The world of sports is a vast and interconnected one, with athletes often drawing inspiration from various disciplines. Fans of hesgoal will know that sometimes the very biggest stars in one sport have idols of their own playing in another.
That is the case for some of the biggest names in the NFL.
In the National Football League (NFL), many stars credit soccer for helping them develop their skills, while others simply fell in love with the game as spectators.
This article explores some of the biggest NFL players who have shown a confirmed affinity for soccer.
DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins has expressed his love for soccer on social media platforms.
He even claimed that if he had to choose another sport apart from American football, it would be soccer.
His passion was further confirmed when he made a trip to Paris to watch a PSG match and took photos with superstar Neymar.
Despite his love for soccer, Hopkins’ decision to stick with the NFL proved fruitful as he led the league in touchdown catches during the 2017 season.
J.J. Watt
J.J Watt’s history with soccer is well-documented. The defensive end has been spotted at U.S. national team games in Houston and has taken photos with notable figures from the US soccer world like Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, and Jurgen Klinsmann.
He also participated in a penalty shootout against Manchester City star Sergio Aguero and trained alongside a women’s youth team in Houston.
Adding more depth to his connection with soccer is his girlfriend Kealia Ohai who plays professionally herself.
Odell Beckham Jr
Odell Beckham Jr., the superstar wide receiver, is a self-proclaimed soccer fan.
He even had an opportunity to try out for the U.S. youth national team but decided against it due to the prospect of having to move to Europe.
Despite shifting his focus to American football, Beckham has maintained his love for soccer, visiting German soccer giants Bayern Munich and showcasing his skills with a soccer ball on several occasions.
Ndamukong Suh
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has openly expressed his love for soccer over the years.
Despite standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing over 300 pounds, he grew up playing the sport and idolizing Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry.
Suh credits soccer with helping him develop as an athlete. In a 2014 interview with The Wall Street Journal, he said that playing soccer helped him significantly in becoming a better athlete.
These NFL legends have shown that their passion extends beyond American football into the realm of international football or ‘soccer’. Their stories serve as reminders of how interconnected sports can be and how athletes can draw inspiration from various disciplines.
