"Live from New York!" It's All 35 Athletes Who Have Hosted SNL

• Air Date: March 4, 2023
• Episode: Season 48, Episode 14
• Music Guest: Kelsea Ballerini

What’s not to love about Travis Kelce? He’s an insanely talented tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, and as he gains popularity, he’s also expanding his media presence, including hosting SNL this year shortly after winning Super Bowl LVII, among many other ventures.

Also, in case you haven't heard he's currently dating some singer named Taylor Swift.

• Air Date: February 1, 2020
• Episode: Season 45, Episode 12
• Music Guest: Luke Combs

JJ Watt hosted SNL toward the end of his legendary career with the Houston Texans, and was one of the last episodes that aired before SNL was temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the beginning of JJ Watt’s broadcasting career which he is expanding ever since retiring.

• Air Date: December 10, 2016
• Episode: Season 42, Episode 9
• Music Guest: Maren Morris

Still in the midst of his WWE career, John Cena had an active year as a media personality, hosting both SNL and the ESPYs. It was during all of these events that new and old fans of the wrestler got a better glimpse into his comedic and entertainment side.

• Air Date: January 23, 2016
• Episode: Season 41, Episode 11
• Music Guest: Selena Gomez

Shortly after being named the best female athlete of all time by ESPN and following her big match against Holly Holm, Ronda Rousey hosted SNL. She was a part of some truly memorable skits and it was an overall well-received episode.

• Air Date: May 5, 2012
• Episode: Season 37, Episode 20
• Music Guest: Rihanna

Much like his older brother Peyton, Eli Manning was a natural on the SNL stage. He hosted a couple of months after he led the Giants to a Super Bowl victory, and given that it was a great year for New York Giant fans, what better place to celebrate than the SNL stage in NYC.

• Air Date: September 13, 2008
• Episode: Season 34, Episode 1
• Music Guest: Lil Wayne

Fresh off his insane 2008 Summer Olympics in which he won nine gold medals, Michael Phelps stopped by SNL to be the host of the season 34 premiere.

• Air Date: September 29, 2007
• Episode: Season 33, Episode 1
• Music Guest: Kanye West

LeBron James kicked off the 33rd season of SNL with his first and currently only appearance as SNL host. He was only 22-years-old when he hosted, but it was clear that he was going to be something special in the NBA even at that early point in his career. LeBron has gone on to do plenty of incredible things, and this SNL appearance was one of them.

• Air Date: March 24, 2007
• Episode: Season 32, Episode 16
• Music Guest: Carrie Underwood

The Mannings have each had quite the careers – both as athletes and media personalities. Both Peyton and Eli as well as their brother Cooper and father Archie have proven to have a quite big sense of humor and ability to make others laugh. Peyton’s gig as SNL host – which happened to be on his 31st birthday – put these skills on display and was a very memorable episode with some truly hilarious skits.

• Air Date: October 29, 2005
• Episode: Season 31, Episode 4
• Music Guest: Sheryl Crow

Though his doping scandal has cast quite a shadow over his career, in 2005, Lance Armstrong was in the prime of his cycling career. When he hosted SNL in 2005, he was engaged to Sheryl Crow who was the musical guest of the episode and he had just won the Tour de France.

• Air Date: April 16, 2005
• Episode: Season 30, Episode 17
• Music Guest: Beck

Tom Brady did not host SNL after his first Super Bowl win. Nor did he host after his second championship ring. But he did host after he won his third of seven Superbowls in 2005. And it turned out that hosting was just another thing that he is good at.

• Air Date: November 8, 2003
• Episode: Season 29, Episode 5
• Music Guest: Dave Matthews Band

Just weeks after Andy Roddick won the US Open on home soil, he was asked to host SNL. Fellow tennis legend John McEnroe had a couple of cameos throughout the episode as well.

• Air Date: January 11, 2003
• Episode: Season 28, Episode 9
• Music Guest: Avril Lavigne

Jeff Gordon already had several Daytona 500 and Winston Cup wins under his belt and many more wins to come when he hosted SNL in 2003.

• Air Date: March 2, 2002
• Episode: Season 27, Episode 13
• Music Guest: Outkast

Fresh off a fourth place finish in freestyle skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics (of which he won gold in in 1998), Jonny Moseley stopped by SNL to host, and he put on a memorable performance.

• Air Date: December 1, 2001
• Episode: Season 27, Episode 7
• Music Guest: Shakira and Bubba Sparxxx

Derek Jeter is obviously a baseball legend, but during his early career he was largely seen as a very serious person who was focused on being the best. In 2001, shortly after 9/11, he impressed many with his ability to let loose as host of SNL during a time when many New Yorkers and Americans needed a laugh.

• Air Date: March 18, 2000; April 13, 2002; March 7, 2009; March 28, 2015; May 20, 2017
• Episode: S 25, E 15; S 27, E 7; S 34, E 7; S 40, E 16, S42, E 1
• Music Guest: ACDC (2000); Andrew W.K. (2002); George Ezra (2015); Katy Perry (2017)

When “The Rock” hosted SNL in May 2017, he joined the exclusive “Five-Timers” club – an infamous group of stars who have hosted the show five or more times. The wrestler turned actor clearly has a knack for being in front of the camera and making people laugh.

