Top 5 Superheroes Who Played Football
As the kickoff starts on Super Bowl 50, check out this breakdown of the top 5 superheroes from both Marvel and DC Comics who were standout football players at some point in their life.
Vctor Stone
While different backstories vary his athletic sport of choice, Vic is traditionally shown as a standout high school football player who is currently being recruited to play college football on a full scholarship. Of course, that is until a horrible accident mutilates Stone's body and forces his father to use experimental technology to save his life. In the comics, Vic has been shows as either a quarterback, wide receiver or linebacker.
Booster Gold
Michael Jon Carter
Born in the year 2442, Michael Jon Carter was a star quarterback at Gotham University on full scholarship. When his gambling-addict father re-enters his life after years of neglect, he convinces Michael to shave points and deliberately throw games. When this illegal activity is discovered, Michael is thrown off the team and kicked out of the University. Later in life, Carter is able to land a job as a security guard at Metropolis Space Museum, which contains paraphernalia from the Legion of Superheroes (force-field belt and flight ring) and Rip Hunter's time machine. Together with the museum's security robot, Skeets, Carter travels back in time to the 20th Century to become a superhero and start a corporation to become rich life Bruce Wayne. Nicknamed Booster on his football team and attempting to go by Goldstar in his debut as a superhero in the 20th Century, a mix up results in the two nicknames being combined and Carter is forever known as Booster Gold.
Beast
Hank McCoy
While most pre-transformation depictions of Beast depict him as a nerdy scientist, Hank McCoy was actually a standout football player in Dunfee, Illinois due to his large hands, feet and superhuman agility. When three crooks interrupt his high school football game, Hank effortlessly stops them, bringing him to the attention of Professor Charles Xavier.
Citizen Steel
Nathan Heywood
The third Heywood to become Citizen Steel after his grandfather, Henry Heywood and cousin, Hank Heywood III. Nathan was a standout football player at Ohio University before shattering his kneecap and then having the leg amputated after an infection set in. After an attack by Vandal Savage attempts to wipe out the Heywood bloodline, Nathan's latent metahuman abilities activates and he becomes DC Comics' third Heywood to adopt the Citizen Steel mantle.
Thing
Ben Grimm
Growing up on New York's infamous Yancy Street on the Lower East Side, Ben Grimm was a gang leader before the tragic death of his parents resulted in Grimm moving to the Upper East Side and becoming a standout high school football player. Grimm earned a full ride scholarship to State University where he roomed with Reed Richards and began their lifelong friendship. Grimm was a standout quarterback at State University before joining the Air Force after graduation.
Honorable Mention: Superman, Ronnie Raymond (Firestorm), Flash Thompson (Venom), Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), Taskmaser, NFL Superpro