20 Sports Stars Who Finished Their Careers In Weird Places

By Andrew Fisher

20 Athletes Who Finished Their Careers in Strange Places

Boston Celtics v Orlando Magic — Not every star athlete gets a storybook ending to their career. A lot of times players hang on too long and end up taking their talents to new teams when their long-time teams say they don't want them anymore. It doesn't always end bad, but a lot of times it's sad.

Here's a look at 20 athletes in 'bizzaro land':

1. Randy Johnson - San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants v Washington Nationals

1. Randy Johnson - San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants v Washington Nationals — The Big Unit made his name with the Mariners and D-backs, but he randomly ended his career with one season in San Fran.

2. Hakeem Olajuwon - Toronto Raptors

Hakeem Olajuwan #34

2. Hakeem Olajuwon - Toronto Raptors

Hakeem Olajuwan #34 — The Dream in anything but a Rockets uniform just isn't right.

3. Patrick Ewing - Orlando Magic

Magic v Knicks X Ewing

3. Patrick Ewing - Orlando Magic

Magic v Knicks X Ewing — Not only did Ewing finish his career with the Magic, he also played a year for the SuperSonics. Weird.

4. Eddie George - Dallas Cowboys

Philadelphia Eagles v Dallas Cowboys

4. Eddie George - Dallas Cowboys

Philadelphia Eagles v Dallas Cowboys — George was a Oiler/Titan for life, until he played one season in Jerry World in 2004.

5. Emmitt Smith - Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals v Seattle Seahawks

5. Emmitt Smith - Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals v Seattle Seahawks — Smith did break the all-time rushing mark in Arizona, but man, just bizarre to see him without that star on his helmet.

6. Bo Jackson - California Angels

BO JACKSON ANGELS

6. Bo Jackson - California Angels

BO JACKSON ANGELS — Bo's career ended in 1994 after one season with Angels. Who knows what could have been if it weren't for his hip injury?

7. OJ Simpson - San Francisco 49ers

O. J. SIMPSON

7. OJ Simpson - San Francisco 49ers

O. J. SIMPSON — OJ was a career-long member of the Bills, right? Wrong. He finished his career in 1979 after two years with the Niners.

8. Dominique Wilkins - Orlando Magic

Magic v Wizards

8. Dominique Wilkins - Orlando Magic

Magic v Wizards — The Human Highlight Film bounced around a little after leaving Atlanta, but he certainly had no business playing in Orlando.

9. Jerry Rice - Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks v Arizona Cardinals

9. Jerry Rice - Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks v Arizona Cardinals — The G.O.A.T. kept playing a little too long, but no one really remembers his short stint with the Seahawks.

10. Reggie White - Carolina Panthers

Reggie White #92

10. Reggie White - Carolina Panthers

Reggie White #92 — White retired for a year in 1999 and then did a victory lap with the Panthers in 2000.

11. Karl Malone - Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers v Timberwolves

11. Karl Malone - Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers v Timberwolves — The Mailman didn't deliver a championship to L.A. in 2004, or ever in his career.

12. Robert Parish - Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls v Golden State Warriors

12. Robert Parish - Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls v Golden State Warriors — The Chief played forever in the NBA, starting in 1977. He ended his career with one last season in Chicago in 1997.

13. Eric Dickerson - Atlanta Falcons

Eric Dickerson

13. Eric Dickerson - Atlanta Falcons

Eric Dickerson — We all know Dickerson was traded during his prime, but he also played one last partial season with Falcons in 1993.

14. Ricky Henderson - Los Angeles Dodgers

Rickey Henderson stretches

14. Ricky Henderson - Los Angeles Dodgers

Rickey Henderson stretches — Henderson played for a ton of teams by the time his career was finally winding down, but he had one last MLB run with the Dodgers in 2003. If teams wanted him, he'd still be playing today.

15. Jose Canseco - Chicago White Sox

Jose Canseco-Chicago White Sox

15. Jose Canseco - Chicago White Sox

Jose Canseco-Chicago White Sox — Canseco was a member of the White Sox? Yep. It happened in 2001, pre-Juiced.

16. Joe Namath - Los Angeles Rams

Joe Namath #12

16. Joe Namath - Los Angeles Rams

Joe Namath #12 — This one just ain't right. Broadway Joe should have never played anywhere expect Broadway. But in 1977 he finished his career with the then L.A. Rams.

17. Joe Montana - Kansas City Chiefs

49ERS AT CHIEFS

17. Joe Montana - Kansas City Chiefs

49ERS AT CHIEFS — Montana did fairly well in his last two NFL seasons with the Chiefs. In fact the team hasn't won a playoff game since Montana led them to one in 1993.

18. Thurman Thomas - Miami Dolphins

Thurman Thomas #34

18. Thurman Thomas - Miami Dolphins

Thurman Thomas #34 — Thurman Thomas in anything but Bills gear is just off-putting.

19. Brett Favre - Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre Retirement

19. Brett Favre - Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre Retirement — This one almost worked out very well for Favre. Instead, he got knocked out on his final play and people will always call him a traitor for joining one of the Packers' rivals.

20. Michael Jordan - Washington Wizards

Michael Jordan says goodby

20. Michael Jordan - Washington Wizards

Michael Jordan says goodby — Jordan with the Wizards definitely takes the cake for stars who finished their careers in weird places. He did well for an old guy during his two years in Washington, but he should have walked away after his famous last shot with the Bulls in 1998.

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