Superman and X-Men star Nicholas Hoult meets Aaron Rodgers at Pittsburgh Steelers preseason game, roots for Europe hosting the Super Bowl
British actor
Nicholas Hoult
may be more familiar with Premier League stadiums than
NFL
sidelines, but that didn't stop him from soaking in some American football over the weekend – and getting face time with one of the biggest names in the sport. The Superman star was in the stands at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a preseason showdown and it's clear he had a great time.Though Hoult admits his knowledge of the sport is still developing, he walked away from the game impressed by both the atmosphere and Pittsburgh's newest face at quarterback: four-time NFL MVP
Aaron Rodgers
.
Aaron Rodgers and Superman actor Nicholas Hoult connect before kickoff in Pittsburgh
Right before the preseason game started, Nicholas Hoult got to meet Aaron Rodgers face-to-face – a moment that clearly left an impression. 'It was cool,' Hoult said about their brief chat. Rodgers, who surprised fans with his offseason move to the Steelers, is one of the most well-known quarterbacks in the league. Now in his 21st NFL season, he takes over in Pittsburgh after spending most of his career with the Green Bay Packers and a short time with the New York Jets.
Nicholas Hoult may not know all the details of the game, but it was clear he enjoyed getting a few minutes with the Steelers' high-profile new quarterback.
Still learning the game, but loving the experience: Nicholas Hoult
Despite being more comfortable around a soccer pitch, the UK-born actor didn't let the complexity of American football keep him from enjoying the experience. When asked about the game and the atmosphere in Pittsburgh, Hoult said, 'It was great.'
The Steelers, entering the 2025 NFL season with new leadership under center, are using the preseason to iron out chemistry and evaluate depth.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Gorpara: New Container Houses – Take A Look At The Prices!
Container homes | Search ads
Learn More
Undo
by Taboola
by Taboola
But for casual fans or first-timers like Hoult, it's the energy in the stadium that often makes the biggest impression — and Pittsburgh's fan base didn't disappoint.
Golden Globe-nominated X-Men actor Nicholas Hoult believes the
Super Bowl
would be a hit if Europe hosted
As the NFL continues to expand its international presence, Hoult sees potential for American football to thrive overseas. Speaking on the league's growing international ambitions, the actor expressed optimism about the possibility of Europe hosting the Super Bowl one day.
'If a European city ever landed a Super Bowl,' he said, 'I was sure it'd be successful.'
It's a timely observation, with the Steelers set to play the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin next month as part of the NFL's expanding international series. While Hoult hasn't confirmed if he'll attend the Ireland matchup, he seemed interested in the idea — and left the door open to supporting Pittsburgh again soon.
Also read
:
Taylor Swift drops Blake Lively from intimate album party as Travis Kelce becomes her number one supporter
Whether or not he makes it to that international game, the actor has clearly caught the NFL bug.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Minnesota Vikings back J.J. McCarthy as starter who praises Justin Jefferson ahead of 2025 season
J.J. McCarthy praises Justin Jefferson as key to Vikings' 2025 offense (Image via: Getty Images) The Minnesota Vikings are entering the 2025 NFL season with a bold move, officially naming second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy as their starter. With Sam Darnold departing in free agency, McCarthy now carries the weight of leading a team built to win immediately. The Vikings' offensive roster is stacked with prime talent, including wide receiver Justin Jefferson, tight end T.J. Hockenson, and running back Jordan Mason, giving McCarthy a strong arsenal to launch a high-powered attack. J.J. McCarthy shares thoughts on Justin Jefferson As the Vikings focus on building chemistry, McCarthy has been working closely with Jefferson throughout training camp and preseason practices. Speaking to SiriusXM NFL Radio, the Michigan product praised Jefferson's unique skill set and leadership on and off the field. 'It's a quarterback's dream to have a receiver like that,' McCarthy said. 'We got a lot of great guys in the room, too, but Justin's one of one… His desire to work, his desire to be out there. He doesn't have a cool guy personality; he's just one of the boys. The way he moves is extremely freaky, just how he cuts in and out of routes.' Why Justin Jefferson will be crucial support for J.J. McCarthy | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC McCarthy highlighted Jefferson's speed, agility, and sideline awareness, saying his body control and stride length make him stand out from other receivers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Beyond physical ability, Jefferson's mentality and confidence set him apart. 'He has all those attributes all into one. What makes him great is just his mentality and his doglike mentality to show up every day, be the best in the world, and his confidence is through the roof,' McCarthy added. Minnesota relies on McCarthy-Jefferson duo to lead offensive charge With Jefferson at 26, Hockenson at 29, and Mason at 26, the Vikings are in a position to maximize their prime offensive window. McCarthy and Jefferson are expected to form a dynamic duo for years, bridging experience with youthful talent. Minnesota's front office is clear: this season is about competing at the highest level while establishing long-term chemistry between their quarterback and top playmakers. Also Read: Micah Parsons' brother Terrence believes Cowboys star's heart still belongs to Dallas amid contract drama As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on McCarthy to see if he can translate his rapport with Jefferson into consistent on-field production. With the offense loaded with talent, the Vikings are aiming to challenge for playoff contention and redefine their identity under a new starting quarterback. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
