Academy Awards 2011: Kareem to Cam, Athletes Who Should Have Won Oscars

As we get closer to the Academy Awards tomorrow night, it is an appropriate time to take a look back at all of the former athletes who were snubbed by the Oscars.

Now most of these parts just made us laugh and not necessarily cry, but considering acting wasn't their first occupation, these guys deserve some credit.

Maybe they aren't actually the best representation of what the film industry has to offer, but regardless, here is a list of some of the most memorable performances by athletes on the silver screen!

Shaquille O' Neal: Blue Chips

Neon Bedeaux

It was clear that Shaquille O' Neal was destined for NBA greatness, but his turn as Neon Bedeaux, while probably more autobiographical than fictional, showed us that he was going to be more than just a basketball player.

It was a good thing that Shaq provided some laughs and lit up the screen, because he sure took up more of it than Nick Nolte!

Alex Karras: Blazing Saddles

Mongo

"Mongo Like Candy"

Alex Karras found the perfect role for a former football player, and because of Alex's background in sports, his time on screen is often what is most quoted from this Mel Brooks classic.

I mean, how can a guy who knocks out a horse not get an Oscar?

Lance Armstrong: Dodgeball

Lance Armstrong as Lance Armstrong

So I know this might not actually count as "acting" in the classic sense, but anyone who saw this movie knows that not only was Lance's deadpan delivery about his "brain, lung and testicular cancer...all at the same time" priceless, it was also a perfect chance for Lance to use a little humor to perpetuate his powerful message.

Bubba Smith: Police Academy

Officer Hightower

All the best athletes will find a way to use their size to their advantage on the field, and the same is true on set.

Somehow, the part of Officer Hightower might not have been as memorable with somebody like Muggsy Bogues starring in the role.

Luckily for the faithful fans of the Police Academy franchise, we were able to find out that not only was Bubba big, but he was pretty funny, too!

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Game of Death

Mantis

Most people haven't even seen this classic Bruce Lee flick, but playing the role of "Mantis," Kareem Abdul-Jabbar demonstrated the ability to be very physically imposing on camera.

Unfortunately, the only acting that went on in this scene was Kareem acting like he knew any martial arts, but doesn't the Academy give an award for trying?

Bob Uecker: Major League

Harry Doyle

Here is another role that probably did not take a lot of acting.

In fact, I would be willing to bet that as Harry Doyle, the wise cracking play-by-play man for the Cleveland Indians in Major League, Bob Uecker was able to say all the things he wishes he could say while calling the Milwaukee Brewers games in real life.

Uecker was an absolute riot and certainly worthy of a Best Supporting Actor nomination at least.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar No. 2: Roger Murdock

Roger Murdock

I know what you're thinking, Kareem again? Well, that's a ROGER...ROGER.

If his acting was called into question during Game of Death, then he really redeemed himself with Airplane.

Kareem showed some serious comedic acting chops and even gave us a little glimpse into what Kareem would like to say to all his detractors when he lashed out at Joey..."tell your dad to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes."

OJ Simpson: The Naked Gun

Nordberg

If you can separate your feelings about OJ personally and just watch the movies as an objective movie critic, then you would probably find the Juice downright charming and funny in his role as Officer Nordberg of Police Squad.

To be fair, almost anyone paired with Leslie Nielsen is going to find easy comedic success, but give OJ his due here: after football, this is about the only bright spot for the guy.

Cam Neely: Seabass

If that guy is Seabass?

Unless your name was Wayne Gretzky while playing hockey in the 80's and early 90's then it was relatively easy to keep a low profile on the entertainment scene.

Case in point, Cam Neely as "Seabass" in Dumb and Dumber.

For those who didn't know that Cam was a star for the Boston Bruins, they probably thought this guy was one great character actor when they saw him in the movie.

This role got Neely a part in several other Farrelly Brothers movies but no Oscar...come on!

John Matuszak: The Goonies

Baby....Ruth!

This acting job was so good that most people to this day do not know that the man behind the "Sloth" make-up was former Oakland Raider, John Matuszak.

The "Tooz" is easily the most memorable part of this cult classic, and while the rest of this slideshow might have been a little tongue in cheek, there is no denying that this was a great crossover from sports to film.

Maybe it wasn't quite Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, but maybe it was?