We took a break from all the NBA news to do a little research and find some famous names, not necessarily known for their athletic prowess, rocking a team jersey before they were celebrities. So, let’s see what sports they played and how they looked!
These names kicked ass playing sports before fame and glory
1. Uzo Aduba
It’s been a few years but Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren was a big reason why the Netflix series, Orange is the New Black, was such a smash hit. Uzo Aduba was the actress who brought Crazy Eyes to life, but before her tour de force performance, Aduba was a blur on Boston University’s Track and Field team.
Uzo Aduba
Boston University, Track & Field 1999-2003 pic.twitter.com/xqC1EVzS2W— Random College Athletes (@RandomAthletess) November 9, 2021
2. Terry Crews
Back in 1991 when the NFL had 12 rounds, the host of America’s Got Talent, Terry Crews, was selected in the 11th round by the Los Angeles Rams. His NFL playing days consisted mainly of riding the pine and practice squad duty which is why Crews left his athletic glory days in the rearview mirror for a much more lucrative acting career. Now in his mid-50s, Crews is still absolutely yoked.
Also, check out this interesting fact!
While playing in the NFL, Terry Crews supplemented his salary by painting portraits of his teammates.
At times, painting was his primary income source. He’d earn about $5,000 for a two-month commission, enough to support his whole family.
— UberFacts (@UberFacts) December 6, 2020
3. Gina Carano
I’m not sure if this one really counts because the lovely Ms. Carano initially caught our eye by melting other women in the Octagon. But it’s been well over a decade since she competed as an MMA pro and is now known more as a controversial actress who starred in Fast & Furious 6, Deadpool, and seven episodes of The Mandalorian television series.
Jun10.2006
16 years ago today,
MMA’s first female star, Gina Carano made her professional fighting debut & defeated Leiticia Pestova. pic.twitter.com/0oqSEQBJw1
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) June 11, 2022
Feb10.2007
15 years ago today,
Gina Carano & Julie Kedzie competed in the first Women’s MMA fight in history to air on live television. pic.twitter.com/K2COwheTNP
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) February 10, 2022
4. Denzel Washington
I don’t care how old Denzel is, this dude will always be as cool as the other side of the pillow. But before he was “da man” in Hollywood, Denzel was playing guard under future NBA coach P.J. Carlesimo at Fordham University.
Happy 64th birthday to Denzel Washington!
Did you know he played college ball at Fordham, where he was coached by P.J. Carlesimo? pic.twitter.com/CvVDQrIovI
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 28, 2018
And who remembers He Got Game? Legend. What a movie!
On this day in ’98 we were introduced to Jesus Shuttlesworth when He Got Game hit theaters.
Greatest hoops movie ever? pic.twitter.com/25fVfbUAM8
— Finish Line (@FinishLine) May 1, 2021
5. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
We all know him as The Rock but Dwayne Johnson used to play big-time D-1 college football at The U as a backup defensive tackle to the likes of 7x Pro Bowler Warren Sapp. Johnson was a member of the 1991 University of Miami Hurricanes national championship team before he became the WWE champ and a box-office sensation.
Just the biggest action movie star on the planet (@TheRock) sacking a legendary New York Knicks point guard (Charlie Ward).
Happy Birthday, Rock 🎉 pic.twitter.com/gIvtpv5CB0
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) May 2, 2018
He now also owns part of XFL too. The Rock is a machine!
Vince McMahon shut down the XFL 3 years ago after reportedly burning through $200M.
But Dwayne Johnson & his partners purchased the assets for $15M out of bankruptcy, and the league officially returns today.
Add in the USFL, and 46 of 52 weekends in 2023 will have pro football. pic.twitter.com/hoYdyMn7o7
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 18, 2023
6. Caitlyn Jenner
There’s an awful lot to unpack here, or at least there was, as Caitlyn Jenner was once Bruce, who just happened to be an Olympic gold medal decathlon winner. He was also married to the matriarch of the Kardashian clan before making the switch to Caitlyn.
7. Jon Stewart
The iconic host of Comedy Central’s, The Daily Show, and most recently, The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+, the quick-witted Stewart was once a college soccer player for William and Mary. Stewart even has an annual award named after him called the Leibo Award, Stewart’s college nickname whose real last name is Leibowitz, and is presented annually to the player who has had the most positive influence on the team’s attitude.
#TBT to when Jon Stewart played soccer for @TribeAthletics in the 80’s! #throwbackthursday pic.twitter.com/ZKIYg9snNB
— Beach FC Soccer Club (@BeachFC_VABeach) September 14, 2017
8. Stacy Keibler
Once referred to as the Weapon of Mass Seduction, Kiebler is known first and last as a member of the WCW and WWE. Sure, she came in third in Dancing with the Stars and has had bit parts in TV and film so she technically qualifies as a former jock turned celebrity. But let’s be real, the only reason she’s on the list is because she is one suh-mokin’ hot mama. Seriously, she’s got three kids!
STACY KEIBLER pic.twitter.com/blBMoNnsPr
— 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼𝗱𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 (@wwgoddesses2) January 20, 2023
9. Ed O’Neill
Our older audience will recall Ed O’Neill as America’s favorite friggin idiot, Al Bundy, of Married With Children fame. But he reinvented himself as patriarch Jay Pritchett of ABC’s legendary comedy, Modern Family, and took home a bevy of Emmys.
But before his television career got on track, O’Neill received a scholarship to Youngstown State where he was a defensive lineman. Following graduation, he then got an invitation to the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in 1969 before being cut.
Did you know that “Married…. With Children” and “Modern Family” star Ed O’Neill played football for YSU & was picked up by the Steelers? pic.twitter.com/a9H2GVMnZx
— Vintage Youngstown (@Youngstown_His) April 7, 2017
10. 2 Chainz
The Georgia-based rapper got an athletic scholarship to Alabama State where he was droppin’ dimes on the court before he began droppin’ beats into the mic. The Talk Dirty rhyme spitter played both guard positions and small forward to boot.
