The Celebrity Apprentice: The Five Best Athlete Appearances in Reality TV

In the 12 years since reality TV exploded in the United States with the premier of Survivor, it is only natural that athletes have become a part of reality TV.

Some of their appearances have been memorable as train wrecks (see: The T.O. Show) while some have been inspirational. Here are five of the best appearances.

Former open wheel racer Michael Andretti is carrying the torch for reality star athletes now on the current season of Celebrity Apprentice.
Without further ado, here are the five best athlete appearances in reality television.

In 2004 the former NBA star known as “the Worm” made his reality television debut on the short lived Mole franchise on ABC. Rodman actually won the competition and took home $222,000.

Canseco has had an incredible career as far as general wackiness and it is no surprise that he has been on two different reality television shows.
He was on the fifth season of the Surreal Life, and spent two weeks living in a mansion with Caprice Bourret, Sandy Denton (Pepa of Salt n’ Pepa), Janice Dickinson, Carey Hart, Omarosa Manigault and Bronson Pinchot. Canseco was ultimately overshadowed in the show by a feud between Manigault and Dickinson, and the popularity of Denton who was a part of two spinoff shows.
Canseco’s stint on the Celebrity Apprentice was not especially memorable either, at least not for viewers. He had to withdraw from the show in the fifth episode as his father was terminally ill with cancer.

Palmer was mostly forgettable as an NFL quarterback. He was drafted in the fourth round out of Florida by the Giants. He played in eight games, throwing for three touchdowns, four interceptions and 562 yards before he ended his pro career.
In the 2004 offseason, he made history as the first non-American bachelor (Palmer is Canadian). He is also remembered for forgetting a contestant’s name during the first rose ceremony.

Smith is a three time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys and the career record holder for rushing yards with 18,355.
In 2006 he joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars where he and his partner Cheryl Burke won the competition.
Smith’s victory was huge news at the time and made it much more acceptable for athletes and other traditionally “manly,” guys to join the show.

The Pittsburgh Steeler’s wide receiver is a two-time Super Bowl champion and former Super Bowl MVP. He was also the second professional athlete to win Dancing with the Stars.
He and partner Kym Johnson scored a perfect 30 in their week nine performance. Ward’s success only added to the desire of professional athletes to join the show. The next cast will be announced on February 28, 2012 on Good Morning America.