Meryl Davis and Other Athletes Who've Won 'Dancing With the Stars'

ByMICHAEL ROTHMAN ABCNews logo
Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Meryl Davis emerged on Tuesday night as the champion of Season 18 of "Dancing With the Stars."

Davis might have gotten attention for being a gold medal Olympian from the Sochi games, but she's certainly not the first athlete to win on the show.

Davis beat out actress Candace Cameron Bure and Paralympian Amy Purdy for the mirror ball trophy. It didn't hurt that Davis was paired up with "DWTS" legend Maksim Chmerkovskiy, but the ice dancer was the front-runner the entire season.

Here are some other athletes who have dominated the ballroom in the past.

Read: 'DWTS': Meryl Davis Wins Championship, Mirror Ball Trophy in Season 18

Emmitt Smith

The Hall of Fame NFL running back took home the mirror ball trophy in 2006 on Season 3. He partnered with Cheryl Burke and beat out Mario Lopez for the crown.

Apolo Anton Ohno

Davis was not the first Olympian to win. One year after Smith, short track speed skater Apolo Ohno won, partnered with Julianne Hough.

Helio Castroneves

Professional drivers are athletes too! Castroneves won in 2007 with Julianne Hough, it was her second straight championship.

Hines Ward

In 2011, another Pro Bowl player took the top prize as the long-time Steeler won on Season 11. His partner was Kym Johnson.

Donald Driver

All the football players do so well! Driver took home the crown in 2012 while dancing with Peta Murgatroyd.

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