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Entertainment & Arts

NFL heroes as actors

In college, he led the nation in rushing in 1970 and 1971 while playing football for Cornell University and as a pro he played for Minnesota, Seattle and the New York Jets. He wore a different kind of uniform, though, on the critically acclaimed television series "Hill Street Blues."

In college, he led the nation in rushing in 1970 and 1971 while playing football for Cornell University and as a pro he played for Minnesota, Seattle and the New York Jets. He wore a different kind of uniform, though, on the critically acclaimed television series “Hill Street Blues.”  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Dan Marino

The quarterback popped up in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “Little Nicky” but, really, the Dolphins gunslinger doesn’t make it off the bench as an actor.  (Donald Miralle / Getty Images)

Dwayne Johnson

He was on a national championship team at the University of Miami and made a go at it with the Canadian Football League, but really that’s now a footnote next to his acting and wrestling career.  (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

Mike Ditka

The charismatic Hall of Famer player and coach has become a motivational speaker in high demand and an actor willing to toy with his reputation as Iron Mike with films such as “Kicking & Screaming” and roles on “L.A. Law” and “Third Rock From the Sun.”  (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

Brett Favre

Like Marino, Favre should stick to commercials, but who can forget his surprise role in the film “There’s Something About Mary”?  (Morry Gash / Associated Press)

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