Aaron Rodgers will join many athletes-turned-politicians, if he makes RFK Jr's ticket: From Caitlyn Jenner and Arnold Schwarzenegger to President Gerald Ford

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been touted as the next big sporting name to launch a foray into politics this week. 

The 40-year-old made independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s shortlist for potential running mate's for this year's election. 

Kennedy approached the four-time NFL MVP about appearing on his ticket, according to the New York Times, earlier this week, while Rodgers is believed to have been on an ayahuasca trip in Costa Rica. 

While Kennedy's vice presidential pick has yet to be revealed, if the NFL veteran does indeed make the ticket, he will join a long list of sporting talent to switch the field for the House. 

Here DailyMail.com takes a look at some of the well-known athletes who have turned their hand to politics in the United States - some with a lot more success than others. 

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has reportedly made independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s shortlist for vide presidential picks 

Rodgers (left) with Kennedy (right). Both are prominent vaccine skeptics, with Kennedy prone to pushing conspiracy theories

Bill Bradley

The New York Knicks retired Bill Bradley's No. 24 jersey in 1984 following a legendary career in the NBA that saw him star for the franchise over 10 seasons from 1967-77.

Bradley, who played shooting guard and small forward, helped the Knicks win the NBA Championship in 1970 and 1973, making the All-Star team in the latter season. 

Two years after stepping away from the court, Bradley was elected as a Democratic senator from New Jersey in 1979. 

Bradley served three terms before launching a presidential campaign and running in the 2000 Democratic primaries. 

He ran as the liberal alternative to incumbent Vic President Al Gore for his party's ticket. 

However, after failing to win any of the first 20 primaries and caucuses, Bradley withdrew his campaign and endorsed Gore, ruling out running as a vide-presidential candidate. 

Two-time NBA Championships winner with the Knicks Bill Bradley became a US senator 

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Considered the most famous bodybuilder ever, Arnold Schwarzenegger won multiple accolades throughout his sporting career. 

He won the 'Mr. Universe' title and he was also a seven time winner of the 'Mr. Olympia' award before dabbling in acting. 

After his bodybuilding success and starring on the big screen in titles such as 'The Terminator,' Schwarzenegger turned his focus to politics. 

A moderate conservative, he won the infamous 2003 recall election by over one million votes, beating Gray Davis for Governor of California. 

He won another term in 2006, despite pushing for a number of restrictive measures that proved unpopular, especially with organized labor.

He did not run for a third term, leaving office in 2011 - the same year he and ex-wife Maria Shriver announced they were separating. 

It was revealed that he had fathered a child with a woman who had worked in the household staff. Shriver, a reporter and niece of John F Kennedy, subsequently filed for divorce.

Considered the most famous bodybuilder ever, Arnold Schwarzenegger became the Governor of California in 2003

Herschel Walker 

Herschel Walker starred as a running back at the University of Georgia, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1982, and went on to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. 

Walker originally played for the New Jersey Generals of the US Football League, playing there for three years (1983-85) but later moved to the NFL where he started with the Dallas Cowboys. 

He went on to have stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. 

Walker faced Democrat Raphael Warnock in the Georgia Senate runoff in 2022, endorsed by friend and former President Donald Trump. 

Warnock beat Walker by about 3 percentage points in a December 2022 runoff, ensuring Democrats a majority in the Senate. 

Walker was unable to overcome damaging allegations, including claims that he paid for two former girlfriends' abortions despite supporting a national ban on the procedure.

Former NFL star Herschel Walker ran for Georgia senator in 2022, endorsed by Donald Trump 

Caitlyn Jenner

On the sporting stage, Caitlyn Jenner is famed for being an Olympic gold decathlete runner at the 1976 Games when she was then Bruce. 

Jenner enjoyed a fame renaissance as the Keeping Up With The Kardashian's patriarch before transitioning in 2015. 

In 2021, the athlete-turned-reality-star announced her candidacy for California Governor to challenge Gavin Newsom amid his recall election. 

In a statement, Jenner said she was focused on issues such as boosting the economy, tax breaks and a position against the state's left-leaning policies, touting herself as 'the only potential candidate 'who can put an end to Gavin Newsom's disastrous time as governor.' 

However, the former Gold medalist was trounced, winning just one percent of votes cast for replacement candidates. 

She told DailyMail.com in 2022 that she regretted her decision to challenge Newsom. 

In an exclusive interview, Jenner said that 'California is nothing but a scam' and 'the left have such a stronghold on politics right now that it's not even worth running.' 

Olympic gold decathlete runner Caitlyn Jenner challenged for California Governor in 2021

Jack Kemp 

Former quarterback Jack Kemp led the Buffalo Bills to their first winning season in 1963, followed by the AFC Championships in 1964 and 1965. 

He also earned the AFL's Player of the Year Award in 1965 and was Most Valuable Player of that year's championship game. 

Kemp, who died in 2009, retired from football in 1969 but his impressive career with the Bills had earned him a prominent status with the people of Buffalo, New York, making him a popular Republican choice for a seat in Congress. 

