Bill Murray is known for many things—his legendary acting career, quick-witted humor, and unwavering loyalty to the Chicago Blackhawks. But at a recent NCAA tournament game in Raleigh, the Hollywood icon found himself in an unexpected NHL crossover moment.
Bill Murray, the legendary actor and die-hard Chicago Blackhawks fan, made an appearance at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh this past Sunday. He wasn’t there for hockey, though—his focus was on college basketball. The Ghostbusters star was cheering for the UConn Huskies as they took on Northwestern in the NCAA Division I tournament. But beyond his love for the game, there was a personal connection—his son, Luke Murray, is an assistant coach for UConn.
However, what started as a passionate college basketball outing turned into an unexpected NHL moment. Carolina Hurricanes President Doug Warf was also in attendance and saw an opportunity too good to pass up. Despite Murray’s well-documented love for the Blackhawks, Warf presented him with a Hurricanes jersey, capturing the moment in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I was honored to present Bill Murray with a @canes jersey at @LenovoCenter today. He was gracious and funny, even after the tough loss for his son’s UConn squad,” Warf shared. “He wished the Canes the best in the playoffs. I think that makes this #legend a HUGE Caniac, right @TrippTracy?” Murray, ever the good sport, accepted the jersey with a laugh, proving that while his loyalty lies with the Blackhawks, he’s not above sharing a friendly moment with another franchise. After all, he’s no stranger to sports rivalries.
Murray’s Blackhawks fandom runs deep. Earlier this year, he attended the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, proudly donning his Blackhawks Winter Classic jersey and beanie. He even joined NHL on TNT to talk about his team, further solidifying his reputation as one of the Blackhawks’ most famous supporters. With a big smile, he stated about the Winter Classic, “I couldn’t miss this [the Winter Classic] if I were having surgery. I would have come here for this. This is really a lot of fun. I appreciate you inviting me.”
Even with this lighthearted moment in a Hurricanes jersey, there’s no doubt where his true allegiance lies. But what do you think? Was this a harmless gesture or a moment of ultimate betrayal for a Blackhawks superfan? Let the debate begin!
Despite the friendly banter, Murray’s loyalty to the Blackhawks was evident. He cherishes his connection to the team and expressed his dedication every time he appears at games. Alongside fellow actor Jon Hamm, who was supporting the St. Louis Blues, the two reminisced together about their respective teams. “It (the hat) made the trip with me to Los Angeles when I left St. Louis. I brought a blue one and a yellow one,” Hamm shared, wearing his well-worn Blues hat. “Believe it or not this used to be blue…I took it out there with me and I’ve kept it ever since.”
Both Hamm and Murray are longtime fans of their respective teams. While Hamm wore his well-worn Blues hat by sharing how it traveled with him all the way to Los Angeles years ago, Bill Murray proudly displayed his Blackhawks Winter Classic jersey and beanie. No matter where he goes or what jersey he wears, Murray remains a symbol of sports loyalty and enthusiasm.
Now, with his presence for his son’s team and the Canes jersey becoming his collection, there’s no doubt Bill Murray remains a Blackhawks fan. After all, he proved how obsessed he is with the team already, but he also showed an ability to engage positively with sports personalities beyond his preferred franchise.
His acceptance of the Hurricanes jersey was a delightful snapshot of sportsmanship, encouraging a sense of community that transcends team colors. It serves as a reminder that at the core, sports are about camaraderie, enjoyment, and, above all, the personal connections that bind fans and families alike.
