Q&A: Kate Mara

Mara: At the time he was not, but at this time he is. And it was only one date. And, no, I'm not telling you his name (laughs).

SI: As someone who grew up in a football family, do you feel a connection with the story behind We Are Marshall, the 1970 plane crash that killed 45 players and staff members from the school's football team?

Mara: I'm not even going to pretend to understand what it feels like to go through something like that. But I do understand the importance of football in a town or in a family. I can relate to that and to the way football brings people together. I wanted other people who don't necessarily have it in their lives to feel it. When I read the script, I just felt like I understood it.

SI: You are starting a team today. Pick one Manning.

Mara: Eli. Come on! I am so loyal.

SI: You have a grandfather and two great-grandfathers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Have you been to Canton?

Mara: No, and I regret it to this day. When my Grandpa Wellington was inducted I was doing a play. It was a community play, but I know for a fact that if you could ask him today, he would have told me to stay. I think he would have told me to do the show. But I regret to this day that I wasn't there. I have seen it. My family brought me the tapes but it's just not the same. Every year when they have the induction ceremony I watch it on the TV and it's bittersweet. It's incredible to me that so many of my family members are in the Hall of Fame. That's my one regret, and I believe in no regrets.

SI: Be honest: When it comes to the Eagles, would you use the word hate?

Mara: Yep.

SI: How many people are in your box?