In the era of performative tributes, where public figures often take to social media for grand gestures, one of Arsenal’s most respected leaders chose silence—and in doing so, spoke volumes.
Following the shocking and heartbreaking announcement that wrestling legend Hulk Hogan had passed away at the age of 71, tributes flooded in from every corner of the globe. WWE superstars, celebrities, and fans took to Twitter, Instagram, and even national television to remember the larger-than-life icon whose booming voice, unmatched charisma, and legendary “Hulkamania” defined an era of wrestling and entertainment. But among the wave of remembrances, one moment stood out—not because of what was said, but because of what was not.
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, known for his cool composure and understated leadership both on and off the pitch, paid tribute to Hogan in a way that was deeply personal and profoundly moving. It wasn’t announced. It wasn’t posted. It wasn’t performed for likes or applause.
Instead, just hours before Arsenal’s Premier League clash at the Emirates, Ødegaard arrived at the stadium wearing a simple yellow bandana tucked subtly under his jacket collar—a quiet but unmistakable nod to Hulk Hogan’s iconic yellow-and-red ring gear. As he walked into the dressing room, teammates initially said nothing, but the staff and players who recognized the tribute were struck by the emotion behind the gesture.
“It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t for show,” one Arsenal coach told a local sports reporter off the record. “But we all noticed. Ødegaard’s not a flashy guy, so when he does something symbolic like that, it hits harder.”
Ødegaard didn’t make a speech, didn’t post about Hogan’s death on social media, and didn’t even acknowledge questions from reporters during the post-match interview. But those closest to him knew the tribute was anything but casual.
What many don’t know is that Martin Ødegaard grew up watching Hulk Hogan’s classic matches with his father in Norway. According to childhood friends, Ødegaard was fascinated by Hogan’s larger-than-life personality, his sense of justice, and his “never give up” attitude—principles that would later come to define Ødegaard’s own style of leadership on the football pitch.
“In many ways, Hogan was one of Martin’s first heroes,” said a family friend in an interview with a Norwegian outlet. “When he was little, he used to do the leg drop on pillows and pretend he was standing in the ring, tearing his shirt off.”
The news of Hogan’s passing reportedly left Ødegaard “visibly shaken” during the morning training session, according to multiple Arsenal staff members. But instead of turning outward, Ødegaard turned inward—choosing reflection over reaction.
That decision moved many of his teammates, especially younger players who have looked up to the Norwegian captain for his maturity and emotional intelligence. One teammate posted on a private Instagram story (later shared widely): “Didn’t say a word. Didn’t need to. That’s real leadership.”
Though Ødegaard has yet to release a public statement about Hogan’s death, those around him say it’s only a matter of time. And if he does choose to speak, it won’t be for clicks. It’ll be because he truly wants to honor a man who meant something to him.
The WWE community, still reeling from the loss of one of its biggest icons, has begun to take note of Ødegaard’s quiet tribute. Wrestling fans on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) praised the Arsenal captain’s approach, calling it “classy,” “genuine,” and “exactly the kind of tribute Hogan would’ve appreciated.”
One post read:
“Martin Ødegaard didn’t post a black-and-white photo or write a two-paragraph caption. He just wore that yellow bandana and went about his day. That’s Hulkamania in spirit—silent strength.”
While the world says goodbye to Hulk Hogan with booming tributes and emotional montages, Martin Ødegaard reminded us that sometimes, the most meaningful tributes don’t come with fanfare—they come with sincerity.
In a world desperate for authenticity, the Arsenal captain gave us a rare glimpse of it. A quiet moment. A silent nod. A personal memory. And for those who grew up hearing “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”, that moment meant everything.
Rest in peace, Hulk Hogan. You inspired a generation—including one of football’s most composed captains.
