Do you want to be like Mike... or Tiger or Ronaldo? (We could go on with a list of amazing athletes, but we'll stop here). Find out how to turn your love of the game into a professional career!
Pro Athletes - The Basics
Professional athletes are people who get
paid to play sports. To be a pro, you need to have something that we like to call the 3 D's -
drive,
determination and
dedication. If you don't possess these qualities, it'll be hard to
haul yourself to training on a day when you don't feel like
getting out of bed.
Pro Athletes - Training Ground
It's not enough to be talented in your sport. You have to spend most - or all - of your time
training to
be the best since you're competing with thousands of other athletes who are just as talented as you. Basically, you have to live, eat and breathe it! So
get exposed to your sport as much as possible by playing on
school teams, in
leagues and athletic clubs, and at
sports camps. Just like the
entertainment industry, it's hard to make it to the top of the sports world, but you can succeed if you have
the talent. And of course, the 3 D's.
Pro Athletes - The Upside Is Also the Downside
Professional athletes know that if they don't play well, they
won't last long. That's why they
push themselves past their limits to perfect their game.
Basketball players spend hours working on their jump shot,
figure skaters on their triple salchow and
golfers on their swing. But while it's good to be healthy and in great shape, it's also
brutally punishing on their bodies and increases the risk of injury.
Fame is another double-edged sword cuz it's great to be
in the spotlight and have peeps look up to you and want your
autograph. But it's not so great to have
cameras follow you everywhere you go, even to the
bathroom.
Pro Athletes - Show Me the Money!
Some pros make as little as $10,000 a year. Surprised? That's cuz you're used to hearing about the
multi-million dollar contracts! But that's reserved for
superstar athletes like
LeBron James and
Maria Sharapova. And the reason why they make millions is because they
endorse products or companies like
Nike and Adidas.
Pro Athletes - Did U Know?
Tiger Woods earned $87 million in 2005, making him the world's highest paid athlete!
Most professional athletes' careers last only several years cuz of injuries and age.
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Kobe Bryant Biography
Ryan Sheckler Biography
Andy Roddick Biography
Venus and Serena Williams Biography
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