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- Honorable mentions
- 25. Nastia Liukin
- 24. Calvin Johnson Jr.
- 23. David Ross
- 22. Ilona Maher
- 21. Aly Raisman
- 20. Warren Sapp
- 19. Stacy Keibler
- 18. Laila Ali
- 17. Adam Rippon
- 16. Evan Lysacek
- 15. Hines Ward
- 14. Paige VanZant
- 13. Jason Taylor
- 12. Hélio Castroneves
- 11. Donald Driver
- 10. James Hinchcliffe
- 9. Amy Purdy
- 8. Emmitt Smith
- 7. Rashad Jennings
- 6. Iman Shumpert
- 5. Kristi Yamaguchi
- 4. Apolo Anton Ohno
- 3. Laurie Hernandez
- 2. Meryl Davis
- 1. Shawn Johnson
The ballroom reopens Tuesday as Dancing With the Stars begins its 35th season with three athletes among the new cast: figure skater Amber Glenn, Savannah Bananas standout Jackson Olson and Paralympian Ezra Frech. Their presence continues a long tradition of competitors from the sports world testing their footwork and fan appeal under the glare of the judges’ panel and America’s vote.
Across the first 34 seasons, 86 athletes have taken the DWTS stage — and while some left early with injuries or setbacks, a clear group of sports figures turned the show into a second arena for success. Below is a ranked look at the 25 most memorable athlete runs, judged by scores, competitive context and sheer entertainment value.
Honorable mentions
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Jacoby Jones (Season 16, 2013, third place); Tonya Harding (Season 26, 2018, third place); Jordan Chiles (Season 30, 2025, third place); Josh Norman (Season 26, 2018, second place); Jerry Rice (Season 2, 2006, second place).
25. Nastia Liukin
Season 20, 2015 — fourth place
Liukin arrived with the kind of crisp precision that made her an Olympic champion, yet she met a curious fate: she logged the highest weekly score more often than anyone else that season but did not reach the final trio. Her combination of sharp technique and light-footed charm felt like a finished dance act every week.
24. Calvin Johnson Jr.
Season 23, 2016 — third place
The 6’5″ wide receiver brought explosive leg speed and rhythm to the ballroom — the same quickness that helped him carve routes in the NFL. What held him back was adaptability: slower, more controlled ballroom styles exposed limits in his range.
23. David Ross
Season 24, 2017 — second place
Ross’s run rode heavy hometown support from Cubs fans and memorable showmanship moments — from a “Go Cubs Go” entrance to a risqué Magic Mike–style routine. Judges’ scores never led the pack, but audience votes kept him in contention through the finale.
22. Ilona Maher
Season 33, 2024 — second place
Maher arrived with a built-in TikTok audience and translated that energy into polished, athletic performances. She mixed strength and poise — once even hoisting partner Alan Bersten in a single lift — but never claimed the weekly top score despite steady improvement.
21. Aly Raisman
Season 16, 2014 — fourth place
Appearing fresh off Olympic success, Raisman displayed the control and theatricality typical of elite gymnasts. Her routines reflected an athlete comfortable with performance pressure and tight margins, even if they didn’t earn her a Mirrorball.
20. Warren Sapp
Season 7, 2008 — second place
The Pro Football Hall of Famer defied expectations with high-energy numbers and unexpected agility. Sapp’s “Proud Mary” routine and comic charisma made him a breakout crowd favorite and helped carry him to a runner-up finish.
19. Stacy Keibler
Season 2, 2006 — third place
A former professional wrestler, Keibler combined stage presence and striking lines that won praise — and memorable commentary — from the judges. Her mix of sex appeal and steady technique left a lasting impression despite a third-place result.
18. Laila Ali
Season 4, 2007 — third place
The undefeated boxer translated ring performance into show-dance energy, posting multiple top weekly scores and delivering an electric samba that earned a perfect mark. Ali proved she could compete on both athletic and theatrical terms.
17. Adam Rippon
Season 26, 2018 — first place
Rippon led an athletes-themed season where limited weeks compressed the arc of improvement. Still, he claimed the highest score each week and rode his Olympic notoriety to a dominant, title-winning run.
