The Most Famous Fans of Popular NFL Teams
Imagine you score tickets to see your favorite NFL team in action at the biggest game of the year. Now, imagine you run into Tim McGraw or Bill Murray while you wait in line for a beer. Hey, it could happen!
Football is the most popular sport in America, and the various teams have tons of diehard celebrity fans. From Samuel L. Jackson to Brad Pitt, celebrity sightings are a real possibility at NFL games. Let’s take a look at which teams some of the most famous football fans in the country support.
Chicago Bears – Bill Murray
The Chicago Bears have long been considered one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. From their early domination of the league to having literally the single greatest team of all time — we’re looking at you, ’85 Bears! — there are many reasons the Bears are so popular.
And it’s not just us regular Joes who think the Bears are the bee’s knees. Bill Murray, a Chicago native, has long been one of the team’s most avid fans. As recently as 2018, he and his brothers were spotted at a game singing their own version of “Bear Down, Chicago Bears” before the game began.
Atlanta Falcons – Samuel. L Jackson
Atlanta residents aren’t necessarily big on professional sports — they are a college SEC city, all the way — but that doesn’t mean the Falcons don’t have plenty of fans. In fact, Samuel L. Jackson of Nick Fury Marvel fame (and so much more!) is a hardcore Falcons’ aficionado.
Although the star of Pulp Fiction and Snakes on a Plane isn’t originally from Atlanta — he was born in D.C. — he likely got hooked on the team during his time at Morehouse College. Before he made it big, he even worked at the stadium selling hot dogs and fries!
Seattle Seahawks – Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt was born in Minnesota and later moved to Lake Stevens, Washington, where he developed his love for the Seattle team. Even though he is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood these days, he regularly finds time to go to games and tweet notes of congratulations to his favorite players.
In 2015, Pratt and Chris Evans famously made a bet when their respective teams — the Seahawks and the Patriots — met in the Super Bowl. The wager? The “loser” had to visit a children’s hospital in the opposing team’s city, which meant neither guy really lost — but the kids won big!
Buffalo Bills – Wolf Blitzer
You might wonder why on Earth anyone would be proud to be a Buffalo Bills fan — after all, the team hasn’t had a single playoff victory in 23 straight seasons. Still, at least one famous fan has held steady, despite the pain of rooting for a losing team: Wolf Blitzer.
The television journalist — known as much for hosting The Situation Room as he is for his political commentary — is a hardcore Bills fan. Why? We guess old habits die hard. Blitzer grew up in Buffalo and attended Bills games often with his father.
Carolina Panthers – Steph Curry
Steph Curry is an absolute sports phenomenon in his own right. He is considered by many to be the greatest shooter in NBA history, and he was also the first person in the NBA to ever be named MVP by a unanimous vote. Off the court, he’s a HUGE Carolina Panthers fan.
Whenever he’s not busy promoting his own team, he can be found acting as unofficial spokesperson for the Panthers. He is regularly spotted on the sidelines, beating the pre-game drum and getting fans on their feet to cheer. When he can’t be there in person, he shows his support by wearing team gear wherever he goes.
Green Bay Packers – Lil Wayne
With his tattoos, grills and fierce facial expressions, the last thing you might expect to see is Lil Wayne walking around with a big wedge of cheese on his head. Still, as a long-time Packers fan, he has been known to sport the silly hat on more than one occasion.
His Green Bay fandom is unexpected, considering he grew up in New Orleans and is famously proud of his hometown. So how did it happen? His father attended the 1997 Packers-Patriots Super Bowl, which the Packers won. His dad returned home with a ton of gear, and it sealed the deal for the young Wayne.
Philadelphia Eagles – Bradley Cooper
If Philadelphians are anything, they are loyal to their home teams. Fans are known for their diehard (and often rude) fandom — supporting the Eagles, Phillies and Flyers with passion, no matter what. As a Philadelphia native, it makes sense that Bradley Cooper still sticks with all the Birds.
He says his fandom started as a child, when his father would regularly watch games — and even plan meals around viewing times. The actor has famously attended dozens of games, and although he’s not as obnoxious as much of the fan base, he is vocal in his support.
Los Angeles Rams – YG
It’s pretty well known that rapper YG is a huge Los Angeles Rams fan. He has been a big supporter of the team for years and often shows up on the sidelines. In 2018, he famously received the game-winning ball from Robert Woods after a 31-yard touchdown.
Born and raised in Compton, it totally makes sense that the “Big Bank” rapper roots for the Rams — but his fandom really goes above and beyond. He has gotten close with several of the team’s players, and he even gifted running back Todd Gurley with a diamond-encrusted chain after a recent win.
Dallas Cowboys – LeBron James
LeBron James is basketball royalty. He has won three NBA championships, four NBA MVP Awards, three NBA Finals MVP Awards and two Olympic gold medals. Many fans and experts consider him to be the greatest basketball player of all time. So, when an athlete of his caliber roots for another team, you KNOW they must be good.
LeBron has been cheering for the Cowboys — “God’s Team,” as some fans would call them — for years, although there’s no word on how the Ohio native ended up rooting for a Texas team. Perhaps, like many others, he just likes a franchise with a long history of success.
