What Jason Momoa and Brandon Routh’s High School Soccer Past Reveals About Their Hollywood Careers

Jason Momoa and Brandon Routh’s journey from a small-town soccer field in Iowa to the global stage of superhero cinema is an inspirational tale of unlikely paths, personal connections, and the resilience needed to chase big dreams. These two actors, both born in 1979, attended Norwalk High School, where they played on the varsity soccer team together. While their high school soccer team may not have been the most successful in terms of state tournaments, their shared athletic experience would prove to be more than just a memory—it would be the foundation for a lifelong friendship and a bond that would eventually echo through the world of superhero films.

Growing up in Norwalk, Iowa, a place far from the bright lights of Hollywood, Momoa and Routh might have seemed an unlikely pair to eventually portray two of the most iconic superheroes in the DC Universe. Routh would go on to portray Clark Kent/Superman in Superman Returns (2006), and later as the Atom in Legends of Tomorrow, while Momoa took on the role of Arthur Curry/Aquaman, first appearing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and starring in his own Aquaman film (2018). The parallels between their careers are striking: two childhood friends from rural Iowa, both taking on roles that defined the superhero genre for a generation.

Their shared experience on the soccer field, though not directly tied to their acting careers, likely played a significant role in shaping their resilience, teamwork, and physical fitness—traits that would later prove invaluable in their action-packed roles as superheroes. For Momoa, whose towering height and physical presence made him a natural choice for roles like Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones and Aquaman, his athletic background likely gave him the physical conditioning needed for these demanding roles. Routh, known for his portrayal of the Man of Steel, also brought a level of physicality to his role, one that could have been influenced by the stamina and endurance developed through soccer.

But beyond the physicality, it was the bond between the two men that truly shaped their journeys. As Routh once recalled, “I’ve known Jason forever, and now he is Aquaman, and I was Superman. We played soccer together in high school and youth soccer.” This long-standing friendship, built on a shared history and a mutual understanding of hard work and determination, became a source of inspiration for both actors. They didn’t just support each other professionally—they had been through the ups and downs of life together, from the soccer field in Iowa to the Hollywood red carpets.

For Momoa, his upbringing in both Hawaii and Iowa influenced not only his career but also how he approached the role of Aquaman. He drew on the duality of his own life—between the landlocked Iowa and the island life of Hawaii—and connected it to the character of Aquaman, who exists between the two worlds of land and sea. It was a reflection of the adaptability and resilience they both developed, qualities that helped them break through the barriers of their small-town beginnings and find success in an industry as tough as Hollywood.

Their story serves as a reminder that the journey to success is rarely linear or predictable. What began as a shared love for soccer in a small town far from Hollywood’s glitz and glamour grew into a powerful partnership, each actor drawing from the lessons of their youth and the strength of their friendship. Together, they exemplify the power of persistence, the importance of embracing one’s roots, and the undeniable value of teamwork.

Jason Momoa and Brandon Routh’s careers as superheroes—one as the mighty Aquaman and the other as Superman—are more than just roles they played; they are the manifestation of dreams realized through hard work, resilience, and a shared belief that anything is possible. From high school soccer to Hollywood, their story proves that no matter where you start, with determination and the right support, you can achieve greatness and inspire others along the way.