10 Athletes You Didn't Know Are Vegetarian or Vegan

By Jacob Kornhauser

It’s hard to stay on top of your game in professional sports regardless of your diet. While sticking to a strict vegetarian or vegan diet? That makes it nearly impossible. These 10 former and current athletes have managed to get to the top of their game while sticking to a diet without meat that most of us could never dream of doing.

10 Athletes You Didn\'t Know Are Vegetarian or Vegan
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10. Tony La Russa

Tony La Russa Credit: Getty Images
La Russa was known for being unconventional as the manager of the White Sox, Athletics and Cardinals, and it turns out his diet is pretty unconventional as well. One of the greatest skippers in baseball history, he is a vegetarian because he believes it's a healthier way to eat.

10. Tony La Russa

La Russa was known for being unconventional as the manager of the White Sox, Athletics and Cardinals, and it turns out his diet is pretty unconventional as well. One of the greatest skippers in baseball history, he is a vegetarian because he believes it's a healthier way to eat.

9. Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King Credit: Getty Images
While rising to the top of the tennis world, Billie Jean King was abstaining from eating meat. She's one of the most famous athletes to follow a vegetarian diet, but it sure seemed to pay off for her. Despite the lack of meat, she was able to become one of the greatest women's tennis players of all time.

9. Billie Jean King

While rising to the top of the tennis world, Billie Jean King was abstaining from eating meat. She's one of the most famous athletes to follow a vegetarian diet, but it sure seemed to pay off for her. Despite the lack of meat, she was able to become one of the greatest women's tennis players of all time.

8. Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams Credit: Getty Images
Ricky Williams has always been a little out there, and he has sworn off meat because he believes a vegan diet is part of a healthier lifestyle. While his NFL career didn't quite turn out how he wanted it to, there's no denying the physical shape he was in during his playing career. That could speak to the benefits of such a diet.

8. Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams has always been a little out there, and he has sworn off meat because he believes a vegan diet is part of a healthier lifestyle. While his NFL career didn't quite turn out how he wanted it to, there's no denying the physical shape he was in during his playing career. That could speak to the benefits of such a diet.

7. Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis Credit: Getty Images
One of the most successful American sprinters of all time was fueled by a number of foods, but meat wasn't one of them. In order to keep his lean body mass, he didn't have any meat and continued to stay healthy regardless. Even without meat as fuel, Lewis was pretty darn fast.

7. Carl Lewis

One of the most successful American sprinters of all time was fueled by a number of foods, but meat wasn't one of them. In order to keep his lean body mass, he didn't have any meat and continued to stay healthy regardless. Even without meat as fuel, Lewis was pretty darn fast.

6. Venus Williams

Venus Williams Credit: Getty Images
Venus Williams has been one of the most successful tennis players of her time, perhaps only paling in comparison to her sister Serena. She's been able to do that while following a strict vegan diet. When you look at her rippled, muscular body, you'd be surprised to know she was able to forge that body type without eating any meat.

6. Venus Williams

Venus Williams has been one of the most successful tennis players of her time, perhaps only paling in comparison to her sister Serena. She's been able to do that while following a strict vegan diet. When you look at her rippled, muscular body, you'd be surprised to know she was able to forge that body type without eating any meat.

5. Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
One of the best tight ends in NFL history, Tony Gonzalez was a big dude. Somehow, he was able to achieve this body type without ingesting any meat. As a vegan, he has to work around his diet constantly. The former Chief and Falcon doesn't seem like he's been affected by it negatively, though. In fact, he should be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he's up for induction.

5. Tony Gonzalez

One of the best tight ends in NFL history, Tony Gonzalez was a big dude. Somehow, he was able to achieve this body type without ingesting any meat. As a vegan, he has to work around his diet constantly. The former Chief and Falcon doesn't seem like he's been affected by it negatively, though. In fact, he should be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he's up for induction.

4. Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron Credit: Getty Images
One of the greatest hitters in baseball history, Hank Aaron was able to break Babe Ruth's all-time home run mark. Unlike the Babe who did it on "beer and hotdogs", Aaron did it on veggies and healthy eating. Perhaps this vegetarian diet is what helped him sustain a long, successful career.

4. Hank Aaron

One of the greatest hitters in baseball history, Hank Aaron was able to break Babe Ruth's all-time home run mark. Unlike the Babe who did it on "beer and hotdogs", Aaron did it on veggies and healthy eating. Perhaps this vegetarian diet is what helped him sustain a long, successful career.

3. Joe Namath

Joe Namath Credit: Getty Images
Super Bowl winning quarterback Joe Namath has been one of the most outspoken vegetarians (and athletes in general) over the years. He claims since he was successful without eating meat, it breaks the common misconception that football players have to be big, tough guys who eat a ton of meat. With his record of success, especially early in his career, it's hard to argue with him.

3. Joe Namath

Super Bowl winning quarterback Joe Namath has been one of the most outspoken vegetarians (and athletes in general) over the years. He claims since he was successful without eating meat, it breaks the common misconception that football players have to be big, tough guys who eat a ton of meat. With his record of success, especially early in his career, it's hard to argue with him.

2. Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson Credit: Getty Images
Apparently ears don't count as meat, because that's the only semblance of meat that Tyson has put into his body. He is a strong advocate for a vegan diet in order to stay in shape. The dude was rock solid during his fighting days and is still in pretty good shape, so it seems like his dietary plan has been quite successful.

2. Mike Tyson

Apparently ears don't count as meat, because that's the only semblance of meat that Tyson has put into his body. He is a strong advocate for a vegan diet in order to stay in shape. The dude was rock solid during his fighting days and is still in pretty good shape, so it seems like his dietary plan has been quite successful.

1. Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder Credit: Getty Images
Ever since the 2008 season, Prince Fielder, noted as being one of the largest players in baseball, has followed a vegetarian diet. Even with this diet, he has continued to crush baseballs and continues to be one of the largest players in the game. He's one of those players most people are shocked to hear are vegetarian.

1. Prince Fielder

Ever since the 2008 season, Prince Fielder, noted as being one of the largest players in baseball, has followed a vegetarian diet. Even with this diet, he has continued to crush baseballs and continues to be one of the largest players in the game. He's one of those players most people are shocked to hear are vegetarian.

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