French Kick streamer Jean Pormanove endured toxic ingestion, torture before livestream death
The online world is reeling after the sudden death of French streamer Raphael Graven, known widely as Jean Pormanove, who died at just 46 during a 10-day livestream marathon in his apartment in Contes, near Nice. The Kick stream, which had run for nearly 300 hours, ended abruptly when fellow participants realised Graven was unresponsive. A shocking end to a livestream marathon of Raphael Graven aka Jean Pormanove Videos circulating online show him lying motionless on a mattress as others woke up around him. Authorities have since confirmed that he died in his sleep, though prosecutors have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Reports of abuse and humiliation Graven's livestreams were infamous for their controversial 'abuse content,' a disturbing form of online entertainment where he was often subjected to humiliation for the amusement of viewers. Reports from French media claim his final stream involved 'ten days of torture, sleep deprivation, and ingestion of toxic products.' Previous footage of his content showed him being slapped, spat on, strangled, and pelted with objects. In a chilling message reportedly sent to his mother just days before his death, Graven admitted that he felt like he was being 'held hostage' by the streaming and confessed that he was 'fed up' with the relentless abuse. Outrage and grief Clara Chappaz, France's minister for digital affairs, condemned the incident as 'an absolute horror,' calling for stricter safeguards on livestreaming platforms. Police in Nice are also investigating allegations of deliberate violence against vulnerable people linked to content broadcast online. One of his fellow streamers, known as Naruto, urged fans not to circulate videos showing Graven unconscious, describing the loss as devastating for his community. Kick under fire Kick, the streaming platform where Graven amassed more than a million followers, has faced fierce backlash in the wake of his death. While its terms of service prohibit violent and harmful content, critics argue that its lax regulation enabled such extreme broadcasts to continue unchecked. A spokesperson for Kick has said the platform is now urgently reviewing its community guidelines. Community response Global figures have also responded. Rapper Drake and American streamer Adin Ross, both ambassadors for Kick, pledged to cover Graven's funeral costs, saying it was the least they could do for his grieving family. Jean Pormanove's death has raised painful questions about the dark side of online fame, the ethics of 'humiliation entertainment,' and the dangerous culture of unregulated streaming.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Patrick Mahomes and Meghan Trainor create hilarious moment in State Farm ad released before NFL season
Patrick Mahomes and Meghan Trainor create hilarious moment in State Farm ad released before NFL season (Image Via Google) Patrick Mahomes , quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, has stepped off the field and into a brand-new commercial that fans are loving. On Monday, August 19, 2025, State Farm released its latest ad featuring Patrick Mahomes, singer Meghan Trainor , and Chiefs' athletic trainer Julie Frymyer. The commercial begins in a training room where Julie Frymyer tapes a player's ankle before Patrick Mahomes walks in. What follows is a playful exchange between Mahomes and Trainor that has quickly caught fans' attention online. Patrick Mahomes and Meghan Trainor create laughs in State Farm ad The State Farm commercial was filmed earlier in August in Kansas City, Missouri, just weeks before the NFL season kicks off. Patrick Mahomes appears in his workout gear, walking into the room as Meghan Trainor holds a knee brace. Instead of putting it on his leg, Trainor tries to strap it onto his arm. Patrick Mahomes looks confused and says, 'Nope, it's not for that.' Meghan Trainor then asks, 'Who are you?' Mahomes replies with a straight face, 'Patrick. I play football.' The short back-and-forth left fans laughing, while Julie Frymyer is seen reacting in the background. State Farm posted the ad on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, 'Getting ready for the season with Patrick and a little help from Meghan.' The commercial has already been shared thousands of times and has been viewed over a million times since its release. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo Also Read: 'He Should Have Stepped Back': Carlos Alcaraz Faces Explosive Backlash After Hugging Sick Jannik Sinner During Cincinnati Open Final Patrick Mahomes and Meghan Trainor share their thoughts On Tuesday, August 20, 2025, Patrick Mahomes spoke about the ad during a Chiefs press conference. He said, 'It was a lot of fun. Meghan was great, and we laughed a lot while filming.' Meghan Trainor also posted on Instagram, saying, 'Loved working with Patrick Mahomes. This was such a fun shoot.' State Farm, valued at $134.8 billion in 2024, continues to use sports stars and celebrities to connect with fans. Even without being the NFL's official insurer, their creative ads often find a way to be part of football's biggest conversations. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