In 1970 he was elected to the US House of Representatives, representing suburban Buffalo, and took office the following year. 

Throughout his nine terms, he supported the Vietnam War and opposed abortion rights, while also advocating civil rights legislation. 

Kemp also sought to use tax incentives to encourage economic development in poor urban areas, which led him to brand himself a 'bleeding-heart conservative.' 

He played a prominent role in getting Ronald Reagan elected in 1980 but following his own failed presidential bid in 1988, he was appointed secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George H. W. Bush's administration.

After Bush failed to gain reelection in 1992, he left government but briefly returned to politics Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole's running mate in 1996. The ticket lost to Bill Clinton and Al Gore, who won a second term. 

In 1970, former quarterback Jack Kemp was elected to the US House of Representatives

The former signal caller led the Buffalo Bills to the AFC Championships in 1964 and 1965

Ralph Metcalfe 

American sprinter Ralph Metcalfe was a member of the US 4 X 100 relay team that won Gold at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. 

Hailed as 'the world's fastest human' at his peak, the Georgia native also won silver in the 100 meter in 1932 and 1936, narrowly losing out to teammates Eddie Tolan and Jesse Owens. 

After living in the shadow of the great Owens on the sporting stage, Metcalfe came into his own in the political landscape. 

After retiring following the 1936 Games, Metcalfe attended the University of Southern California before engaging in a lengthy political career. 

He served as a Chicago alderman and Democratic ward committeeman before going on to become a US Congressman out of Illinois from 1971–78.

American sprinter Ralph Metcalfe become a US Congressman out of Illinois from 1971–78

Metcalfe narrowly lost to teammate Jesse Owens in the 100 meter at the 1936 Olympics

Gerald Ford

President Gerald Ford is undoubtedly one of the names best known for his career in government than his one on the field but he was an impressive football player. 

Ford, playing center, long snapper and linebacker, helped the Michigan go undefeated and lifted back-to-back national championships in 1932 and 1933. 

Following his triumphant career with the Wolverines, Ford received offers to play professionally but he instead opted to coach at Yale while at law school there. 

After serving in World War II, Ford returned to Michigan to join the state's House of Representatives until he became Richard Nixon's Vice President in 1973 when Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned because of pending tax evasion and money laundering charges.

Ford rose to President when Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal in 1974 but he lost his reelection bid to Jimmy Carter in 1976. 

President Gerald Ford helped Michigan to back-to-back national championships

Anthony Gonzalez 

Anthony Gonzalez was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 32 overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. 

Th wide receiver recorded three touchdowns and 37 catches for 576 yards in the 2007 season and four touchdowns and 57 passes for 664 yards in 2008. 

However just as Gonzalez looked set to take over the mantle as the team's starting receiver, he injured his knee during preseason, which ruled him out for the entire 2009 season. 

His return in 2010 was brutally cut short when he sustained another injury, this time in his left leg, in Week 8. 

He was let go by the Colts after the 2011 season and signed with the New England Patriots in 2012, only to be released before the regular season, spelling the end of his football career. 

Gonzalez, whose family left behind Fidel Castro's Cuba to come to the United States, turned his focus to politics following the end of his NFL dream. 

The US representative for Ohio's 16th congressional district from 2019, he was widely considered a future star of the Republican Party until his political career soon mirrored his one on the football field. 

Gonzalez was one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach President Donald Trump, which the Ohio Republican Central Committee chose to censure him for, and he opted not to seek reelection. 

Former wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez voted to impeach Donald Trump as a Republican 

 He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 32 overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft

Colin Allred  

Colin Allred was set to head for law school after graduating for Baylor, where he played collegiate football on a full scholarship, until the NFL cam knocking. 

The linebacker was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent following the 2006 NFL Draft. Between 2007 and 2010, Allred appeared in 32 games and recorded 46 tackles.

He became a free agent ahead of the 2011 season but did not sign with another team. 

Allred went on to serve in the Obama Administration at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

He then ran for Congress in Texas' 32nd District and defeated a 22-year Republican incumbent Pete Sessions in 2018, won reelection in his battleground district in 2020, and then won a third term in 2022.

Former Titans linebacker Colin Allred serves as Congressman for Texas' 32nd District

Jesse Ventura 

Jesse 'The Body' Ventura achieved fame in WWE, strutting in feather boas and leopard-skinned leotards. 

His first foray into politics came in 1991 when he was elected mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota - a position he held until 1995. 

In 1998 Ventura ran for governor of Minnesota as the Reform Party candidate and his surprise victory made him the first Reform Party candidate in the country to win statewide office.

He did not seek a second term as Governor and briefly toyed with the idea of running for President in 2000, when he left the Reform Party to join the Independence Party. 

Ventura was reported to have made RFK's shortlist of prospective running mates after he introduced Kennedy at a campaign event in Arizona last month and the two have been in touch since.

But his son, Tyrel Ventura, said in a statement: 'No one has officially asked Gov. Ventura to be a Vice Presidential nominee so the Governor does not comment on speculation.'