Craig T. Nelson made sure to bring a piece of Hayden Fox with him when Coach wrapped in 1997.
For nine seasons, the actor, 80, starred as the passionate football coach for Minnesota State University’s fictional Screaming Eagles. The beloved character was largely revered for his, at-times, extreme approach to guiding his team to victory and his relatable approach to fatherhood.
When Coach ended, Nelson stayed true to the ABC sitcom’s sports theme when it involved snagging keepsakes from the set. “I took home a bunch of Screaming Eagles football jerseys and footballs,” he said while sharing 25 fun facts exclusively with Us Weekly.
Nelson’s latest role features the Parenthood alum stepping back into the world of sports. In Green and Gold — in theaters now — he stars as Buck, a Wisconsin dairy farmer on the brink of foreclosure when he takes a risk by betting on the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl.
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“My favorite scene to film was driving the tractor down the main street,” he told Us of the drama, inspired by true events, and also starring Madison Lawlor and Brandon Sklenar. “How often do you get a chance to drive a tractor down the main street of a town?”
For more fun stories from Nelson, including which role inspired his dream alternate profession, keep scrolling:
1. My celebrity crush growing up was Jean Simmons.
2. My biggest takeaway from filming Troop Beverly Hills is that I was never a Girl Scout like the rest of the cast.
3. My favorite scene to film in Green and Gold was driving the tractor down the main street. How often do you get a chance to drive a tractor down the main street of a town?
4. My dream collaborator is [director] Barry Levinson.
5. My most valuable possession is my bible.
6. My favorite comfort meal is a Rib Eye Steak, grilled and medium rare, with cream spinach.
7. My first car was a 1949 Chevy Coupe.
8. The most starstruck moment I’ve had was meeting John Wayne.
9. If I could only watch one movie for the rest of my life, it would be To Kill A Mockingbird.
10. My favorite book is Les Miserables.
11. My first job was bagging groceries.
12. My alternate profession would be an Air Force Pilot, due to my experience playing one in Call to Glory.
13. The song that brings back the best memories is The Everly Brothers’ “Dream.”
14. My go-to takeout or fast-food order is Carne Asada from Howdy’s.
15. English and accounting were my best subjects in school.
16. The entertainer I looked up to the most when I was growing up was Marlon Brando.
17. The proudest moment of my career is still being able to work at my craft.
18. I took home a bunch of Screaming Eagles football jerseys and footballs from the set of Coach.
19. My favorite place to vacation is Kauai, Hawaii because it’s calm, beautiful, peaceful, and [full of] lovely people. We’ve gone there almost every year for the last 30 years.
20. Three items I can’t leave the house without are my shoes, keys and underwear.
21. The TV series I’m binge-watching right now is Extraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflix.
22. My favorite childhood memory that makes me smile is playing baseball in the park in the state of Washington with kids from the neighborhood.
23. The one thing left on my bucket list is to revisit Italy.
24. My favorite way to spend the weekend is writing my book, and visiting with my children and grandchildren.
25. To decompress or unwind after a hectic day, I spend time quietly alone with God.
