With the world’s attention firmly fixed on movie award ceremonies, us sports geeks at NOW TV thought: “how do we jump on the bandwagon?” Isn’t it obvious? By listing acting cameos by sporting superstars. Obviously!
With that in mind, we thought it was only fair to honour the forgotten heroes of the big screen. Enjoy our selection of the greatest (or worst) sporting cameos.
Mike Tyson – The Hangover
And you thought Vitali Klitschko’s next career move after hanging up his boxing gloves was odd. Even that pales into comparison after seeing Mike Tyson singing a Phil Collins song and knocking out Zach Galifianakis. We all knew that Tyson had a strong punch, but no one knew just how strong his acting and singing prowess was until this was released. And we thank our lucky stars every day that it was.
Lance Armstrong - Dodgeball
Yeah, this is a little awkward. After confronting Peter Lafleur (Vince Vaughn) in a Las Vegas airport at the end of ‘Dodgeball’, Armstrong explains how he battled back from cancer to win multiple Tour de France titles and questions why Lafleur is abandoning his teammates ahead of their final match. Since then, it has emerged that Armstrong had a little help in achieving those accolades. However, to say what he did with a straight face took some acting!
Michael Jordan – Space Jam
Michael Jordan. Cartoons. Michael Jordan. Cartoons. What is not to like? With the help of Bugs Bunny and co, Jordan inspires his team of animated misfits to victory over five giant, basketball-loving monsters. Jordan’s basketball skills are put on show, as is his outstanding acting. Complete with enormous, stretching arm. The last bit may not have actually happened in real life.
Pelé – Escape to Victory
Where do I even begin? Moments after Michael Caine lays out an intricate ‘tiki-taka’ (maybe this is where Barcelona’s dominance came from) tactic for his team to follow, Pelé gets up and explains (with the use of a chalkboard) how he will simply run past the whole opposition and score. Caine would probably have questioned this bold strategy, but it was Pelé and he was quite good. An honourable mention should go to Bobby Moore, but the Brazilian just blows everyone away in this scene.
David Beckham – Goal 2
The previous four entries would make for the best dinner party of all time, and they all surely bow down to David Beckham in this category. Yes, the previous four nominees dominated their sport at one time or another, but they all fall well short compared to Beckham’s masterclass in ‘Goal 2’. After protagonist Santiago Munez walks into a swanky bar, he meets David Beckham, who says the following immortal lines:
“Santiago. Congratulations, you were… Amazing today.” *A few smouldering glances*. “See you around.”
And cut.
