Drinking Amarone wine with Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr.
Adam Morganstern
Odell Beckham Jr. went from making one of the greatest catches in NFL history during his rookie year with the New York Giants to winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. His latest project ‘FRIENDS” (pronounced “And Friends”) aims to bring artists and stars together at different events – launched earlier this year in New Orleans for a Super Bowl celebration that included Chance the Rapper and Shaboozey as well as a high school marching band and an exhibition of local artists. Other parties have since taken place at the Monaco F1 Grand Prix and in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I caught up with Beckham Jr. at his latest New York Fashion Week event at the Highlight Room to talk about his favorite wines, the inspiration for FRI&NDS, and why Jamie Foxx is someone you want to share a meal with.
What is your favorite drink these days?
For a cocktail, it’s a spicy margarita with salt around the edge. This has changed over the years, but now it’s me to a T! I drank a whole wine career. Watching games with some of my loved ones and opening some great bottles. Rothschild sheep. Pétrus. Sassicaia. I love reds. One of my favorites was a Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone Reserva 2007. It was just too good.
Are you a cocktail lover who goes out and a wine lover at home?
If we’re dining with really good food or something relaxing, you can never go wrong with wine. If we are spend an evening so the problem with wine is that — let’s say there are four of us — we go through the bottles quickly because there is only one glass each. And the idea of starting with wine and then moving on to cocktails later – I learned my lesson. That’s where I drew my line.
Odell Beckham Jr.
Adam Morganstern
Tell me about your new project: FRI&NDS.
We organize events that bring together stars and emerging artists. People know I like to have a good time, but could I do something that isn’t just throwing parties somewhere. I always say: it’s not about reaching the top of the mountain, it’s about how many people you take with you. To make something take off, there has to be buzz around it. People will remember going to a party and having a good time, but if it really works, they will also see the real concept of what was going on.
I’ve always felt like God has shined this bright light on me and I want to help shine a light on others. I know all these talented people who are starting their own businesses. It’s a way to be able to bring everyone to the top and get what they deserve. The idea is still evolving – I don’t want to give everything away, but we have some big legends and big events coming up and there are lots of opportunities to do fun things.
There are times when you go out and you’re bored, but when you’re celebrate it’s something different. It’s about all the hard work – the times when people didn’t see me running late at night at 10:45 p.m. on the track or doing push-ups. They just see that you scored the touchdown or didn’t catch the ball. So when you celebrate, it’s also about the sacrifices, time and commitment you put into doing something to experience those moments. And I want everyone to have this everywhere.
Odell Beckham Jr. attends the amfAR Cannes 2025 Gala
Getty Images for amfAR
You are in New York for Fashion Week. What attracts you to the world of fashion?
For me, clothes are not just clothes, they are artifacts. They belong to history. I have always had a weakness for fashion. I love and admire clothes and the textures, the fabrics, the cut, the feel of the leather. The way pants will sit on shoes. All the little details.
I’m a collector – it’s so hard to get rid of things. I want it! Maybe I’ll wear it again or maybe I’ll never wear it again. And New York Fashion Week is always one of the best. You can’t go wrong. There’s no place like New York. I have such a good time here.
Odell Beckham Jr. leaves the Mark Hotel for the 2022 Met Gala
Getty Images for The Brand
Who is one of your favorite people you’ve ever had a drink with?
I could name countless people, but one of the men who has inspired me the most, who I have had the opportunity to have dinner with countless times, is Jamie Foxx. One of the most talented humans we’ve ever had. He is one of the men, besides my father, who taught me more than people could imagine. From his silly side to his intelligence. The word “idol” is overused, but he is one of my biggest inspirations. He is one of those people who changed my life forever.