James Van Der Beek’s NFL allegiance resurfaces - Courtesy of Rich Eisen’s 2017 interview
Actor James Van Der Beek passed away at just 48 years old earlier this week, and Rich Eisen shared a memory of him discussing how he became a Packer fan.
Following the passing of James Van Der Beek at age 48, Rich Eisen shared a poignant throwback clip that reminded fans of the actor’s deep love for the NFL.
James Van Der Beek’s Packers fandom resurfaces in tribute from Rich Eisen
Eisen posted the video Wednesday with a tribute caption, writing:
“On Wednesday, James Van Der Beek passed away at the age of 48.
In remembering him, we bring back this clip from his 2017 @richeisenshow appearance where he told us how a Connecticut kid found himself rooting for the Green Bay Packers.
Rest in peace, James.”
The clip comes from a 2017 appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, where Van Der Beek, best known for “Dawson’s Creek” and “Varsity Blues”, explained how he grew up in Connecticut but ultimately became a fan of the Green Bay Packers.
“I picked the Packers when I was a kid,” Van Der Beek said. “I resented the fact that New England tried to lump us into a Boston team with the New England Patriots. So I immediately hated them."
He went on to explain that he was a big fan of quarterback Brett Favre and even made his working on “Varsity Blues” conditional on changing the jersey number from 13 to 4 to honor Favre’s.
At the time, the moment stood out as a fun crossover between pop culture and football. Nine years later, Eisen’s decision to resurface the clip has given it new meaning, serving as a reminder of Van Der Beek’s genuine enthusiasm for the sport and the personal stories that shape fandom.
Rest In Peace James Van Der Beek. Here’s a great clip from Varsity Blues pic.twitter.com/TYYxNO0okN
— Wilson - BFTV (@WMorales_BFTV) February 11, 2026
Eisen, long known for blending football conversation with Hollywood and cultural moments, has frequently brought actors and entertainers onto his show to talk sports. In this case, the segment now functions as both a football anecdote and a tribute.
The response to Eisen’s post reflected how deeply Van Der Beek connected with audiences beyond acting roles. Fans shared memories of watching him on screen, while others connected with the simple relatability of choosing an NFL team for personal reasons rather than hometown ties.
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