16. Evan Lysacek
Season 10, 2010 — second place
One of the most fluid male skaters to cross the DWTS floor, Lysacek’s movement had an unmistakable glide. His dramatic music choices and four strong scores made him a top contender, ultimately edged out by a commanding rival.
15. Hines Ward
Season 12, 2011 — first place
Ward brought veteran showmanship and consistency, finishing the season with the highest per-dance average and the Mirrorball. He also became the first male winner since an earlier male champion — a milestone in the show’s evolution.
14. Paige VanZant
Season 22, 2016 — second place
The UFC fighter surprised viewers with theatrical instincts and strong partnership chemistry. Her performances balanced athleticism and acting, a combo that translated well on DWTS’s performance-oriented stage.
13. Jason Taylor
Season 6, 2008 — second place
Taylor proved big men could move gracefully: a poised Viennese waltz and playful paso doble showcased both range and charisma. He finished near the top but ran into an especially dominant competitor that year.
12. Hélio Castroneves
Season 5, 2007 — first place; Season 15, 2012 — tenth place
The IndyCar champion shattered expectations for a race-car driver, posting multiple perfect scores in his first run and taking home a Mirrorball. A later All-Star return did not match that initial success, but his first season remains one of the show’s great upsets.
11. Donald Driver
Season 14, 2012 — first place
Driver’s season is a textbook tale of momentum: climbing from early leaderboard obscurity to a finals-winning freestyle that finally earned perfect 10s and the Mirrorball. His Packers cred and easy charm helped bring viewers along.
10. James Hinchcliffe
Season 23, 2016 — second place
Another example of drivers excelling in dance, Hinchcliffe impressed with a blindfolded tango and multiple perfect scores. His performances often read like those of a committed dancer rather than a celebrity novice.
9. Amy Purdy
Season 18, 2014 — second place
Purdy made history as the first Paralympian and the first double amputee to compete on the show, delivering performances that were both technically ambitious and deeply inspiring. Partnered with Derek Hough, she never had choreography eased for her — and it showed.
8. Emmitt Smith
Season 3, 2006 — first place; Season 15, 2012 — fourth place
Smith’s early run helped establish the NFL-to-DWTS success pathway. His initial championship and later All-Star showing highlight a performer who combined athleticism with a genuine feel for movement.
7. Rashad Jennings
Season 24, 2017 — first place
Jennings arrived ready to perform, displaying comfort on debut night that some finalists never achieve. Choreography that leaned into his strengths, plus an emotionally resonant Week 4 moment with his father, carried him to a well-earned title.
6. Iman Shumpert
Season 30, 2021 — first place
Shumpert’s partnership with Daniella Karagach produced one of the show’s most talked-about routines — a Halloween number inspired by “Us” that drew awards attention — and a freestyle finale that sealed the only Mirrorball for an NBA player so far.
5. Kristi Yamaguchi
Season 6, 2008 — first place
As the show’s first figure skater, Yamaguchi combined consistency and polish: she never scored below an 8 and averaged a season-leading score that stood as the benchmark for years. Her early dominance felt inevitable and elegant.
4. Apolo Anton Ohno
Season 4, 2007 — first place
Ohno matched his Olympic agility with ballroom versatility, earning five perfect scores across diverse dance styles and returning later for an All-Star run that added more flawless marks. His competitive buy-in was immediate and effective.
3. Laurie Hernandez
Season 23, 2016 — first place
Hernandez struck a rare balance between gymnastic flair and refined footwork. Her tango and a standout freestyle with Val Chmerkovskiy made her run feel like a complete, theatrical campaign rather than a sequence of tricks.
2. Meryl Davis
Season 18, 2014 — first place
Davis brought Olympic-level precision and dramatic presence, breaking the previous scoring record with a remarkable season average. Her foxtrot and an Argentine tango that earned perfect marks remain defining moments in the show’s history.
1. Shawn Johnson
Season 8, 2009 — first place; Season 15, 2012 — second place
At 17, Johnson became the youngest champion in DWTS history, pairing athletic command with showmanship to win a Mirrorball and later return to finish second in an All-Star season. Her quickstep with Derek Hough drew effusive praise from the judges and helped cement her place as the show’s most complete athlete-turned-dancer.
