Athletes who have appeared on reality TV shows

Most people know Rob Gronkowski as the fun-loving, high-energy, four-time Super Bowl champ, but he’s also spent time off the field pursuing other projects. In addition to his appearance on films and television shows like Entourage and Family Guy, this former New England Patriot and Tampa Bay Buccaneer guest-starred on Fox’s The Masked Singer. He competed as The White Tiger and performed the songs “Ice Ice Baby,” “Good Vibrations,” and “We Will Rock You.” 

Terrell Owens, also known as TO, was an NFL wide receiver from 1996-2010 when he played for five different teams, including the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. In 2009, VH1 premiered the reality series, The T.O. Show, which followed the Hall of Famer as he tried to rebuild his personal and professional life. Following the show’s cancellation, he competed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and had a dramatic and controversial storyline with Chris “CT” Tamburello on The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars. 

Adding to her impressive resume as a Summer and Winter Olympian, Lolo Jones has surprisingly had time to participate in many different television programs. In 2014, the bronze-medalist competed on Dancing with the Stars, followed by an appearance on The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros. However, Jones’ most impressive feat was her stint on Celebrity Big Brother, where she placed third. She returned to MTV in 2020 when she starred in another season of The Challenge: Double Agents but ultimately withdrew. 

Another United States Olympian who made the jump to reality TV is none other than Ryan Lochte. Although his E! reality show, What Would Ryan Lochte Do?, lasted only a season following the 2016 Summer Games, Lochte appeared on the 23rd season of Dancing with the Stars. The Olympic swimmer also competed next to his Team USA comrade, Lolo Jones, in the second season of Celebrity Big Brother, and in 2023, he was a contestant on Peacock’s The Traitors.

Based on his many behind-the-scenes interviews and on-field commentary, NFL fans know that Marshawn Lynch is quite the character. If you’re interested in watching him up close and personal, you can see him alongside several other professional athletes in the new Fox series, Stars on Mars. 

Most folks will recognize Richard Sherman from his time alongside Beast Mode while playing for the Seattle Seahawks. However, the NFL isn’t the only place these two can be seen side-by-side. In 2023, Richard also appeared on the Fox series Stars on Mars. 

Shawn Johnson is a 2008 Olympic gymnast who dominated the Summer Games when she took home gold on the balance beam and silver in team, all-around, and floor. The following year, she competed in Season 8 of Dancing with the Stars, which she would later win. She was a guest star on The Celebrity Apprentice and was eliminated fourth on The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars. 

Despite his time as a player on the Los Angeles Lakers, most people know Lamar Odom from his marriage to Khloé Kardashian. Their relationship was chronicled on their popular reality series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and their eventual spin-off, Khloé & Lamar. The two-time NBA champion would later compete on Season 3 of Celebrity Big Brother and appear on the BET+ revival, College Hill: Celebrity Edition. 

Another athlete put on the map by the Kardashian sisters is none other than Kris Humphries. Although he played for NBA teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics, reality TV fans recognize him from his stint on Keeping Up with the Kardashians — where producers filmed his engagement and 72-day marriage to Kim.

Eric Decker and his wife appeared on the reality television series Eric & Jessie: Game On, which aired on E! for three seasons. The series was canceled after airing 30 episodes over five years. 

Did you ever think you’d see NBA and Olympic legend Scottie Pippen on The Real Housewives? Well, in 2011, he starred in the Miami iteration of the series alongside his then-wife, Larsa, for one season. The pair were married in 1997 but separated in October 2016. Since then, Larsa has entered a new relationship with Marcus Jordan, Michael Jordan’s son. 

Most people watching the first season of The Masked Singer would’ve never guessed that a Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver was the voice behind The Hippo. Nonetheless, Antonio Brown was decked out in his large semiaquatic costume and jamming to Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative.” 

Nikki & Brie Bella, or The Bella Twins, are most known for their time as WWE Diva Champions and starring in the E! series Total Divas. The show was successful among fans, running for nine seasons and 120 episodes from 2013 to 2019. Nikki and Brie also appeared in their spin-off, Total Bellas , which followed the twins and their partners, Daniel Bryan, John Cena, and eventually Artem Chigvintsev, from 2016-2021. 

Carmelo Anthony is a recent NBA retiree who spent 19 seasons playing for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. He married his then-wife, La La Anthony, in 2010 on La La’s Full Court Wedding on VH1, and from 2011-2014 appeared on her spin-off, La La’s Full Court Life.  

If you’ve watched Mike Tyson in the ring, you know he’s nothing short of entertaining. If you’re interested in keeping up with more of his antics, you can stream his 2011 reality show Taking On Tyson, where he takes up competitive pigeon racing, on Amazon Prime Video.

Simone Biles is another four-time Olympic gold medalist who represented Team USA on the women’s gymnastics team in 2016 and 2020. She is the fifth Olympic gymnast to appear on the ABC/Disney Plus series, Dancing with the Stars, and placed fourth during Season 24. In 2022, she starred in a reality series on Snapchat, Daring Simone Biles. 

Metta Sandiford-Artest, who some may recognize as Metta World Peace, is a former NBA player with 19 seasons under his belt. Not only is he known for his time on teams like the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers, but his eccentric personality makes him a character like no other. In 2018, he was the fourth houseguest evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house. 

Big Brother is all about choices. One wrong step, and it could cost you. Former NFL running back Ricky Williams knows that all too well. In 2019, he made a $250,000 mistake when he brought American R&B singer Tamar Braxton to the final two rather than his ally, Lolo. In the end, he lost by a 9-0 vote. 

This former New Orleans Saints player spent some time on Keeping Up with the Kardashians during the earlier seasons. The NFL running back began dating Kim in 2007 and frequently appeared on camera until their breakup in 2010. 

Terry Bradshaw is a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback who filmed an E! Network television show from 2020-2022. The Bradshaw Bunch aired 23 episodes across two seasons and showcased the Super Bowl champ striving to be the ultimate girl dad to his three daughters.