Stephen Colbert and Sports

Stephen Colbert will make his network debut as the new host of CBS's The Late Show on Tuesday September 8, replacing David Letterman who retired from the show in May after 22 years. Here's a look at Colbert in the world of sports.

SI Staff | Dec 18, 2014

Stephen Colbert and Sports /

Stephen Colbert and Sports

Stephen Colbert, followed by Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, returns to the dugout after he threw out the ceremonial "first pint" to Greenfield, a pint of "Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream" ice cream, during a Charleston RiverDogs baseball game on July 7, 2007 in Charleston, S.C.

Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen gives two thumbs up while appearing on The Colbert Report on Nov. 2, 2009 in New York City. Stephen Colbert announced his show had become the primary sponsor of the U.S. Speedskating team at the Vancouver Olympics.

Katherine Reutter sports a Colbert Nation patch as she skates and wins the Women's 1500 meter finals at the ISU World Cup short track speed skating event on Nov. 7, 2009 in Montreal, Canada. Stephen Colbert was sponsoring the U.S. speed skating team.

Stephen Colbert takes a skeleton ride while filming a segment after the FIBT Bob & Skeleton World Cup on Nov. 22, 2009 at the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y.

stephen-colbert-justin-olsen-steven-holcomb-curtis-tomasevicz.jpg — Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Stephen Colbert talks with Justin Olsen, Steven Holcomb and Curtis Tomasevicz after taking a ride in their bobsled while filming a segment at the FIBT Bob & Skeleton World Cup on Nov. 22, 2009 at the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Stephen Colbert poses with speed skates as boxing gloves during an SI photo shoot on Dec. 7, 2009 in New York City.

Stephen Colbert poses during an SI photo shoot on Dec. 7, 2009, dressed in a uniform for the U.S. Speedskating Team, whom “The Colbert Report” sponsored at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Stephen Colbert appears on the Dec. 21, 2009 cover of Sports Illustrated.

Stephen Colbert reads a copy of "Overcoming Anxiety for Dummies" prior to the start of the men's speed skating 1000 meter finals on Feb. 17, 2010 during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Stephen Colbert cheers on the competitors at the Richmond Olympic Oval prior to the start of the men's speed skating 1000 meter finals on Feb. 17, 2010 during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Stephen Colbert takes a selfie during an interview with U.S. speed skater Mitchell Whitmore (center) prior to the men's 1,000 meter speed skating race at the Richmond Olympic Oval on Feb. 17, 2010 during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Stephen Colbert acknowledges the crowd while sitting on a stuffed moose on stage during the taping of The Colbert Report at Creekside Park on Feb. 18, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada.

Stephen Colbert reacts after receiving a custom made Burton snowboard from Olympic gold medalist Seth Wescott of the United States while taping an episode of The Colbert Report at Creekside Park on Feb. 18, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada.

Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

The Knicks City Dancers surround Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and Taylor Hicks in the finale of their version of "Friday" by Rebecca Black while taping an episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on April 1, 2011 in New York City.

Donna Svennevik/Disney-ABC via Getty Images

Michael Strahan asks Stephen Colbert a question on LIVE! with Kelly and Michael on Oct. 3, 2012 in New York City.

Danica Patrick points to a sticker of Stephen Colbert on her car during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway on April 26, 2013 in Richmond, Va.

Julius Erving takes on Stephen Colbert in a game of waste basketball on The Colbert Report on Nov. 5, 2013 in New York City.

Justin Tuck talks with Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report on Jan. 28, 2014 in New York City.

Cris Carter compares hand sizes with Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report on Jan. 29, 2014 in New York City.

Drew Brees talks with Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report on Jan. 30, 2014 in New York City.

Published Dec 18, 2014

SI STAFF