Was Burt Reynolds A Steelers Fan? Unpacking The Hollywood Legend's Gridiron Ties

Many folks wonder about the passions and loyalties of the big names we see on screen. It's a natural thing to be curious about, especially when someone like Burt Reynolds comes to mind. He was, you know, a larger-than-life presence, someone whose quiet confidence and irreverent humor really helped define an era in Hollywood, and people remember him as one of the great icons of American cinema.

So, it's not a surprise that questions pop up about his personal interests, like his favorite sports teams. For many, the image of Burt Reynolds just goes hand-in-hand with football, given his famous roles on the gridiron in movies. That connection, you know, often leads people to ask: Was Burt Reynolds a Steelers fan?

Well, the answer, it turns out, is a bit more involved than a simple yes or no, and it shows just how much the sport meant to him. We can look at a few things, like his acting choices and even some real-life sports ventures, to get a fuller picture of his connection to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's quite a story, actually, how his love for the game and that particular team came through.

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Table of Contents

• Burt Reynolds: A Quick Look
• His Deep Connection to Football
• The Steelers Draft Pick: A Surprising Fact
• Pittsburgh Love on Screen: Evening Shade
• Smokey and the Bandit II: More Steelers Fun
• Beyond the Field: Owning a USFL Team
• Frequently Asked Questions About Burt Reynolds and the Steelers

Burt Reynolds: A Quick Look

Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds Jr. was, you know, a truly memorable American actor. He had a long career, starring in so many roles that captured hearts. You might remember him from "Dan August," or perhaps the intense drama of "Deliverance."

He was also the star in "The Longest Yard," a movie he revisited with a remake in 2005. Then there's "Without a Paddle" from 2004, and, of course, the wildly popular "Smokey and the Bandit." He really left his mark on Hollywood, that's for sure. He was, actually, quite a personality, someone who seemed to enjoy his work very much.

He even spent some time on the western television show called "Gunsmoke," a program that originally came from the radio. He seemed to really love his time on that show, which is pretty neat. Sadly, Burt Reynolds passed away after rehearsing lines for his final movie role, a quiet end to a very big life.

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Personal Details and Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds Jr.
Born	February 11, 1936
Died	September 6, 2018
Occupation	Actor
Notable Roles	Dan August, Deliverance, The Longest Yard (original and 2005 remake), Without a Paddle, Smokey and the Bandit
Television Shows	Gunsmoke, Evening Shade
Sports Involvement	Played at Florida State, Owned USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits, Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers

His Deep Connection to Football

Burt Reynolds, it's pretty clear, maintained a strong interest in sports throughout his life. This wasn't just a casual thing, you know, he really seemed to live and breathe it. He played football at Florida State University, which is where his athletic journey really began. His family, by the way, moved to Riviera Beach, Florida, after World War II, and that's where his father was chief of police.

It was there, in Riviera Beach, that Burt really excelled as an athlete, showing off his talents before heading to Florida State. His passion for the game went beyond just playing, too. He often participated in celebrity golf tournaments, showing his competitive spirit in other ways. He even owned a USFL team, the Tampa Bay Bandits, which really shows his commitment to the sports world. That's a pretty big step, owning a team, you know.

From his days playing at Florida State to his memorable portrayal of Paul Crewe in the original "Longest Yard" (which many say is the better version, by the way) to his role as Coach Nate Scarborough in the remake, and then to partially owning a USFL team, his life was just so intertwined with football. It was, in some respects, a constant thread.

The Steelers Draft Pick: A Surprising Fact

Here's a piece of information that might surprise many people, actually. In the 1969 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Burt Reynolds as a running back. This happened in the 12th round, which is pretty wild when you think about it. It was quite a moment, considering his accomplishments in the entertainment industry were already underway at that point.

This draft pick, you know, speaks volumes about his athletic prowess, even if his path ultimately led him to Hollywood fame instead of the professional football field. It shows that his talent on the gridiron was recognized at a high level. The Steelers, back then, were a team with a small but very loyal fan base in the city. This loyalty, you know, goes way back, thanks to the popularity of American football at all levels in Pittsburgh, dating back to the 1800s, when Pittsburgh hosted the first games.

