Recasting The Walking Dead With Professional Athletes

If I have to tell you there’s a “spoiler alert,” then I doubt you'd last even a day inside the walls of post-apocalyptic Alexandria — let alone the world of ‘The Walking Dead.’ But in your defense, you’re just not conditioned for the task. Our favorite TWD characters have had years of fear-based training, but us? We’re just normal everyday Joe’s and Jane’s most likely unready to wield off a single hoard of walkers. But what about top-end professional athletes? Could you see them surviving into season 6 of ‘The Walking Dead?’

Recasting The Walking Dead With Professional Athletes

If I have to tell you there’s a “spoiler alert,” then I doubt you'd last even a day inside the walls of post-apocalyptic Alexandria — let alone the world of ‘The Walking Dead.’ But in your defense, you’re just not conditioned for the task. Our favorite TWD characters have had years of fear-based training, but us? We’re just normal everyday Joe’s and Jane’s most likely unready to wield off a single hoard of walkers. But what about top-end professional athletes? Could you see them surviving into season 6 of ‘The Walking Dead?’

Madison Bumgarner: Daryl Dixon

If a YouTube video went viral of Madison Bumgarner destroying straw targets with a crossbow, I wouldn’t be surprised. Both Daryl Dixon and Bumgarner are just tough country boys, and we’ve enjoyed them long before getting used to their rustic flair.

Madison Bumgarner: Daryl Dixon

If a YouTube video went viral of Madison Bumgarner destroying straw targets with a crossbow, I wouldn’t be surprised. Both Daryl Dixon and Bumgarner are just tough country boys, and we’ve enjoyed them long before getting used to their rustic flair.

Peyton Manning: Rick Grimes

Some people think they’re no longer up to the job, that they no longer can function in crisis. But both Peyton Manning and Rick Grimes know that at least deep down, they’re still the Sheriff. Even if Manning has never successfully grown a beard.

Peyton Manning: Rick Grimes

Some people think they’re no longer up to the job, that they no longer can function in crisis. But both Peyton Manning and Rick Grimes know that at least deep down, they’re still the Sheriff. Even if Manning has never successfully grown a beard.

Novak Djokovic: Carl Grimes

At the rate Carl is growing, by season 6 he’ll be 6-foot-4. So I’m sticking with the Djokovic comparison.

Novak Djokovic: Carl Grimes

At the rate Carl is growing, by season 6 he’ll be 6-foot-4. So I’m sticking with the Djokovic comparison.

Mike Tyson: Morgan

They’ve had their crazy moments — Mike Tyson once tattooed his face and Morgan once booby-trapped his entire neighborhood — but both are excellent to have in a fight. Except Tyson may be little more walker than he lets on, you know with the whole ear-biting thing.

Mike Tyson: Morgan

They’ve had their crazy moments — Mike Tyson once tattooed his face and Morgan once booby-trapped his entire neighborhood — but both are excellent to have in a fight. Except Tyson may be little more walker than he lets on, you know with the whole ear-biting thing.

Martina Navratilova: Carol

Both cordial yet incredibly cunning, Martina Navratilova and Carol from ‘The Walking Dead’ share a lot of similar competitive traits. Yet, I doubt Navratilova has ever leveraged another person's life over a casserole.

Martina Navratilova: Carol

Both cordial yet incredibly cunning, Martina Navratilova and Carol from ‘The Walking Dead’ share a lot of similar competitive traits. Yet, I doubt Navratilova has ever leveraged another person's life over a casserole.

Lionel Messi: Glenn

To have made it this far, even after being shot, is nothing short of spectacular for an underdog like Glenn Rhee. Although Lionel Messi and Glenn are compact warriors, they both have talents that transcend their arenas. Until Glenn runs into Negan, let’s pre-memorialize him for the Messi-like things he's done in resolving messy conflicts.

Lionel Messi: Glenn

To have made it this far, even after being shot, is nothing short of spectacular for an underdog like Glenn Rhee. Although Lionel Messi and Glenn are compact warriors, they both have talents that transcend their arenas. Until Glenn runs into Negan, let’s pre-memorialize him for the Messi-like things he's done in resolving messy conflicts.

Ronda Rousey: Michonne

These are the two baddest women bridging the gates between fiction and reality. Imagine Ronda Rousey with a katana? I now know who I want for my Armageddon buddy!

Ronda Rousey: Michonne

These are the two baddest women bridging the gates between fiction and reality. Imagine Ronda Rousey with a katana? I now know who I want for my Armageddon buddy!

Tim Tebow: Aaron

Both travel on missions to bring back people who were thought to be lost. Although Tebow has much bigger arms, Aaron throws a better spiral.

Ahhh, I'm just joshing you, Tebow!

Tim Tebow: Aaron

Both travel on missions to bring back people who were thought to be lost. Although Tebow has much bigger arms, Aaron throws a better spiral.

Ahhh, I'm just joshing you, Tebow!

Usain Bolt: Father Gabriel

Although Usain Bolt manufactures his own excellence while Fr. Gabriel is a preachy buffoon that’s responsible for his own problems, both men are runners.

Usain Bolt: Father Gabriel

Although Usain Bolt manufactures his own excellence while Fr. Gabriel is a preachy buffoon that’s responsible for his own problems, both men are runners.

Laila Ali: Sasha

It’s best not to mess with either of these lovely-turn-lively women. Laila Ali retired from boxing undefeated, now let’s hope Sasha survives the apocalypse unbitten.

Laila Ali: Sasha

It’s best not to mess with either of these lovely-turn-lively women. Laila Ali retired from boxing undefeated, now let’s hope Sasha survives the apocalypse unbitten.

Andy Dalton: Sgt. Abraham Ford

Surprisingly, Andy Dalton is the closest thing the sporting world has seen to Sgt. Abraham Ford — at least in hair pigment.

Andy Dalton: Sgt. Abraham Ford

Surprisingly, Andy Dalton is the closest thing the sporting world has seen to Sgt. Abraham Ford — at least in hair pigment.

Kyra Gracie: Rosita

Krya Gracie is a grappling world champion and grappling is technically a sport. Oh and so is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so Gracie is a first-ballot season-sixer, just like Rosita.

Kyra Gracie: Rosita

Krya Gracie is a grappling world champion and grappling is technically a sport. Oh and so is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so Gracie is a first-ballot season-sixer, just like Rosita.

Evan Longoria: Eugene

Even if Evan Longoria had a mullet for about 14 seconds, it’s emblazoned on my brain forever. A brain, I’ll have you know, that has yet to be feasted on by ravenous biters or Fox News programming.

Evan Longoria: Eugene

Even if Evan Longoria had a mullet for about 14 seconds, it’s emblazoned on my brain forever. A brain, I’ll have you know, that has yet to be feasted on by ravenous biters or Fox News programming.

Alex Morgan: Maggie

Spark plugs never quit, no matter what adversity has to say. Alex Morgan and Maggie surpass every metric measuring resolve while making the smart moves to behoove the greater good.

Alex Morgan: Maggie

Spark plugs never quit, no matter what adversity has to say. Alex Morgan and Maggie surpass every metric measuring resolve while making the smart moves to behoove the greater good.