Timothee Chalamet unleashes secret talent in unexpected TV moment

He’s one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, but Timothee Chalamet has just blown away TV audiences with a secret extra talent.

Timothee Chalamet impressed TV audiences with his knowledge of American college football on ESPN. Picture: College GameDay/X

Timothée Chalamet has blown TV audiences away with his unexpected knowledge of American college football during a weekend appearance on ESPN.

Some were curious about why Chalamet, a New York-born actor with seemingly no connection to Power 5 football, was chosen to be the guest picker on the college football program College GameDay in Atlanta ahead of the SEC (Southeastern Conference) title game.

Well, the Wonka star showed he has some chops on the sports punditry circuit, the New York Post reported.

And, not only that, he seemed to do plenty of research as he made his picks ahead of an important slate of conference championship games.

Timothee Chalamet more than held his own on ESPN's College GameDay. Picture: College GameDay/X

He particularly stood out for his picks for the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) — Jackson State — and the MAC (Mid-American Conference) — Ohio.

“Jackson State, eight wins in a row, 11 all-conference players — this should be a comfortable, easy win for them,” Chalamet said with plenty of confidence, getting plenty of love with shoulder taps from College GameDay regulars Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit.

Instead of picking a favourite in the MAC title game between Miami of Ohio and Ohio, Chalamet had his reasons to pick an upset.

“The Red Hawks defence looks good, but I’m looking at fourth-year quarterback Parker Navarro. Sixty-five per cent completion rate. If he can get going, he’ll tilt this in favour of the Bobcat. I’m going underdog Bobcats here, underdog Bobcats.”

Chalamet earned a handshake from sports analyst Pat McAfee. Picture: College GameDay/X

That bold pick earned a strong handshake from McAfee, a top sports analyst.

And, when it came down to it, Chalamet thought hard about his pick for the SEC championship, and when it came down to it, he went with the Texas Longhorns over the Georgia Bulldogs, much to the chagrin of the large swath University of Georgia fans in attendance.

College football social media was largely impressed with the actor’s sports preparedness.

“You are all fools for doubting Timothée Chalamet’s knowledge of ball. He drank the Water of Life,” wrote podcaster Ross Bolen on X.

“Timothee Chalamet, I owe you an apology — I wasn’t familiar with your game,” wrote College Sports Only in reference to the widely-shared meme of Shaquille O’Neal.

Viewers were impressed by the Hollywood star’s depth of football knowledge. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

“Timothee Chalamet being a real deal college football fan, being a SMU fan, and knowing about all these teams was so crazy to me. I thought just invited cause famous, but he was a legit great guest picker on College Gameday,” wrote the Ringer’s Chris Vernon.

Fox NFL writer and NFL Network personality Peter Schrager didn’t mince words.

“Timothee Chalamet came prepared, researched, and referenced the Pony Express. Maybe the best College Gameday guest picker yet. NYC guy. Respect,” he wrote.

In a season that’s included plenty of famous folks like actor Keegan-Michael Key, Pirates star Paul Skenes, gymnast Olivia “Livvy” Dunne and swimmer Michael Phelps, Chalamet might have stood out as the best and most prepared.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Timothee Chalamet unleashes secret talent in unexpected TV moment