Tom Hanks Pumps up Timbers and Their Army

Portland, July 24th. Tom Hanks received a warm welcome in the Rose City even though he’s an avid Aston Villa fan (so much so that he’s featured on the club’s official website as a ‘Famous Fan,’ along with British royalty, Prince William.) The Aston Villa team, based in Birmingham England, defeated the Portland Timbers with penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in regulation. (Photo credit, Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Timbers)

Tom Hanks visits the Timbers locker room at JELD-WEN Field.

The gracious star posed with the Timbers and their opponents, Aston Villa.

Hanks took time to pose with British Consul Priya Guha and Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler before the start of the Timbers game versus Aston Villa. The Academy Award winning actor supports several charity foundations which advocate for health, the environment, and an end to poverty. Hanks turned 56 earlier this month.

Hanks’ visit coincided with President Obama’s fundraising trip to Portland where he spoke at a Oregon Convention Center. Obama’s reelection team created a campaign video trailer which is narrated by Tom Hanks.

The Timbers hold up log slabs after the game with Aston Villa.

During the Timbers game, Rookie Rincón scored his first goal for Portland. Tom Hanks joked with the team beforehand instructing them to, “Change the face of the game.” The Hollywood movie star enjoyed the Portland fans. Reporter Shawn Levy said that Tom Hanks gestured toward the Timbers Army and said, “Why can’t all of America have something like this?”

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.