What NFL player became a Supreme Court justice?

Asked by: Peter Reichert  |  Last update: March 13, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (60 votes)

The NFL player who became a Supreme Court justice is Alan Page, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears who later served as an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1993 to 2015, making him the first African American to hold that position.

Who was the Supreme Court justice who was a NFL player?

Byron Raymond "Whizzer" White (June 8, 1917 – April 15, 2002) was an American lawyer, jurist, and professional football player who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1962 until 1993.

What football player became a Supreme Court justice?

Supreme Court of the United States. Byron Raymond White—a nondoctrinaire pragmatist—will be remembered primarily for his individualistic approach to law and secondarily for his early career as a professional athlete.

Was Alan Page a Supreme Court justice?

Justice Alan Page served on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1993 until his retirement in 2015.

What NFL player became a lawyer?

Meet Mel Owens, a former NFL player-turned-lawyer, proud father, and your next Golden Bachelor.

Which DB do you hate playing against the most?

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What NFL player became a cop?

Several former NFL players have become police officers, with recent high-profile examples including wide receiver Laveranues Coles joining the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and cornerback Brandon Hughes becoming a Falls Township police officer, both motivated by a desire for community service and a structured career path similar to football, with Coles joining a department that already includes other ex-players like Ernest Wilford and Jeff Kopp.
 

Does Chris Collinsworth have a law degree?

Yes, Cris Collinsworth has a law degree, earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1991, though he never practiced law, moving into broadcasting instead after his NFL career. He began law school while still playing for the Bengals, intending to work in tax law but finding his true calling in sports media. 

Who appointed more judges, Trump or Obama?

While President Obama appointed more judges overall (around 330-334) across his two terms compared to Donald Trump's single term (around 226-245), Trump appointed a higher proportion of powerful appellate court judges and more Supreme Court justices (three vs. Obama's two), significantly shifting the courts' ideological balance, especially the circuit courts. 

Why did the Vikings cut Alan Page?

His running routine, which he took up while helping his wife quit smoking, is believed to have contributed to his dismissal from the Minnesota Vikings.

Was Amy Coney Barrett ever a judge?

Amy Coney Barrett was a law professor at Notre Dame when President Donald J. Trump nominated her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 2017. She served as a federal appeals judge for three years before being confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice in October 2020.

What NFL player is facing a felony charge?

As of January 2026, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing felony strangulation/suffocation and misdemeanor assault charges from a December 2025 incident involving his private chef, which he denies, while former players like Henry Ruggs (sentenced for vehicular manslaughter) and others have faced serious charges, though specific current NFL players facing felonies can change rapidly, so checking recent sports news is crucial.
 

Why did John Jay resign from the Supreme Court?

John Jay resigned from the Supreme Court in 1795 primarily to become the Governor of New York, a position he was elected to while serving abroad on a diplomatic mission to negotiate the controversial Jay Treaty with Great Britain, and because he found the early Supreme Court lacked the prestige and power he desired, compounded by the arduous duty of "riding circuit".
 

Who is the most famous Supreme Court justice?

John Marshall is one of the most influential justices to have served on the Supreme Court of the United States, if not the most influential.

Which NFL player became a judge?

2005 Alan Cedric Page

A Hall of Fame player both in college and the NFL, Alan Page's greatest contributions have come as a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and founder of the Page Education Foundation, which encourages Minnesota's youth of color to continue their education.

What NFL player was charged with manslaughter?

During his second season, Ruggs caused a motor vehicle collision that killed the driver of another car. He was released by the Raiders the same day. Ruggs pled guilty to driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter in 2023 and was sentenced to between three and ten years in a Nevada state prison.

What NFL player is known as the law firm?

Green-Ellis was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008. New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Because of his segmented name, Green-Ellis is nicknamed "the Law Firm". He never had a fumble with the Patriots.

Who was the first defensive player to win the MVP in the NFL?

Page became the first-ever defensive player to earn the recognition. Since then, only one other – linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1986 – has been named MVP. Minnesota broadcasting legend Mark Rosen's career had barely begun to bud at that time, as he worked as an intern at WCCO.

What was Stefon Diggs accused of?

New England Patriots player Stefon Diggs is facing charges of felony strangulation and a lower-level assault charge, stemming from an alleged 2 December incident. Mr Diggs is a star wide receiver for one of the US's most prominent professional football teams.

How many judges did Joe Biden appoint?

The total number of Article III judges nominated by Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate was 235, including one associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 45 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 187 judges for the United States district courts and two judges for the United States ...

How much do Supreme Court justices make?

As of early 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice earns around $317,500, while Associate Justices earn about $303,600, with slight variations depending on the source and specific effective date, reflecting annual adjustments set by Congress. These figures represent significant increases over recent years, with salaries rising from the $274,200 (Associate) and $286,700 (Chief) in 2022. 

Who has more authority, a judge or the president?

Neither the President nor judges inherently have "more" power; they hold distinct roles within the U.S. system of checks and balances, with the President leading the executive branch (enforcing laws) and judges in the judicial branch (interpreting laws), but courts can strike down presidential actions, while the President appoints judges and relies on the executive branch to enforce court orders, creating a dynamic balance where each can limit the others' power. 

Who is the only black quarterback in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

The only Black quarterback currently in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is Warren Moon, who was inducted in 2006, breaking barriers as the first African American QB enshrined, following a legendary career that included success in the CFL and the NFL with teams like the Houston Oilers. Moon remains the sole Black QB in the Hall as of early 2026, a distinction he acknowledges while recognizing other pioneers.
 

Who was the only person to win the Super Bowl MVP but lose the Super Bowl?

The only person to win Super Bowl MVP from the losing team is Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley, who earned the award for his standout performance in Super Bowl V (1971), despite the Cowboys' 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Colts, making him the first defensive player and non-quarterback to win it.
 

Has a 50 year old ever played in the NFL?

No, there has never been a 50-year-old NFL player; the oldest player ever was George Blanda, who retired at age 48 in 1975 after a legendary 26-season career as a quarterback and kicker, but players have played into their mid-40s, with Tom Brady playing until 45 and Adam Vinatieri kicking until 45.