Rugby: It sounds so calm and civilized. In a way it is similar to our football, only the game is played without the benefit of padding, helmets or crotch guards. Surrounded by tight ends and wide receivers, I recently watched a game as the players took to the field in shorts, tees and florescent-colored sneakers (with cleats of course). There was so much body slamming and hot men piling on top of one another, I forgot I was at a rugby game. All at once I spotted the star of the Crusaders, number 17, rugby hero, supermodel, personal online trainer and sex God, Stuart Reardon.
During an afternoon of British tea and pastries, I was privileged to have an engaging conversation with Stuart. Despite the transatlantic language barrier we had a brilliant exchange of dialogue, and even if I hadn’t understood a word he said, I would have been more than satisfied just staring at him in silence, as he is probably one of the hottest men in the entire world.
So Stuart, what exactly is rugby?
Rugby is similar to American football without pads and different rules.
If this were football, what positon would you be?
I’d be a wide receiver.
How tall are you?
Six feet.
How long have you been playing rugby?
A long time. I started when I was 10 years old. I turned professional at 18. I’ve been playing ever since.
At what age will you retire?
Usually people play till about 35. Some play till 36 or 37. It depends if you’ve had serious injuries or not.
Have you ever been injured?
Yeah. I’ve had some bad injuries. Two Achilles heels, screws.
Well then why do you do it?
I saw a chance for a job.
And what are you planning to do when you retire? I mean you still have a ways to go.
I don’t know. I’ll follow my feelings. I’ll just rely on my famous career. [laughs] If any opportunities come my way…
You could do commercials.
I would definitely do that.
Have you always been on the same team?
No, I changed teams.
They can trade you?
Yeah, they can trade you or you can leave for more money.
So were you traded or did you leave for more money?
For more money. [laughs] I started out with my hometown team, which is Bradford. The team was doing well. It got a lot of trophies, but I chose to move.
Why not soccer?
Oh, I wish I played soccer. I’d be doing a lot better.
Is soccer more popular here?
Yeah, it’s the master sport over here. I know it’s not as big in America, but soccer is the #1 sport here. It’s huge. It’s getting big in America now.
I think baseball is #1 in America.
Yeah, I like baseball.
Which team?
Yankees.
I understand that you are very cool with gay professional sports players, and you are an advocate for acceptance of gay professional sports team members.
Yeah! Of course, yeah! We had a gay player on the team some years ago. He was a good guy. Yeah, it’s not that big of a deal in the U.K. as it is with Americans.
And gay marriage is legal in U.K.?
Yeah.
I understand you have been to Cherry Grove.
I was at Fire Island in 2012. I was at the little bar when you get off the boat. I had a nice Corona with lime. I was on a shoot there. We stayed there all day, and then went back at night. It was wild.
You had a good time?
Yeah, a good time. The weather was great. It was around July, August. It was a very nice place to be.
So you drink alcohol?
Yeah, I drink alcohol. I usually drink gin and tonic. I’ll have a Corona. I’m not a massive drinker.
If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
Travel the world.
If you were a porn star what name would you choose?
Ah, Rocky Reardon.
Pick any two celebrities to be your parents.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
Do you believe in love at first sight?When you first see someone and there is an attraction, you fall in love with that. I don’t know how it works out afterwards. I don’t know.
You’re naked in a store window in New York City, and you’re holding up a sign. Please read what that sign says.
Help! I’m naked!
You’re a new addition to a crayon box. What color are you?
Black with red polka dots
If you could change places with anyone in the world for a week, who would it be and why?
Floyd Mayweather.
Who is that?
A boxer.
OK, why?
I admire that he’s never been beaten.
You’re in your car and you’re all alone, driving on the wrong side of the road in Manchester. What are you thinking about?
I’m daydreaming. Hopefully I won’t get a ticket!
What kind of music do you listen to?
I like dance music. Depends what mood I’m in, and if I’m dancing.
If I could look inside your heart, what would I find?
Passion.
What kind of passion?
Passion for sport. Passion to stay well. I think I’m a good guy.
What’s your worst quality?
I have a temper. I control it, since I’m mature now. I could be grumpy sometimes. It depends what day you catch me on. You can’t be positive the whole time, but I do try to be. I try to take life as it comes. Good things come my way, that’s great. Bad things come my way, I try and deal with it. I try to stay positive and go through life. You’re gonna have ups. You’re gonna have downs. You just keep going, don’t ya? I try to smile.
You’re a super hero.
Batman.
Pick a power, not a character.
I want to time travel. Invincibility. To live forever. I want to fly. Those three powers, invincibility, time travel and fly. That’s all you need.
How long did it take you to do your massive, sexy tattoo?
It took me about two years. I had to go back end of each season, so I did about three seven-hour days and kept adding to it. I’m probably going to get more. I wanna go back to the same guy. Sometimes it gets funny if you go to someone else.
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you playing?
I’ve seen a player get his shorts pulled down, but it’s not happened to me.
What’s the most disappointing thing that’s ever happened to you in Rugby? Like have you ever caused your team to lose a game?
I’ve been in the finals and played for 80,000 and lost. It’s disappointing when you’re injured and have to get reconstruction, and you’re out for seven or eight months, and you can’t walk for 12 weeks either. Winning and losing, that comes with the sport. You win some and lose some. Being injured is the worst, because it’s your body that lets you down. If you’re an athlete, you train hard and build your body up, and when it breaks, the only person you can blame is yourself. That’s the worst time.
How many hours do you spend in the gym each week?
I spend a lot – about four, five days a week. I do a fitness program as well online. I enjoy training, anyway. It makes you feel better.
What’s your favorite thing to do in life?
I love playing sports and training. I’ve got a son; he is 10. I love spending time with him. I watch him play football. He’s back in Yorkshire.
If you could say anything in this magazine, what would you talk about?
I have a fitness program online that anyone can sign up for, anywhere in the world. It’s all online. You get diets. It’s all body weight training. Anyone can do it. You can do it in your room, so it’s perfect for anyone with a busy life, if you don’t have a chance to go to the gym. They can work out at their own time through my website.
Now, you have been on the cover of Get Out! magazine before?
I’ve been representing Axium. Axium donates a lot of LGBT products.
What would you want me to know about you that no one else knows?
I’m a massive sci fi fan. I’m really interested in space in the planets. It would be crazy not to think that there aren’t other planets exactly like ours. Whether we will get to the point where we can travel or not, if that becomes a possibility, I’m not sure, but I know they’ve found planets which are like ours. I’m interested in that stuff. I’m a big movie buff.
If you could take anyone to outer space with you, who would it be?
It depends on the mission. Are we settled?
You can pretend; whatever you want.
If it’s a mission and we’re going to meet new life and settle, I’d take Obama, I’d take warriors, I’d take intelligent people. I’m the muscles. I’d bring a few more muscles, scientists, family and friends. I’d send a first wave to make sure they aren’t hostile.
Look for Stuart at FNF (Fear Nothing Fitness) at www.stuartreardon.co.uk.
