The best athlete cameos in film

In the sequel to the 1976 classic The Bad News Bears, the “California champs” find themselves playing a game at the Astrodome, in between a Houston Astros doubleheader. At one point, the game is ended due to time constraints, much to the ire of the Bears, the fans, and even these famed Astros, who are among a handful of real-life players who show up in the dugout. Needless to say, the players had some pull in getting the little league game to continue.

Cameos don’t have to be flashy to stand out. Like when Lee Trevino reminded Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) that “Grizzly Adams did have a beard.” That was the extent of the golf great’s verbal presence in this Adam Sandler favorite, though he also drew raves for simply shaking his head. Sometimes a great moment can be subtle, and Trevino’s appearance in Happy Gilmore is a good example.

The legendary boxer is among many former sports stars (like Dıck Butkus, Jim Kelly, Herschel Walker, Tony Dorsett to name a handful) to cameo as prison inmates in this Scott Bakula-led comedy. The prisoners are called upon to scrimmage the reinvented Texas State football team. And after roughing up the talent-challenge college squad, the inmates head back on their prison bus, where Holyfield uttered “I don’t feel so good. Think I swallowed a finger.” Perhaps it’s better than an ear?

The New York Yankees legend is only in the movie for a moment, but he’s a rather important part of the storyline. An unsuspecting Jeter was mistakenly shot in the leg within the Yankee Stadium clubhouse tunnel prior to Game 7 of the World Series by promising cop Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg). Jeter couldn’t play in the important game, New York lost and Terry was branded the “Yankee Clipper,” thus halting any career progress he was making within the NYPD at the time.

Bird’s appearance in this popular Nick Nolte college basketball vehicle is brief, but certainly memorable. Though not as notable as stars Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway and Matt Nover, whose Ricky Roe character hails from Bird’s real-life home town of French Lick, Ind. Thus, the reason Western U coach Pete Bell (Nolte) heads to southern Indiana to seek out Bird to help get a meeting with the prized recruit and his parents. 

As noted, Shaq has proven himself to be a worthy source of entertainment off the basketball court, especially on the big screen. However, when it comes to true cameos, O’Neal delivers in this popular comedy starring Saturday Night Live veteran Kenan Thompson. After helping his team to the NBA championship, Shaq orders delivery to the locker room, where he partakes in a Good Burger, and is introduced to the collective quirkiness of Dexter (Thompson) and Ed (Kel Mitchell).

Before Hawk was truly an international skateboarding legend, he appeared in this guilty pleasure skateboard-related thriller starring Christian Slater. Hawk technically could be considered a member of the supporting cast as Buddy, thrasher pal of Slater’s Brian Kelly, who is trying to get to the bottom of his adopted brother’s death. Buddy also works at Pizza Hut, and among the movie’s best moments came when the store’s delivery truck finds itself amid a car chase in the streets of Orange County.

This sequel to the hilariously popular Ted (2012) comedy was not as successful — commercially or critically — as the original. However, Brady’s appearance was quite memorable. Now the idea of Ted trying to acquire Tom Brady’s sperm is certainly extreme, but then again, nothing about Seth McFarlane’s humor is normal. Though Brady’s co-stars, with of course McFarlane as the foul-mouthed teddy bear, and Mark Wahlberg, actually outshine him in the scene.

By the third installment of the iconic Rocky franchise of films, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a champion, massively popular and enjoying life, which means he can have a little fun. And for a worthy cause, when he decides to hold a charity exhibition bout with famed wrestler Thunderlips (Hogan), who pretty much has his way with Rocky for most of the match. That is, until the Rocky rallies and manages to pick up Thunderlips and throw him out of the ring. 

Now, Armstrong’s inspirational talk with Peter (Vince Vaughn) during this comedy classic didn’t age particularly well, considering what we came to know about the famed cyclist’s history of using performance-enhancing drugs. However, the randomness of the moment is still pretty humorous, and matter of fact. Too bad fans of the movie, or Armstrong, can’t look at the scene in the same light as was the case when the movie came out.

As we’ll see, the Farrelly brothers like to include some famous Boston-related sports heroes in their films. Not only is former Red Sox hero Clemens’ appearance in this Woody Harrelson bowling comedy quite funny, his character name is one for the ages. Clemens’ “Skidmark” tries to rough up Ishmael (Randy Quaid), who is dancing with the volatile redneck’s ex-girlfriend, whom he graciously refers to as “his squirrel.” Thankfully, or so, Harrelson’s Roy Munson saves the day.

