Even NFL Players Hate Game of Thrones Spoilers
We are nearing the end of the summer, and that means that NFL football is right around the corner. With that in mind, The Wall Street Journal has learned some interesting things about NFL players and their love for Game of Thrones. Apparently, the show is one of the hottest topics in NFL locker rooms, and many players are keen not to be spoiled by their teammates.
Washington Redskins Tight End Niles Paul, who’s caught up with the show, had this to say about the spoilers flying around the locker room:
"If you don’t know that Jon Snow died, if you don’t know what the White Walkers are, that’s not my problem. It means you aren’t a fan and you don’t watch the show."
I have to admit, I agree with Niles. If you don’t know that Jon Snow was stabbed to death by now, then it’s not my fault if you get spoiled. Offensive Lineman Kory Lichtensteiger, Niles Paul’s teammate, is slightly more accommodating, but only slightly:
"I’ll wait a couple of days. But I mean, if you haven’t watched it by then, close your ears. Earmuffs. I want to talk about it."
I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a player who has just begun watching Season 1 only for a teammate to just blurt something out about the Red Wedding while you’re getting ready for a game. Although I personally think the spoiler statute of limitations has run out for that particular event, I admit I’d probably be scandalized.
Paul had one more thing to say the shocking ending of Season 5:
"When Jon Snow died, we were hurt, very hurt . . . but I’ve been following the theories on the Internet so they’ve got to bring him back."
NFL players are Game of Thrones theory nerds. Welcome to the insanity, Niles Paul—there’s always room for another tinfoil hat.
Artist’s depiction of how most people react when the Red Wedding is spoiled for them.
Speaking of the NFL, George R.R. Martin recently paid a visit to the training camp for one of his favorite tea: the New York Jets. Fox Sports reports that, while he was there, Martin chatted with players and fans in attendance, and was hosted by the team’s General Manager, Mike Maccagnan. It’s neat that such a successful author is a big NFL football fan.
Martin’s other favorite team is the New York Giants, to which he made reference in his books when he created the character of Wun Wun the giant. The name Wun Wun is a reference to legendary Giants Quarterback Phil Simms, whose jersey number was 11.
It gets weirder. The story goes that Martin and his friend, Dallas Cowboys fan Patrick St. Denis, had a bet on which team would win a certain game. Martin’s Giants lost to St. Denis’ Cowboys, so George added a character inspired by the Cowboys into his book: Ser Patrek (his heraldry is a silver star on a white field, which is the Dallas Cowboy’s emblem). Then Patrek is ripped apart by Wun Wun toward the end of A Dance with Dragons, which is Martin’s way to give his beloved Giants their revenge. George R.R. Martin seems like a really good sport.
H/T Vanity Fair