Who are the top 10 athletes to star in a movie?

There are countless players in professional sports who have appeared in movies, television shows, and everything in between.

We recently published ours 10 Best Athlete Cameos in Moviesbut it got us thinking – how many athletes have played a primary role in a movie? On a related note, how many players who are in their sport’s Hall of Fame have starred in a movie?

We took it upon ourselves to answer this question, dive into the movies of the last few decades and rank the top 10 athletes to star or play a primary role in a movie.

While there are some obvious choices near the top, there are also some surprising names that made our list, with more to come. FOX Sports analyst and Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson will join Marshawn Lynch on the big screen in a new film titled “Love Hurts“, published on February 7.

Did your favorite athlete make the list? Let’s take a look:

10. OJ Simpson – “The Naked Gun”

“Juice” stars as Detective Nordberg — a cop who just can’t get it right. His character provides constant comic relief throughout the film, such as slipping on a wet surface and falling overboard while trying to take down a ship’s drug operation. The main character, Frank Drebin (played by Leslie Nielsen), constantly protects him throughout the film, and the final scene hilariously ends with Drebin accidentally pushing Nordberg’s wheelchair down the stadium steps and throwing him onto the field.

9. Bob Uecker – “Major League”

Sometimes, if you try to fail, you succeed…or at least that was the case with Cleveland in the Major Leagues, as an attempt to use the season to move the team to Miami ended up with the AL East championship. And legendary Milwaukee Brewers play-by-play broadcaster and former MLB catcher, Bob Uecker, is on hand for every segment of the run, announcing the Cleveland games. Moreover, the film produced the iconic, “just a little bit off” line from Uecker.

In this 2006 rom-com starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker, Bradshaw plays the role of Al — the father of Trip (McConaughey), a 35-year-old who still lives at home. Al and his wife hire Paula (Parker) to get Tripp to move out, since she managed to get their friends’ son to move out. She believes it will be an easy job based on her previous experience, but quickly realizes it will take some work. Bradshaw has some hilarious lines throughout the film, and plays the role of a loving and concerned father very well. At the end of the movie, Al and his wife come up with a plan to get Tripp and Paula back together after their fight, and the two forgive each other. Bradshaw’s character gets his empty nest, and the two lovebirds sail off into the sunset.

7. Kevin Garnett – “Uncut Gems”

“KG” was really great in this movie and is an integral part of the plot. Howard, played by Adam Sandler, is a jewelry store owner with a serious gambling addiction. One day, Garnet stops by the shop and becomes enamored with the black opal that Howard bought with the intention of reselling it to pay off his debts. He convinces Howard to let him keep the opal for the night because he believes it will bring him good luck in the upcoming playoff game, and even lets him keep his 2008 NBA Championship ring as a pledge. Garnett is having a sensational game and is holding off on giving it back to Howard — who also made a fortune betting on the Celtics star. The movie ends with Garnett eventually buying the opal, and Howard placing a final bet on him to make it one more playoff game — successfully winning the bet before a shocking twist in the crazy ending.

“Ant” absolutely nailed his role in another Adam Sandler sports classic, playing a cocky draft prospect named Kermit Wilts. The story revolves around Bo Cruz, who he plays Juancho Hernangomezwho is a Spanish prospect that 76ers scout Stanley Sugerman (Sandler) finds while in Spain with the intention of scouting another player. He convinces Cruz to play in a showcase for NBA draft prospects, where he is dominated by Edwards’ character. His trash talking in the movie is elite and down right negative, not to mention his out of this world dunks and actual basketball ability.

Cruz and Wilts match up again in draft film, with Wilts making comments about Cruz’s mother and daughter to get into his head — and ultimately causing him to lose his composure and storm off the field. You end up really hating Wilts, which is a testament to how well Edwards played the villain.

5. Mike Ditka – “Kicking and Screaming”

Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall star in this comedy, and Ditka plays himself – a stubborn coach who wants to win. Ferrell plays Phil, Buck’s son (played by Duvall), with two separate minor league football teams. Phil inherited the worst team in the league that his son is on, while Buck has the best team.

In an effort to win, Phil enlists Ditka to help turn around the team, who just so happens to be not only his neighbor – but also Buck’s arch-rival. Ditka rigorously trains the team in some hysterically funny scenes and brings in two Italian boys who lead the team to the finals. He also introduces Phil to coffee, which turns him into an overbearing (albeit hilarious) trainer. The beauty of this role is that Ditka was just playing herself, and she was perfect.

4. Jim Brown – “The Dirty Dozen”

Brown plays Private Robert Jefferson in this 1967 war film, one of twelve convicts recruited for a dangerous World War II mission. He is a former footballer convicted of murder who joined the group as part of a deal to earn his freedom. Brown’s character was very similar to his identity on the football field – powerful, disciplined, yet quiet. Probably his most memorable scene is when he plants explosives in a German officer’s bunker to help execute the team’s plan. Brown succeeded in the role, and it is often considered the film that launched his Hollywood career – as the Hall of Famer starred in over 20 films from the late ’60s to the mid-1980s.

3. Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway – “Blue Chips”

If Pete Bell, played by Nick Nolte, wanted to win the college game, he knew he would have to reach into the dark side of college recruiting. And after getting help from boosters, Bell puts together a dynamite recruitment drive with sweet perks for them and their family, which included Neon Boudeauk (O’Neal) and Butch McRae (Hardaway). Boudeuak and McRae helped them win a thrilling opening night game at home, with Bobby Hurley playing point guard for the visiting team. Of course, Bell was fined after throwing out a booster in the post-game press conference, but he praised his team’s performance at home.

2. Ray Allen – “He Got The Game”

In this basketball classic, Denzel Washington plays Jake Shuttlesworth — the father of Jesus Shuttlesworth, played by Ray Allen. Allen is a high school basketball recruit, and Jake is in prison for accidentally killing his wife years earlier—but the governor offers him early release if he can convince Jesus to play for his alma mater, The Big State. Throughout the film, Jake tries to convince Jesus to commit, but to no avail, as Allen’s character is still reeling from the loss of his mother. Ultimately, the film ends with Jake challenging Jesus one-on-one for his freedom, with the NBA star of course winning and showing off his basketball prowess in the process. Despite this, Jesus decides to dedicate himself to the Great State—but to no avail because the governor has been lying about his promise all along. Jake is sent back to prison, but he still unleashes his anger and wants the best for his son.

1. Michael Jordan – “Space Jam”

In 1996, the world was in danger, as the “Monstars” agreed to play the “Looney Tunes” in a basketball game. If the latter lost, they would be turned into party fodder and their planet would be nobody. Fortunately, Jordan answered the bell when he was asked to play for the Looney Tunes, who were lobbying for help. After a brutal first half, the Looney Tunes bounced back, with Jordan leading them to victory in the final moments. Jordan, Bugs Bunny and friends defeat the Monstars to save their planet – of course, with the help of Bill Murray and Wayne Knight, among others.