16 athletes with the longest careers

Matthew WilsonJun 11, 2020, 03:10 IST

George Blanda.Focus On Sport/Getty Images

From golf to basketball, these athletes loved their sport so much that they played for decades.
George Blanda played for the NFL for 26 years as a quarterback and kicker.
Gymnast Oksana Chusovitina is still competing at 44 — she had already won an Olympic gold medal by the time some of her present-day competitors were born.

For stars like George Blanda or Oksana Chusovitina, sport is a way of life.

The athletes on this list have dominated their fields for decades — breaking records and winning Olympic medals along the way.

Here are 16 athletes with the longest careers in their sport.

Vince Carter has played in the NBA for 22 years, longer than Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.

Vince Carter. Will Newton/Getty Images

Sue Bird has played the most games of any player in the WNBA.

Sue Bird. Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images

Gary Player's professional golf career spanned over half a century.

Gary Player. Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Gordie Howe, who is considered one of the all-time hockey greats, played more games than any other player in the NHL.

Gordie Howe. Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

George Blanda spent 26 seasons in the NFL as both a quarterback and kicker.

George Blanda, left. Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Martina Navratilova has the longest career of any professional tennis player, competing for over three decades.

Martina Navratilova. Peter Valentino/Shutterstock

For men's tennis, Jimmy Connors holds the record for most games played.

Jimmy Connors, left. Debby Wong/Shutterstock

Ildefons Lima holds the Guinness World Record for the longest men's international soccer career.

Ildefons Lima. Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Nicknamed "Queen of Caps," Kristine Lilly has represented her country more than any other female soccer player in history.

Kristine Lilly. AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus

Pitcher Nolan Ryan played ball for 27 years in the MLB.

Nolan Ryan. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Boxing champion Archie Moore competed for 28 years as a fighter.

Archie Moore. The Ring Magazine/Getty Images

At 44 years old, Oksana Chusovitina is one of the oldest gymnasts competing at an Olympic level.

Oksana Chusovitina. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Kayaker Josefa Idem has the most Olympic appearances for a female athlete.

Josefa Idem. Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Ian Millar holds the record for most Olympic Games appearances.

Ian Millar. NurPhoto/Getty Images

One of the pioneers of cricket, WG Grace played the sport for 44 years.

WG Grace. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Before he was 18, Pete Weber was a professional bowler. His career has spanned more than 30 years.

Pete Weber. Bob Levey/Getty Images

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