Most famous people may be recognized for the skills they've demonstrated for the public's amusement in the media. However, it turns out that there are a select handful who have accomplished more than just singing, acting, or dancing. Some of them also had tremendous physical skill and had previously dominated their respective sports before making the transition to the
Entertainment industry.
Some celebrities' inherent athleticism has been put to use in their career, so it's no surprise that they can compete successfully in the sporting world. Still, there are certain people whose athletic prowess may have surprised you. Here are ten famous people that may surprise you by being superstar athletes.
1. Burt Reynolds
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Burt Reynolds was not only convincing as a football player in both versions of The Longest Yard, he was also a significant threat on the field. When Reynolds was a senior in high school, he was named to the All-State team. This accomplishment helped him earn a scholarship to play running back at Florida State University. Despite scoring two touchdowns in his brief playing stint, his career was cut short by two major injuries.
2. Forest Whitaker
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Even though Forest Whitaker isn't usually cast in parts that require physical prowess, the Palisades Charter High School quarterback has a strong arm and might lead the team to victory. His achievements on the gridiron earned him a scholarship to play for the Pomona campus of California State Polytechnic University. However, a serious injury, in this case to his back, cut short Whitaker's athletic career, as it had done for several other famous people on this list. After suffering an injury, Whitaker decided to pursue a career in acting, and the rest is, as they say, history.
3. Jason Statham
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You definitely wouldn't assume diving if given ten guesses as to which sport Jason Statham excelled at, the action hero from films like The Transporter and Fast & Furious. You'd be wrong; Statham was among the best in the country, not merely good. Before transitioning to acting as a career, he plunged for Britain's National Diving Squad and competed in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
4. Mark Harmon
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Mark Harmon, star of the CBS drama NCIS, was a natural athlete. There was no doubt that the younger Harmon would take to football, given that his father, Tom Harmon, won the Heisman Trophy while playing for the University of Michigan. He was UCLA's starting quarterback for two years, and he made an immediate impact by leading the Bruins to a stunning victory over Nebraska, the two-time defending national champions, in his debut game. Over his two years as a starter, he scored 17-5.
5. Jon Stewart
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In his youth, the comedian and ex-host of "The Daily Show" loved playing soccer. After high school, he was not offered any scholarships, so he decided to walk on at William & Mary. Then, Stewart, Jon Leibowitz, made the squad and was voted into the starting lineup as a senior. After his playing days were ended, he was honored with a trophy bearing his name because he scored the goal that propelled the team to the NCAA Tournament that season. The William & Mary player who has had the greatest impact on the team's morale is honored with the Leibo Award.
6. Sheryl Crow
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Despite being one of the most acclaimed songwriters of her time, Sheryl Crow was a lightning-fast runner in high school. Crow was an All-State track athlete at Kennett High School in Missouri. During the State Championships, she won a medal in the 75-meter low hurdle race, which was her best event overall. However, Crow claims that tennis is her favorite sport. It must be pleasant to excel at something for which you have little passion.