The Beatles and Sports

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 27, 2012

The Beatles and Sports

Cassius Clay and The Beatles

With Paul McCartney set to perform at Friday's Olympic Opening Ceremonies, SI takes a look back at the nearly five-decade long relationship between The Beatles and sports. In this photo, Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) flays his chest Tarzan Style, the Beatles lie on the floor. The band visited Clay at his training camp in Miami before his fight with champion Sonny Liston. The 22-year-old, trash-talking challenger upset Liston on Feb. 25, a week after this photo was taken.

Cassius Clay and The Beatles

The boxer pretends to use George Harrison's head as a punching bag.

Cassius Clay and The Beatles

Another shot of Clay clowning around with the Beatles.

The Beatles

The Beatles perform at Shea Stadium in New York in 1965.

The Beatles

The band performs as "Beatlemania" swept the United States.

The Beatles

During the filming of Help in the Bahamas, the Beatles -- from left, Ringo, John, George and Paul -- rode bicycles.

Ringo Starr and Sugar Ray Robinson

Ringo Starr throws a fake punch at the boxing champion during a break in the filming of Candy

Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Joe Garagiola

The former major league catcher (with four teams, including the Cardinals) guest hosts the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1968 and is joined by Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

Barry Sheene, George Harrison and John Surtees

George Harrison chats with British motorbike champion Barry Sheene, who was attempting to race a Formula One car for the first time. Sheene's adviser John Surtees, who successfully made the transition from motorcycle racing to Formula One, also joins the discussion.

Heather Mills-McCartney

The then-wife of Sir Paul McCartney carries the Olympic torch in its relay across London in June 26. Mills and McCartney divorced in 2008, with the former Beatle reportedly paying $35 million in the settlement.

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney performs the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville. The Patriots beat the Eagles 24-21 behind Deion Branch's MVP performance.

Pete Best

The original drummer in the Beatles, replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962, Pete Best throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a White Sox-Yankees game at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

John Daly

The outspoken former British Open champion stands next to a statue of John Lennon before performing at The Cavern Club, which was made famous in the 1960s by the Beatles. Daly, in England to compete in the British Open, sang to around 300 fans to celebrate the publication of his autobiography, My Life In & Out of the Rough .

Steven Gerrad

The Liverpool soccer captain Steven Gerrad and manager Benitez carry the Champions League trophy off their plane at John Lennon Airport in Liverpool, England. Liverpool defeated AC Milan in the final a day earlier.

Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell

The former Beatle and his now-fiance stand for the seventh inning stretch at Yankee Stadium. Shevell, a New York businesswoman, and McCartney dated for four years before he popped the question -- reportedly with a vintage Cartier solitaire diamond engagement ring worth $650,000.