Josh Duhamel once quipped jokingly: “To be a Packer fan is to be half brainless!” This statement revealed his passionate support of Minnesota Vikings during his childhood years in North Dakota – his unfaltering loyalty spanning across both teams he later collaborated with on football teams as a professional athlete himself! Long before becoming known in Hollywood and before any collaborations were established between himself and football teams or football clubs themselves he dreamed of one day becoming professional player himself!
Duhamel fondly recalls his time as a backup quarterback at Minot State University during an interview with Rich Eisen. Duhamel shared an unforgettable memory from freshman year when he believed he could make it in the NFL: when entering late into a fourth quarter game and throwing for over 200 yards and four touchdowns! However, due to acting opportunities rather than professional football duties – Duhamel found his journey taking a turn away from football altogether.
Discussing his college football statistics, Duhamel revealed that he played in 21 games, completing 95 out of 190 attempts, and achieving 1,242 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He started 10 games in 1993 and served as a backup in 1994. Reflecting on his college career, he expressed a lingering regret over not being the starting quarterback more consistently, marking it as a “soft spot” in his reflections.
Duhamel decided not to pursue an NFL career; rather he found success as an actor. Making his mark with ABC shows such as All My Children where he won a Daytime Emmy; later expanding to Transformers, Ransom Canyon Safe Haven Shotgun Wedding etc. Yet football remained close at hand; often visiting Viking practices or events with them for extra practice sessions or related functions.
Duhamel holds an equal fondness for both Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams teams, particularly admired their coach Sean McVay of Los Angeles Rams. Dakota Media collaborated with Sean McVay’s Rams team in 2023 on creating a Draft Lab video spot showcasing hardcore Rams fans alongside celebrities. At his first meeting with McVay before being appointed coach he expressed admiration for McVay and all their achievements including Super Bowl LVI victory led by Matthew Stafford.