Eckhart, Wittrock keep eye on Raiders, Brady
In My All American, actors Aaron Eckhart and Finn Wittrock tell the true story of legendary University of Texas football duo coach Darrell K. Royal and all-star safety Freddie Stienmark. In theaters Nov. 13, the film focuses on Royal leading the Longhorns from their worst record to winning a national championship and how Stienmark’s indomitable spirit touched his life on and off the field. Eckhart is known for his roles in Any Given Sunday, Thank
You for Smoking and The Dark Knight, while Wittrock is deemed one to watch with roles in seasons four and five of American
Horror Story and Unbroken. They spoke to USA TODAY Sports about the Raiders, Lady Gaga and tackling Tom Brady.
ECKHART
Q: Thoughts on the Oakland Raiders moving to L.A.?
A: Well I saw the mock of a new stadium, it looks good. I’m an Oakland Bay Area guy, so I would like them to stay in Oakland. I’m very encouraged with their new coach, I like Derek Carr and I like Amari Cooper, so I think we’re going in the right direction.
Q: What impresses you most about NFL players as athletes?
A: What doesn’t impress me? … They’re beasts, those guys; they’re stallions. When you’re watching the best of the best, they have not only the physical (abilities) but they have the mental. Think about it, there’s five quarterbacks who can throw a ball out of 6 billion people on Earth, so they’re pretty special.
WITTROCK
Q: You attended Juilliard, would they ever have a football team?
A: Juilliard had a really, really accomplished dodge ball team called the Penguins, and there would be guys like pirouetting with the ball. I wouldn’t put us in any fantasy football leagues, but we’d look good doing it.
Q: How was working on set with Lady Gaga for American Horror Story?
A: Every day is a fun story with her. She really is a really hard worker, that’s what people don’t realize about her; she’s a workhorse. She’ll break into song sometimes when things are tense, and she’s always looking fierce, always.
Q: Who would you love to tackle in the NFL?
A: I would love to tackle Tom Brady. … I know as a Patriots fan I shouldn’t say that, but Freddie would just be after him.