The Top 20 Sports Announcer Cameos in Movie History (With Video)

Sports announcers bring games to life with their words, insight and personality.

But what sometimes goes unnoticed is that they also play an important role in making big screen moments more believable and realistic.

Imagine what some of your favorite movies would be like if they didn't have the added commentary and cameos from these guys.

Here are 20 of the top appearances by sports announcers in movies...

20. Mike Fratello, Just Wright

Mike Fratello doing color commentary with Marv Albert for the New Jersey Nets was the most realistic part of "Just Wright".

Fratello at the 44 second mark: "People here want to see Scott McKnight."

Wait. Who is Scott McNight?

McNight is the Nets star player played by Common, a rapper. Who later falls in love with rapper Queen Latifah who plays a physical therapist.

Confused yet?

It's a sports movie and a love story.

19. Chris Schenkel, Kingpin

"And the loser gets nothing," says Chris Schenkel as he reminds listeners what is at stake for the championship match between Roy McAvoy (Woody Harrelson) and Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray).

Watch as Schenkel and Jon Dennis do commentary on the final attempt of Ernie McCracken near the conclusion of "Kingpin":

18. Jim Rome, The Longest Yard

Jim Rome summed up the battle between the inmates and prison guards in "The Longest Yard" with the following words:

"This could shape up as an epic day. Hot dog vendors. High powered rifles. I love the combination and apparently the fans do too."

17. Dick Vitale, Blue Chips

Dick Vitale with his trademark energetic style: "It's going to be awesome baby, with a capital 'A'. I'm so excited, I can't wait. We've got an unbelievable matchup, heavyweights Pete Bell against Bobby Knight..."

How else do you build up a highly anticipated matchup between two college teams in "Blue Chips" without Dick Vitale?

16. John Madden, The Replacements

In this sports movie moment, Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves) rallies his team of replacement players to come from behind with his "Pain heals" speech.

But it's John Madden who sums it up in a way only he can: "Washington is playing like there's no tomorrow. Because, hey—there isn't."

15. Keith Jackson, The Fortune Cookie

Keith Jackson's appearance in The Fortune Cookie dates all the way back to 1966. Yes, they had movies back then. Just not in color.

The highlight of the clip was when cameraman Harry Hinkle (Jack Lemmon) gets a standing ovation for standing up after getting hit by a player on the sideline. He fainted shortly thereafter.

Jackson: "Looks like Boom Boom Jackson not only racked up 55 yards, but also one of our cameramen."

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index/?o_cid=mediaroomlink&cid=238388

14. Lee Corso, The Waterboy

During a scene from "The Waterboy," Lee Corso & Chris Fowler do some analysis on Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler).

Lee Corso: "Let's take a look at the way Boucher ended the Hawkeyes' last drive. Here we see Boucher instantly penetrating the pocket."

Chris Fowler: "There's a lot of pain and shame in those eyes."

Lee Corso: "It's all over."

We hear a loud crash, as Boucher takes out the quarterback.

13. Stuart Scott, Mr. 3000

Stuart Scott on the comeback of Stan Ross (Bernie Mac) in order to collect three more hits for 3,000 in his career:

"Stan Ross' first week at bat was kinda like his first week out of the womb. A whole lot of just flailing around."

12. Roy Firestone, Jerry Maguire

One of the most touching moments in "Jerry Maguire" was when Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) appeared on Roy Firestone's show to recount his journey to the NFL.

After Firestone tells Rod that he has a four-year $11.20 million offer from the Arizona Cardinals, Tidwell breaks down in tears. He then goes off on an emotional love tirade and finally thanks his agent Jerry Maguire last.

Watch it here:

11. Jim Nantz, Tin Cup

In "Tin Cup", as Jim Nantz witnesses Roy McAvoy (Kevin Costner) attempt his 12th shot to go over a water barrier in the final hole of the U.S. Open, he says:

"I don't even know what I'm feeling. This is the most painful thing I have ever seen."

Upon making the shot on his last ball, the crowd erupts in applause. Nantz drops his head on the table.

Relive the memorable scene:

10. Bob Costas, Pootie Tang

We've seen Bob Costas cover the NBA, NFL, NHL and the Olympics. With such versatility, he has proven he can do anything...even say "Pootie".

In this clip we see him do an interview with Pootie Tang. I have no idea what Pootie is saying but it's funny to see Costas interact with the superstar.

9. Al Michaels & Bob Costas, BASEketball

Once again, we see the lighter side of Bob Costas in BASEketball. You have to love this exchange between him and Al Michaels.

Michaels: "I don't think I've ever been this excited."

Costas: "You're excited? Feel these nipples."

8. Marv Albert, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh

Watch and listen to a young Marv Albert describe the entrance of the Pittsburgh Pisces make an entrance via hot air balloon in "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" at the 3:15 mark of the video:

"It is an incredible scene here in Pittsburgh. A capacity crowd is on hand and they are viewing one of the most storied moments in sports. It is a sports happening. There is pandemonium all around me. Incredible, as the Pisces make their way from the sky!"

I don't know what's more surprising, the Pisces entrance or the fact that the young Marv Albert still looks he's sporting a toupee.

7. Marv Albert, Forget Paris

"Forget Paris" was filmed two decades after "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" and Marv Albert is still on top of his game as a commentator. Starting at the 1:33 mark is a thrilling moment described by Albert:

"Barkley angles for the shot. Barkley to his left. Barkley checking the clock. Barkley with the release. Yes. It's all over! Charles Barkley has put the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. The most dramatic victory in the history of the Suns franchise."

Then referee Mickey Gordon (Billy Crystal) waves the basket off and the Spurs win the game.

Sorry Sir Charles.

6. Bob Miller, The Mighty Ducks: D2

Although he's been the Los Angeles Kings' play-by-play announcer for 37 years, Bob Miller makes cameos in two Mighty Ducks movies as their hockey game announcer.

Miller: "They start back out and they form...a V! I've heard of this before but I've never seen it. It's the flying V, led by Jesse Hall..."

Watch the possession unfold:

5. Dick Enberg, The Naked Gun

Dick Enberg: "While the fans are waiting for the first pitch, they're being entertained by the team's Angel Vision. Showing some of those unusual moments in baseball over the years."

Don't forget, this is a Naked Gun movie. In true Naked Gun style the bloopers on the screen become a little extreme. The look on Enberg's face after seeing the videos is priceless.

Watch here:

4. Chick Hearn, Love & Basketball

The man who coined the term "slam dunk" witnesses a disaster after a slam dunk by Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) in "Love & Basketball".

Chick Hearn: "Now he's trying to make a home with these Lakers. Quincy makes a steal, he's on his way on the open court. Look out folks, it's Showtime!"

This play became a turning point in the movie, as McCall lands awkwardly on the floor, injuring his knee.

3. Bob Uecker, Major League

Bob Uecker as Indians announcer Harry Doyle in the "Major League" movies probably deserves the best actor award over all his contemporaries on this list since he's the only one that didn't play himself.

His witty, humorous, biased and sometimes drunken play-by-play made the movie-version of the Cleveland Indians fun to watch.

2. Harry Kalas, Leatherheads

The voice of the Phillies is also the voice of the Leatherheads movie trailer.

No quotes necessary.

Just listen to the voice of Harry Kalas as he speaks and brings this movie trailer to life.

1. Vin Scullty, For Love of the Game

There's just something magical about the voice of Vin Scully. His style and delivery makes watching and listening to baseball games a remarkably enjoyable experience.

Listen as Scully shares with us the story of Billy Chapel (Kevin Costner) in the trailer to "For Love of the Game".