Joe Theismann's leg snapping like a twig is usually the first memory for many OG football fanatics when his name is brought up. What many forget about Theismann was his willingness to take risks in the pocket, get yards himself on foot, and the rocket he had for an arm. The three-sport high school athlete decided to take his talents to the University of Notre Dame to play his collegiate football. In his sophomore year, he earned the starting quarterback job and instantaneously became a force compiling an overall record of 20-3-2. In 1970, he helped the Fightin' Irish secure a Cotton Bowl Classic victory over Texas and set school records for completions in a single game (33), passing yards in a single season (2,429), passing yards in a single game (526), and touchdowns in a single season (16).
After finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Jim Plunkett, Theismann was drafted 99th overall in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and drafted in the 39th round of the 1971 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins. After being unable to come to contract terms with the Dolphins, Theismann took his talents to the CFL where he played for the Toronto Argonauts where he was named an all-star in two out of the three seasons he played with the league. In 1974, Theismann signed a contract with the Washington Redskins where he would play his entire twelve-season NFL career. In 1982, Theismann would lead the Redskins to their first championship in 40 years after defeating the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. The following season, Theismann led the Redskins to another Super Bowl appearance but fell short to the Los Angeles Raiders. Joe Theismann's prosperous NFL career was cut short after a lower right leg hit by Lawernce Taylor shattered the fibula and tibia. It wasn't a pretty sight, but the 1x NFL MVP (1983) left a legacy behind worthy of compliment.
Most of your favorite celebrities either studied acting in college or went straight from high school into a life of the arts. But, hey, not all of them. Some celebrities actually have advanced college degrees.
Turns out Mayim Bialik is just as much of a genius as the one she plays on The Big Bang Theory. She earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles, focusing on obsessive compulsive disorder among people with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare condition in which the hypothalamus malfunctions.
Little known fact: Natalie Portman skipped the premiere of Star Wars: Phantom Menace because she was studying for her high school exams. She had two papers published in scientific journals while she was still in high school, and graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in Psychology.
Before he was looking for answers on X-Files, David Duchovny was just trying to find the answers for English finals at Princeton University90. David graduated from Princeton in 1982 with a B.A in English. He continued to feed his love of literature by receiving a master’s degree in English Literature at Yale University. David was an excellent writer and poet. His work consistently received praise by his fellow classmates and teachers at Yale. His writing was even nominated for a college prize by the Academy of American Poets.
Sigourney Weaver graduated from Stanford University in 1971 with a bachelor’s in Literature. It was while studying at Stanford that Sigourney realized her true passion in life was to become an actress. Shortly after graduation, she attended Yale for their well-known drama program. She would go on to receive a master’s in Acting from Yale University and become friends with fellow famous actress Meryl Streep.
Meryl Streep is considered one of the most successful actresses of all time. She is also one of the most highly educated. Before collecting an array of Oscars, Meryl collected diplomas. She graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in 1971. Meryl has a habit of being unsatisfied with impressive accomplishments as her acting career has shown, so she attended Yale University and earned a master’s degree in Acting.