Top 10 Professional Athletes Who Achieved Success After Being ‘Cut’

10.) Jeremy Lin (NBA)

Cut/Waived by: Golden State Warriors & Houston Rockets (2011)

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Later: Signed with New York Knicks and sparked "Linsanity," which was a 9-11 game stretch during the 2011-2012 season, where Lin helped lead the Knicks to a seven-game win streak with heroic game-winning performances. Also, Lin went on to win the 2019 NBA Finals with the Toronto Raptors.

9.) J.D. Martinez (MLB)

Cut/Waived by: Astros (2014)

Later: After being DFA'd by the Astros in the 2014 seasons, Martinez batted .315 for the Detroit Tigers the following season. He developed into a 5x All-Star and became a World Series champion (2018).

8.) Edwin Encarnación (MLB)

Cut/Waived by: Toronto Blue Jays & Oakland A's (2010)

Later: After the Blue Jays placed Encarnacion on waivers at the end of the 2010 season, the A's added Encarnacion, yet they decided not to offer him a contract for the following season. That is, Encarnacion rejoined the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 and became a 3x All-Star with 424 career home runs.

7.) Wes Welker (NFL)

Cut/Waived by: San Diego Chargers (2004)

Later: After being picked up by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, Walker went on to become a 5x Pro Bowl slot wide receiver, one of Tom Brady's favorite targets. Walker put up five 1,000-yard seasons and reached three Super Bowls throughout his impressive 12-year career.

6.) José Bautista (MLB)

Cut/Waived/traded by: Four teams in rookie season (2004): Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates

Later: Bautista became a 6x All-Star and home run leader (2010) with the Blue Jays, hitting 54 HR's in one season.

5.) Nelson Cruz (MLB)

Cut/Waived by: Milwaukee Brewers (2006)

Later: Cruz went on to have a successful MLB career, becoming a 7x All-Star. He hit 464 home runs throughout his 19 seasons in the big leagues.

4.) James Harrison (NFL)

Cut/Waived by: Pittsburgh Steelers (3x) & Baltimore Ravens

Later: Became NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2008), Super Bowl champion (XL; XLIII), and all-time sacks leader (80.5 sacks) for the Steelers prior to retirement.

3.) Chris Carter (NFL)

Cut/Waived by: Philadelphia Eagles (1989) due to substance abuse issues

Later: Carter turned his life around after getting picked up by the Minnesota Vikings, and became a Hall-of-Fame receiver with an illustrious 16-year career. Currently ranked 4th all-time in receiving touchdowns (130) and 2nd all-time in receptions (1,101).

2.) David Ortiz (MLB)

Cut/Waived by: Minnesota Twins (2002)

Later: Signed by Boston Red Sox and became a 3x World Series champ, 10?— All-Star, and a Hall of Famer. Ortiz currently ranks 17th on all-time HR list (541).

1.) Kurt Warner (NFL)

Cut/Waived by: Green Bay Packers (1994) and infamously worked at a grocery store for $5.50/hour before getting a second chance in the NFL.

Later: Joined the Rams and became a Super Bowl MVP, 2x NFL MVP, and Hall of Famer.