Derek Jeter and the Top 20 TV Cameos by Sports Stars (With Video)

"Hey! He looks familiar! Wait a second, he was in the game yesterday!" These words are spoken constantly as athletes pop up on television sets around the world. Whether it is in a commercial or in a movie, sport stars find a way to get their image out there.

We take a look at some of the funniest and interesting television cameos by the same athletes you see every day on the playing field.

20. Barry Bonds—Beverly Hills, 90210

Before he was on the 'roids, Barry Bonds looked for a career in acting. He tried Beverly Hills, 90210. Here is a very short sample of what he was like on the show; there's not really much on which to critique him.

19. Jerry Jones—Entourage

Entourage is one of the most entertaining shows on cable television right now. In a recent episode, Jerry Jones guest stars as himself. Jones serves as a consultant when the question is begged about whether or not another team should be brought to California, specifically Los Angeles.

Jones is one of those owners with swagger. He knows how good he is in business and yet is respectful about what he does. He knows he will never be a George Steinbrenner, as hard as he tries.

Here he is with some pretty good acting in one of the latest episodes of Entourage:

18. Jay Cutler—South Park

In an episode of South Park, the creators decided to drop a ton of Colorado insider jokes, including one of the biggest jokes—Jay Cutler. The episode was deemed as hilarious by residents of Denver.

In the episode, Stan says, "You kinda (stink), but my dad said you might be good someday."

Cutler did not take the words offensively. He simply laughed it up along with viewers.

17. Tom Brady—Entourage

Tom Brady stars in an episode of Entourage as himself with Mark Wahlberg by his side. They play with Drama, but when his shot goes wrong, all hell breaks loose. Not only did hell "break" but so did one of Tom Brady's golf clubs.

Watch and see for yourself a classic moment from the show, where Johnny Drama's crazy antics are once again in the spotlight.

16. Bill Belichick—Rescue Me

Bill Belichick is good with cameras, we all know that, whether it was spy-gate or his small role on the show Rescue Me. On the show, he played a mourner at a funeral. He was just a random character that got into a conversation with a fire chief.

Just seeing Belichick on a television show, should be enough to make a crowd laugh...even if he is at a funeral.

Here is Belichick speaking about his role on the show:

http://wbztv.com/video/?id=[e-mail]

15. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—Diff'rent Strokes

Kareem Abdul Jabbar is one of those former athletes that has been very open to the public and the media. He has starred in many television shows. From Full House to Everybody Loves Raymond, it seems like a sitcom is never complete until the former Laker pays a visit to the set.

One of his most memorable moments was his appearance on Diff'rent Strokes with Gary Coleman. The two men contrasted in height, which added another level of comedy to the show. Kareem played a substitute teacher who punishes Arnold.

14. Ron Harper—Kenan and Kel

Ron Harper guest starred in an episode of the Nickelodeon show Kenan and Kel. The episode was titled "Foul Bull." In the episode, Ron Harper slips on orange soda at the deli and hurts himself.

Hell breaks loose and all of Chicago is angry at the duo, due to the fact that the Bulls just lost their guard/forward. It could have had a realistic touch to it, as the Bulls lost Harper to an injury in their 1996 season.

Could it have been the orange soda spill?

13. Kevin Garnett—Jamie Foxx Show

Kevin Garnett played a Tiger Woods-like character on the Jamie Foxx show. In season five of The Jamie Foxx Show, Jamie discovers a huge sneaker under the bed of another character. He immediately believes that Kevin Garnett is involved as he books a press conference in the hotel.

If the shoe fits...

12. Wayne Gretzky—The Young and the Restless

Wayne Gretzky's acting fame comes after a one-liner. In 1981, he was on The Young and the Restless as a mafia member. He was baby-faced back in his heyday and was able to get away with playing a younger character.

His one line was, “I’m Wayne from the Edmonton operation.” Acting gold.

11. Reggie Jackson—The Jeffersons

Reggie Jackson has always been a favorite in New York City and California, because he played for teams on both coasts. He decided to star in a sitcom about an upper class African-American family that was a hit all around the United States. That show was The Jeffersons. On an episode of the Jeffersons, George drops a home run ball at Angels Stadium and is very upset about it.

His wife, Louise, tries to get his self esteem up throughout most of the episode. Reggie stars as himself and is visited by Louise in the Angels' locker room. Reggie helps George cheer up after being convinced by Louise.

