Star Wars as a franchise started way back in 1977. The fan base has grown in leaps and bounds from that time until now. Many of the original fans were children when it was first released and have since gone on to introduce this world to their own children.
Sports stars may live and breathe their respective sports genre but, just like us, they all have other hobbies and enjoy similar things to normal fan folk. Many of them are Chewie lovers who cannot wait for any opportunity to celebrate the likes of R2-D2, Princess Leia and Anakin Skywalker fighting off the ultimate evil that is Darth Vader. Fandom knows no bounds and many sports celebrities are obsessed with the galaxy far, far away.
American Football
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Dhani Jones could hardly contain his excitement when attending the premieres of the latest episodes in the Star Wars sagas. Other American Football stars who are self-proclaimed super fans include Washington Redskins wide receiver Antwaan Randle El and New York Islanders goalie Wade Dubielewicz.
Cricket
Cricket stars are also known for their love of Star Wars. SunSport columnist and ex-England cricketer Graeme Swann chose Star Wars as his speciality subject and went on to win Celebrity Mastermind. He declared, “It’s better than winning the Ashes.” Swann represented England in sixty Test matches and seventy-nine one-day internationals during his career. There was one question that stumped him: the name of the Sand People’s gigantic fuzzy beasts with curled horns that they use for transportation? The answer was of course the Banthas!
Baseball
Many sports stars are as eager as their fans to be seen posing in their cosplay costumes with full-on masks and props. New York Mets pitcher Ryota Igarashi and Florida Marlins catcher John Baker are just two worth mentioning. Their teams don themed uniforms for special occasions like “Star Wars Night” and it is fairly obvious at these functions that some are bigger fans than others.
Football
English footballer, model and celebrity David Beckham enjoyed being a posh Jedi on the BBC’s The Graham Norton Show when he pulled out his lightsaber to fight actor John Boyega in a play-duel, much to the delight of all their fans.
Keeping It in the Family
Daughter of the Star Wars visionary director and producer George Lucas, MMA fighter Amanda Lucas, loves to promote her family link with dad’s inspiration at any given opportunity. She is a retired mixed martial artist who even made appearances in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones in 2002, and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005.
Other Fans Across the Globe
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic displayed his love of the Star Wars franchise when he arrived for the Paris Tennis Masters tournament wearing a Darth Vader mask.
Other Star Wars enthusiasts include former professional basketball player Magic Johnson and former professional football player, television personality and journalist Michael Strahan.
San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns even wore an elaborate Chewbacca mask while competing during the NFL All-Star Skill competition in 2016.
Star Wars has no season and can be watched all day every day, unlike most sports. The collectibles are more exciting and varied than the average sporting-inspired merchandise that is available. Star Wars fans are one big worldwide community who support each other’s fandom. The Force is certainly strong with many folk in the sporting fraternity.