NFL: Celebrity Fans for Every Team
June 20, 2011NFL: Celebrity Fans for Every Team
The NFL attracts all types of fans. From small children who can't remember a Cowboys Super Bowl to 100-year-old football veterans who are still in awe of Red Grange. From residents of towns where three cars constitutes a traffic jam to lifelong veterans of Manhattan.
They literally come from all corners of the U.S (and the world for that matter). So it's no surprise that many of the rich and famous dabble in NFL fandom.
Let's have a look at prominent celebs following each NFL team.
Atlanta Falcons: Kenan Thompson
After a career on Nickelodeon during his younger years, Thompson has moved onto bigger and better things.
A regular on SNL, he's a lifelong Falcons fan.
With the rise of Matt Ryan, hopefully he'll have something to cheer about soon.
Arizona Cardinals: Joe Maddon
The list isn't overly long for celeb fans of the Cardinals. It's not totally their fault. After all, the team used to play in St. Louis.
Yet Joe Maddon—a formidable force in Major League Baseball as Tampa Bay Rays manager—is a passionate Cardinals fan.
Though the Cardinals may lack the lustre of other, more illustrious teams, Maddon can sympathize, having remarkably turned around the hitherto-loser Rays.
Baltimore Ravens: Michael Phelps
One of the finest Olympians in the history of the Games calls the Ravens his team.
And when he was doing his thing in China in 2008, they were behind him.
Buffalo Bills: Tim Russert
He died too young, but that doesn't change the fact that he was a man all Buffalo fans were proud to have as one of them.
Even in the sometimes not-so-glamorous role of covering politics, Russert remained universally respected.
He might be gone, but he is certainly not forgotten.
Carolina Panthers: Stephen Colbert
OK, I have to admit, off the top of my head, I didn't know any celebrities who are Panther fans.
I know that might be hard to fathom, but it's true.
And frankly, after doing some searching, I didn't have too much luck. But in a number of random places, one of my favorite TV stars kept popping up. So Stephen, whether or not it's totally true, you get the nod here.
You shaved your head for the troops. You might have to do a little more than that to make Carolina a winner next year, though.
Chicago Bears: Barack Obama
I had a few options here. But at the end of the day, why not go with someone known worldwide?
Mr. President is a pretty loyal Chicagoan and picked his Bears last year in the NFC title game, much to his own chagrin after the fact.
Still, that kind of loyalty doesn't go unnoticed, and the Bears could yet win a trophy while he's in the White House.
Cincinnati Bengals: George Clooney
With George Clooney, you generally know what you're going to get. In most of his movies, he plays the smooth, charming role. He has all the answers (Daniel Ocean?).
With the Cincinnati Bengals, not even the they know what they're going to get.
So not exactly a predictable match, but still a great one.
Cleveland Browns: Condoleezza Rice
You might question her politics, but don't question her knowledge of the game.
She briefly entertained the notion of being NFL commish, and while that didn't work out, she's still got her Browns.
Dallas Cowboys: Jamie Foxx
Steamin' Willie Beamen himself roots for the Boys.
He might have been pulling his hair out watching their play last year, but he could be smiling a little bit more this time around.
Detroit Lions: Eminem
He might not rep them all over the place, but as a loyal Detroit man, he's in their camp.
Throw in those badass Chrysler commercials about his hometown (commercials that Ndamukong Suh also did), and that's usually enough to fire up local fans.
Denver Broncos: Matt Stone and Trey Parker
There's a number of celebs to choose from here, but why think too much?
My personal favorite Broncos reference on South Park was their opinion of Jay Cutler (then still a Bronco).
"My dad says you kind of suck, but you might be good someday."
Green Bay Packers: Chris Farley
Another man taken before his time. But another man who Packers fans were proud to call their own.
He was Wisconsin all the way through.
Houston Texans: George W. Bush
Still one of the most polarizing Americans, former President Bush can never be doubted for how versed he is in sports.
A former owner of the Texas Rangers, he's quite the football fan, too.
Indianapolis Colts: Chuck Yeager
The first man to break the speed of sound. That has to be one of the coolest distinctions that a person can hold.
