Sometimes those paths can cross again at a later date – think Michael Jordan trading basketball for MLB or Tim Tebow currently trying his hand at baseball after dropping out of the NFL ranks.
Many of the attributes required to compete at the top level in North American professional sports are transferable, with hand-eye coordination a big part of their makeup.
There are, however, plenty of performers as good with their feet as they are with their hands.
Canadian NBA legend Steve Nash would appear to fit into that category, with the former Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and LA Lakers point guard showcasing his football ability during a training session with Segunda Division outfit RCD Mallorca.
The 42-year-old was born in South Africa to a Welsh mother and English father, and football has been a big part of his life — with his younger brother, Martin, playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps and earning 30 caps for Canada.
A video posted by LaLiga (@laliga) on Oct 24, 2016 at 7:17am PDT
Nash is also an avid supporter of Tottenham and, by the looks of things, could certainly have held his own had he decided to tread a different career path.
