The Ultimate Lineup: Over 20 Authentic NFL Player & Athlete Cameos in The Rock's Ballers

Summary

Ballers incorporates real-life athletes, including Stephen Curry and Antonio Brown, to give an authentic depiction of the sports industry.

Julian Edelman and Terrell Suggs, among other athletes, enhance the depth of the show's storyline with their recurring appearances. Additionally, the inclusion of non-football athletes such as Giancarlo Stanton and Caroline Wozniacki demonstrates the expansive scope of the series beyond the realm of football.

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HBO's series Ballers, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, features multiple appearances from real athletes. Like The Rock himself, who had aspirations of playing professional football before an injury derailed his plans, the character he portrays in Ballers, Spencer Strasmore, also faces a similar setback in his career due to an injury. Strasmore ultimately finds success as a financial manager, forging meaningful connections with a clientele consisting of top athletes and sports stars.

Taking a cue from HBO's Entourage, Ballers bolsters its authenticity by incorporating actual athletes, lending credibility to its portrayal of the behind-the-scenes aspects of the highly profitable entertainment industry. A number of athletes, particularly current and former NFL stars, have made brief appearances as themselves in the series, with some even playing integral roles in the show's overarching storyline. Below, we highlight 22 real-life athlete cameos in HBO's Ballers.

22 Stephen Curry

21 Antonio Brown

Stephen Curry, the renowned NBA star, along with his wife Ayesha, made an appearance in the first episode of the third season of Ballers titled "Seeds of Expansion". This episode, which aired in 2017, showcases the basketball sensation engaging in a phone conversation with Spencer right after disembarking from a private jet. Notably, Curry, as a prominent member of the Golden State Warriors, has achieved an impressive record, securing four NBA Championships.

Antonio Brown, a renowned NFL wide receiver, made his television debut in 2015 as he appeared in the pilot episode of Ballers. The enigmatic athlete portrayed a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the HBO series, sharing the screen with DeSean Jackson. Recently, Brown achieved the pinnacle of success by winning a Super Bowl title in 2021 as part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he currently finds himself as a valuable asset for the Baltimore Ravens.

20 Alvin Kamara

NFL running back Alvin Kamara made a guest appearance on the fifth episode of season 5 in the TV series Ballers in 2019. In this episode, Kamara portrays himself and is portrayed as being fictitiously recruited by the Los Angeles Rams. Kamara has had an impressive career with the New Orleans Saints, playing for six seasons and being selected for the Pro Bowl on five occasions.

19 Von Miller

Von Miller, an NFL linebacker, made an appearance in season 5, episode 8 of Ballers titled "Players Only." In the series finale of Ballers, Miller receives a phone call from Spencer just before the important owners meeting. Throughout his 12 seasons in the NFL, Miller achieved the feat of winning a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

18 Julian Edelman

17 DeSean Jackson

Julian Edelman, a former NFL wide receiver, made appearances in the TV show Ballers. He appeared in two episodes, specifically in season 1, episode 9 titled "Head-On" and season 2, episode 10 titled "Game Day". In one of these episodes, Edelman can be seen working out with Ricky Jerret. Edelman, who retired in 2021, achieved great success during his career, winning three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

DeSean Jackson made his debut on the first episode of Ballers, where he starred alongside Antonio Brown. Currently, he holds the distinction of being the most seasoned active wide receiver in the NFL, having commenced his career in 2008. Throughout his sixteen-season tenure, he has played for various NFL teams, notably the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens.

16 Don Shula

15 Jarvis Landry

Don Shula, the head coach of the legendary 1972 Miami Dolphins, made a guest appearance on the pilot episode of Ballers, playing himself. In the series, Spencer, one of the main characters, is portrayed as a player for the Dolphins.

NFL wide receiver Jarvis Landry made a special guest appearance in the Ballers season 2 premiere titled "Face of the Franchise," portraying himself. At the time of the episode's release, Landry was proudly representing the Miami Dolphins. Presently, he showcases his exceptional skills as a member of the New Orleans Saints.

14 Larry Csonka

13 Jason Taylor

Larry Csonka, the renowned football player, made a special appearance in the inaugural episode of Ballers, sharing the screen with the legendary Don Shula. Depicting a fictionalized version of himself, Csonka assumed the role of the esteemed head coach of the Miami Dolphins. His extraordinary contributions to the sport culminated in his induction into the highly esteemed Pro Football Hall of Fame in the year 1987.

The season premiere of Ballers featured the esteemed presence of former Miami Dolphins linebacker, Jason Taylor. In 2017, Taylor was rightfully inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his remarkable contributions during his illustrious 15-year NFL career, all of which were spent with the Dolphins from 1997 to 2011.

12 Terrell Suggs

Former NFL linebacker Terrell Suggs made a noteworthy appearance as himself in a total of eight episodes of Ballers from 2015 to 2018. This two-time Super Bowl champion took on the role of an antagonist to Spencer on the show, engaging in a fictional physical altercation with him during a talk radio show.

11 Ndamukong Suh

NFL defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh appeared in Ballers season 2, episode 1 "Face of the Franchise." Suh won one Super Bowl in 2021 as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

10 Eddie George

9 Mark Schlereth

Eddie George, a former NFL player, made guest appearances in two episodes of Ballers. He appeared in season 2, episode 10 titled "Game Day" and season 3, episode 7 titled "Ricky-Leaks." Currently, George serves as the head football coach at Tennessee State University.

Mark Schlereth, a former NFL player, graced the screen in thirteen episodes of Ballers from 2015 to 2017, even making an appearance in the series pilot. Schlereth currently enjoys a successful career as a television and radio sports personality, having spent 12 seasons playing in the NFL.

8 Giancarlo Stanton

Giancarlo Stanton, currently playing for the New York Yankees, made a special appearance in episode 9 of season 1 of Ballers titled "Head On." It is noteworthy that Stanton, being a professional baseball player, stands as one of the select few athletes from a non-football background to have a cameo on the show.

7 Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki, a Danish professional tennis player, made a special appearance as herself in season 2, episode 2 of the TV series Ballers. She achieved the top ranking in women's tennis in both 2010 and 2011.

6 Khalil Mack

5 Danny Amendola

Khalil Mack, a standout NFL linebacker, made a notable appearance in the thrilling finale of Season 2 of Ballers. Renowned for his remarkable skills on the field, Mack earned the prestigious title of the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year. Currently, he proudly represents the Los Angeles Chargers, showcasing his exceptional talent and contributing to their success.

Danny Amendola, a previous wide receiver in the NFL, joined former teammate Julian Edelman in the season 2 finale of the TV series Ballers. Despite going undrafted by any NFL team, Amendola managed to secure a spot on the New England Patriots, with whom he achieved victory in two Super Bowls in 2015 and 2018.

4 Jared Goff

3 Wes Welker

: NFL quarterback Jared Goff made an appearance in episode 6 of season 4 in the TV show Ballers, during his time as the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams. In the series, he portrays a teammate of the fictional character Ricky Jerret. Currently, Goff is a member of the Detroit Lions.

Wes Welker, a former NFL wide receiver known for his exceptional performance, made a guest appearance in season 2, episode 8 titled "Laying in the Weeds." Welker, during his tenure with the New England Patriots, showcased his exceptional skills by leading the NFL in receptions in 2007, 2009, and 2011. Spanning an impressive 12 seasons, Welker's impact on the field remains significant.