Snoop Dogg left a major impression during his visit to see Swansea City face Preston on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
The rap star was given a hero’s welcome ahead of the game, his first in person since becoming an investor in Swansea last year. Fans at the Swansea.com Stadium greeted Snoop Dogg by waving white towels, while young soccer players gave the 54-year-old a guard of honor on the field.
But Preston head coach Paul Heckingbottom joked Snoop Dogg made his presence felt in another way.
At his post-game press conference after the teams drew 1-1, Heckingbottom was asked if his players had been aware of the festive atmosphere surrounding the rap star’s presence.
‘Just the smell of weed in the tunnel is the only thing that [made us] realize something was different,’ Heckingbottom said.
Snoop Dogg traveled to Wales after his spell at the Winter Olympics in Italy, where he served as a special correspondent for NBC.
According to Swansea manager Vítor Matos, the rapper went into the dressing room to speak with the players.
“He’s someone that likes to be involved. He was involved not only with us, but as well with the (U.S.) Olympic team. He really loves sports,” Matos said.
“It’s good for him to be involved. I’m happy that we have someone like him who loves the club, loves the city, wants to be here.”
Snoop even appeared to call his shot before the game. Swansea posted a video on social media of the rapper predicting that Liam Cullen would score in the game — an outcome that came true when the midfielder headed home an equalizer in second-half stoppage time.
Swansea moved up to 14th in the Championship with the draw. The Swans will face third-place Ipswich Town on Saturday.