Actor Rob Lowe Finally Clarifies The Story Behind His Legendary ‘NFL’ Hat Meme

Legendary actor Rob Lowe is a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

For some, he’s Chris Traeger on Parks on Recreation. To others he’s Sam Seaborn from The West Wing, or even Billy Hicks in St. Elmo’s Fire.

But for a select set of football fans, Lowe is better known as “the guy who wore the NFL hat to the NFC Championship Game.”

Lowe became an immediate internet meme in 2020 when he was spotted at the NFC title game between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. But rather than wearing gear supporting either team, Lowe was seen donning a plain black cap with the NFL logo emblazoned on it.

It was as if to say “go football!” Or “I just hope both teams have fun!”

Honestly, the hat fits perfectly with Lowe’s famed Parks and Rec character. But it was still plenty weird.

During a conversation about Rob Lowe’s experience eating an Atkins Diet (full interview on YouTube), BroBible’s Brett Haman sat down with Lowe recently and got the real story behind the hat that captivated the football world.

“So here’s the background on it,” Lowe began to answer. “I believe it was the first year of 9-1-1 Lonestar. To promote it, they flew me to the game and they were gonna cut to me in the stands and say ‘and starring on 9-1-1 Lonestar…’ That’s why I’m there. And I’m a football fan, so I’m thrilled to be there.

“On the way into the stadium, they give me a selection of hats. And they’re very elaborate NFC Championship Game (hats) with both teams and the logos and it a whole thing. And then there was the one simple NFL shield hat, which I had never seen before other than on a ref. This is what the refs wear, I think. And I was like ‘this is sick, I’m wearing this.'”

Lowe said his phone immediately started blowing up after they showed him. He even joked that every league in the world sends him a hat.

So there you have it.

Rob Lowe: football fan, ironic hat like, legendary meme.