List of Famous Football Players Turned Actors

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Americal Football

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1. Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson, known as "The Rock," played college football for the Miami Hurricanes before becoming a WWE superstar. He made a successful transition into acting and is now one of the biggest action stars in the world.

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2. Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds, who played Paul Crewe in "The Longest Yard," was a college halfback at Florida State. Injuries led him to pursue a career in acting, where he achieved fame and success.

3. Merlin Olsen

Merlin Olsen, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, tried his hand at acting. Although his movie career didn't take off, he starred in the TV show "Father Murphy."

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4. Mark Harmon

Mark Harmon, a former UCLA starting quarterback, transitioned to acting and gained recognition. He is well-known for his role as the lead in the TV series "NCIS."

5. John Matuszak

John Matuszak, a Super Bowl-winning NFL player, ventured into acting after his football career. He is best remembered as Sloth in "The Goonies," but his life was tragically cut short.

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6. Jim Brown

Jim Brown, a dominant running back, retired from the NFL at a young age and pursued acting. He landed a significant role in the iconic war film "The Dirty Dozen."

7. Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers, known for his roles in the "Rocky" movies and "Happy Gilmore," played football at San Diego State. After a brief football career, he transitioned to acting.

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8. Bill Goldberg

Bill Goldberg, a professional wrestler, also played in the NFL and was the first player cut by the Carolina Panthers. He dabbled in acting, even portraying Santa Claus in a horror comedy film.

9. Brian Bosworth

Brian Bosworth had a successful college career but only lasted a short time in the NFL. He attempted an acting career, although it didn't reach the same level of success as his football days.

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10. Terry Crews

Terry Crews, known for his comedic roles, played in the NFL before transitioning to acting. He has appeared in shows like "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "Battle Dome."

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