Already, you are hearing people talk of how sick they are of the election, and the date is March 14.  While this yearly election complain is similar to the Christmas season’s “it just seems to get earlier every year” bitching, it may have a bit of merit this year because of how long the process has already been going on.  Luckily, this past week, a governor resigned because of a tryst with a hooker, so at least there was something else to be covered massively instead of the 590th Obama/Clinton debate. 

In this election year, the Top 7 looks at the athletes turned politicians.

7. Steve Largent

The Hall of Fame wide receiver retired from football in 1989 and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican in 1994.  Largent eventually gave up his seat in the House to run for Oklahoma governor in 2002, at which point, he lost by less than 7,000 votes.   

6. J.C. Watts

A former Oklahoma quarterback, Watts is best known now as the last black Republican to serve in Congress.

5. Jim Bunning

He is a Hall of Fame pitcher and threw two no-hitters, including a perfect game.  As a politician in Kentucky, it is fitting he got in through the Veterans Committee. 

4. Jack Kemp

What current athlete is most likely to go into politics when done with his/her career?  It’s probably Curt Schilling—likes to talk about himself, “media friendly,” the Republican machine would probably like to give him a push.  How about least likely?  Michael Vick perhaps.  Maybe Bob Knight.  Those could be two Top 7s of their own.  Anyways, Kemp was a football player/vice-presidential candidate.

3. Jesse Ventura

He came out of nowhere to win the Minnesota governorship after previously being the mayor of a small town.  During his reign, he took a side job as an XFL analyst, which is one of those things that you don’t realize how truly amazing it is until a few years have gone by.  A governor who was a former wrestler was also doing analysis for a startup football league led by Vince McMahon.  And it was on the NBC network.  Did the XFL really happen?

2. Bill Bradley

An NBA Hall of Famer, Bradley has run for president on two occasions.  Now out of politics, he is always good for some nice harsh shots at the establishment in politics.  Always entertaining.

1. Arnold

He definitely qualifies as an athlete--weightlifting, bodybuilding, Mr. Universe, Kindergarten Cop, Jingle All The Way, even an appearance on Smackdown! In 1999 to promote the horrible, atrocious movie “End of Days.”  The best part about Arnold is that he got re-elected, and it was by a landslide. 

This probably marks the 15th time in Top 7 history that two members of the movie “Predator” made the same list (don't forget Carl Weathers, people).

The Top 7 is written by Jason Major he was offered a role in Pumping Iron II, but he refused because of a bad back.  Email him at jason@joesportsfan.com