Athletes embracing the spirit of Star Wars

With the nationwide release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Dec. 16, 2016, here is a look back at athletes embracing the spirit of Star Wars.

Athletes embracing the spirit of Star Wars

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Kansas City Royals players high-five Darth Vader as he walks off the field before a game against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 18, 2016 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

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Detroit Tigers first base coach Omar Vizquel poses with Chewbacca prior to the "Star Wars Night" promotion game against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 10, 2016 at Comerica Park in Detroit.

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C-3PO and R2-D2 greet Los Angeles Angels players as part of the "Star Wars Night" promotion before a game against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 9, 2016 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Liam Hendriks wears a special Darth Vader mask in the clubhouse prior to a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 5, 2016 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

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New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi poses with Chewbacca before a game against the Cleveland Indians during the team's first ever "Star Wars Night" on Aug. 5, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.

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Tampa Bay Rays utility player Taylor Motter poses in a Chewbacca mask with Candace Payne, aka "Chewbacca mom," after she threw out the ceremonial first pitch for a game against the Houston Astros during "Star Wars Night" on June 11, 2016 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

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Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett poses in a stormtrooper mask before a game against the New York Mets on June 11, 2016 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisc.

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Dallas Mavericks guard Raymond Felton is greeted by teammates and stormtroopers during team introductions for their game against the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 31, 2016 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns wears a Chewbacca mask as he competes in the Breakaway Challenge during the NHL All-Star Skill Competition on Jan. 30, 2016 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

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Cole Miller and Jim Alers face off with lightsabers during the UFC weigh-in on Dec. 18, 2015 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

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UFC fighter Ronda Rousey as a stormtrooper and Travis Browne as Boba Fett, joined by a friend as Darth Maul, attend an opening-night showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Dec. 17, 2015.

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Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez poses with Star Wars characters before a game against the Orlando Magic on Dec. 14, 2015 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

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Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard looks back at R2-D2 before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 14, 2015 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Ore.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers poses in his jedi robe with girlfriend Olivia Munn on Dec. 11, 2015.

Rod Mar; Photo Illustration by SI Premedia

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett poses as a jedi during a photo shoot on Dec. 9, 2015 in Renton, Wash.

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Michael Strahan as Luke Skywalker and Kelly Ripa as Princess Leia Organa attend the Hallowe'en photocall for Live! with Kelly and Michael on Oct. 30, 2015 in New York City.

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Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and mascot Sluggerrr pose with characters on "Star Wars Day" before a game against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 9, 2015 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

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The Washington Nationals scoreboard dispays the pitching matchup between Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke and Nats starting pitcher Max Scherzer on "Star Wars Day" on July 19, 2015 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

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Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano poses with a young fan dressed as Princess Leia before a game against the Houston Astros during "Star Wars Night" on June 19, 2015 at Safeco Field in Seattle.

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Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier poses with Darth Vader before a game against the San Francisco Giants on May 15, 2015 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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New York Jets center Nick Mangold dresses as a stormtrooper on May 4, 2015 at the Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J.

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Hector Santiago poses with R2-D2 on "Star Wars Night" before the Angels game against the Oakland Athletics on April 20, 2015 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

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Magic Johnson poses with Darth Vader and stormtroopers before the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Seattle Mariners on April 14, 2015 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

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Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman appears dressed as Han Solo on the jumbotron during the Braves game against the New York Mets on "Star Wars Night" on Sept. 19, 2014 at Turner Field in Atlanta.

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Chewbacca hugs Chicago White Sox catcher Adrian Nieto after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the White Sox game against the Cleveland Indians during "Star Wars Night' on Aug. 29, 2014 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

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Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko poses with Darth Vader and a stormtrooper before the White Sox game against the Cleveland Indians during "Star Wars Night' on Aug. 29, 2014 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

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The Portland Sea Dogs head to the field in Chewbacca-themed uniforms during their game against the Richmond Flying Squirrels as they celebrate "Star Wars Night" on Aug. 16, 2014 at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine.

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The Denver Outlaws take the field in Rebel Alliance uniforms for their Major League Lacrosse game against the Ohio Machine on May 4, 2014 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver.

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Tampa Bay Rays DH Luke Scott wears a Chewbacca mask as he high-fives manager Joe Maddon after the team's 5-4 win in 18 innings against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 20, 2013 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

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Toledo Mud Hens pitcher Jose Alvarez, wearing his Star Wars Chewbacca-themed jersey, delivers a pitch during a Triple-A International League minor league game against the Charlotte Knights on May 4, 2013 at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.

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Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov donned a Star Wars themed mask during the 2012-13 NHL season.

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Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis autographs a lightsaber bat for Darth Vader before a spring training game on March 15, 2013 at Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

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Novak Djokovic wears a Darth Vader mask and waves to the crowd as he arrives on court for his match against Sam Querrey on Oct. 31, 2012 at the Paris Tennis Masters tournament.

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MMA fighter Amanda Lucas, daughter of Star Wars visionary George Lucas, poses with Darth Vader and several stormtroopers after earning her first MMA championship on Feb. 18, 2012 at Deep 57 in Japan.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter laughs as he stands with Darth Vader before the National Anthem prior to the Cardinals game against the Houston Astros on Sept. 26, 2011 on "Star Wars Night" at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

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Florida Marlins catcher John Baker poses with Darth Vader and a clone trooper before the Marlins game against the Atlanta Braves on Sept. 20, 2011 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

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New York Mets center fielder Angel Pagan passes two stormtroopers before the start of the Mets game against the Atlanta Braves on Sept. 16, 2011 at Turner Field in Atlanta.

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New York Mets pitcher Ryota Igarashi wields a lightsaber against a fan dressed as Darth Vader prior to the Mets game against the Washington Nationals on Sept. 13, 2011 at Citi Field in New York.

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Ottawa Senators goalie Martin Gerber donned a Darth Vader-themed mask during the 2008-09 NHL season.

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LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham and a clone trooper pose for photographers during pregame festivities of an MLS soccer match against DC United on Sept. 20, 2008 at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.

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New York Islanders goalie Wade Dubielewicz donned a mask with Yoda on the back during the 2006-07 NHL season.

Wilfredo Lee/AP

Florida Marlins utility player Alfredo Amezaga is shown on the scoreboard as Yoda during his at-bat in the first inning against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 22, 2006 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

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Washington Redskins wide receiver Antwaan Randle El poses with Darth Maul during the opening day of the month-long "Star Wars Weekends" fan festival on May 19, 2006 at the Disney-MGM Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Dhani Jones poses with Darth Vader at the premiere of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith on May 12, 2005 at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City.

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Jeff Gordon poses with Darth Vader, Jango Fett, and stormtroopers prior to the Aaron's 499 on May 1, 2005 at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

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John Andretti drives the Cheerios/Star Wars Dodge Intrepid R/T during practice for the Coca-Cola 600 on May 23, 2002 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

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Minnesota Twins catcher Terry Steinbach and pitcher Joe Mays share the bench with the Twins newest Wookie prior to their game with the Seattle Mariners on July 24, 1999 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.

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Jeff Gordon stands by his new Busch Grand National series car during a news conference to announce the Star Wars Episode I sponsorship for his team in the Carquest 300 race on May 26, 1999 in Concord, N.C.