Entertainment
Jason Sudeikis explains show of support for England players after racist abuse: ‘It was necessary’
Jason Sudeikis supported the three footballers at the Ted Lasso premiere (Picture: Getty Images)
Jason Sudeikis has opened up about his support for football players Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford after England’s defeat at the Euro 2020 finals.
After the three players missed penalties, they faced disgusting racist abuse online.
In a show of support afterwards, actor Jason sported a jumper emblazoned with their names to the Ted Lasso season two premiere.
Jason, who plays an American football coach who’s parachuted into a struggling England side in the series, explained: ‘I just felt it was necessary to use the platform of our big, fancy worldwide premiere to try and personify our show’s support of those three young men.’
The 45-year-old added to Vogue: ‘Which is why I chose to put their three first names on the sweatshirt. The names their parents gave them.’
Also chatting about his support for the England team during the European Championships, the American actor said he was grateful the country had welcomed the Ted Lasso production.
‘Plus, I f**kin’ love that Phil Foden kid,’ he added – and who can argue with that?
The actor was dubbed a ‘class act’ (Picture: Getty Images)
Jason’s sweet gesture was applauded on Twitter, with one person calling him a ‘class act’.
NBC’s Roger Bennett tweeted: ‘Huge love for Jason Sudeikis’s sweatshirt at tonight’s Ted Lasso Season 2 Premier. Shows that like his character, he truly understands that football in his heart, is all about human goodness.’
Rashford, Sancho and Saka, pictured with teammate Raheem Sterling, were targeted online (Picture: Getty Images)
Journalist Chris Gardner added: ‘Beautiful move. Jason Sudeikis IS Ted Lasso.’
After Saka, Sancho and Rashford were targeted on social media, many stars, including Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Peter Andre, Katie Price, and Piers Morgan, supported them.
More: Marcus Rashford
Ted Lasso became a surprise smash last year, and won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Jason, while it has landed 20 Emmy nominations including one for outstanding comedy series.
The show follows Lasso, an optimistic American who finds himself managing floundering team AFC Richmond after the club owner decides to tank the team to spite her cheating ex-husband.
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