Pickleball, the paddle sport taking the country by storm, has captured the interest of yet another celebrity couple – Ben and Erin Napier of the hit HGTV show “Home Town.” Known for their talent in restoring historical houses and their incredibly sweet relationship, the Napiers decided to try their hand at pickleball during a recent trip.
Laughs and Love on the Court
Ben and Erin brought their signature playful chemistry to the pickleball court as absolute beginners to the sport. Though the sport is known for being fast-paced and competitive, the couple made it clear they were there for low-stakes fun and entertainment.
“We are the least competitive people in the entire world,” Erin remarked with a grin, belying the recent reports of her unexpected competitiveness during a home renovation project.
Based on the laughs and smiles coming from the pair as they rallied the pickleball back and forth across the net, both Ben and Erin seemed right at home. While neither managed any fancy paddle tricks or blistering shots, they kept the game lighthearted.
Focusing On Enjoyment Over Intensity
In a video captured during the play session, Ben gracefully dove for a ball with an exaggerated swim move – the smile never leaving his face even as he briefly ended up prostrate on the court. Moments later, Erin gently bumped into Ben while trying to get into position for a return. Unbothered, the couple shared a quick affectionate glance before resuming play.
Unlike tennis or other racket sports where mistakes are often met with frustration, Ben and Erin brushed off their beginner blunders. The vibe remained casual and the priority stayed simply spending quality time together trying something new. Between points, the Napiers kept the conversation flowing with their signature witty banter that HGTV fans have come to adore.
Relatable Role Models Trying Something New
As household names thanks to their flagship show “Home Town,” Ben and Erin Napier have cemented themselves as some of HGTV’s most relatable stars with their humble small-town life. Even as their popularity skyrockets, the couple continues prioritizing family time with their daughters Helen and Mae.
Seeing the Napiers try out pickleball together aligned perfectly with their brand as an endearing, down-to-earth couple. They modeled how couples can supportively and gently explore new hobbies as partners. Ben and Erin emphasized having fun over skill level – an important reminder for the often too competitive pickleball scene.
Final Thoughts: A Sweet Moment of Connection
Watching this celebrity duo laugh wholeheartedly together as they learned pickleball warmed the hearts of fans everywhere. In an increasingly polarized world, seeing a couple spread sheer joy playing a sport together overflowed with wholesomeness.
As we continue slogging through the dark winter months, this peek into Ben and Erin Napier’s infectiously cheerful attempt at pickleball served as a ray of light. If the sport’s fastest-growing demographic is couples over 50, perhaps we have the Napiers to thank for catapulting this trend. More couples may now be inspired to take up pickleball as a means of fostering connection.
At the end of the day, Ben and Erin’s pickleball tryout highlighted the deeper relationship lessons that sports can teach. Rather than intense competition, sports can build intimacy through shared new experiences. Laughter, patience, and support matter more than skill level. By embracing enjoyment over intensity, activities become vehicles for forming lasting positive memories, for couples looking to similarly strengthen their bonds, taking a page out of Napiers’ book and being willing to playfully try something new could pay relationship dividends.