A History of The Best Active Sports Mercenaries

Image via Complex Original

Age: 35

Years Active: 2002-Present

Teams: Cardinals (2002-2005), Lions (2006), Raiders (2007), Dolphins (2008), Panthers (2008-2009), Hartford Colonials (UFL)(2010), 49ers (2011), Bears (2011-2013), Buccaneers (2014-Present)

Stats: 64 G, 41 GS, 16-25 Record, 837-1405, 59.6 CMP%, 9247 Yds, 52 TD, 49 INT, 77.0 Career Rating

Since entering the NFL in 2002, Josh McCown has never started more than 13 games in a single season-that coming in 2004 with the Cardinals-and at the age of 35, it looked like this go with Tampa Bay was his last real shot at leading a team for an entire NFL season. Those thoughts quickly diminished, though, after McCown suffered a torn ligament in his thumb following the Bucs’ 56-14 dismantling by the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. The loss was Tampa’s third straight to start the season, and precipitated the change to Mike Glennon at starting quarterback, who immediately got the Bucs going with a win in Pittsburgh. Is it all over for this NFL journeyman?

Age: 31

Years Active: 2005-Present

Teams: Rams (2005-2006), Bengals (2007-2008), Bills (2009-2012), Titans (2013), Texans (2014-Present)

Stats: 89 G, 81 GS, 30-50-1 Record, 1628-2711, 60.1 CMP%, 17692 Yds, 111 TD, 98 INT, 77.9 Career Rating 

The bearded one hasn’t exactly found success as an NFL starting quarterback, but he has proved to be a more than suitable stop-gap over the course of his 10-year career. His greatest sustained period in the league came during his tenure in Buffalo, in which Ryan Fitzpatrick started at least half of the Bills’ games from 2009-12, though he was never able to lead them to more than six wins in a season. At 31, Fitzpatrick is enjoying his best season to date. He’s already surpassed the Houston Texans’ win total from last season by going 3-2 through the team’s first five games, and his 65 percent single-season completion percentage is the greatest of his career. There is a long way to go, though.

Age: 39

Years Active: 1998-Present

Teams: Long Island Surf (USBL)(1998), UBC St. Pölten (Austria)(1998-1999), ESPE Châlons-en-Champagne (France)(1999-2000), SLUC Nancy Basket (France)(2000-2001), Rockford Lightning (CBA)(2001), Heat (2001-2003), Celtics (2003-2004), Pistons (2004), Bucks (2004-2005), Rockets (2005), Raptors (2005-2006), Timberwolves (2006-2007), Rockets (2007-2008), Hornets (2008), Wizards (2008-2010),  Zhejiang Golden Bulls (China)(2010), Aliağa Petkim (Turkey)(2011), Erie BayHawks (D-League)(2011-2012), Bulls (2012), Texas Legends (D-League)(2013), Mavericks (2013), Bulls (2013-Present)

Stats: 595 G, 286 GS, 14364 MP, .417 FG%, 5132 FGA, 2139 FGM, 1324 TRB, 2075 AST, 458 STL, 5863 PTS​

At 39 years old, Bulls PG Mike James has been with more teams than he can probably recall at this point in his career. Chicago is his 11th different NBA team since he played 15 games for the Miami Heat during the 2001-02 season, and it’s honestly a mystery to us as to why the Bulls would re-sign James for this upcoming campaign. We guess his 11 appearances last season for Tom Thibodeau made quite the impact on the team front office. James does however have a ring from his time with the Pistons during their Finals victory in 2004, which means he’s got one more than Elgin Baylor, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, and a whole bunch of other dudes.

