14 Sports Cameos in Cartoons and TV Shows
Athletes appearing in cartoons and TV shows are like surprise guest stars who bring laughs, chaos, and sometimes their real-life skills to animated worlds.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Sports icons have a habit of showing up in unexpected places, and animated shows love giving them a wild spin. From basketball legends dunking in animated universes to wrestlers voicing over-the-top versions of themselves, these cameos add a fun twist to familiar faces. Whether they play themselves or some exaggerated character, these moments remind us that athletes can be just as entertaining off the field as they are on it.
1. Michael Jordan in ProStars
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Before Space Jam, Michael Jordan was already saving the day in the 1991 cartoon ProStars. Alongside Wayne Gretzky and Bo Jackson, he fought crime using sports gadgets while also teaching kids life lessons. The show mixed action, humor, and real-life interviews with the athletes. It was a weird but entertaining attempt to turn sports icons into superheroes.
2. Shaquille O’Neal in Static Shock
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Shaq appeared in Static Shock as himself, helping Virgil (Static) navigate life as a superhero. He wasn’t just there to dunk—he gave advice and encouragement and even helped Static handle his powers. The episode showed Shaq’s natural charisma and love for mentoring young people. Plus, his deep voice made his animated character even cooler.
3. Mike Tyson in Mike Tyson Mysteries
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It’s not just a cameo but a whole show. Mike Tyson Mysteries featured Tyson as a crime-solving version of himself, working with a ghost, a talking pigeon, and his adopted daughter. The show was an absurd mix of Scooby-Doo-style mysteries and adult humor. Tyson embraced the weirdness, making it one of the strangest yet funniest sports-related cartoons ever.
4. The WWE in Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery
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John Cena, Triple H, and other WWE superstars appeared in this Scooby-Doo movie, helping solve a mystery in “WWE City.” The film combined wrestling theatrics with classic Scooby-Doo hijinks, making for an over-the-top but fun crossover. Cena even had a moment where he lifted a massive boulder like it was nothing. It was ridiculous, but somehow, it worked.
5. Serena Williams in The Simpsons
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Serena appeared in the episode Tennis the Menace, playing herself in a celebrity tennis tournament. The episode poked fun at the world of professional sports, featuring other tennis legends like Venus Williams and Andre Agassi. Serena held her own in The Simpsons’ satirical style, showing off her skills and sense of humor. Seeing her animated self trash-talk Homer was a highlight.
6. LeBron James in Teen Titans Go!
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LeBron James appeared in Teen Titans Go! as a super-powered, ultra-positive version of himself. His character fit right into the Titans’ chaotic world, teaching them about teamwork in a hilarious way. The show exaggerated his already larger-than-life presence, making the cameo even more fun. LeBron’s natural comedic timing made the episode a standout.
7. Tony Hawk in Rocket Power
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In Rocket Power: Island of the Menehune, Tony Hawk showed up as a skateboarding legend (which, let’s be real, he already is). He helped the kids improve their skills and reminded them to keep having fun while skating. His character was just as cool as his real-life persona, making this cameo feel effortless. Every young skater watching probably dreamed of skating with Tony after that.
8. Yao Ming in The Simpsons
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At 7'6", Yao Ming was already larger than life, so seeing him in The Simpsons felt right. He appeared in the episode Homer and Ned’s Hail Mary Pass, where Homer tried to bond with sports stars. The show played up Yao’s gentle giant personality, making him both intimidating and hilarious at the same time. Watching Homer attempt to look him in the eye was a classic Simpsons moment.
9. Peyton Manning in Family Guy
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Peyton Manning, known for his humor in commercials, brought his comedic chops to Family Guy. He played himself in a scene that exaggerated his goofiness, showing he’s just as good at self-deprecating humor as he is at throwing touchdowns. The episode leaned into his Southern charm and iconic forehead for some quick laughs. It proved that even an NFL legend can take a joke.
10. Charles Barkley in Space Jam
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Technically, Space Jam was a movie, but Barkley’s animated segment was unforgettable. He lost his basketball skills to aliens and wandered the streets, hilariously struggling to prove he was still the real Charles Barkley. The scene where he gets rejected from a pickup game was both sad and comedy gold. It cemented him as one of the funniest sports figures ever to get animated.
11. Wayne Gretzky in The Simpsons
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As the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky’s Simpsons cameo was legendary. He appeared in a Christmas-themed episode, The Nightmare After Krustmas, helping Bart and the gang in the most Canadian way possible—by using hockey skills to save the day. His polite and humble personality made him a perfect fit for the show’s humor. Plus, hearing Gretzky deliver lines in that soft-spoken voice made the whole thing even funnier.
12. Cristiano Ronaldo in The Simpsons
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Cristiano Ronaldo took a break from dazzling on the pitch to kick a ball right at Homer’s face in The Simpsons. His brief but hilarious cameo showed off his cocky side, playing into his reputation as a football superstar. The scene was simple but effective—Ronaldo flexing his skills while Homer just stood there, clueless. Even in cartoon form, Ronaldo looked like he belonged on a highlight reel.
13. Tom Brady in Family Guy
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Tom Brady made a memorable cameo in Family Guy, recruiting Peter Griffin to play for the New England Patriots. The episode Patriot Games played up Brady’s cool and collected personality while contrasting it with Peter’s absolute lack of athletic ability. Watching Peter fumble his way through professional football while Brady remained unfazed made for some classic Family Guy humor. It was a perfect example of an athlete embracing comedy.
14. Lionel Messi in The Simpsons
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Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers ever, appeared in The Simpsons for a special episode about the 2014 World Cup. In You Don’t Have to Live Like a Referee, Messi played a key role in helping Lisa expose corruption in the world of soccer. His cameo was short but impactful, showing him as a hero in the sport while adding a fun Simpsons twist. Seeing Messi in animated form was a treat for football fans worldwide.