43 Celebrities You Didn't Know Were Athletes in High School
Who knew Kate Middleton played field hockey?
![Sports, Team sport, Sports equipment, Ball, Ball game, Leisure, Games, Sports, Team sport, Sports equipment, Ball, Ball game, Leisure, Games,](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/index-celebs-who-are-athletes-1566593654.jpg?crop=1.00xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=1200:*)
It doesn't seem fair that these celebs are not only talented singers, actors, and performers, but also athletic. At the same time, there's something about seeing them compete that makes me think... Stars, they're just like us. Read on to find out what sports these celebs played in high school and beyond.
Amy Adams
![91st Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals 91st Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/amy-adams-attends-the-91st-annual-academy-awards-at-news-photo-1579147601.jpg?crop=0.768xw:0.512xh;0.0452xw,0.0288xh&resize=980:*)
Amy danced and did track in high school, and she was especially passionate about dance. "I didn't go to the university because there weren't options in my family. And I stopped the athletic options. I was supposed to stick with track because I was really quick and I could run fast, but I told them, 'I want to dance,'" she said to the Hollywood Reporter in 2008.
Phil Robertson
![87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/phil-robertson-of-a-e-televisions-duck-dynasty-waves-to-the-news-photo-1579147774.jpg?crop=0.873xw:0.689xh;0.123xw,0.0875xh&resize=980:*)
The star of A&E's Duck Dynasty was an athlete growing up before hitting reality TV. According to ESPN, he played football as the quarterback for Louisiana Tech. Now he's just hunting down game.
Joel McHale
![ELLE's 24th Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration presented by L'Oreal Paris, Real Is Rare, Real Is A Diamond and CALVIN KLEIN - Arrivals ELLE's 24th Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration presented by L'Oreal Paris, Real Is Rare, Real Is A Diamond and CALVIN KLEIN - Arrivals](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/joel-mchale-attends-elles-24th-annual-women-in-hollywood-news-photo-1579147895.jpg?crop=0.639xw:0.425xh;0.183xw,0.0260xh&resize=980:*)
While at the University of Washington, the comedian, actor, and TV host was a tight end for the football team! So, he played during college years. Yet apparently he was not very good, so it's wise he chose a different career path.
Jon Stewart
![The 2017 ESPYS - Show The 2017 ESPYS - Show](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/personality-jon-stewart-speaks-onstage-at-the-2017-espys-at-news-photo-1579147208.jpg?crop=0.984xw:0.797xh;0.0164xw,0.0133xh&resize=980:*)
The comedian played as a winger on the William & Mary men's soccer team back in college and even made it to the varsity team after beginning as a walk-on. He even helped his team reach the NCAA tournament by scoring a winning goal. "He was a really good player," said his coach. "He wasn't the best player, but he was a good player. His journey speaks to the type of person he is. He's very hard working and not easily discouraged."
Forest Whitaker
!["Godfather Of Harlem" New York Screening "Godfather Of Harlem" New York Screening](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/actor-forest-whitaker-attends-the-godfather-of-harlem-new-news-photo-1579147427.jpg?crop=0.840xw:0.560xh;0.0821xw,0.0822xh&resize=980:*)
Whitaker played football during high school and went on to California State Polytechnic University in Pomona by way of a football scholarship. Yet, he got a back injury and decided to transfer to the University of Southern California on a music scholarship, instead.
Matthew Fox
![LOST LOST](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/live-together-die-alone-after-discovering-something-odd-news-photo-1579148107.jpg?crop=0.850xw:0.626xh;0.0123xw,0.0393xh&resize=980:*)
The Lost star got a rude awakening about his football skills, and clearly he was just led to acting instead. He actually lost 44 straight games during his college football career (yikes). He had a 2-38 record when he played wide receiver for Columbia.
Emma Watson
![2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/emma-watson-attends-the-2018-vanity-fair-oscar-party-hosted-news-photo-1579148274.jpg?crop=0.930xw:0.608xh;0.0698xw,0.0336xh&resize=980:*)
The Little Women actress was actually an excellent field hockey player when she studied at Brown University. Just look how cute she looked in her uniform!
Tom Selleck
![Tom Selleck Portrait Tom Selleck Portrait](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/actor-tom-selleck-poses-for-a-portrait-in-1980-in-los-news-photo-1579148456.jpg?crop=0.988xw:0.662xh;0.0123xw,0.00825xh&resize=980:*)
While he's known for his glorious 'stache, he did have some good basketball skills growing up. In the '60s, he got a scholarship to go to Southern Cal, where he played on the basketball team and also pursued acting and modeling.
Sheryl Crow
![14th Annual Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon RunWalk For Women - Arrivals 14th Annual Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon RunWalk For Women - Arrivals](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/sheryl-crow-during-14th-annual-entertainment-industry-news-photo-184556490-1566594478.jpg?crop=0.729xw:0.534xh;0.119xw,0.0271xh&resize=980:*)
Sheryl was on the track and field team in high school. The singer told ET in 2011 that she went to the state championships for hurdles. Now she runs for charities and looks good doing it.
Avril Lavigne
![Avril Lavigne - RCA Records Annual Hockey Game Avril Lavigne - RCA Records Annual Hockey Game](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/avril-lavigne-during-avril-lavigne-rca-records-annual-news-photo-115474879-1566594559.jpg?crop=0.988xw:0.644xh;0.0123xw,0.0828xh&resize=980:*)
"Sk8r Boi"? More like Sk8r Girl. Punk princess Avril was in ice skates by the time she was 2. The Canadian-born singer even revealed she brings rollerblades with her on tour so that she can play street hockey.