10. William Perry—The A-Team

In the episode of The A-Team, Perry checks into the same hospital that The A-Team is in. The Fridge does not have a whole lot of lines, but he makes the best of his appearance and drops a few funny lines here and there. He gives the Bears caps in the episode and refuses to give caps to Hulk Hogan and B.A. Baracus, but resolves everything with a smile.

Perry just proves he is one huge teddy bear, but mess with him and you see the A-Team side of him.

9. George Steinbrenner—Seinfeld

Rest in peace, Boss! George was a man that could do it all. He made sure he was in charge of ticket sales, trades, and even parade coordination when it came down to winning the World Series. His acting was above average and he was on top of his game at all times.

The Boss was the only man that did not fear himself. Everyone else would have been afraid to poke fun at Steinbrenner, but he was not.

8. Joe Namath—Brady Bunch

Joe Namath starred in an episode of the Brady Bunch in its fifth season. In the episode, he makes a visit to the Brady family after Cindy lies about her brother's health to have Bobby meet Namath. According to Cindy, that is his last dying wish.

Namath's acting is very good. He was never afraid to come out of his shell for the public, especially on television.

Put the following links in your browser in order to view the episode on YouTube.

Part 1/3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVzc8f6cy_A
Part 2/3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjG4wxsckWs&feature=related
Part 3/3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tli_KkOS538&feature=related

7. Ken Griffey Jr.—The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Back in 1994, Ken Griffey Jr. was on top of the baseball world as The Kid. He was known for his charisma and his backwards baseball cap as he hit during warm-ups. He had swagger. He brought that swagger to the television set that same year and made an attempt at hitting television fame. In the show, he shows off his acting skills but gets owned by one of the characters. Let's just say, Griffey had to stick to cartoons like The Simpsons the next time he wanted to be on television.

Ken Griffey Jr. on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

6. Scottie Pippen—The Cleveland Show

There are random moments in shows like Family Guy and The Cleveland Show that leave viewers scratching their heads. Scottie Pippen entered the history books as one of those guests that lends their vocals and sings a random song.

On the episode of The Cleveland Show, Pippen sings a song entitled "Balls Deep" at a Chuck E. Cheese-like venue. It is a catchy song, which gives some props to Pippen and makes this a memorable and random cameo.

5. Bo Jackson—The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Bo Jackson appeared in a Halloween episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He was the man in Will Smith's dream after a reference to Nike's "Bo Knows" ad in the 90's. Bo appears as Will's friend asking for help on how to cook and do other things.

Here is the link to Bo's Cameo (Embedding was disabled): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl__1WTexnY

4. Paul O'Neill—Seinfeld

Kramer promises a sick child in the hospital that Paul O'Neill will hit two home runs for him. A history lesson/debate ensues as the Yankees' outfielder does not know what to make of the mess. This is all so that Kramer can get back a birthday card that was lost due to a misinterpreted wink.

O'Neill is actually a very good actor. Many would think that he would lose his cool in the middle of a scene like he would when he strikes out, but he doesn't. He maintains a great positive attitude.

Link to the Scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tcVPVXGoww

3. Derek Jeter & Bernie Williams—Seinfeld

In another episode of Seinfeld, George offers hitting tips to Yankees stars Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams. Remember, Jeter and Williams were young when this aired, so they may have taken George's advice afterwards.

ESPN quotes Costanza as saying, "Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant. It's not complicated." Great line and great acting by Jeter and Williams as they just watch in astonishment.

2. Shaq—Curb Your Enthusiasm

This is comedy gold! Larry David gives the public the real reason why Shaq may have left the Lakers. In the second season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David does a skit where he is attending a Lakers game at the Staples Center.

During crunch time of the game, Shaq trips as he tries to check in and re-enter the game. Unfortunately, he trips and gets injured. It was excellent acting by Shaquille O'Neal.

Shaq is truly a man that can do it all.

1. Keith Hernandez—Seinfeld

Keith Hernandez will forever be synonymous with The Magic Loogie, according to all Seinfeld fans. This episode was a parody of the John F. Kennedy shooting as Kramer gets hit with a loogie and Newman gets hit shortly afterwards, too.

Hernandez is the one to blame for the shot, according to the victims, but Seinfeld clears the air. The Mets' first baseman shows why he is one of the best actors and commentators in the business. He knows how to keep a crowd entertained.

Best line of the scene: "Nice game, Pretty Boy!"
Keith's best line: "I am Keith Hernandez."

Here is the clip of the best athlete cameo ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcaq4ElAJrE