Athletes on Reality Shows

In one episode, Johnson was congratulated for her "killer instinct" as a ballroom dancer and the pint-sized gymnast waltzed her way to the Dancing with the Stars prize in the eighth season of the show.

The former star NFL running back made an appearance on Survivor: Tocantins, where his wife Taj was going for the grand prize.

Who says a 300-pound former football player can't be graceful? Sapp made it to the finals of Dancing With The Stars in December 2008 before losing to Brooke Burke.

The former NBA guard turned NBA TV commentator appears with his wife, Deshawn, on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

After retiring from the NBA, Dennis the Menace has made a career as a reality TV star. Before appearing on Celebrtiy Apprentice, he had his own show, The Rodman World Tour. He won the $222,000 main prize on the 2005 edition of The Celebrity Mole, participated in the U.K.'s Celebrity Big Brother and hosted Geek to Freak.

The former Heisman winner wasn't tough enough to avoid the Donald's most famous words on the Celebrity Apprentice: He was fired during an appearance in the 2009 season of the show after failing to sell a new recipe to a frozen food company.

The pro golfer was fired by the Donald on The Celebrity Apprentice after she picked jewels that did not sell well at an auction.

The former figure skating champion was fired from The Celebrity Apprentice in 2009 for failing to control Dennis Rodman's outbursts.

Murray went from dancing with the bulls to dancing with Chelsie Hightower on the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars.

The IRL's Castroneves won Dancing with the Stars in 2008. Among the hottest topics was a rumored romance with his dance partner, Julianne Hough, which he denied in an interview with SI.

Ali fought through knee pain to reach the semifinal round of Dancing with the Stars in 2007.

The tennis Hall of Famer was voted off in the first round of Dancing with the Stars in 2008.

In 2006, ESPN followed Bonds for a reality show aptly titled Bonds On Bonds. The show was meant to give viewers an inside look at one of baseball's most controversial figures. Despite being signed for 10 hours of TV time, Bonds On Bonds aired for only 5 1/2 hours.

VH1 brags on its Web site that the new series The T.O. Show will feature Monique Jackson and Kita Williams (two of T.O.'s best friends) as "matchmakers and therapists who try to help him make his life off of the field as successful as his life on it!" We're intrigued. And scared.

The volleyball star had to leave Dancing with the Stars after ruptering her Achilles tendon.

Lewis fought his way to the semifinals of Celebrity Apprentice. The Donald fired him for being too laid back, saying, "I have to say, Lennox -- you're fantastic, but you're fired."

Despite being paired up with Stephen Baldwin and Omarosa, MMA's Ortiz was the weakest link according to Trump. He was the eighth person fired in the first season of The Celebrity Apprentice.

The Olympic softball pitcher was the fourth candidate fired from The Celebrity Apprentice in 2008.

Comaneci was the second celebrity fired from the Celebrity Apprentice's second season after she failed to speak up on a crucial decision.

The All-Pro defensive end broke convention by participating on the show while still an active NFL player. One of the favorites throughout the competition, Taylor made the final three.

Fans can catch a glimpse of Sanders' personal life in his own reality series Deion and Pilar Sanders: Primetime Love.

The Olympic figure skater translated her grace and light feet onto the dance floor to reach the final three of Dancing with the Stars.

Ruggiero was a member of the gold-medal-winning 1998 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Her Olympic medal was not enough to impress Donald Trump, who fired her on the Apprentice: L.A.

The former tennis pro had to choose between the twentysomething "Kittens" and the over-40 "Cougars" in this Bachelor-like format. He selected 25-year-old Amanda Salinas, a hockey team dancer for the Nashville Predators.

Okoye played for the Chiefs as a running back from 1987-92, but on this show he was more like an Oakland Raider as part of crew that sought lost treasures in the Caribbean. The crew played the role of the turk, cutting the Nigerian Nightmare loose in the second episode.

The Olympic gold medal speed skater stood tall on the podium again, winning the season four competition with help from partner Julianne Hough.

Before launching a career as an SI Swimsuit model, Snyder was a shy girl from the Midwest who gave up her soccer scholarship at Iowa State to participate in The Real World. She also took part in Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno in 2004.

The former Florida Gators and New York Giants quarterback selected Jessica Bowlin, a 22-year-old California law student, from the 25 women competing for his affection on the fifth season of this show. He chose not to propose to her on the show, however, and a few weeks later they broke up.

A self-admitted steroid user (Canseco), Sandi Denton of "Salt n Pepa," Caprice, Bronson Pinchot, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth and a three-legged dog all shared the same house for season five of this series.

The former Olympic gold medalist and world champion co-hosted this on-air tournament in which young fighters competed against each other. Peter Manfredo Jr., who lost a super middleweight title bout, is one of the alums.

After washing out as a major-league closer, Rocker took part in season one of this show where former athletes take on the weekend warrior types. Other former stars included Jim McMahon, Jerry Rice, Clyde Drexler and Bo Jackson.

Young and five other members of the Diamondbacks' organization were profiled as they fought their way through the minor leagues on the way to the majors.

The NFL's all-time leading rusher is used to winning -- his Cowboys won three Super Bowls -- so it shouldn't have come as a surprise when he partnered with Cheryl Burke to beat out actor Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff in the season three final.

Perhaps the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Rice partnered with Anna Trebunskaya in season two. They placed second.

HBO followed the two fighters as they prepared for their championship fight in May 2007. The show was a huge success and was credited with drumming up record sales for the pay-per-view fight -- a reported $120 million of revenue -- which Mayweather won by split decision.

Former NBA All-Star and Olympic Dream Teamer Drexler partnered with Elena Grinenko, but they became the fourth couple to be eliminated in season four.

Holyfield was the first retired athlete to appear on this show, but he didn't last long. Holyfield and partner Edyta Sliwinska were the second couple voted off in the first season. At least he didn't get his ear bitten off.

Shaq helped kids lose weight as a way to draw attention to the growing problem of childhood obesity in the United States.

Retired volleyball pro Reece was among 12 celebrity drivers who partnered with six of stock car racing's up-and-coming drivers to learn to compete for the checkered flag. The series, which also starred John Elway, Jewel, William Shatner, Tony Hawk and John Salley, among others, premiered in 2007.

The tennis queens were profiled in a six-part series in 2005 about their daily lives off the court.

Years after he had been sacked by the Bears' 46 defense, Hogeboom took on an alias -- "Gary Hawkins" -- for Survivor: Guatemala. Unfortunately for him, one of the other contestants was Danni Boatwright, a sports radio talk show host from Kansas City who recognized him and ended up taking the prize.