“Detroiters” star Sam Richardson appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Sept. 21 and talked about his fandom of the Detroit Lions with the talk show host.
“I know you’re a big Detroit Lions fan,” Kimmel said to the Detroit native.
“Huge. Huge,” Richardson said.
Richardson said he watches the Lions whenever they’re on.
“I’m trying to go to as many games as I can, in person, but I watch all of them,” said Richardson, who said he averages attending “upwards of five” games per season.
Kimmel asked Richardson if he’s the biggest celeb Lions fan there is.
“As far as like fandom? I’d say I am the biggest fan of the team,” he said, noting that distinction comes with a caveat.
“I’m not the most famous fan of the team,” he said.
When asked who is the most famous Lions fan, Richardson answered, “Eminem, I think. He’s got me beat.”
Richardson did say his fandom outsizes Em’s. “I’m the bigger fan,” he said.
“The challenge has been issued,” replied Kimmel.
“He loves a challenge,” Richardson said.
Richardson says when he watches games at home he plays a vinyl record of the Lions fight song, “Gridiron Heroes,” which was pressed to vinyl by Jack White’s Third Man Records in 2023 and given out as a promotional item.
“I play the record in my house, full blast, and sing the fight song in the house, with my jersey on, screaming in my house,” Richardson said.
“By yourself?” Kimmel asked.
“Yeah,” Richardson replied.
“It’s kind of a sad thing to imagine,” Kimmel said.
“I didn’t realize it until just now,” Richardson said.
When Kimmel said Richardson’s fandom doesn’t seem to be working for the team, Richardson replied, “It will.”
Richardson also talked about taking swings at batting practice with the Detroit Tigers and hitting a few over the left field wall.
“Afterwards my arm was beat up to hell,” Richardson said.
Richardson, 42, stars in the upcoming “Matchbox: The Movie,” which is due out Oct. 9.
Richardson is also part of the lineup for The Coney, the Detroit charity event, Sept. 26 at the Detroit Opera House. He will be joined at the event by a host of Detroit celebs and personalities, including Tim Meadows, J.K. Simmons, Dave Coulier and more. The event will raise money for youth charities in Detroit.
And yes, there is a Lions game at Ford Field on Sunday, if Richardson can fit it into his schedule.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News:Sam Richardson talks Detroit Lions fandom on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