Age: 33

Years Active: 2002-Present

Teams: Grizzlies (2002-2003), Magic (2003-2004), Cavaliers (2004-2008), Bulls (2008-2009), Kings (2009), Spurs (2009), Mavericks (2009-2010), Clippers (2010), Bucks (2010-2013), Wizards (2013-Present)

Stats: 709 G, 493 GS, 18,958 MP, .466 FG%, 7056 FGA, 3289 FGM, 5310 TRB, 834 AST, 515 STL, 8294 PTS

​The fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft, Drew Gooden has played for 10 different teams during his time in the Association. It’s also probably worth pointing out that the former Kansas Jayhawk hasn’t played in 50 games in a single season more than twice since the 2009-10 season. He once shared a court with the King, but he’s only featured in a combined 38 games over the past two seasons with the Bucks and Wizards, respectively. Will a partnership with Paul Pierce and John Wall help Gooden capture the form he showed years earlier?

Age: 34

Years Active: 2002-Present

Teams: Fayetteville Patriots (D-League)(2002-2003), Long Beach Jam (ABA)(2003-2004), Clippers (2004), Kings (2004-2005), Knicks (2005), 76ers (2005-2006), Warriors (2006-2008), Suns (2008-2009), Magic (2009-2010), Lakers (2010-2012), Clippers (2012-Present)

Stats: 703 G, 222 GS, 15729 MP, .448 FG%, 4598 FGA, 2062 FGM, 3175 TRB, 1219 AST, 521 STL, 5540 PTS

​Matt Barnes has played for eight different teams since entering the NBA in 2003, yet he’s poised to begin his third straight season with the Los Angeles Clippers. And at the age of 34, this could be one of his best seasons yet. Barnes lost 20 pounds this offseason, after taking regular yoga classes with a group of 45-60-year-old women. Yup, just picture that for a while. Barnes was plagued with injury the first half of last season, yet he rebounded to average 9.9 points and 4.6 boards in 63 games. With this improved flexibility and focus, maybe Barnes can be a serious contributor to this Clippers team. Also, let’s never forget the six games and 93 total minutes spent with the Knicks during the 2005-06 season.

Age: 34

Years Active: 1998-Present

Teams: Pacers (1998-2004), Hawks (2004-2006), Pacers (2006-2007), Warriors (2007-2008), Knicks (2008-2010), Nuggets (2010-2012), Magic (2012-2013), Wizards (2013-2014), Fujian Sturgeons (China)(2014-Present)

Stats: 981 G, 445 GS, 28009 MP, .444 FG%, 11318 FGA, 5028 FGM, 5482 TRB, 1649 AST, 858 STL, 13237 PTS

Honestly, god bless Al Harrington. This dude is about to play his 17th year in the NBA, and is now being mentioned as a key part of the Wizards veteran leadership. Harrington is No. 5 amongst active players with 3,069 personal fouls, and that’s some real shit to be proud of. Don’t mess with this cat, even at the age of 34. We can only hope that he and Paul Pierce feature in some sort of tag team battle royale at some point this season.

Age: 37

Years Active: 1996-Present

Teams: Timberwolves (1996-1999), Nets (1999-2001), Suns (2001-2004), Knicks (2004-2009), Celtics (2009), Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons (2010), Foshan Dralions (2010-2011), Beijing Ducks (2011-Present) 

Stats: 846 G, 816 GS, 31891 MP, .433 FG%, FGA 13324, FGM 5769, 2516 TRB, 6471 AST, 1022 STL, 16297 PTS

​Since making his last NBA appearance with the Celtics in 2009, Stephon Marbury has played for the Dragons, the Dralions, and the Ducks, of Shanxi, Foshan, and Beijing, respectively. A two-time NBA All-Star, Marbury is 41st all-time in NBA turnovers with 2,547, and is now staring in a Chinese musical of sorts, I Am Marbury. Don’t ask us what’s going on here, but the point is that it’s happening. This is the same dude who brought us $15 kicks, almost popped Isiah Thomas on a charter flight, and cried uncontrollably after winning a CBA championship with his current team, the aforementioned Beijing Ducks. Isn’t this what life is supposed to be?

