Elvis and Sports

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 16, 2012

Elvis and Sports

Elvis Presley poses as his character Walter Gulick in the film "Kid Galahad" in 1962.

Muhammad Ali, wearing a robe given to him by Elvis Presley, has his glove laces tied by trainer Angelo Dundee before his fight with Joe Bugner in Las Vegas on Feb. 14, 1973.

Nobody loved Elvis more than former Falcons coach Jerry Glanville, who would leave tickets at will-call for the legendary singer (after he passed).

Relief pitcher Kirk Presley, a third cousin of Elvis Presley, was the New York Mets first round pick (8th overall) in the 1993 amateur draft.

Ravens defensive end Elvis Dumervil looks to strip Philip Rivers during the Baltimore Ravens game against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Nov. 30, 2014.

Elvis Andrus slides safely into home past A.J. Pierzynski during the Texas Rangers game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston on April 9, 2014.

Canadian figure skater Elvis Stojko was a three-time World champion (1994, 1995, 1997) and two-time Olympic silver medalist (1994, 1998).

Quarterback Elvis Grbac played eight seasons in the NFL and made one Pro Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2000.

Jockey Elvis Trujillo rides MaryField across the finish line to win the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint during the 2007 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park, N.J. on Oct. 26, 2007.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser/Elvis Chevrolet, stands on pit road prior to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., on Sept. 8, 2007.

2007-Kevin-Harvick-Elvis-impersonator-Reese's-car.jpg — Handout

Kevin Harvick and Elvis tribute artist Doug Church pose with the No. 29 Reese's car paying tribute to the life and legacy of Elvis Presley at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 28, 2007.

John Force poses with his Elvis Presley car in his garage on Aug. 30, 1999.

2002-Shane-Battier-Elvis-impersonator-001246878xFinal.jpg — Peter Gregoire/SI

While with the Grizzlies, Shane Battier clowns around with an Elvis impersonator in Memphis, Tenn.

2003-Drew-Gooden-Lorenzen-Wright-Elvis-Presley-Graceland-mansion.jpg — Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images)

Memphis Grizzlies Drew Gooden and Lorenzen Wright pose with Elvis Presley's suits at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn., on Jan. 29, 2003.

2008-Michael-Conley-Juan-Carlos-Navarro-Elvis-wigs-sunglasses.jpg — Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Grizzlies Michael Conley and Juan Carlos Navarro pose wearing Elvis Presley wigs and sunglasses in honor of the Memphis Grizzlies "Elvis Night" prior to their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the FedExForum on Jan. 8, 2008.

2006-Tori-Praver-Elvis-Presley-giant-guitar-016086161.jpg — Walter Chin/SI

Tori Praver takes a rest on giant guitar at Humes High, alma mater of Elvis Presley, during a shoot for the 2007 SI Swimsuit issue.

Bob and Mike Bryan pose with two Elvis impersonators before an exhibition match during the Tennis Channel Open at Darling Tennis Center in Las Vegas Feb. 26, 2007.

Lance Berkman didn't embrace his nickname "Fat Elvis," and preferred the moniker "Big Puma."

Pat Burrell and his dog Elvis arrive at a victory rally to celebrate the Phillies 2008 World Series championship.

Oregon State mascot Benny appears on the field in an Elvis Presley-inspired costume before the team's game against BYU in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on Dec. 22, 2009.

The Philadelphia Eagles mascot gets a costume adjustment as Elvis for Halloween during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Oct. 31, 2004.

A New England Patriots and Elvis fan strikes a pose before Super Bowl XXXVI at the Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2002.

USA and Elvis fans strike a pose prior to the USA-Mexico World Cup match in Jeonju, South Korea on June 17, 2002.

Fans dressed as Elvis pose in front of the RCA Dome before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis on Sept. 21, 2003.

Elvis impersonators play basketball during halftime of a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 6, 2003.

Benjamin Agosto and Tanith Belbin perform an Elvis Presley medley in the Ice Dancing Free Dance competition of World Figure Skating Championships at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., on March 28, 2003.

Dale Davis talks with an Elvis Presley impersonator prior to the Portland Trail Blazers game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Rose Garden in Portland on March 3, 2004.

A Chiefs and Elvis fan cheers during the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sept. 26, 2004.

A Panthers and Elvis fan cheers during the Carolina Panthers game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 2, 2005.

A Red Wings and fan sits in the stands during Game 1 of the Western Confernce Quarterfinals between the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on April 21, 2006.

An Elvis Presley look-alike dunks to get the crowd pumped up for the 2007 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Las Vegas.

Saints and Elvis fans attend the New Orleans Saints Divisional Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Superdome in New Orleans on Jan. 13, 2007.

A Rockets and Elvis fan tries to distract Kobe Bryant during the Houston Rockets game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center in Houston on Jan. 13, 2009.

2008-mini-Elvis-impersonator-MLB-Winter-Meetings-076594104.jpg — Todd Bigelow/SI

A mini Elvis impersonator attends the MLB Winter Meetings at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2008.

Runners dressed as Elvis Presley get ready for the start of the 2007 Las Vegas Marathon.

Germany's Linus Gerdemann rides past a fan dressed as Elvis Presley during the seventh stage of the 2007 Tour de France.

A Rockies and Elvis fan holds up a sign in support of outfielder Matt Holliday before the Colorado Rockies Opening Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field in Denver on April 4, 2008.

Elvis fans attend the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles game at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on Aug. 21, 2009.

An LSU and Elvis fan watches the 2012 Tiger Classic softball game against Penn State at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge, La.

A man dressed as Elvis Presley changes the bases during the fifth inning of a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins on Elvis night at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2014.

Fans dressed as Elvis attend parties in The Grove prior to a game between the Ole' Miss and Auburn at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., Nov. 1, 2014.