So, the team had a history, even if they were going through some struggles in those early days. The fact that they saw something in Burt Reynolds to draft him, it's a pretty interesting detail in his story. You can learn more about NFL draft history on sites like the official NFL one, which is kind of neat to look into.

Pittsburgh Love on Screen: Evening Shade

Now, let's talk about a specific instance where Burt Reynolds' connection to the Steelers really shone through on screen. "Evening Shade" was an American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 21, 1990, to May 23, 1994. It was a pretty successful series, actually, running for 98 episodes over four seasons.

In this show, Reynolds played a character who was a football coach. And here's the kicker: Reynolds personally requested to use the Steelers as his character's team. That's a pretty strong indicator, you know, of his personal preference. It wasn't just a random choice for the show; it was something he wanted.

This decision to feature the Steelers in "Evening Shade" really suggests a genuine fondness for the team. It's one thing to be drafted by a team, but it's another to actively choose to represent them in a major television series. It shows a bit of personal pride, perhaps, or just a deep-seated affection for the black and gold. This kind of detail, you know, makes you think about how much of himself he put into his roles.

Smokey and the Bandit II: More Steelers Fun

The Steelers connection doesn't stop with "Evening Shade," though. It appears Burt Reynolds had always been a fan of the Steelers, and he found another way to bring that love into his work. He actually got former Steelers involved in "Smokey and the Bandit II," the movie from the 1980s. That's pretty cool, if you ask me.

Of course, you know Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene. They were big names from the Steelers, and they made appearances in the film. This wasn't just a coincidence; it was Burt making an effort to include people from a team he admired. It really shows his dedication to the team, you know, and how he liked to mix his personal interests with his professional life.

My wife and some friends, actually, went to see the original "Smokey and the Bandit" in a theater back in the day. She said she laughed so hard her face hurt, which is a pretty good sign the movie was a hit. I even bought the movie and the car, which is kind of funny. We even went on our honeymoon in a similar car, so the film really made an impression. The fact that he brought Steelers legends into the sequel, it just adds another layer to his fandom, really.

Beyond the Field: Owning a USFL Team

While his connection to the Steelers is clear, it's also worth remembering Burt Reynolds' broader involvement in football. As we talked about, he owned a USFL team, the Tampa Bay Bandits. This was a very real commitment to the sport, going beyond just being a fan or an actor portraying a player.

Owning a team means investing time, money, and passion into the game at a professional level. It shows his interest wasn't just about one team, but about the sport itself. The Bandits were part of the United States Football League, a league that offered a different kind of professional football experience. This venture, you know, really solidifies his standing as a true football enthusiast, someone who wanted to be deeply involved in the game, not just watch it from the sidelines.

So, while he clearly had a soft spot for the Steelers, his ownership of the Tampa Bay Bandits shows a wider dedication to football. It's a pretty big deal, actually, to be a team owner. It speaks to a level of engagement that goes beyond mere fandom. He was a player, an actor playing players, and then an owner, which is a pretty complete circle in the world of football, don't you think?

You can learn more about Burt Reynolds on our site, and link to this page for more interesting facts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burt Reynolds and the Steelers

Did Burt Reynolds ever play for the Pittsburgh Steelers?

While Burt Reynolds was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a running back in the 12th round of the 1969 NFL Draft, he did not actually play for them in a professional game. His acting career was already underway, and that became his main focus. So, he was a draft pick, but not a player on their roster.

What was Burt Reynolds' connection to football in his acting roles?

Burt Reynolds often played football-related characters in his acting roles. He was Paul Crewe in the original "Longest Yard" and Coach Nate Scarborough in its remake. He also requested to use the Pittsburgh Steelers as his character's favorite team in the sitcom "Evening Shade," showing his personal interest in the sport.

Did Burt Reynolds own a professional football team?

Yes, Burt Reynolds did own a professional football team. He was the owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits, a team that played in the United States Football League (USFL). This shows his deep personal and financial involvement in the sport beyond just being a fan or an actor.

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Details

Burt Reynolds Facts | Britannica

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Burt Reynolds Facts | Britannica

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[100+] Burt Reynolds Wallpapers | Wallpapers.com