The sports world is reeling after the tragic passing of actress Hayden Panettiere on Sunday, August 16, but her legacy just got a surprising new twist for MLB fans. It turns out Panettiere, known for roles in “Remember the Titans” and “Ice Princess,” used to babysit none other than Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong. What?!
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Wildest Babysitter Story
Crow-Armstrong, who’s been making waves on the diamond, revealed this wild fact in a resurfaced 2022 NBC News Chicago interview. “Hayden Panettiere babysat me. I had the biggest crush on her,” he confessed, adding, “Yeah, I’d say she was probably the coolest one for me.” Can you even imagine your childhood crush being a future MLB star’s babysitter? That’s seriously wild!
This connection makes perfect sense when you dive into Crow-Armstrong’s background. His parents, Ashley Crow and Matthew John Armstrong, are actors. Ashley Crow actually played Sandra Bennet, Hayden Panettiere’s mom, on the hit show “Heroes,” where Panettiere famously played cheerleader Claire Bennet. Pete spent a lot of time on set as a kid. He recalled, “That was fun for me. I liked being around the older actors, and I liked being babysat by my mom’s costars and whatnot.” What a childhood, right? Imagine your babysitter being a superhero on TV!
A Heartbreaking Loss
Away from the baseball field, the news of Panettiere’s death is truly heartbreaking. She was found in cardiac arrest at a home in South Carolina on Sunday, August 16. Resuscitation efforts were sadly unsuccessful, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, per CBS.
Her ex-fiancé, former heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko, shared a profound message about her passing. “Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief,” he posted. He continued, “The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.” Klitschko and Panettiere dated starting in 2009, got engaged in October 2013, and welcomed their daughter Kaya in December 2014. Panettiere gave Klitschko full primary custody four years later. The official cause of death is still not determined. Klitschko asked for privacy for their family during this incredibly tough time.
It’s a heavy few days for many, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, as the world remembers Hayden Panettiere. The sports and entertainment worlds often intersect in unexpected ways, and this story is a prime example. As Pete continues his MLB journey, this little piece of his past just adds another layer to his already cool story. What a wild ride, both on and off the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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