representatives, Largent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He retired from office in 2002.

5. Jim Bunning (R-KY) Perhaps one of the most famous athletes to enter politics, Bunning is best known for throwing a perfect game while playing for the Detroit Tigers in 1964. At the time, there had only been six other perfect games in Major League history. Bunning’s success won him a spot in the Major League Ball (MLB) Hall of Fame in 1996. Bunning also enjoyed a prolific career as a highly conservative politician, first in the House, from 1987 to 1999, and then in the Senate until 2011.

6. Jim Ryun (R-KS) Prior to joining the House of Representatives in 1996, Ryun ran the 1500 meters in three Olympic games, winning a silver medal in 1968, and setting world records in the mile, the 1500 meters and the 1800 meters. Ryun is the last American athlete to set a world record in the mile.

7. Jack Kemp (R-NY) Inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, Kemp was a quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. During his seven years with the team, the Buffalo Bills won two American Football League championships and attended the playoffs four years running. In 1965, Kemp was elected AFL Most Valuable Player, and in 1984, the Buffalo Bills permanently retired his number. After his time with the Bills, Kemp served in the House of Representatives for 16 years, before becoming U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush. Kemp died of cancer in 2009.

– Jordanna Packtor

Sources: Business Insider, Sports Illustrated Kids, John Runyan, Bill Bradley, New York Times, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Huffington Post
Photo: Sports Illustrated Kids