Astronaut Chris Hadfield visits Canadian football team’s dressing room ahead of match against Belgium. This is what happened

Before the match against Belgium, Canadian supporters were perplexed to see Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space, don a Canadian team blazer and perform “O Canada.” It was coach John Herdman’s idea to bring the astronaut to the Canadian camp for encouragement.

Herdman revealed the reason for inviting Hadfield

Herdman told the reporters in Qatar that he was asked to listen to this person because he’s the greatest in the business, and when he saw him playing guitar and singing on stage, he was immediately impressed. But he mentioned several things that struck a chord with Herdman.

He said how as a nine-year-old boy, he wished to walk in space. And how organized he was in embarking on that path. Herdman wanted a genuine pioneer in the dressing room and invited Hadfield.


Herdman stated that Hadfield represented his nation; he understands what it is to put everything on the line. He invited him here to tell his tale of being the man who did what he wanted. And it was fantastic.



Atiba Hutchinson, Canada captain, said everything Hadfield said was precisely what they were going through, so they could completely relate to it. He feels that there could not have been a better individual in that room to prepare them for that game.

However, a Croatian newspaper ridiculed Hadfield by asking if he would be called again before Canada’s game against Croatia.

FAQs:

1. What are Chris Hadfield’s achievements?
   The Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Cross, Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame member and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
2. When did John Herdman meet Chris Hadfield?
   They met at a speaking convention in 2013.