Ryan Reynolds has once again caught attention at the Racecourse Ground, but not for a Hollywood-style celebration or big-money signing. Instead, the Wrexham co-owner’s simple pre-match ritual of pocketing grass before kick-off has become a quiet symbol of his growing bond with the Welsh club.
Supporters spotted Reynolds kneeling on the turf before Wrexham’s FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest, scooping up a small handful of grass and placing it carefully into his pocket. The act raised eyebrows on social media, but those who have followed the club closely will know this isn’t a new habit. It’s something Reynolds has done for years — a sentimental gesture that’s become part of Wrexham’s modern folklore.
What exactly is Ryan Reynolds’ pre-match ritual?
Before major matches at the Racecourse Ground, Reynolds walks onto the pitch, crouches down, and removes a few blades of grass, which he places in his pocket as a memento. He began the practice not long after he and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham in 2021, and he has repeated it at key fixtures since. It’s a simple act that he treats as both a superstition and a keepsake.
“Blake and the girls always remind me, ‘Dad, grab some of the pitch when you walk across it again.’ I recognise that the Racecourse Ground is in certain senses holy ground. I like to bring a piece of that home every time,” Reynolds explained in a recent interview.
He has been seen performing the same ritual before some of Wrexham’s biggest matches, including their FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest in January, a victory that pushed the Championship club into the fourth round for the first time in years.
When did Ryan Reynolds start this ritual?
According to reports in GiveMeSport and SPORTbible, fans first noticed Reynolds pocketing grass in October 2021, around a year after he and McElhenney became co-owners. The tradition has continued ever since, marking key moments in Wrexham’s journey from the National League to the Championship. What began as a quirky act has become a recurring scene at the Racecourse Ground.
Why does Ryan Reynolds put grass in his pocket?
The ritual may appear unusual, but it’s rooted in emotion rather than superstition. Reynolds has described it as a way of keeping part of Wrexham with him wherever he goes, symbolising how deeply the club has become part of his life. Speaking about it, he has stressed that the act is not about luck, but memory.
“The girls always remind me ‘Dad, grab some of the pitch when you walk across it again,’” he said. “I like to bring a piece of that home every time. I don’t think I’m building a Wrexham man cave at this point — it’s just my house. That stuff is going wherever I am. Wrexham is one of the prides of my life.”
The gesture has now become a ritual of appreciation, reflecting the bond between Reynolds and the club he has helped transform from a lower-league curiosity into a thriving Championship contender.
Does Rob McElhenney do the same thing?
Reynolds’ co-owner and close friend Rob McElhenney shares the same ritual. The pair have both been seen collecting pieces of turf before big games, treating it as a personal keepsake of each milestone. McElhenney told The Athletic that his wife once turned his growing collection into framed artwork.
“When I get down on the pitch, I have a tendency to take some of the grass and put it in my pocket,” McElhenney said. “I’d keep them in little plastic bags and put a piece of paper inside with the occasion written on each. My wife stole them from the drawer I keep them in and had them framed behind air-sealed glass, each one with a plaque underneath.”
The story adds a light-hearted touch to Wrexham’s ongoing fairytale, revealing that what began as a small personal habit has become a sentimental collection that chronicles the club’s rise.
Is Reynolds ritual connected to Wrexham’s FA Cup success?
There’s no suggestion that Reynolds’ pre-match act has any magical effect, but its timing and visibility have made it a symbolic part of the club’s success story. Before Wrexham’s dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Nottingham Forest, Reynolds was spotted once again kneeling on the turf. The match ended 4–3 on penalties after a 3–3 draw, with fans later pointing to his ritual as a sign of the belief and continuity that have carried the team through its resurgence.
Manager Phil Parkinson has spoken about the impact of the ownership on Wrexham’s spirit and identity. Following the victory, he said that the energy from Reynolds and McElhenney continues to inspire both players and supporters.
“Credit to the lads for the character,” Parkinson said. “After the Christmas period to go into extra time against a Premier League team is an almighty effort. Ryan and Rob’s presence lifts the entire club.”
What has Ryan Reynolds said about its meaning?
Reynolds has described the ritual as something that connects him to the community of Wrexham and to the history of the Racecourse Ground. He often refers to the pitch as “holy ground”, recognising the emotion and legacy attached to the stadium. His words suggest a genuine affection rather than a publicity gesture.
“The Racecourse Ground is in certain senses holy ground,” Reynolds said. “I like to bring a piece of that home every time. It’s not about collecting trophies or souvenirs, it’s about remembering what Wrexham means.”
What started as a small, private tradition has now become a defining image of Reynolds’ ownership — a quiet, personal act that symbolises the bond between Hollywood and the heart of North Wales football.
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Has anyone told Ryan and Rob that taking grass home to the Republic of the USA is potentially illegal?
Taking even a few blades of grass from a football pitch in Wales into the United States can violate U.S. agricultural laws unless it is properly declared and permitted.
Why the U.S. Restricts Grass, Soil, and Plant Material
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) treat all plant material, including grass, turf, seeds, and soil, as potential carriers of pests or diseases.
Travelers must declare any agricultural items when entering the U.S.
Grass from a foreign sports pitch can carry:
• Soil (which is strictly regulated)
• Fungal diseases (e.g., turfgrass pathogens)
• Insects or larvae
• Invasive plant species
Because of this, importing grass or turf typically requires a USDA permit, and casual traveller’s almost never have one.
What Happens If You Bring It Anyway?
If you bring undeclared grass into the U.S., even just a few blades:
• It can be confiscated at customs.
• You may face fines for failing to declare agricultural material.
• If declared, officers will usually deny entry to the grass unless you have the proper permit (which most travellers don’t).
CBP explicitly requires declaration of plants, seeds, and soil.
So… Is It Illegal?
Bringing it in without declaring it is illegal.
Bringing it in with declaration but without a permit will result in confiscation, but not penalties.
In practice:
You cannot legally bring blades of grass from a Welsh football pitch into the U.S. without going through formal import procedures.