10 Celebrities Who Turn Sports Stars into Giddy Fans

It's easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour that goes along with being a professional sports star. Endorsement deals, dollar signs and opulent lifestyles can be hard to downplay.

But don't get it twisted. These paragons of sports are fans too. When celebrities come rolling into town, sports stars fawn over them just like the rest of us common folk.

Through the course of this slideshow, we're methodically breaking down 10 names who turn athletes into star-struck children. Legends of acting, music, even the president himself.

All of the names you're about to witness have that type of pull over our favorite sports stars.

Drake's impact in music and his vast personal brand have turned the Toronto product into a magnet for athletes. He's formed a friendship with Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari, worked with Jordan Brand and has even been seen with LeBron James on countless occasions.

Athletes love Drake. They've even played kickball with the dude, per Sports Illustrated. All of these facts and Instagram images lead us to one conclusion: Pro athletes respond when the "Six God" comes calling.

Jack Nicholson is an all-timer. He's been rocking out with the Los Angeles Lakers and herds of NBA stars for what feels like forever now, as this Los Angeles Times slideshow documents.

It doesn't matter if he's kicking it with Michael Jordan or conversing with Magic Johnson. Nicholson's status as an influencer can't ever be questioned. Plus, who else can pull off the whole sunglasses look in the Staples Center?

When you're able to make a 6'5" wrecking machine such as Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt nervous, you know you're a star.

Jennifer Aniston accomplished that. She backed down Watt when the two met and took a picture. Watt even tossed a "#LifeMade" hashtag to commemorate the moment.

No one—and we mean no one—out here is messing with Rachel Green from Friends.

Justin Bieber is on this list strictly because of his relationship with Floyd Mayweather Jr. The two have formed a bond over time that's gone from the boxing ring to vacationing together.

Mayweather is all about politicking with Bieber. And for that reason, it would be a crime to keep the crooner off this list.

President Barack Obama has been turning athletes into fans since the moment he stepped through the front door of the White House.

Listen, you can have all the money and fame in the world, but seeing the president of the United States of America has to be a thrill for sports stars. Obama's recent experience with the Golden State Warriors was proof of that.

After a careful ribbing of Stephen Curry and the Warriors' current pursuit of the Chicago Bulls, the president proved that he's always going to be the biggest personality in the room.

Taylor Swift's reign in pop music has been nothing short of a triumph. The albums she's released have soared to unimaginable heights in terms of sales, as Christina Garibaldi of MTV.com broke down.

Swift's most recent effort, 1989, became a worldwide phenomenon, and the tour that accompanied it featured various celebrities and athletes.

Emily Yahr of the Washington Post put together a chart showcasing how many athletes attended the various shows. Fifteen were documented, proving that athletes can't help but fawn over Swift. Even Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade presented her with a personalized jersey.

Kanye West's vast enterprise in fashion and culture has created a magnetic field equipped with a powerful gravitational pull. To understand how big that is, think about this: It's hard to float through your everyday life without peaking at one Kanye West-driven headline.

This pull has also figured out a way to grab athletes as much as consumers. You'll see Adidas co-signees such as Nick Young sporting his shoes on the hardwood, as well as Formula One star Lewis Hamilton dining with West.

Kanye's clout out here is real. Athletes recognize this, putting them center stage for the trends he sets. 

Leave it to Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul to state the obvious: Everybody loves Tiffani Amber Thiessen.

Thiessen was queen of the '90s. Her days on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Saved by the Bell made her a household name.

Paul expressed his feelings for her, as did J.J. Watt on Instagram. Nostalgia fever is at an all-time high these days. Thiessen proves that every time a professional athlete fawns over the glory days.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was—and to some extent, still is—an athlete. That line of thinking puts him in exclusive company on this list.

Johnson is also a bona fide hero in Tinsel Town. His box-office dominance and HBO show, Ballers, make him a force in the world. Athletes know this and love hanging around The Rock.

Take the shot above as evidence. Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has a smile as wide as the Rocky Mountains on his face. Do you blame him? Even with fame tied to his name, who wouldn't want to hang out with Johnson?

Rihanna's made a name for herself in the sports world for a host of reasons. Currently, the pop star doubles down as the creative director of PUMA's women's line, via PUMA.

Besides that title, she's gained fame with athletes around the world. Take the 2014 World Cup as an example. Pictures surfaced of Rihanna hanging out with members of the winning German squad, proving that everyone, including World Cup winners, love the Grammy-winning artist.