From the field to the grill, these sports legends are proving they’ve got game beyond the scoreboard. You might be surprised to know that many top athletes have turned their passion for food into full-blown restaurant empires. In this list, we’re diving into 15 athletes who opened and co-owned some of the most buzz-worthy eateries around. Get ready to see how your favorite stars are serving up greatness, but this time in the kitchen.
15. Playmakers88 – Michael Irvin
Former Dallas Cowboys Michael Irvin, who played number 88, tried his luck in the restaurant business. He opened the Playmakers88, which is a sports bar that serves Southern-style dishes. The restaurant also serves comfort food staples like wings, pasta, and burgers. You may also want to check out memorabilia from Irvin’s career, like jerseys and trophies.
14. Elway’s – John Elway
The former Broncos quarterback, John Elway, is known in Denver for winning his second Super Bowl in 1999. In his time of retirement, he co-owns two restaurants in Denver, located at the Ritz-Carlton and Cherry Creek neighborhood. There’s also one in Vail, Colorado. His fine-dining steakhouse menu consists of lamb chops that are dipped in green-chile fondue and crunchy calamari.
13. Short’s Burger and Shine – Nate Kaeding
Nate Kaeding may have clutched goals for the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins, but he never left his hometown of Iowa. Kaeding co-owned Short’s Burger and Shine, which serves burgers and craft b*ers. The corn-fed beef comes from Ed Smith’s Farm while the b*er comes from breweries around the state. While their original location in downtown Iowa closed down, you can still catch the burger joint in Eastside and Marion locations.
12. Vince Young Steakhouse – Vince Young
Former NFL quarterback Vince Young is remembered as a king in Austin for leading the University of Texas to the 2005 NCAA national championship. He came back to his college to open Vince Young Steakhouse, where he serves Texas prime-grade steaks and Wagyu brisket burgers among others.
11. Island Way Grill – Mike “A-Train” Alstott and Dave Moore
Businessman and restaurant-owner Frank Chivas teamed up with former Buccaneers members Mike “A-Train” Alstott and Dave Moore to create the Island Way Grill restaurant. Located in Clearwater Beach, Florida, the restaurant is “all about fresh fish.” The restaurant even brings their own boat to catch fish like tuna and snapper, among other local species.
10. Huncho House – Tobias Dorzon
There’s no time wasted with the NFL quarterback turned chef, Tobias Dorzon, as he went to culinary school during his time off in 2012. He opened his third restaurant, Huncho House, back in 2022, and now, he’s currently the executive head chef of the restaurant. Dorzon was even honored as Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland. Yup, he left his football career to embrace the culinary world.
9. Emmitt’s Las Vegas Restaurant – Emmitt Smith
After retiring from his 15-year football career with the Dallas Cowboys, Emmitt Smith shifted his focus to the restaurant business. In December 2021, he opened the 30,000+ square foot Emmitt’s Las Vegas, where they serve seafood and chops curated by executive chef Antwan Ellis. Just a few months after opening, the restaurant already won the 2024 Diner’s Choice Award from OpenTable.
8. Ditka’s – Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka, known as “Da Coach” and a former football player, owns Ditka’s, which has two locations. If you happen to be around Oakbrook, Illinois, or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then head over to the restaurant and order their “Fullback Size” filet mignon with spinach and onion rings as well as “Da Pork Chop” for starters. Sadly, their Chicago location closed in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic and was never reopened again.
7. Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse – Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie
Former NFL players and New England Patriots teammates, Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie, opened Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse in 2007. Located in Rhode Island, the steakhouse serves a “wicked good menu” consisting of dishes like Lobster Mac & Cheese with Truffle Oil, Smothered Cubanelle Peppers, and Sweet Creamed Corn with Pancetta.
6. Joe Theismann’s Restaurant – Joe Theismann
Former NFL and CFL player Joe Theismann’s Restaurant, which is also named after him, has been a local favorite in Alexandria, Virginia, since 1975. They offer a wide variety of dishes such as wings, burgers, personal pan pizzas, and drinks. In 2019, the restaurant was renovated as they offered new menu items like pan-seared salmon and poke bowls.
5. Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant – Arnold Palmer
The legendary professional golfer, Arnold Palmer, has a La Quinta, California restaurant. However, they’re closed for the summer and are scheduled to reopen by September 26. Still, you can plan your orders ahead as soon as the restaurant opens. There’s a wide variety of American cuisine, including ribs, steaks, and seafood. The restaurant also showcases a large collection of Arnold Palmer memorabilia and live entertainment.
4. Billy Sims Barbecue – Billy Sims
Way before Billy Sims focused on his barbecue business, he had a short career with the Detroit Lions. Now, Sims is the owner of barbecue chains with locations in Oklahoma, Missouri, and more. The chain serves classic barbecue favorites like brisket and pulled pork as well as regional specialties like Frito Chili Pie and Smoked Bologna.
3. Tresca – Ray Bourque
Hockey legend Ray Bourque owns an Italian restaurant called Tresca. In here, the former hockey player offers a four-course tasting menu with featured items such as Crespelle, or Italian-style crepes, and Vongole, which is a pasta with clams. Tresca also serves regional favorites like Maiale Abbruzzese, which is a pork dish from the Abruzzo region in Italy.
2. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza – Dan Marino
Dan Marino played for the Miami Dolphins before he retired, and when he did, he got involved with the pizza business. He invested in a restaurant chain, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, which expanded to various locations, including one in Marino’s hometown of Pittsburgh.
1. Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse – Michael Jordan
Steak for dinner? While the original flagship location in New York closed down, Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse is very much alive and thriving in other locations like Chicago and Connecticut in the USA and South Korea. Fun fact about the restaurant, Table 23 is reserved for Jordan himself, and if he decides to dine, the guest seated will be moved as he compensates for their meal as a courtesy!