One of Hollywood’s biggest superstars has fond childhood memories of watching the B.C. Lions with his family.
Actor Ryan Reynolds returned to his hometown on Saturday to take in an international friendly between Wrexham A.F.C., the soccer team he co-owns, and the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Following a 4-1 victory for the English third-division side, an emotional Reynolds took to Instagram to describe what the moment meant to him, including a CFL connection.
“Side note, walking into BC Place Stadium to see my guys play the Whitecaps was a level of surreal I’ll never fully process. I spent my childhood watching Lui Passaglia kick game winners for the B.C. Lions. I’d watch with my dad from the nosebleeds but always had the best time. He’d have been blown away by yesterday’s experience.
Thanks again to my beautiful city for showing up and giving everyone more reasons to fall in love with Vancouver.”
Reynolds has not been shy about his Leos fandom in the past, frequently giving his childhood CFL team shoutouts in press interviews and describing them as “my team” when asked about his NFL affiliations. In 2022, he famously helped deck out Spirited co-star Will Ferrell in full Lions team apparel to watch Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
In recent years, the actor has shifted his focus to other sports, joining forces with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney to purchase Wrexham in September 2020. The pair have helped turn the tiny Welsh team into an international sensation thanks to their bold marketing and hit documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, earning back-to-back promotions to move up to EFL League One. Reynolds was later tied to a potential bid to buy the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, though that offer fell through.
The 47-year-old is now a dual American citizen and resides in the Pound Ridge neighbourhood of New York with his wife, Gossip Girl starlet Blake Lively, and their children. He is internationally known for such films as Van Wilder, The Proposal, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Free Guy, and the Deadpool franchise. His latest film, Deadpool & Wolverine — the third installment of the popular series featuring the Canadian superhero — opened on Friday, raking in a whopping $205 million in the U.S. and $233.3 million internationally this weekend.
The B.C. Lions (5-2) were on a bye this week and will return to action on Thursday, August 1 when they visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-6).
