Brooklyn Decker Roddick is a former model and is a successful actress in many major films and popular TV shows, most notably the Netflix series Grace and Frankie. At 18, Brooklyn moved to New York City and quickly rose to stardom within the industry, gracing the pages of magazines including Glamour and Cosmopolitan and participating in advertising campaigns for Gap and American Eagle. Brooklyn’s big break came in 2010 when she appeared on the cover of the wildly popular Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue after appearing in the magazine in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. She then went on to appear in romantic comedy “Just Go With It” opposite Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, star in the sci-fi epic “Battleship”, and bring tears of laughter to watchers of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” Brooklyn has also made TV appearances on The New Girl and FX’s The League. When not acting, Brooklyn is a mother of two children who keep her busy, a wife, and avid sports fan, rooting for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the Carolina Panthers, her two favorite teams. Inspired by her love of sports and her family connection with an aunt with an intellectual disability, Brooklyn became active in the Special Olympics in her hometown of Charlotte.
Engagement: As a Special Olympics Global Ambassador, Brooklyn has hosted the opening ceremonies of the 2012 USA National Games in Nebraska with Special Olympics Athlete and Board Member Eddie Barbanell. Brooklyn also attended 2014 USA National Games in New Jersey, Special Olympics World Summer Games 2011 (Athens, Greece) and 2015 (Los Angeles, CA). In 2019, Brooklyn hosted a fundraising event in Austin, TX for Special Olympics and Special Olympics Texas. She continues to use her voice and social platforms on behalf of Special Olympics advocating for a more inclusive and accepting communities around the world.
Global Ambassadors
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Alia Atkinson
Olympic Swimmer, Commander of the Order of Distinction -
Andre Drummond
NBA All-Star & Rebound Champion, Chicago Bulls -
Apolo Anton Ohno
Olympic Medalist (Speedskating) -
Avril Lavigne
Musician & Philanthropist -
Robert "Bob" Beamon
Olympic Champion, Long Jump -
Brooklyn Decker Roddick
Actress & Model -
Charles Melton
Actor -
Chris Nikic
Special Olympics Triathlete/Motivational Speaker -
Dale Moss
Former National Football League Player -
Dalton Risner
NFL Player, Denver Broncos, Offensive Guard -
Damian Lillard
NBA All Star, Portland Trailblazers -
Devin Booker
NBA All-Star, Phoenix Suns -
Didier Drogba
Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player -
Drew McIntyre
WWE Superstar, (World Wrestling Entertainment) WWE -
Eddie Barbanell
Actor & Comedian -
Eddie Yarbrough
NFL Player, Minnesota Vikings, Defensive End -
Elena Delle Donne
WNBA Player, Washington Mystics -
Emma Broyles
Miss America 2022 -
Erika Ender
Singer/Songwriter, TV Celebrity, Producer and Actress -
Gabriela (Gaby) Dabrowski
Professional Tennis Player, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) -
Gleyber Torres
2x MLB All-Star, New York Yankees Shortstop -
Hannah Teter
Olympic Champion, Snowboarder -
Hidetoshi Nakata
Former Professional Footballer, ACCA Inc -
Hussein Fahmy
Egyptian Actor -
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Olympic Champion, Fencing -
In-Kyung Kim
Professional Golfer -
Jamaal Charles
Former Football Player at National Football League (NFL) & All Pro Runningback -
Joe Haden
Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back -
John C. McGinley
Actor & Advocate -
Julen Lopetegui
Legendary Soccer Goaltender & current Manager of FC Sevilla -
Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt
New York Times Bestselling Author | Actor, Producer -
Lauren Potter
Actor & Advocate -
Li Na
Former Professional Tennis Player, two time grand slam champion, The first Chinese member of the ITHF -
Lily D Moore
Actress and Model -
Mack Hollins
NFL Player, Las Vegas Raiders, Wide Receiver -
Maureen McCormick
Actress, Designer, Singer, NY Times Bestselling Author -
Michael Phelps
Olympic Champion, Swimming -
Michelle Kwan
Olympic Figure Skater -
Montell Jordan
International Recording Artist/Pastor -
Nadia Comaneci
Olympic Champion, Gymnastics, Perfect 10 Production, Inc., Special Olympics Global Ambassador -
Nicole Scherzinger
International Recording Artist & Television Personality -
Nigel Barker
Fashion Photographer, TV Personality, Producer/Filmmaker -
Padraig Harrington
Professional Golfer -
Paul Wight
Six-Time WWE World Champion -
Ricky Rubio
NBA Player, Cleveland Cavaliers -
Sam Perkins
Olympic Champion, Basketball & NBA Legend -
Dr. Seun Adigun
Summer & Winter Olympian Hurdles and Bobsledding -
Vanessa Williams
Singer & Broadway Performer -
Victoria Arlen
ESPN SportsCenter Host -
Vladimir 'Vanja' Grbic
Olympic Medalist, Volleyball -
Willson Contreras
2x MLB All-Star, St. Louis Cardinals Catcher -
Yang Lan
Founding Chairperson, Sun Culture Media Group and Sun Culture Foundation; Journalist; Philanthropist -
Yang Yang
Olympic Champion, Speed Skating -
Yao Ming
NBA All Star & Chairman of the International Basketball Federation Asia (FIBA) -
Zhou Xun
Actress, Singer & Philanthropic Environmentalist -
Zou Shiming
Olympic Champion, Boxing -
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As icons of success from diverse industries such as sports, music, entertainment, media, and beyond, Special Olympics Global Ambassadors generously lend their time, talent, and resources to support the Special Olympics mission. They are inspirational role models who share a belief in the power to come together, break down barriers, and foster a world of inclusion while supporting Special Olympics’ expansion of sports, health, youth, and education programs.