Looking back at the athlete cameos on NBC's 'Parks and Recreation'
The series finale for NBC's Parks and Recreation is just around the corner. From referencing sabermetrics to talking about the Hoosiers to Larry Bird's Aunt Tilda, there have been a number of sports references on the show over the years. None of this should come as a surprise when you consider that Michael Schur, one of the co-creators of the show, used to write for the sports blog Fire Joe Morgan under the pseudonym Ken Tremendous.
We decided to say goodbye to the show by looking back at all the cameos made by athletes across its five-season run.
. Detlef Schrempf
Former NBA forward Detlef Schrempf made his first cameo on the show as a celebrity guest for a local telethon that Leslie Knope was hosting. He makes two more visits to Pawnee when Tom Haverford and Jean-Ralphio Saperstein hired him to hang around the office of their company, Entertainment 720, and play basketball.
. Roy Hibbert
Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert has made three Parks and Rec appearances, and he's tied with Schrempf for the most athlete cameos on the show. The pair even appeared in an episode together, playing basketball at the offices of Entertainment 720. His highlights include calling Ben Wyatt "Jello shot" and handing out shrimp cocktails at a party.
. Andrew Luck
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is featured in two episodes, with his first appearance occurring alongside teammate Reggie Wayne and Colts owner Jim Irsay during a bachelor party. Luck still has a long way to go to catch up to a certain former Colts quarterback in the acting department, but it's at least a passable start.
. Chris Bosh
Bosh has a short but memorable appearance on the show, playing a ringer for Eagleton's basketball team. Unfortunately for Aubrey Plaza, who plays April Ludgate on the show and is a huge admirer of Bosh, she did not get the opportunity to do a scene with him. And the prank that Plaza tried to pull on Bosh apparently did not go over so well.
. Robert Mathis
Robert Mathis only says two words in his lone appearance (skip to the 47-second mark), but his cameo is one of the best of all the athletes that have appeared on the show. Remember, skill positions only for Donna Meagle.
. John Cena
WWE superstar John Cena appeared in a recent episode as a guest on Andy Dwyer's "Johnny Karate."
. Reggie Wayne
Wayne joins Luck and Irsay to make two cameos on the show. He is apparently weirded out by the fact that Andy got married to April while wearing his jersey, but at least he respects the decision.
. Adam Vinatieri and Anthony Castonzo
Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri and offensive tackle Anthony Castanzo share a scene with Tom Haverford (skip to the 59-second mark), who, of course, refuses to participate in any type of activity that involves running.
. Miles Plumlee
Miles Plumlee's cameo on the show may very well have gone unnoticed, as he shares a short scene with Hibbert in a non-speaking role at St. Elmo's steakhouse at the tail end of Wyatt's bachelor party (skip to the 75-second mark).
. The spirit of Bob Knight
Ron Swanson channels his inner Bob Knight while coaching a boys' basketball team, from wearing Knight's trademark red sweater to angrily tossing a chair across the court.
. Honorable mention: David Eckstein
While not a cameo, we couldn't not include David Eckstein's response to being included in the law firm FWAR, DIPS, Winshares, Gritt, Babip, Pecota, VORP & Eckstein LLP.