One of the real good guys in any professional sport, Dale Jr. had a little fun with his appearance in this Will Ferrell NASCAR favorite. Amid a sea of admiring fans of Ferrell’s Ricky Bobby, Junior pushes his way through to get his own autograph from the hottest fictional racer on the planet. The fact that Dale Jr. was one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport made this scene even more hilarious. 

One of the more underrated athlete cameos resides with Butler’s appearance in this holiday comedy that stars Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston and Olivia Munn. Then with the Chicago Bulls, Butler is brought in as a marquee attraction to the titular company Christmas party. But who knew that Butler, or “Jimmy Buckets,” as referred to by a Santa-clad Clay (T.J. Miller) refers to him as, was so tech savvy?

This was an interesting choice for Taylor to make. His cameo in yet another Adam Sandler comedy to appear on this list, where he plays himself while running a youth football camp, is memorable for the superstar linebacker uttering the phrase “Gentlemen, don’t smoke crack.” Considering Taylor’s history and trouble with drug abuse, one wonders why he decided to take the role. Then again, it was unforgettable.

Don’t think many fans of this Farrelly brothers Ben Stiller-starring comedy foresaw that the Brett often mentioned as the ex-boyfriend of Cameron Diaz’s Mary would actually be the NFL superstar Favre. It was a hilarious plot twist, made even better when we think about how he was referred to throughout the course of the film — as “Pac-Man.” And, it was another twist when Mary chose Stiller’s Ted, instead of Brett. Then again, we know Mary is a 49ers fan. 

The bad boy of tennis lived up to that moniker with a stellar cameo in this Adam Sandler comedy. A night of fictional drunken debauchery with Sandler’s Longfellow Deeds (which included throwing eggs at cars), seemed to introduce McEnroe to a new generation of pop culture fans, and proved that he was still relevant beyond his playing days. As far as cameos go, McEnroe’s appearance in Mr. Deeds really needs to be more appreciated. 

Not many people are thinking about NBA enforcers while having sex. Then again, Steve Dunne (Campbell Scott) is a bit quirky. So when Linda (Kyra Sedgwick) asks what he’s thinking while they’re amid the throes of a passionate moment, he flashes to a post-game interview with this former Seattle SuperSonics star. And, the “X-Man” offers some always important sexual advice that a man needs to remember. Unexpected and hilarious at the same time.

Not the the first athlete we’ll feature from the raunchy comedy that broke comedian Amy Schumer into the mainstream. Wrestling superstar Cena is simply a natural when it comes to acting, and has proven it for years now. Though his time in Trainwreck is rather brief, he should leave a lasting impression on viewers. He’s actually one of Amy’s most likable sexual conquests, and his movie theater scene is among the picture’s funniest moments. 

Jackson is one of baseball’s all-time greats, but he also had no problem drawing attention to himself. When Jackson appeared as an Angels outfielder hypnotized into unwillingly assassinate the Queen of England, it proved to be one the best cameos in comedy film history. Now, in the end, Reggie didn’t pull it off — thanks to Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen). Jackson also took the worst of the ordeal, but his performance still keeps us laughing.

While the aforementioned Cena delivered a memorable performance in Trainwreck, James’ performance is one of the best elements, and surprises, about this Amy Schumer comedy. Playing himself, and friend to young, prominent sports surgeon Dr. Aaron Conners (Bill Hader), James is highly likable, goofy, and extremely funny. Whether he’s making time to watch Downton Abbey, promoting the city of Cleveland, or talking about the importance of a prenuptial agreement, James steals more than a couple of scenes.   

Not only did the Miami Dolphins great make a cameo in this Jim Carrey comedy classic, he actually led Ace to solving the key criminal plot question in the film. Of course, Marino’s snarkiness and banter with Carrey, while playing himself after being kidnapped, makes their extended scene together more believable and appreciated. Marino is another athlete who feels quite natural in front of cameras, and this turned him on to a new avenue of entertainment popularity. 

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is among the NBA’s all-time greats, but who knew he could slay it on the big screen as well. Going under the assumed name of Roger Murdock, Kareem was the co-pilot of the potentially doomed flight from this Zucker brothers comedy classic. As much as he tried to hide his real identity, Jabbar couldn’t keep contain himself when a snotty child passenger questioned his hustle during regular season games with the Los Angeles Lakers. There are too many memorably hilarious moments from Airplane! to count, but Kareem’s are among the best.