Morgan Freeman talks 'Invictus' at Nat Geo

Morgan Freeman listens to a question from Chris Matthews on Monday night. (Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

You might think it takes keen interest in rugby to make a 134-minute movie about it. For Morgan Freeman ... not so much!

At a post-screening Q&A of "Invictus" (Freeman plays Nelson Mandela, witnessing the real-life triumph of South Africa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup; Clint Eastwood directs) at the National Geographic Society on Monday night, the Oscar winner was asked whether he's a fan of the sport.

"No, I'm not," Freeman said bluntly. Softening the edge a bit, he explained he grew up with American football, and "I can't understand people running into each other like that with nothing to protect them."

The well-dressed star wore a dark brown glove on his left hand, reports our colleague Marissa Newhall. He injured his arm in a serious car crash last year, and told Access Hollywood several months ago that his hand remains paralyzed.

Bantering with moderator Chris Matthews, Freeman also admitted he hasn't watched "Invictus" -- and probably won't. "I'm terrified. ... Normally I don't like to look at myself in the movies," Freeman said. He has seen "The Shawshank Redemption" but only in bits, never once from start to finish.