René was a fanatical football player. He became a member of SDV Barneveld at the age of six, and played enthusiastically until he was about twenty. From then on his football activities became less frequent, as he wanted to devote more time to his music.

Despite this, and shortly after he turned thirty, he became coach and co-trainer for his son's football team, and with his brother, Robert, played for the football club in De Glind, the village where his parents live.

He also very much enjoyed playing in an indoor football team, something he did for many years right up to just a few weeks before his passing.

René was a great fan of Ajax, and Jari Litmanen was always his favourite football player. During the final weeks of his life, his sister Paula arranged an invitation to the Ajax stadium for René and his children, Noor and Tim. They were able to see the first team in training, and following this there was a meet-and-greet with coach Frank De Boer and some of the players.