Professional athletes have been leaving fans in awe since sport was invented. Some of our favorite games produce heroes we as fans track throughout their careers.
We admire sometimes. We emulate often. And at times we want to just look up to them simply for what they do on the field, the court, or the ice.
But there is a special breed of athlete out there who comes from a military academy background. Meaning they also exude discipline and good character, more often than not.
Here we take a look at the top 10 professional athletes who graduated from military academies.
10) Mike Silliman
Mike Silliman was a 6’6″ forward from West Point, where he played for coach Bob Knight and took Army to the NIT Semi-Finals in 1964, 1965, and 1966. He became the leading scorer in Army’s history at the time of his graduation in 1966, with a total of 1,342 points.
He participated in the 1968 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal as captain of the United States national basketball team.
Silliman only played one season in the NBA with the Buffalo Braves in 1970-71 after being drafted by the New York Knicks. He appeared in 36 games, averaging 2.5 points per game.
9) Chris Howard
Chris Howard is a former NFL player and a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He played running back for the Air Force Falcons and was a three-time letterman. Howard was also a two-year starter, averaging 4.5 yards per carry during his time at the academy.
During his senior year, Howard was an integral part of the team that upset Ohio State in the Liberty Bowl.
His professional career with the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars was limited due to significant fumbling issues.
8) Phil McConkey
Phil McConkey, a former NFL wide receiver, had a remarkable sports career that included a Super Bowl victory with the New York Giants in 1986. He played an important role on key plays during that game.
McConkey was known primarily for his work on special teams.
Before his professional football career, McConkey attended the United States Naval Academy, where he excelled as a wide receiver and kick returner, setting school records and leading the Midshipmen to victory in the 1978 Holiday Bowl.
7) Napoleon McCallum
Napoleon McCallum, a former NFL running back, played for the Los Angeles Raiders after graduating from the United States Naval Academy.
During his time at the academy, he excelled in football and was named a 1983 and 1985 consensus College Football All-American.
McCallum played for the Raiders in 1986 while on active duty, splitting time with Marcus Allen. It was his most prolific season, rushing for 536 yards.
His NFL career was cut short after six seasons due to a gruesome knee injury.
6) Mike Wahle
Mike Wahle played a significant 11 seasons as an offensive guard in the NFL, most of it spent with the Green Bay Packers. In 2005, he was signed as a free agent by the Carolina Panthers and was selected to the Pro Bowl that season.
Wahle would play in 9 playoff games over the course of his career, starting in 6 of them.
He played three years at the Naval Academy before unfortunately being forced to resign in his senior season after he tested positive for steroids.
RELATED: Saluting The Brave: 10 Professional Athletes With Military Backgrounds
5) Alejandro Villanueva
Alejandro Villanueva played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens after graduating from the United States Military Academy. He was an offensive tackle who started in 107 career NFL games.
Villanueva was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2017 and 2018. He also played in 7 career post-season games and actually has a receiving touchdown to his credit.
4) Ed Sprinkle
Ed Sprinkle is one of the first on our list to have an extensively decorated career as an NFL player. Sprinkle played for the Chicago Bears from 1944-1955, much of it under legendary coach George Halas.
Sprinkle started his career playing both offense and defense before primarily becoming a pass-rushing specialist. He was a 4-time Pro Bowl selection, a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team in the 1940s. Significantly, he is listed as one of the 100 greatest Bears of All Time.
He and the Bears won an NFL Championship in 1946.
Sprinkle transferred to the United States Naval Academy for his senior season in 1943, where he earned All-Eastern honors.
3) Chad Hennings
Chad Hennings was a defensive end who played for the Dallas Cowboys for nine seasons after being picked in the eleventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft.
He was a key member of the Cowboys’ defense, winning three Super Bowls and recording 27.5 sacks, over 200 tackles, and 6 fumble recoveries in the process.
Hennings played college football for the Air Force Falcons. He earned unanimous All-American honors and won the Outland Trophy in his senior year in 1987.
2) David Robinson
No person deserves mention on this list more than a man nicknamed “The Admiral.”
David Robinson had an incredible and storied career with the San Antonio Spurs from 1989 to 2003. He was a 10-time All-Star, the 1995 NBA MVP, and a two-time NBA champion.
Robinson was also an original member of the Dream Team and won Olympic gold in 1992 and 1996. He is a two-time member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, once for his Dream Team contributions and once for his overall NBA career.
All of that was with the pressure of being supremely hyped as an accomplished basketball player at Navy. Robinson is in the discussion as one of the greatest centers to ever play the game.
1) Roger Staubach
What would this list be without an all-time NFL great nicknamed “Captain America”?
Staubach played quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 to 1979 and led the team to two Super Bowl victories. What elevated him to legendary status was an uncanny ability to rally in the final minutes of a game.
He led the Cowboys to 23 game-winning drives (15 comebacks) during the fourth quarter. An incredible 17 of those in the final two minutes or in overtime.
Equally remarkable was his career at the Naval Academy where he made them into a national powerhouse. In 1963, Staubach won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Memorial Trophy on a team that had a 9–1 regular season record and a final ranking of No. 2 in the nation.
During his time as a Navy Officer, Staubach volunteered for a one-year tour of duty during the Vietnam War.
Staubach was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. He is a member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, and is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