• Air Date: February 18, 1995
• Episode: Season 20, Episode 13
• Music Guest: Bon Jovi

We now know Deion Sanders’s personality is infectious and loud, but this was not as well known before he hosted SNL in January 1995, just weeks after the NFL cornerback won his first Super Bowl with the 49ers.

• Air Date: December 17, 1994
• Episode: Season 20, Episode 9
• Music Guest: Hole

George Foreman, boxing legend, was fresh off a World Championship when he hosted SNL in 1994.

• Air Date: March 12, 1994
• Episode: Season 19, Episode 15
• Music Guest: Aretha Franklin

Shortly after winning the silver medal in figure skating at the 1994 Winter Olympics and just months after the infamous attack that she experienced in Detroit leading up to the Olympics.

• Air Date: September 25, 1993; January 9, 2010; January 7, 2012;  March 3, 2018
• Episode: S 19, E1; S 35, E11; S 37, E 11; S 43, E 14
• Music Guest: Nirvana (1993); Alicia Keys (2010); Kelly Clarkson (2012); Migos (2018)

It's no secret that Charles Barkley is one funny dude, which helps him during his role as host of the NBA on TNT. So much so that SNL has asked him back several times, making him the host a total of four times, the first of which was in 2003, and most recently in 2018.

• Air Date: September 28, 1991
• Episode: 
• Music Guest: Public Enemy

SNL hit the jackpot when Michael Jordan agreed to host SNL just months after he won his first NBA Championship. He impressed the cast and viewers with his ability to let loose during the skits.

• Air Date: November 11, 1989
• Episode: Season 15, Episode 5
• Music Guest: Eurythmics

Chris Evert made history as the first woman athlete to host SNL in 1989, and so far, only two other women athletes have taken on the gig. This was just the start of her career as an entertainer beyond tennis.

• Air Date: May 13, 1989
• Episode: Season 14, Episode 19
• Music Guest: Fine Young Cannibals

Wayne Gretzky was famously put into the SNL spotlight courtesy of his wife Janet, who committed him for the gig on his behalf. Despite being one of the greatest hockey players of all time, hosting SNL was completely out of his comfort zone, but he ended up doing a very good job.

• Air Date: January 20, 1998
• Episode: Season 13, Episode 10
• Music Guest: Robbie Robertson

After his quick NFL career, Carl Weathers proved to have a promising career as an actor, as showcased in this episode of SNL that he hosted back in 1998. He was no stranger to the camera at this point, as Weathers had already been in an extensive list of television shows and movies, including his role as Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" franchise.

• Air Date: January 24, 1987
• Episode: Season 12, Episode 9
• Music Guest: Debbie Harry

Whoever was in the crowd of the Joe Montana and Water Payton hosted episode were in the presence of some absolute greatness. The duo of NFL legends impressed viewers with their comedic timing and comfortability on stage.

• Air Date: May 24, 1986
• Episode: Season 11, Episode 18
• Music Guest: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

Yankees legend, both as a second baseman and manager, hosted the finale of Season 11 of SNL with co-host Anjelica Huston.

• Air Date: May 17, 1986
• Episode: Season 11, Episode 17
• Music Guest: Level 42 and E.G.

Marvin Hagler was one of the greatest middleweight boxers of all time, but not many knew that he had such a funny side until he hosted SNL in 1986.

• Air Date: March 30, 1985
• Episode: Season 10, Episode 16
• Music Guest: The Commodores

The wrestling duo of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T tag-teamed this episode as hosts. The episode was…interesting to say the least. Many of the skits have had to be edited since it aired, but it was entertaining nonetheless.

• Air Date: February 2, 1985
• Episode: Season 10, Episode 12
• Music Guest: Tina Turner

Alex Karras was a slightly surprising choice for some when it was announced that he would host SNL. In fact, many joked about the irony that Tina Turner was the music guest, as she was clearly the more famous of the two at the time. However, the episode was well received and many would agree that Karras did a great job as host.

• Air Date: October 13, 1984
• Episode: Season 10, Episode 2
• Music Guest: Peter Wolf

Based on Bob Ueker’s extensive career as an announcer and actor after his career as a baseball player, Bob Ueker was an obvious choice to host SNL.

• Air Date: January 30, 1982
• Episode: Season 7, Episode 10
• Music Guest: Jennifer Holliday

John Madden’s career may be better known for his time as a coach and commentator than as an athlete, but he is still the fourth athlete to have hosted SNL.

• Air Date: November 3, 1979
• Episode: Season 5, Episode 3
• Music Guest: Chicago

Bill Russell hosted SNL about a decade after he retired from the NBA and between his stints as a coach in the NBA.

• Air Date: February 25, 1978
• Episode: Season 3, Episode 12
• Music Guest: Ashford and Simpson

In the midst of his successful career as running back of the Buffalo Bills, but before his infamous controversy off the field, OJ Simpson hosted SNL.

• Air Date: January 29, 1977
• Episode: Season 2, Episode 13
• Music Guest: Leo Sayer and Donny Harper

Fran Tankerton made history as the first athlete to host SNL. He was not only brave enough to be the first athlete to take on the job, but he was also brave enough to do it just two weeks after the Minnesota Vikings quarterback lost in Super Bowl XI.