5 NFL Players Who Made It Big In The Movies

Over the years, Hollywood has witnessed several performers joining Hollywood from different walks of life. While some quit their jobs, others left home, and some even changed professions.

For instance, many former NFL (The National Football League) players took a leap of faith and entered the world of acting without a second thought. From John David Washington and Jim Brown to Terry Crews, the list is endless.

5 NFL Players Who Took Their Careers To The Next Level With Hollywood

Sports and cinema don’t exactly go hand-in-hand, but some prominent NFL players have proven otherwise.

Disagree with us? Then check out these 5 NFL legends who became icons in Hollywood.

#1. John David Washington

John grabbed attention with his brief stint in NFL, especially with the St. Louis Rams practice squad. Thereafter, he spent four years as a running back for the UFL team, the Sacramento Mountain Lions.

Despite being the child of actors Denzel and Pauletta Washington, he did not enter films until 2015 with the HBO comedy series Ballers. He achieved a breakthrough in 2018 with Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman.

#2. Jim Brown

Jim Brown, one of the NFL’s historic players, dedicated his entire nine-season career to the Cleveland Browns. Despite leading the team, he retired from football at the peak of his career. Brown was famous for powerful running style and numerous NFL records.

In 1964, Brown made his film debut with Rio Conchos, while he was still an active NFL player. Three years later, the war film The Dirty Dozen brought him immense success in the film industry.

#3. Terry Crews

Nicknamed the ‘wedge master’, Terry Crews ruled NFL stats from 1991 to 1997. The Los Angeles Rams drafted him, and frequently topped the scoreboards. Afterward, the athlete chose to retire from a career that was otherwise rumored to be quite stressful for his family.

He made his first on-screen appearance with the syndicated game show Battle Dome in 1999. But his first stint on a feature film happened a year later with The 6th Day.

#4. Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers served as an NFL linebacker, playing for the Oakland Raiders for two seasons starting in 1970. During that time, he played eight games and made a noticeable impact.

In 1975, he made his film debut with the films Bucktown and Friday Roster. While they were not blockbusters at the box office, he made his breakthrough as Apollo Creed with the 1976 release Rocky.

#5. O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson was star running back for over 10 years. He started his career by playing for the Buffalo Bills and finished with the San Francisco 49ers, where he achieved his highest NFL stat by becoming the first player to rush over 2,000 yards in a single season.

He then transitioned to films with his debut in the 1974-released film The Klansman but really broke through in The Naked Gun trilogy. His performance garnered accolades from fans and is remembered as one of his best works.

Did we miss out on any other NFL players who made it to films? Please let us know.