Shaq, Dhoni, Sir Alex and other sports stars who received a doctorate degree – in pictures

Some greats earned the title while others were rewarded for their contribution to sports

Shaquille O’Neal. The NBA legend has a doctoral degree in education from Barry University. According to the New York Times, O’Neal’s project “explored how business leaders use humour in the workplace”. AFP

Sir Alex Ferguson. Manchester United’s legendary manager has at least eight honorary degrees, including ones in law (Robert Gordon University), science (University of Ulster) and business administration (Manchester Metropolitan University). Getty

Marcus Rashford: The Manchester United and England star is set to become the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester for his campaign against child poverty and hunger. Reuters

Bobby Charlton. The Manchester United great also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester. Action Images

Socrates. The Brazilian football great was called 'The Doctor'. That’s because he was a trained physician. After retiring, he practiced medicine in Sao Paulo. Getty

Vitali Klitschko. The three-times world heavyweight champion has a PhD in sports science, conferred by Kiev's University of Physical Science and Sports. Getty Images

Wladmiir Klitschko. The former boxing heavyweight champion also holds a doctorate degree in sports science. He taught as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. Reuters

Alan Page. The NFL Hall of Famer earned a Doctor of Law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978. He served as an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. AFP

Steve Young. The former NFL quarterback and Hall of Famer received a Doctor of Law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University. AFP

Frank Ryan. The former NFL quarterback was a PhD in mathematics from Rice University. He started teaching at Rice University during his career. While at the Cleveland Browns, Ryan became an assistant professor at the Case Institute of Technology. Getty

Mikhail Youzhny. The former world top 10 Russian tennis player obtained a PhD in philosophy from the University of Moscow, specialising in the ‘philosophy and attitudes of tennis’. EPA

MS Dhoni. The India wicketkeeper was awarded an honorary doctorate by De Montfort University in 2011 in Leicestershire. He is an Honorary Doctor of Letters. Reuters

VVS Laxman. The former India batsman was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the TERI University in India in 2015. AFP

Aavishkar Salvi. The former India fast bowler is one of the most qualified international athletes of all time. Salvi holds a post-doctoral degree in astrophysics. Reuters

Recently, it was announced that Marcus Rashford was set to become the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate from The University of Manchester for his campaign against child hunger.

Rashford, 22, was thus following in the footsteps of Manchester United greats Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton in earning a doctorate from the university.

So how many sport stars have doctorate degrees? Above is a gallery of such athletes. It must be noted that some players were handed the degree while others earned it.

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