10 Athletes Who Wrote Bestselling Books

It seems like there isn’t much Tom Brady can’t do. For example, he’s nearly incapable of not winning Super Bowls.

But Brady combines a few more skills off the field for his book The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance. Fans are probably familiar with TB12 – it’s Brady’s proprietary method for achieving the height of his field regardless of age.

And if there’s any proof in the pudding, Brady is it. Remember, he won his last Super Bowl at age 43. The book shares advice on everything from diet to attitude, from the GOAT himself.

If women’s soccer has a Mount Rushmore, Abby Wambach appears on it. The Hall of Famer and World Cup Silver Ball winner helped put a face on women’s soccer, and was a fan favorite for Team USA.

Her bestselling memoir Forward, written in 2016, is a Girl Power tour de force, chronicling her life from playing with the boys in her younger years to becoming the highest goal scorer of all time. (Yes, really – male or female!)

She followed up Forward with a second effort, Wolfpack, which is explicitly a call to action for women to work together.

Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow has dedicated his life to helping others.

He’s also apparently dedicated his life to sharing his wisdom in books, because he’s already written a few!

In fact, he’s already a three-time bestselling author. Starting with Through My Eyes, Tebow throws down the gauntlet and lets the world know, he’s not going to change for it.

He followed up his first effort with additional books about facing and ultimately overcoming adversity, like Shaken and This is the Day.

But because he’s Tim Tebow, you know he also wrote something for the kids. He has two children’s books out so far: Bronco & Friends, A Party to Remember, and Bronco & Friends, Mission Possible.

If she’s not the most talented gymnast of all time, we’d sure like to know who is.

Olympian Simone Biles hasn’t been without controversy, but no one can doubt her skills. Her – perhaps a bit premature – autobiography Courage to Soar is a bestseller, and chronicles the high-flying contortionist’s journey to the top.

In a bit of foreshadowing, the book gives behind-the-scenes looks at what it’s like to be a gymnast, and Biles offers her view that faith and family are what’s needed to withstand the pressures of being at the very height of your field.

Many had Drew Brees written off in 2005 when he busted up his throwing shoulder. Certainly no one could have guessed that he would go on to not just a Hall of Fame career, but that he would chase the GOAT himself Tom Brady through all the record books.

Speaking of books, Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity is an apt title for Brees.

Recall that Brees was traded to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and many in the city looked to the team and Brees for hope and inspiration in the face of tragedy. That’s what Brees’ book is about, and it’s a strong call to action for overcoming what we think we can’t overcome.

Tony Dungy is one of the most-liked coaches and commentators around. He’s the first black coach to win the Super Bowl, and he likely just missed a second by one season. He won a Super Bowl ring as a defensive back for the Steelers in 1978.

There’s a whole world of things to learn from Tony Dungy, and that’s why he’s also a NYT bestselling author. Let’s take a look at just a partial list:

• The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge
• Quiet Strength
• Uncommon
• Uncommon Marriage Bible Study
• The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People & Teams
• The Soul of a Team: A Modern Day Fable
• Leaning on the Promises of God for Men

Tony Dungy has something for everyone!

Johnny McEnroe is known for a lot of things. His skill on the tennis court. A terrible throwback haircut. His legendary temper. He was an absolute menace in both singles and doubles – being the only player to simultaneously hold the top rank in both.

If you watched any of his matches, you know he’s a guy who has a lot to say. He has a series of books based off his clashes with umpires – You Cannot Be Serious, But Seriously, and Serious.

If you want a truly candid look at this complicated man, these are the books for you.

Lance Armstrong has been on top of the world and in the very depths. Recall – he won the Tour de France seven times in a row.

Only to be vacated because he cheated. The scandal was made all the worse because Armstrong had just defeated stage three cancer and was given almost no hope to live. Talk about a rollercoaster ride.

So you’d suspect Lance Armstrong has a lot of interesting things to say about his life. For that, you’ll want to grab a copy of My Comeback: Up Close and Personal to find out why he did what he did, and how he recouped his image after such a disaster!

Tim Howard is one of, if not the best keeper in American soccer history. Put it this way – he was so good, he was signed to Manchester United.

So what could he write a book about? For starters, he managed to become the GOAT at his position despite struggling with Tourette’s syndrome and Obsessive-compulsive disorder. He’s won awards for helping children with the former.

His autobiography The Keeper: A Life of Saving Goals and Achieving Them is all about overcoming adversity. Actually, it’s more – it’s about how his mental conditions became a weapon for him, rather than a detriment. It’s a great read for anyone dealing with the same issues!

Pete Rose – known as Charlie Hustle – is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. A switch-hitter, he currently holds the MLB records for hits and singles. His list of accolades is just as impressive: three-time World Series Champion, MVP, three batting titles, two Gold Gloves, and Rookie of the Year.

That’s all before he became a manager!

But Rose is perhaps most known for being banned from baseball for betting.

He’s written several books, perhaps most notably My Prison Without Bars, which chronicles the wild ups and downs and tribulations he’s faced. Of all the books on this list, this one is the most must-have!