Age: 34

Years Active: 2003-Present

Teams: Rangers (2003-04), Rangers (2005-2006), Penguins (2006-2007), Wild (2006-2008), Maple Leafs (2007-2009), Sabres (2008-2009), Panthers (2009-2010), Canadians (2009-2010), Lightning (2010-2012), Sharks (2011-2012), Rangers (2013-2014)

Stats: 603 GP, 73 G, 130 A, 203 PTS, -31 +/-, 8518 TOI

​Dominic Moore began his NHL career with the New York Rangers in 2003, participating in just five games that season. Since then, Moore has played for eight other hockey clubs, never spending more than two years with any one team. Except for the Rangers that is. Last season, Dominic Moore returned to the Rangers and became one of the most important pieces of a team that made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. Moore played 73 games for the Blueshirts in 2013-14, and scored the game-winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals, which sent the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years. Moore once walked away from hockey after his wife lost her battle with liver cancer in 2013, this season he’ll be back on the ice at Madison Square Garden to help the Rangers defend a conference title.

Age: 42

Years Active: 1988-Present

Teams: Penguins (1990-2001), Capitals (2001-2004), Rangers (2004-2008), Avangard Omsk (2008-2011), Flyers (2011-2012), Stars (2012-2013), Bruins (2013), Devils (2013-Present)

Stats: 1473 GP, 705 G, 1050 A, 1755 PTS, 294 +/-, 19014 TOI

​At 42 years old, Jaromir Jagr truly is the ageless wonder. A two-time, back-to-back NHL champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins in ’91 and ’92, Jagr is a nine-time All-Star and former league MVP. He emerged as a super star with the Pens at the age of 18, and devoted 10 years of service to the franchise. He played in all 82 games with the New Jersey Devils last season, and is set to begin anew once more when he lines up this season for the Devils. 

Age: 33

Years Active: 1996-Present

Teams: Charlton Athletic (1997-2004), Norwich City on loan (2000), Chelsea (2004-2005), Newcastle United (2005-2007), West Ham United (2007-2011), Tottenham Hotspur (2011-2013), Fulham (2013-Present)

Stats: 24 G, 182 Shots, 12 AST, 166 Blocks, 313 Clearances, 306 Fouls, 96 Cards

At present, Scott Parker patrols the midfield for English Championship side Fulham, but that’s far from where his journey began. The 33-year-old made his professional debut with Charlton Athletic in 1997, and stayed with the club until securing a high-profile move to Chelsea in 2004. That only lasted a year, though, and the tough-tackling England international has since spent time with Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham, and since last year, Fulham. Parker was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2003-04 season, but he struggled to live up to that hype for the rest of his career. Basically, Parker won’t often succumb to injury on the pitch, but he’s also got the mobility of a Sherman Tank.

Age: 33

Years Active: 1998-Present

Teams: Tottenham Hotspur (1998-2000), Dulwich Hamlet on loan (2000), IFK Hassleholm on loan (2000), Queens Park Rangers (2000-2001), Portsmouth (2001-2002), Aston Villa (2002-2004), Norwich City on loan (2003), Southampton (2004-2005), Liverpool (2005-2008), Portsmouth (2008-2009), Tottenham Hotspur (2009-2011), Stoke City (2011-Present)

Stats: 355 League Appearances, 122 League Goals

Peter Crouch has had a long and well-traveled career in professional soccer. He was originally on the books with Tottenham Hotspur from 1998-00-though he was on loan during that period-before switching to Queens Park Rangers for the 2000-01 campaign. Stops at Portsmouth, Villa, Southampton, and Liverpool helped shape the robot’s career as a striker, and it appears Crouch has found something of a home with Premier League mainstay’s Stoke City. He’s scored 27 goals in 107 appearances since joining the Potters in 2011-including this golazo-and bagged Abbey Clancy as his wife. Get in, Peter.

