Oscar-nominated actor Jeremy Renner recently attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game at PPG Paints Arena, where he shared his admiration for Sidney Crosby. Renner, best known for playing Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reflected on his own missed opportunity to play hockey and revealed which superhero he believes Crosby would portray best.
Jeremy Renner’s childhood hockey dream was cut short
During his visit, Jeremy Renner reminisced about his brief encounter with hockey as a child. He revealed that his mother had signed him up for a hockey league, but an unexpected event put an end to his aspirations.
“My mom had signed me up for a hockey league, and the day I was supposed to go to play, the hockey rink burned down,” Renner said. “That was the beginning and end of my hockey career.”
Despite never getting the chance to play, Renner has remained a fan of the sport. He expressed a deep appreciation for Pittsburgh’s sports culture and its passionate fan base, drawing a comparison between Pittsburgh and his hometown of Modesto, California.
“The community is fantastic,” he added. “Salt-of-the-Earth people, real people. Big hearts. And they love their sports. What a legend this guy is. Just to be able to be in his presence and watch him play is a great honor, I think.”
Sidney Crosby as Hawkeye? Jeremy Renner thinks so
When asked which Marvel superhero best represents Sidney Crosby, Renner didn’t hesitate in his response—he chose Hawkeye, his own character in the MCU. He pointed to Crosby’s incredible consistency and ability to deliver under pressure, likening it to Hawkeye’s precision and reliability.
“He might play Hawkeye! His scoring points pretty much every game. He passed Gretzky in that. Pretty amazing. So I’m gonna say he’d play my character,” Renner said.
Crosby recently set a historic milestone by becoming the first player in NHL history to record 20 consecutive point-per-game seasons, surpassing Wayne Gretzky. Although the Penguins lost 7-2 to Buffalo that night, Crosby remained humble, crediting his teammates for their contributions.
“It’s hard right now after a loss like that. I just think that there’s a lot of guys who’ve contributed to that, so I’m thankful for the guys that I’ve played with that contributed to it,” Crosby said via NHL.com. “It’s a special milestone, but obviously [you] play to win.”
To celebrate Crosby’s latest record-breaking achievement, the Pittsburgh Penguins honored their captain with a special tribute at their home game on Sunday. A video montage played on the big screen, and fans erupted in cheers, acknowledging the magnitude of his accomplishment.
Also Read: Sidney Crosby’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins uncertain amid trade speculation
With 80 points this season (26 goals and 54 assists), Crosby continues to lead his team, proving why he remains one of the most dominant players in NHL history. As he pushes forward in his legendary career, his remarkable consistency and leadership ensure his place among hockey’s all-time greats.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.
