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For the Love of Sports and Fame: Hollywood Actors Who Used to be Athletes

Burt Reynolds

Before becoming an actor, Burt Reynolds had other dreams. The Michigan native wanted nothing more than to become a professional football player. By the time he was in tenth grade, he was offered multiple college scholarships.

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Source: IMDB

Reynolds ultimately landed a full scholarship to Florida State University, where he played halfback. Unfortunately, his dreams were shattered. During his first game, he injured his knee. Soon after, he got into a car accident where he hurt his other knee and lost his spleen.

Fun fact: Back in 1972, Burt Reynolds posed nude in an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. Unfortunately, he may have regretted that decision stating, ā€œIā€™m very embarrassed by it.ā€