John Travolta. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Last week SI writer Richard Deitsch interviewed John Travolta for the magazine's Q&A. The actor co-stars in Wild Hogs, which opens March 2. Here are additional excerpts from their interview.

SI: Most people don't know you and Cal Ripken are tight. How did you two become friends?

Travolta: When he broke his record he wanted me to be there because his favorite film is Grease. I couldn't make it but when I did Ladder 49 a few years ago, he invited me to lunch at his house during filming. I went, and loved spending time with him and his wife. He's a really good friend. ... Cal knows how to be a friend. You feel it. It's palatable. He goes out of his way. He makes sacrifices for you. He communicates until something is settled or complete. He is all that, and a bag of chips as far as friendship.

SI: Did you call him when he made the Hall of Fame?

Travolta: As soon as I found out I congratulated him. And I'm going to be there on July 29.

SI: Is there a person in the sports world who you have always wanted to play?

Travolta: I have a fascination with Vince Lombardi. He coached my dad before going to the pros.

SI: What do you consider to be your greatest athletic achievement?

Travolta: If you include dancing, I'd have to say the solo on Saturday Night Fever or some of the dancing in Grease or Staying Alive. Even though Staying Alive wasn't the quality of the other two movies, the athletic ability it took to do a lot of the jazz and ballet moves was pretty extensive.

SI: The best sporting event you've attended because of your celebrity?

Travolta: The Super Bowl. Every year I get invited to be in a private box.

SI: You can trade places with one athlete for one day, who are you?

Travolta: Probably Cal. And I've been friends with Joe Montana over the years. Those are two guys I admire so much.

SI: Is there an athlete that you've always wanted to meet?

Travolta: There were a couple who wrote me and sent me a signed football: Dan Marino and Steve Young. They went out of their way to reach for me and I'd really like to meet them at some point and say hi.

SI: Did you know you have appeared in Sports Illustrated 33 times over the last 20 years. For a non-athlete that's impressive/

Travolta: Come on! I would love to know in which references.

SI: Here's one example: A couple of years ago SI listed its 10 favorite scenes from films that are not about sports. One of them was your futile attempts in a series of scenes in Grease to make the Rydall High basketball, wrestling, baseball and track teams.

Travolta: Very cool.