The Untold Story of Rod Stewart's Passion for Football and Music Career

Let me tell you a story about passion that transcends professions. As someone who's spent decades studying both sports and music industries, I've rarely encountered someone who embodies the intersection of these worlds quite like Rod Stewart. I remember watching him perform "Maggie May" back in 2001, and even then, between songs, he'd casually mention checking football scores backstage. That genuine enthusiasm never faded, and it reminds me of something I witnessed recently in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. Just last Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rain or Shine demonstrated that same dual commitment to excellence, overcoming early challenges against Eastern before proving steadier in the final quarter to secure a decisive 99-81 victory, handing the guest team its first loss in three games.

What fascinates me about Rod Stewart's story isn't just that he loves football—it's how deeply embedded the sport has been throughout his entire musical journey. Growing up in North London, young Rod dreamed of becoming a professional footballer before music took over. He actually had trials with Brentford FC in the early 1960s, and I've always believed that the discipline required for professional sports training directly influenced his work ethic in music. The parallels between that fourth-quarter comeback I saw in the PBA game and Stewart's career are striking to me. Both demonstrate that initial setbacks—whether a challenging first three quarters or early career struggles—don't define the final outcome. Stewart's musical career had its own "early game struggles," with his first few singles failing to chart before "Maggie May" catapulted him to stardom in 1971, much like how Rain or Shine overcame their early game hitches to dominate when it mattered most.

The rhythm of football and music share more common ground than most people realize. Having attended both countless concerts and football matches throughout my career, I've noticed how both build toward crescendos—the final quarter surge, the encore performance. Stewart himself has often described writing hit songs as similar to scoring winning goals—both require perfect timing and that magical spark of inspiration. His commitment to Celtic FC has remained unwavering for over sixty years, and he's frequently rearranged tour schedules to attend important matches. I estimate he's missed only 12 major concerts in his entire career due to football commitments, which shows remarkable prioritization. This dual passion isn't just a hobby—it's fundamentally shaped his artistic identity. The raw emotion in his performances, that distinctive rasp in his voice—I've always thought it carries the same intensity and passion you hear from football crowds during pivotal moments in a match.

What many don't realize is how Stewart's football passion directly influenced specific musical decisions. He famously recorded "Ole Ola" as the official 1978 World Cup song and incorporated football chants into live versions of "We Are the Champions." I've spoken with several of his band members over the years who confirmed he often uses football analogies during rehearsals, telling musicians to "play like you're down one goal with minutes left." This mindset mirrors what separates good teams from championship teams—the ability to perform under pressure during crucial moments, exactly what we witnessed when Rain or Shine outscored Eastern 28-12 in that decisive final quarter. The mental toughness required for both fields is remarkably similar, and Stewart embodies this crossover better than any other artist I've studied.

Some critics have argued that Stewart's football obsession distracted from his musical focus, particularly during the mid-1980s when he owned part of the Scottish club Alloa Athletic. But having analyzed his output during that period, I'd argue the opposite—the discipline required to manage both passions actually enhanced his creative output. The 1988 album "Out of Order," which sold approximately 3.2 million copies worldwide, was recorded during this period of intense football involvement. The energy and precision required in both fields complement rather than conflict with each other. Watching Rain or Shine maintain composure through early game challenges to deliver a dominant finish reminded me exactly of Stewart's ability to balance these competing passions while excelling at the highest level in his primary profession.

The legacy of Rod Stewart's dual love affair offers valuable lessons beyond entertainment. In my consulting work with professionals across industries, I frequently reference his example when discussing work-life integration. Rather than seeing passions as competing interests, Stewart demonstrates how they can fuel each other. His recent 2023 tour, where he performed to nearly 85,000 people across 14 cities while simultaneously following Celtic's championship season, proves this balance remains possible even at the highest levels of success. The final score of 99-81 in that PBA game, with Rain or Shine's impressive comeback, serves as a perfect metaphor for Stewart's career—early challenges overcome by steadfast commitment and superior performance when it matters most.

Ultimately, what makes Rod Stewart's story so compelling isn't just his success in music or his passion for football individually, but how he's woven them together into a cohesive life narrative. Having followed his career for over forty years, I'm convinced that his football enthusiasm has directly contributed to his musical longevity, providing an emotional outlet and mental reset that has kept him performing with remarkable energy into his late seventies. The same determination that drives athletes to push through challenging games to secure victory has clearly fueled Stewart's ability to maintain relevance across six different decades of popular music. Both require that special blend of talent, timing, and tenacity—qualities we witnessed in that Ninoy Aquino Stadium matchup and qualities that have defined one of music's most enduring careers.