Age: 41

Years Active: 1995-Present

Teams: Twins (1995-2003), Cubs (2004-2005), Giants (2005), Orioles (2006), Rockies (2007), Yankees (2008), Astros (2008-2009), Brewers (2010-2011), Angels (2012), Mets (2013), Rockies (2014-Present)

Stats: 72-93, 4.33 ERA, 1428.2 IP, 949 SO, 98 GS, 159 HR Allowed

Take a bow, LaTroy Hawkins. At the age of 41, the former Minnesota Twin completed his 20th season in Major League Baseball this fall, and what a ride it’s been for the current Colorado Rockie. Hawkins began his career pitching nine straight seasons with the Twins, before bouncing around from San Francisco to New York, and everywhere in between. Literally. Hawkins has amassed 949 career strikeouts, 124 saves, and recorded an Immaculate Inning in 2004. For those wondering-and we had to look this up, too-an Immaculate Inning is when a pitcher strikes out three batters on nine straight pitches, and only 72 pitchers have accomplished the feat in MLB history.

Age: 41

Years Active: 1993-Present

Teams: Indians (1997-2002), Expos (2002), White Sox (2003), Angels (2004-2007), Red Sox (2008), White Sox (2009), Yankees (2011), Athletics (2012-2013), Mets (2014-Present)

Stats: 204-141, 3.95 ERA, 2786 IP, 2101 SO, 436 GS, 330 HR Allowed

If Bartolo Colon isn’t proof that anything is possible, then we don’t know who is. Colon has pitched for eight different Major League teams throughout his effervescent career, won the 2005 AL Cy Young award with the Angels after boasting a 21-8 record, and most recently he went 15-13 for the New York Mets. Last season in Queens, Colon threw 151 strikeouts and finished with a 4.09 ERA. Not too shabby for a 41-year-old who’s slightly overweight. Plus, we got to see Colon bat. And each time it was a magical experience. 

Age: 32

Years Active: 2008-Present

Teams: Rockies (2008), White Sox (2009-2010), Indians (2010), Blue Jays (2011), Yankees (2012-2013), Phillies (2014), Rays (2014), Pirates (2014), Royals (2014-Present)

Stats: 466 G, 1305 AB, 277 H, 38 HR, 130 RBI, 371 SO, 36 SB

Jayson Nix has played for eight different Major League teams in seven years, so to call him anything other than a utility man would just be wrong. In 2014 alone, Nix has played for the Phillies, the Pirates, and currently the Kansas City Royals. Now, you may think Nix is kind of living the dream by playing for a team that is set to feature in their first ALCS since 1985. However, Nix was left off the ALDS roster to make room for the likes of pitchers Tim Collins and Jason Vargas. SMH! Even when this dude catches a break, he doesn’t really. We can only hope for Nix’s sake that he’s added to that ALCS roster. Come on, Ned Yost.

Age: 33

Years Active: 1999-Present

Teams: Malmo FF (1999-2001), Ajax (2001-2004), Juventus (2004-2006), Internazionale (2006-2009), Barcelona (2009-2011), Milan on loan (2010-2011), Milan (2011-2012), Paris Saint-Germain (2012-Present)

Stats: 432 League Appearances, 250 League Goals 

At the age of 33, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played for just about everyone and their mother in the upper echelons of European soccer. The out-spoken Swede emerged on the soccer scene in 2001 with Dutch side Ajax, where he scored 35 goals in 74 appearances during his three years with the club. From there, Ibra landed with Italian champions Juventus, before moving north to Inter Milan, where he scored 57 goals in 88 appearances. Afterwards, Zlatan had a short and somewhat strenuous tenure at Barcelona, before returning to Italy one more with AC Milan, and eventually landing in his current home in France with Paris Saint-Germain. We’re going to catch our breath now.

Not only has Ibra scored goals in quantity and quality, for club and for country, he’s also won. Wherever he goes in fact, he wins. In addition to other numerous trophies and accolades, Ibra has helped capture the domestic league title for every major club he has played for. Some may call him a mercenary, some may call him a jerk, but you can just call him Zlatan.