These 10 Athletes Aren’t Afraid to Enjoy Their Favorite Fast Food
Stars are just like us. And we’d like to think the same goes for professional athletes, but that may be a bit more of a stretch. While they may not be just like us, it turns out they may eat like us. Believe it or not, many pro athletes are open about their favorite fast foods.
Anthony Rizzo: Taco Bell
The Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo reportedly needs his taco fix every now and then, just like the rest of us. In 2017, the first baseman told Sports Illustrated, “I gotta have Taco Bell every once in a while just to keep me sane.” Same here, Rizzo.
Phil Mickelson: In-N-Out burgers
Pro golfer Phil Mickelson won his 44th PGA title this year. So, what sort of diet does he favor in order to win? According to Golf Digest, Mickelson loves In-N-Out so much, he’s considered buying a franchise location. “I would have put one in my backyard,” he said.
Ryan Lochte: McDonald’s
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte brought home four medals, including one gold. He also took home a belly full of McDonald’s. Lochte told the Wall Street Journal he ate McDonald’s fast food for nearly every meal in Beijing. How he managed to bring home four medals while snacking on Big Macs makes his talent even more impressive.
Joe Flacco: McDonald’s chicken nuggets
The former Super Bowl MVP knows how to celebrate. Following the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl XLVII win, Flacco signed a six-year $120.6 million contract with the team and promptly hit up McDonald’s for some chicken nuggets.
Shaquille O’Neal: Chicken sandwiches
Throughout his 20-year NBA career, no one seemed to have more sponsorship deals than Shaquille O’Neal. In his prime, Shaq said he would always eat fast-food chicken sandwiches as his post-game meal. Now, Shaq owns 155 Five Guys locations, 17 Auntie Anne’s, and at least one Krispy Kreme.
Venus Williams
Tennis star Venus Williams is known for making moves, both on and off the court. In 2014, she opened her fourth Jamba Juice location in the Washington, D.C. metro area. While technically still fast food, Jamba Juice’s smoothies are definitely a healthier option, and that’s what Williams is trying to promote.
Usain Bolt: McDonald’s chicken nuggets
Olympic champion Usain Bolt was another regular at McDonald’s in Beijing’s Olympic Village. Bolt reportedly ate 1,000 chicken nuggets in the 10 days he was there, averaging 100 per day. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he was spotted eating chicken nuggets once again.
Justin Verlander: Taco Bell
Although he’s currently with the Astros, MLB pitcher Justin Verlander once told Conan O’Brien how he’d eat Taco Bell before every game when he was with the Detroit Tigers. Can’t argue with his results; Verlander has pitched three no-hitters this year alone.
Drew Brees: Jimmy John’s sandwiches
When Drew Brees was in college at Purdue University, he fell in love with the popular “freaky fast” sandwich shop, Jimmy John’s. Now the NFL quarterback is a Jimmy John’s franchise owner. Brees even opened the very first New Orleans location back in 2011, just so he could eat their food regularly. The Super Bowl XLIV MVP is currently working with Jimmy John’s to open the area’s 10th location.
David Beckham: Burger King smoothies
In 2012, David Beckham surprisingly appeared in a few Burger King ads. The soccer star portrayed himself in the ads, with the intent of advertising Burger King’s healthier smoothies. We’re not sure we buy this endorsement. Beckham doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who enjoys a Whopper.
