Social media is having *a moment* with an adorable new video from model, creator and out gay athlete **Jake Eldridge** — and it’s all about *Heated Rivalry*.
Eldridge posted an Instagram reel where he’s decorating a cake inspired by one of the most talked-about moments in the hit hockey romance series, specifically referencing the upcoming finale episode titled “The Cottage.”
The playful video leans into the roaring fan excitement around the season’s most romantic arc, especially the “coming to the cottage” beat that’s been trending online.
The Season 1 finale, **Episode 6: “The Cottage,”** is set to premiere on Friday, December 26, 2025 on HBO Max, with fans eager to see how the story between rivals-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov unfolds once the curtain falls on their public lives and the sun sets on the hockey season.
According to interviews with cast members, the episode will delve into that much-anticipated cottage getaway and explore whether time away from competition finally brings them closer — emotionally and physically.
Who Is Jake Eldridge?
For those who might not know, Jake Eldridge is a former Rutgers University football player whose personal journey has touched and inspired many LGBTQ+ sports fans. Eldridge played as a long snapper for the Scarlet Knights in 2023, but eventually made the difficult decision to walk away from the sport.
In an emotional public coming-out video shared online, he explained that years of hiding his sexuality — especially within a culture that often stigmatizes gay athletes — contributed to severe stress and even hospitalization, ultimately leading him to medically retire from football.
After stepping away from the field, Eldridge embraced living authentically and came out publicly on National Coming Out Day, encouraging others to live true to themselves. In his own words, he urged fans to “F what they think and live your life for you,” a message that resonated far beyond sports circles.
Since then, he’s become a popular social media creator and model, sharing everything from fitness content to fun lifestyle posts — including the recent *Heated Rivalry* cake video that’s ignited fan reactions across TikTok and Instagram. His personality and authenticity have made his content especially relatable for queer audiences who know what it’s like to balance fear, courage and joy on the path to being oneself. [oai_citation:3‡instagram.com](https://www.instagram.com/jakeeldridge_/?hl=en&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Why Fans Are So Excited for “The Cottage”
The buzz around *Heated Rivalry* has been massive this season, with Episode 5 sparking viral moments, trending TikToks and spirited online discussions about queer love on screen. As the story heads into its last chapter this week with “The Cottage,” that anticipation has hit fever pitch. This particular episode is pegged as the emotional payoff of the season: a moment where characters shed competitive pressures and get a rare glimpse of what life off the ice could look like.
Coupled with Eldridge’s playful cake homage — which many viewers have shared and laughed about — it’s clear that *Heated Rivalry* isn’t just a TV show this year but a cultural conversation piece. From queer fans relating to the emotional highs and lows to creators like Eldridge celebrating the show in their own way, the cottage episode feels like *an event* in both queer pop culture and social fandom spaces.
With “The Cottage” dropping December 26 on HBO Max, viewers are already making plans to watch, react and share. And thanks to creators like Eldridge blending fandom with personal authenticity, the celebration around queer stories keeps growing stronger every season.
📷 IG: @ jakeeldridge_ / cravecanada