And he's an unabashed fan of Peyton Mannng and the Colts. Before their Super Bowl win against the Bears, he was fully in their corner.
He liked to fly fast, and he likes his touchdowns to happen in the same way (a service Peyton usually delivers).
Jacksonville Jaguars: Gene Hackman
For his role in Hoosiers, Hackman will forever be enshrined as a sports-movie legend. And he gets points for being a Jags fan, since no one would accuse him of jumping on a bandwagon.
Not that the Jags have been horrible (in some seasons, they've been quite good), but Jacksonville is a young franchise.
Kansas City Chiefs: Paul Rudd
Like the Chiefs, he's not always someone I think about right away (he flies under the radar from time to time).
But like his role in Knocked Up, or the 2010 Chiefs, he's sneaky good.
And yes, that's about all he has in common with Jamaal Charles. Still, not a bad celeb fan as they go.
Miami Doplhins: J-Lo
As a part owner, she better be rooting for them!
And Dolphins fans are thanking their lucky stars (as long as a trophy follows soon).
Minnesota Vikings: Al Franken
Like the legions of fans in Minnesota, he's still waiting for a Super Bowl. But at least he won his election to be senator!
Quite the career for a man who was one of the original writers on SNL.
And as a loyal Vikings fan, he stays in touch with his roots.
New England Patriots: Mark Wahlberg
Is he just the go-to for Boston celeb fans? Well, he isn't a bandwagon fan, that's for sure.
On top of his singing and acting career, he's an avid fan of anything Boston (being a Beantown native himself).
New Orleans Saints: James Carville
The Ragin' Cajun makes no mistake about which football team he's rooting for.
A New Orleans man without question, Carville and the Big Easy partied joyously when the Saints finally won the Super Bowl in February 2010.
New York Giants: Alyssa Milano
Some might say there are better candidates for the celebrity Giants fan.
Frankly, I don't care.
New York Jets: Denzel Washington
Look at it this way: They could totally hire him as a coach and people would probably be excited (including the Jets).
Oakland Raiders: Ice Cube
Here's one where I don't really doubt the legitimacy of the celebrity knowing his team.
Ice Cube seems like the type of dude that lives and dies by the silver and black every Sunday.
In fact, he even made an ESPN "30 For 30" about the Raiders. Well played sir.
Philadelphia Eagles: Will Smith
He grew up in Philadelphia, and even though the Eagles always seem to come up a little short (something the Fresh Prince isn't accustomed to), he's stood by them.
Who knows, now that Mike Vick's in town, they could do him proud sooner rather than later.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Snoop Dogg
Despite growing up in California, Snoop has never made a big secret out of the fact that he loves the Steelers.
Watching the Steel Curtain as a child made an impression on the rap star. And he's never forgotten it.
San Diego Chargers: Chuck Liddell
One of the most famous UFC fighters of all time, Liddell loves the Chargers.
He's even been rumored to tailgate from time to time.
(I thought about putting Arnold here, but too soon maybe?)
San Francisco 49ers: Robin Williams
My guess is that he wasn't a fan before Joe Montana and Bill Walsh rolled into town in the 80s.
But who knows, maybe he's a diehard? Not a bad celeb fan, though. Just look at his IMDB page.
Seattle Seahawks: Paul Allen
He's the best I could do! Their owner and former co-founder of Microsoft, he's kind of famous, right?
St. Louis Rams: Nelly
As anyone knows from having seen his music videos, the dude loves his hometown.
And he reps their gear (in varying flashy ways) all the time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dick Vitale
A fan of the Rays as well, Dickie V supports his Tampa teams.
He's clearly passionate for a winner (or anything for that matter).
Maybe Josh Freeman will give him (and Bucs nation) something to cheer about again soon.
Tennessee Titans: Faith Hill
Hill is rapidly becoming a fixture for Sunday Night Football. But while she may sing about other teams, only Tennessee gets her true affection.
Apparently, her entire family is the same way.
Washington Redskins: Lewis Black
A hilarious comedian, he's also an actor, playwright and author. But just like any other regular guy, he loves football.
And burgundy and gold are the team he'd love to see win another Super Bowl.
He might be waiting a while, though...