Arizona Cardinals – Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton is known for a lot of things, his country music career, his long-standing role as judge on The Voice and his relationship with Gwen Stefani among them. He is also known for being a serious Arizona Cardinals fan. The Oklahoma native says his fandom happened by mistake.
When asked why he roots for the team, he said, “It just happened.” Since attending his first game almost 20 years ago, he has seen the team go through a lot and has continued to stick by their side. He is routinely spotted at team games and practices and was even granted his own official jersey.
Detroit Lions – Eminem
It’s no secret that being a Lions fan is tough. The team has won four championships — but the most recent was all the way back in 1957. Ouch. Additionally, they are one of 12 franchises that has never won a Super Bowl. But none of that stops their most famous fan from showing his support!
Despite his proclivity for privacy and his uncanny knack for staying out of the public eye, Eminem still shows up to Detroit Lions games every season. He has even been granted the honor of performing the season-opener coin toss!
Cleveland Browns – Brad Paisley
Back when they started in 1946, the Cleveland Browns dominated. Between 1950 and 1955, they played in the NFL championship game every year and won three times. Unfortunately, they have had an atrocious record pretty much since then. That hasn’t stopped a huge and rabid fanbase from showing up week after week to cheer for the Browns.
Among those fans is country music star Brad Paisley, who once said in an interview that his sports dream was to play for the Browns. The singer routinely goes to games and training camp, and he often tweets messages of support to his favorite team.
New England Patriots – Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg has been super recognizable since way back when he did those half-naked underwear ads for Calvin Klein. These days, he’s better known for his acting roles and his successful burger chain than he is for his abs, but one thing has remained the same: his undying love for the New England Patriots.
Along with his brother Donnie, the Boston native has been a fan since childhood, and he often shows up to games. He is frequently spotted on the sidelines or sitting with owner Robert Kraft. He is also friends with former quarterback Tom Brady.
Indianapolis Colts – David Letterman
Longtime television host David Letterman comes off as more of an intellectual than a sports fan, but he’s still well known for being a loyal supporter of the Indianapolis Colts. In fact, he often used his show as a platform to interview prominent players, such as Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.
These days, Letterman has officially retired from late-night television, but he does still make it out to a Colts game on occasion. He also received an invitation to roast Manning at a statue unveiling in Indianapolis in 2017. Of course, he accepted and took some hilarious jabs at the player’s brother, Eli.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Bill Murray
Bill Murray must really love football. First, he shows up as one of the Chicago Bears’ most famous fans, and now he pops up as an avid Jacksonville Jaguars fan. As a Chicago native, Murray and the Bears make sense, but how did he end up supporting a Florida team — especially one like the Jaguars?
Well, the jury’s still out on that one. Mystery or not, Murray has attended Jag’s training camp, and he shows up occasionally at the practice facility and attends a lot of games. He even invited some of the team’s players to take part in his annual Murray Bros. Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament.
San Francisco 49ers – Marisa Miller
Marisa Miller, born and raised in Santa Cruz, has been a life-long 49ers fan. She says she fell in love with the team back in the ’80s, when she used to watch games with her dad. Her favorite Niners moment was when they defeated the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.
These days, Miller works as a model and is best known for her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover in 2008. She regularly shows up in the crowd to cheer on her team. Unfortunately, their record hasn’t been great as of late — but Miller remains a loyal fan.
Los Angeles Rams – Kendrick Lamar
From Brian Cranston to Magic Johnson, the celebrity support heaped on the Los Angeles Rams is pretty impressive, but Kendrick Lamar has to be their most diehard celebrity fan at the moment. Born and raised in LA, Lamar was a fan of the franchise long before they moved to his hometown.
If you watch HBO’s Hard Knocks, then you saw the rapper attend the Rams’ first training camp in California after the team moved from St. Louis. He has also performed at the Rams’ home opener and has even run routes on the team’s practice field.
Houston Texans – The Bush Family
The Bush family is a true Texan dynasty of its own, so it only makes sense the family would support one of the state’s home teams. The Houston Texans were their choice, despite the team being a relatively new franchise. Since the team’s inception in 2002, the Bush family has had nothing but love for the organization.
Although George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, both passed away in recent years, the torch of their avid fandom is being carried on by their children, George W., Jed, Pauline and Dorothy, not to mention the rest of the extended family. They can often be spotted at games, sporting Texans gear.
Miami Dolphins – Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker — former frontman for Hootie and the Blowfish and current country music star — was born in Charleston, South Carolina. As a result, you might expect him to be a fan of the Carolina Panthers. Nope, Rucker spends every Sunday rooting for the Dolphins.
The singer’s love runs so deep that he famously wrote a verse in the song “Only Wanna Be with You” about the team, and he named his daughter Dani after former quarterback Dan Marino. He frequently shows up at games and sometimes sings the national anthem to kick things off.
Tennessee Titans – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Country music power couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are serious football fans, but how did they end up rooting for the Titans? Well, with Tim being from Louisiana and Faith being from Mississippi, they had to choose a neutral middle ground. Tennessee won, which makes sense, considering the couple ultimately settled in Nashville.