Jamie Foxx
![2018 NBA All-Star Game Celebrity Game 2018 NBA All-Star Game Celebrity Game](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/entertainer-jamie-foxx-plays-in-the-2018-nba-all-star-game-news-photo-926002174-1564943223.jpg?crop=0.842xw:0.669xh;0,0.0392xh&resize=980:*)
In high school, Jamie wore the no. 13 jersey on his basketball team. Today, the singer/actor still likes to go out and shoot hoops and is an avid Dallas Mavericks fan.
Britney Spears
!['N Sync's Challenge for the Children III 'N Sync's Challenge for the Children III](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/singer-britney-spears-warms-up-prior-to-the-celebrity-news-photo-85922526-1566594685.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.531xh;0,0.0316xh&resize=980:*)
Britney was still in high school when she rose to singing stardom, but before her career took off, she was on her school basketball team. FWIW, she still has a great shot.
Will Ferrell
![Soccer Aid 2012 Soccer Aid 2012](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/will-ferrell-attends-the-soccer-aid-foorball-match-in-aid-news-photo-145368591-1564942320.jpg?crop=0.713xw:0.857xh;0.287xw,0.0346xh&resize=980:*)
No, Will's soccer days were not limited to Kicking and Screaming. The actor was on the soccer team in high school, and now he is an owner of Los Angeles FC.
George Clooney
![1995 MTV's Rock 'n Jock Baseball 1995 MTV's Rock 'n Jock Baseball](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/bobby-bonilla-pauly-shore-george-clooney-during-mtvs-6th-news-photo-111155845-1566594756.jpg?crop=0.517xw:0.780xh;0.462xw,0.0310xh&resize=980:*)
When George was 16, he wanted to be a pro baseball player and even tried out for the Cincinnati Reds. Though he never got a contract, George didn't let that negatively impact his love for the team.
2 Chainz
![NBA All-Star Game 2013 NBA All-Star Game 2013](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/rapper-2-chainz-plays-basketball-at-half-time-during-the-news-photo-161940064-1564266171.jpg?crop=0.641xw:0.963xh;0.226xw,0.0154xh&resize=980:*)
2 Chainz was a Division I basketball recruit out of North Clayton High School in College Park, Georgia. The 6-foot-5-inch rapper went on to play one season at Alabama State University, where he saw time in 24 out of 29 games, according to ESPN.
Nina Dobrev
![NFL: FEB 04 Super Bowl XLVI - Directv Celebrity Beach Bowl NFL: FEB 04 Super Bowl XLVI - Directv Celebrity Beach Bowl](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/nina-dobrev-and-tv-personality-brian-kilmeade-participates-news-photo-576939512-1564944106.jpg?crop=0.468xw:0.657xh;0.246xw,0.337xh&resize=980:*)
In high school, Nina participated in pretty much every sport imaginable: volleyball, soccer, baseball (yes, with boys), basketball, and flag football. She's also a talented gymnast. Today, the actress participates in celebrity sporting events, like the Celebrity Beach Bowl.
Jason Sudeikis
![2011 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2011 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/jason-sudeikis-plays-at-the-2011-bbva-nba-all-star-news-photo-109286973-1564343143.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.667xh;0,0.0887xh&resize=980:*)
Jason played basketball at various schools, and he even played against some future stars. "People always ask me about auditions and getting nervous," Jason told ESPN. "I always remember this moment where I'm playing against Tyronn Lue. I come down and throw some no-look pass. We score a bucket, he comes down and breaks me down. I get the ball from the inbounds and he's guarding me at full court. I think I even made the joke, 'Oh, you watched a lot of the 'NBA Superstars' videos too.'"
Denzel Washington
![Denzel Washington In 'Ricochet' Denzel Washington In 'Ricochet'](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/denzel-washington-takes-a-break-from-shooting-hoops-in-a-news-photo-156482628-1564343565.jpg?crop=0.739xw:0.593xh;0.140xw,0.0776xh&resize=980:*)
Denzel grew up playing pickup basketball, which eventually led him to Fordham University in the Bronx. According to his teammates, Denzel was great on defense and not so good at shooting, but his tenacity made up for any mistakes he made.
Ellen DeGeneres
![U.S. Open - Day 8 U.S. Open - Day 8](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/television-host-ellen-degeneres-returns-a-shot-to-melanie-news-photo-103869119-1564939084.jpg?crop=0.653xw:0.981xh;0.146xw,0.0216xh&resize=980:*)
The talk show host loves tennis, and talks about it on The Ellen DeGeneres Show frequently. She even plays in the occasional celeb tournament and tried to set tennis star Naomi Osaka up with Michael B. Jordan.
Matthew McConaughey
![Mission Hills Star Trophy - Day 5 Mission Hills Star Trophy - Day 5](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/actor-mathew-mcconaughey-in-action-during-day-five-of-the-news-photo-106392034-1564943841.jpg?crop=0.934xw:0.623xh;0.0308xw,0.133xh&resize=980:*)
Matthew was once ranked one of Hollywood's top 100 golfers, and he regularly appears in golf events. He even claims to have made four hole-in-ones, which is an impressive feat.
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