Keanu Reeves has been part of numerous movies, some gaining acclaim while others did not fare as well, but only one film captured the interest of an NFL team.
Even if his entire filmography doesn’t appeal to everyone, Reeves is known for diversifying his roles.
From playing the savior of Zion to portraying a surfing undercover FBI agent, he’s demonstrated his versatility.
However, there is a lesser-known football movie he starred in that could have significantly altered his career path.
Reeves took on the role of Shane Falco, the main quarterback for the fictional team, the Washington Sentinels, in the 2000 film, “The Replacements.”
The term “star quarterback” might be overstating it, as the movie centers around a group of substitute players joining the team during a professional players’ strike, leading to comedic situations.
In preparation for the role, many of the cast members underwent rigorous training, which is common for actors in sports movies.
They must appear authentic and move convincingly.
The training camp was overseen by football coordinators Allan Graf and Mark Ellis, and Reeves seemed to leave a strong impression.
Although the film is set in Washington, it was actually filmed in Baltimore, where Reeves earned accolades from NFL coaches for his footwork and mobility in the pocket.
This reportedly resulted in the Baltimore Ravens extending an invitation to Reeves for a tryout at their camp.
Nevertheless, Reeves declined due to other commitments in Hollywood.
While this might sound implausible, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst & Insider Matt Miller confirmed it did happen in 2013.
On his Twitter page, Miller stated: “I leave you with this: Keanu Reeves was offered a tryout at QB with the #Ravens while filming The Replacements.”
When questioned on social media if he was joking, Miller affirmed it was a “100 percent true story.”
Despite this claim, some remain skeptical, not necessarily doubting the event’s occurrence, but questioning if Reeves was invited due to his celebrity status rather than football skill.
Yet, the talented Reeves has demonstrated his proficiency in various fields, so perhaps he did possess an impressive throwing arm that caught the coaches by surprise.