Hill is currently the voice of the NBC Sunday Night Football intro song, and she also performed the national anthem for the Titans’ lone Super Bowl appearance in January 2000. The couple is often spotted on the sidelines during regular Sunday games, and Tim was heavily involved in the last NFL draft.
Kansas City Chiefs – Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd has had a somewhat storied career as an actor, starring in dozens of films, from Anchorman to Ant-Man. His career started back in the ’80s when he studied theater at the University of Kansas — the same time period when he fell in love with the Chiefs.
Ever since, Rudd has been rooting for the Missouri-based football franchise. He often shows up to games in full-on Chiefs regalia, and he once presented Patrick Mahomes with the NFL MVP award. David Koechner has said that Rudd has an encyclopedic knowledge of Chiefs history.
New Orleans Saints – Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is famously a fan of everything New Orleans. Even though he recently sold his house in the French Quarter (post-divorce), he is still an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints and is even friends with the team’s long-time quarterback, Drew Brees (a legend in his own right).
Oklahoma native Pitt and the rest of his crew regularly show up on the sidelines at the Superdome, and he has discussed his love of the team during television interviews. Pitt even lent his voice to narrate the NFL Network’s America’s Game special on the Saints.
New York Giants – Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga isn’t really someone you would peg as a football fan, but her love of the New York Giants runs deep. As one of the few women to pop up on our list, Gaga deserves some serious props for her fandom!
The New York City native has been a lifelong fan of her home team, often showing them support over the years. Even though the singer and actress is seriously busy with her career, she still finds the time to show up on a regular basis when the Giants play a home game — often with a crew of friends.
New York Jets – Adam Sandler
As another New York native, Adam Sandler had a couple of local choices when deciding which NFL team to support. Somehow, despite the fact that most people in the city tend to root for the New York Giants, he decided to go with the Jets. Brave choice, if not wise.
Sandler is super open about his love for the team, often talking about them in interviews and even in his own movies. He is seen wearing a slew of Jets shirts throughout Big Daddy. Of course, he goes to home games all the time, cheering on his team through thick and thin.
Oakland Raiders – Ice Cube
Born and raised in Los Angeles during a time when the Raiders were still the hometown team, Ice Cube has been a Raiders fan since childhood. Despite the franchise moving to Oakland in 1994 — and their upcoming move to Las Vegas — Ice remains loyal.
He has been rocking his Raiders gear since the late ’80s, when he appeared in dozens of videos and images with his rap group N.W.A. Since then, he has continued to show his support through his wardrobe and by showing up on the sidelines at games.
Denver Broncos – Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson has her hand in a lot of different pots: She’s a successful actor and mother of three, and she runs a successful fitness wear line and recently dove into the world of alcoholic beverages. On top of that all, she is also one of the most famous Denver Broncos fans out there.
In 2016, Hudson told The Today Show, “I grew up in Colorado. So, when Peyton Manning found his way [to] the Broncos, our whole family was like aaaah!” She’s often spotted out in public or on the sidelines at games wearing her orange Broncos skully.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Wiz Khalifa
Fact: The Pittsburgh Steelers are a wreck. In 2018, they let Le’Veon Bell hold out for the entire season, just for spite. His teammates pillaged his locker, and the union reps trash talked him in public. And that’s only a fraction of the team’s recent drama!
Still, the Steelers have a loyal fan in rapper and marijuana enthusiast Wiz Khalifa. One of his most well-known hits, “Black and Yellow,” has become the theme song for the Steelers, and he has performed it live at Heinz Field many times. He often shows up at games when he’s in town.
Baltimore Ravens – Michael Phelps
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is famously a native of Baltimore, and he often reps his hometown, perhaps most notably as a huge fan of the Baltimore Ravens. The professional swimmer is often spotted at games, both in private boxes and on the field.
Even better, the love goes both ways. Ravens fans famously stayed at the stadium after a 2008 preseason game to cheer on Phelps as he won his historic eighth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics. Countless onlookers held up “Ravens for Phelps” signs as the games aired on the big screen.
Cincinnati Bengals – Nick Lachey
Nick Lachey — former 98 Degrees frontman and ’90s heartthrob — doesn’t pop up in the news much these days. His music-filled glory days seem to be far behind him, but he is still counted as the Bengals’ “most famous” fan. (We’re not sure what that says about the team.)
Lachey, a native of Kentucky, says he has been a Bengals fan for the better part of 30 years. He regularly shows up at games, and he once got kicked out after an altercation with a Chargers fan. He continued to root on his team via Twitter once he arrived home.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale — college basketball broadcaster for ESPN and former coach of the Detroit Pistons — is an absolute legend in the sports world. He is well known for his colorful commentary — with phrases like “That’s awesome, baby!” — as well as his infectious enthusiasm and his love of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Vitale often shows up in the seats or on the field, sometimes shaking some pom poms with the cheerleaders. He has reportedly been a fan of the team for his entire life, and he holds season tickets. Check out his social media feeds if you want some entertaining commentary on game day!
