This year is the 40th anniversary of the first 'Don't Mess with Texas' commercial and throughout the years several people have helped spread the message.

From movie stars, to singers, to random Texas personalities. Many over the 40 year history of 'Don't Mess with Texas campaign have starred in a commercial. Today we're going to focus on the athletes.

1986- Mike Scott Houston Astros Pitcher

The first commercial was with Stevie Ray Vaughn in 1986. However that same year Houston Astros pitcher Mike Scott had a commercial about 'trashballs' taking up Texas highways. Mike would retire as a Houston Astro in 1991.

 1986 - Randy White and Ed 'Too Tall' Jones Dallas Cowboys Defenders

Don't mess with two prominent names of the Dallas Cowboys Doomsday Defense. Randy White who was known as 'The Manster' crushes some Texas litter left on the highway. Also note not to piss off Ed Jones. He left the Dallas Cowboys for one season to become a boxer and was a perfect 6-0 in that year off from football. He would play another nine seasons for the Cowboys after his boxing stint.

1987 - Mike Williams Boxer

Speaking of boxers, Mike Williams intimidating folks to not litter in Texas. Just imagine if you had to take punch from Mike every time you littered in Texas? Yeah, keep the trash off the road.

1989 Warren Moon and Ernest Givens - Houston Oilers

Back when the Houston football team was the Oilers. Their star offensive players showed how to throw trash into a trashcan and not on the side of a highway.

1991 - Wrestlers from Dallas Sportatorium

I was trying to figure out who these two guys were, but sadly all I can find is that this commercial was shot at the Dallas Sportatorium. Several different wrestling organizations called the Dallas Sportatorium home. During 1991, this was probably some guys from United States Wrestling Association or Global Wrestling Federation.

1991 - George Foreman Boxer

George Foreman doesn't have the boxing gloves on for this commercial. He's a preacher that says we will pray for those that 'Mess with Texas'. If you didn't know, George Foreman was a preacher as well. He established the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston, Texas in the late 1970's.

2016 - Earl Cambell Houston Oiler

Long after the Oilers called Texas home, a former running back for the team shot a 'Don't Mess with Texas' commercial for the 30th anniversary of the campaign.

2016 - Austin Wayne Self  NASCAR

Austin Wayne Self was actually born in Austin, Texas. For the 30th anniversary of 'Don't Mess with Texas', they did a trash pickup campaign where you had a chance to win prizes by picking up trash on Texas highways. Sign me up!

That's all for the sports atheletes that have made commercials throughout the 40 years of 'Don't Mess with Texas'. You can see all the ads here.