5 big name NFL stars and the soccer teams they love
While sports fans argue over what is football and what is soccer, some of the biggest names in the NFL are secretly, or not so secretly, watching the beautiful game. It's no long shot to imagine some of these top football players using soccer streams to keep up with their favourite teams from across the pond, teams like Arsenal, PSG and Bayern Munich.
Here are five NFL stars who love some of the world's biggest soccer teams.
Ndamukong Suh
The gigantic 6'4 300lb Ndamukong Suh has been very open about his love of soccer. Despite being an intimidating defensive lineman, Suh actually grew up watching London based Arsenal FC and idolising their lean striker Thierry Henry.
While Suh may struggle to emulate the graceful and fleet-of-foot Henry, he has certainly achieved a lot in his own game of choice. He became a Super Bowl winner with his most recent team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but is currently a free agent.
Suh credits his love of soccer with helping him develop into the athlete he is today.
Odell Beckham Jr.
It's only right that one of the biggest names in the NFL Odell Beckham Jr. takes a keen interest in the profession of his namesake, the great David Beckham.
A free agent after leaving the LA Rams in 2021, the superstar wide receiver has confessed his love for the beautiful game on multiple occasions. He even paid his friend David Alaba a visit when the Austrian was playing for Bayern Munich in Germany and recorded some videos showing off his skills.
He's also trained with Tottenham Hotspur in London from time to time.
Perhaps a career in soccer could be on the horizon for the form New York Giants star.
Josh Norman
Former Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers star Josh Norman is also a huge fan of soccer. He's paid a visit to his favourite club Paris Saint-Germain on several occasions.
In an interview after returning to PSG's Parc des Princes, Norman said: “I already saw them once, and then coming back again, it’s like a fresh friendship, they've seen my face so they know I’m real about it and I kinda feel the same way from them to me.”
His loyalty may lie entirely in Paris though, as he's also been seen posing with Paul Pogba at Manchester United's training ground.
Jay Ajayi
Perhaps the least surprising name on this list is Jay Ajayi. Born in London, Ajayi played soccer at a young age and never forgot his sporting roots.
Last seen playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, the running back has since transitioned into becoming a professional FIFA eSport player, such is his love of EA Sport's soccer videogame.
The Super Bowl winner has often credited soccer with his quick feet and coordination, and is often on social media giving love to his beloved Arsenal. He even took the time to welcome their star signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when the Gabonese striker arrived at the club several years ago.
Some might say Ajayi is the OG of this list.
DeAndre Hopkins
Arizona Cardinals player DeAndre Hopkins is another NFL star with a keen interest in soccer.
He has told his followers on social media that if he could play any other sport besides football it would be soccer.
Like many of his fellow stars, he has also taken a trip to Europe to watch a PSG match in Paris and catch up with one of the game's biggest stars, Neymar.
There are likely many more big soccer fans on the gridiron who have yet to make their feelings known but these are five of the most outspoken lovers of the beautiful game to grace the NFL in recent years.
