Having played the iconic Rocky Balboa role in his five “Rocky” movies and then again late last year in the critically-acclaimed spinoff film “Creed,” veteran Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone knows how it feels to be an underdog.
He appreciates scrappy underdogs who fight their way to the top just like Rocky Balboa did so when he saw a walk-on linebacker Kasey Carson of the Western Michigan University (WMU) showing all the ingredients of being a determined underdog, the “Rambo” actor made his impression felt by granting the young man a full scholarship, cites the Bleacher Report.
The video first showed WMU head coach P.J. Fleck running onto the field in full uniform. He challenges Carson to stop him from crossing the goal line.
Carson succeeded in stopping his coach, earning everyone the night off instead of a team meeting.
Subsequently, Fleck commended Carson for his defense and then asked his team’s attention to look on the big screen. Sylvester Stallone and businessman Alec Gores, a WMU alum, then showed up on the big screen.
Stallone told Carson that the fact that he was a walk-on and he accomplished it is extraordinary, citing it even as quite amazing.
“The Expendables” actor then announced the grant of a full-ride scholarship to Carson, which the entire team celebrated as if they had already won a heavyweight title fight in boxing.
Did not drop in Malawi
Incidentally, there have been reports as of late that Sylvester Stallone was spotted in Malawi for a vacation.
One of the country’s publications published that Stallone arrived in Malawi on the afternoon of August 17 through Kamuzu International Airport before heading to Likoma.
It turns out later that the report was inaccurate as the “Judge Dredd” actor was seen on August 16 attending an event in Michigan, notes Malawi 24.
On that same evening, the actor was also seen having dinner in the company of his wife and two of three daughters so it would be impossible for him to be in Malawi the following day.
Critics believe that it would be like magic for Stallone to be in Malawi when less than 24 hours earlier he was in Michigan, and the distance in between is 13,000 kilometers.
An important part in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’
During the San Diego ComicCon held last month, Director James Gunn has confirmed previous rumors saying that Sylvester Stallone is going to be a part of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” the sequel to the 2014 Marvel film.
While many were speculating that it would be an improbable mission to get the veteran Hollywood action star to get a small role in a Marvel film, Gunn was proud to announce during the event that they were able to convince Stallone to do so.
Gunn explained that Stallone’s role in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is not a huge role but it is going to be a very, very key and important role. He added that the role is crucial but he refuses to divulge what it is going to be, preferring to just say that the “Rocky” star is a great and key supporting actor to the movie.
Some critics have lauded Stallone for agreeing to do a bit role in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” because it only shows that he is a mature veteran actor and no longer puts a premium on his star status.
Stallone has obviously become one of the more discerning and mature action stars in Hollywood who is more interested in delivering quality performance and movie rather than make money out of it and be very popular. He does not need both of those as he is not just famous, he is also well-moneyed.
James Gunn also showed a sizzle reel footage of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” during the San Diego ComicCon and it showed Stallone on it although it did not give away much information about his character.
Based on the costume he was seen wearing in the footage, Sylvester Stallone’s mysterious character could be one of the new Ravagers. Although some fans are also saying that he is going to take on the role of a Nova Corps members.