Just because professional athletes are supposed to keep themselves in peak physical condition, doesn't mean they actually do. From Babe Ruth, the king of the drinking and smoking athlete, to professional soccer stars sneaking a drag here and there, athletes have always loved a quick cig.
Here are 25 vintage sports stars ripping heaters off the field, before performing on the field.
1
Johan Cruyff smoking a half-time cigarette during the final of the 1974 World Cup.
2
Len Dawson smoking a cigarette and drinking a Fresca during halftime of Super Bowl I, 1967. The Chiefs lost 35-10 to the Packers.
4
John Daly 1992. "That's why I never get injured. You can pull a muscle but you can't pull fat."
5
Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto.
6
Chuck Bednarik smirks while smoking, 1960, having just played every down on offense and defense in the championship game.
7
Celebrating the Eagle's 1960 17-13 NFL Championship victory over Lombardi's Green Bay Packers.
8
Olympic champion swimmer Buster Crabbe looking cool, and giving some great health advice. 1935.
11
Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer at the 1966 Masters.
12
Babe Ruth, practicing with a cigar in his mouth.
14
Hurdler Shirley Strong, cigarette and medal in hand, October 1982.
15
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was known for smoking two cigarettes before practice.
17
Austria's Dieter Krassnig smokes a cigarette after the Men's Snowboard Cross small final in 2006.
18
Brazil’s legendary Sócrates was known for enjoying a smoke.
20
New York Yankee 2nd baseman Jerry Coleman.
21
Ben Hogan smoking cigarette, Phoenix, Arizona, 1947.
