Hat Tricks and Halos: How Athletes Become Politicians

Last week I found myself discussing former athlete George Weah's new political career with an old friend from the Argentine café days. The conversation drifted to the broader topic of athletes who become politicians, and why voters might be compelled to vote for people whose professional lives centered on throwing a ball or punching someone in the head. I'll concede in advance that my investigation of this topic is far from complete, but I think it raises some interesting questions....