Music Stars Who've Tried to Be Pro Athletes

There's an inextricable link between sports and the mic.

Draft Day - With 50 Cent settling into his role as a licensed boxing promoter with his SMS Promotions company, Jay Z growing his Roc Nation sports and Weezy's skateboarding obsession, it's safe to say the worlds of music and sports are inextricably linked. But it's not just from behind the desk.For example, Redfoo, one-half of pop duo LMFAO, entered the US Open national playoffs, hoping to earn a spot in the tennis tournament in 2013. "It's always been a dream of mine to play professional tennis," he said. Watch out Williams sisters; he played the sport as a youth.Read on to see other music stars with hoop, bat, gridiron and even rink dreams.(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

1 / 10

Draft Day - With 50 Cent settling into his role as a licensed boxing promoter with his SMS Promotions company, Jay Z growing his Roc Nation sports and Weezy's skateboarding obsession, it's safe to say the worlds of music and sports are inextricably linked. But it's not just from behind the desk.For example, Redfoo, one-half of pop duo LMFAO, entered the US Open national playoffs, hoping to earn a spot in the tennis tournament in 2013. "It's always been a dream of mine to play professional tennis," he said. Watch out Williams sisters; he played the sport as a youth.Read on to see other music stars with hoop, bat, gridiron and even rink dreams.(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

Master P - Master P actually made the preseason roster of the Charlotte Hornets back in 1998 and the Toronto Raptors in 1999. He never saw court-time, but hey, at least he got his own branded Converse sneaker. (Photo: Michael Underwood/PictureGroup)

2 / 10

Master P - Master P actually made the preseason roster of the Charlotte Hornets back in 1998 and the Toronto Raptors in 1999. He never saw court-time, but hey, at least he got his own branded Converse sneaker. (Photo: Michael Underwood/PictureGroup)

Marvin Gaye - In 1970, Marvin Gaye, at the age of 31, started training in hopes of becoming a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, but the coach refused to put him in harm's way with a tryout. (Photo: Detroit Free Press/MCT /Landov)

3 / 10

Marvin Gaye - In 1970, Marvin Gaye, at the age of 31, started training in hopes of becoming a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, but the coach refused to put him in harm's way with a tryout. (Photo: Detroit Free Press/MCT /Landov)

Nelly - Nelly was a shortstop in the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association with his sights set on a big-league career when his music career began to take off. (Photo: BET)

4 / 10

Nelly - Nelly was a shortstop in the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association with his sights set on a big-league career when his music career began to take off. (Photo: BET)

Photo By Photo: BET

Lil B @LILBTHEBASEDGOD - Tweet: "@joeyBADASS_ thats right joey! - Lil B" Lil B responded to Joey's taunt with this tweet and a diss track, "I'm the BadA$."(Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)

5 / 10

Lil B - Lil B tried out for a D-league affiliated with the Golden State Warriors, but didn't make the cut. Looks like we'll have to wait to see a Vans basketball shoe. (Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Romeo - Like father, like son. As a high schooler, Romeo was invited to the exclusive ABCD Camp, where the likes of LeBron and Kobe once roamed. He then received a scholarship to play ball at USC. However, a Wall Street Journal article later claimed that Romeo received both honors due to his high-profile connections, not his talent.  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

6 / 10

Romeo - Like father, like son. As a high schooler, Romeo was invited to the exclusive ABCD Camp, where the likes of LeBron and Kobe once roamed. He then received a scholarship to play ball at USC. However, a Wall Street Journal article later claimed that Romeo received both honors due to his high-profile connections, not his talent.  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

MC Hammer - MC Hammer served as batboy for the Oakland As and later unsuccessfully tried out for the San Francisco Giants before finding better success with hits off the field. (Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images for Motorola Xoom)

7 / 10

MC Hammer - MC Hammer served as batboy for the Oakland As and later unsuccessfully tried out for the San Francisco Giants before finding better success with hits off the field. (Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images for Motorola Xoom)

Photo By Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images for Motorola Xoom

Clarence Clemons - The late saxophonist Clarence Clemons, known for his long run with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, was invited to try out for the Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys as young man, but a car accident derailed his pro dreams.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Fox/PictureGroup)

8 / 10

Clarence Clemons - The late saxophonist Clarence Clemons, known for his long run with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, was invited to try out for the Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys as young man, but a car accident derailed his pro dreams.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Fox/PictureGroup)

Photo By Frank Micelotta/Fox/PictureGroup

Terence Trent D'Arby - Before the acclaimed "Wishing Well" singer sold 14 million records back in the late '80s and early '90s, he won the Florida Golden Gloves lightweight championship. (Photo: Alpha /Landov)

9 / 10

Terence Trent D'Arby - Before the acclaimed "Wishing Well" singer sold 14 million records back in the late '80s and early '90s, he won the Florida Golden Gloves lightweight championship. (Photo: Alpha /Landov)

Suge Knight - Suge Knight, one of the most famous (and infamous) rap execs of all time, was briefly a defensive end for the L.A. Rams before he co-founded Death Row Records with Dr. Dre. (Photo: Walik Goshorn / Retna Ltd.)

10 / 10

Suge Knight - Suge Knight, one of the most famous (and infamous) rap execs of all time, was briefly a defensive end for the L.A. Rams before he co-founded Death Row Records with Dr. Dre. (Photo: Walik Goshorn / Retna Ltd.)