Actor Crowe shows up to boost Carr, Michigan over Notre Dame

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Gladiator came to Lloyd Carr's aid.

Russell Crowe attended Michigan's 38-0 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday to support his friend, the embattled Wolverines coach.

Michigan started the season with embarrassing losses to Appalachian State and Oregon.

"I could sense through TV that my friend was in a bit of pain," Crowe said. "So I thought I'd just sort of take his mind off things and gave him a call. I started teasing about it and he said, `Get up here."'

Crowe was in the Baltimore-Washington area filming scenes for a new movie, "Body of Lies." The movie is Crowe's fourth with director Ridley Scott. Crowe won the 2001 Academy Award for best actor for his performance in Scott's "Gladiator."

Carr and Crowe became friends when the actor found out Carr was using Crowe's movie "Cinderella Man" to motivate the Wolverines last year. Crowe portrayed Depression-era boxer Jim Braddock in the film.

"I was really touched that he was using it," the Australian said. "So I called his office and said, `G'day, mate."'

Crowe then invited Carr to visit him and his National Rugby League team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Carr took him up on the offer in May. Carr spoke to Crowe's team, and the favor was returned before Saturday's game.

What did Crowe say in his pre-game address to the team?

"That's secret information, mate," he said.

Crowe said the largest crowd to watch his team play was about 34,500. He stood on the Michigan Stadium sidelines Saturday with three times as many fans surrounding him.

"It was an incredible privilege," Crowe said. "I think that's the largest sporting event I've ever attended in terms of numbers in the crowd."

Michigan might want Crowe to stick around for good luck. The Wolverines' next game is this Saturday at home against No. 10 Penn State. Crowe didn't know how long he would stay in Ann Arbor.

"Well, I want to have a couple of beers with Lloyd -- however long that takes," he said.

Well into Carr's postgame news conference, he called on his friend to join him at the podium in front of dozens of reporters and several TV cameras.

"Come up here, Russell," Carr said. "I'm getting tired of this."

Crowe then took over, comparing rugby to American football, talking about Carr's visit to Australia and joking about the Wolverine he would like on his team, such as Jake Long, a 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle.

"I want Jake!" Crowe said.