A Chiefs Love Story

There is nothing more exciting than waiting all year for my Kansas City Chiefs to hit the field... knowing without a doubt they will be making a Super Bowl appearance. Well, at least, that has been the case in the past few years.

This year, however, I think I was actually more excited about the debut of the new Hallmark Christmas movie, Holiday Touchdown, A Chiefs Love Story. Yep, you read right! This past weekend Hallmark combined two of my favorite things... just in time for Christmas.

The film was shot over a period of about 15 days on location in Kansas City, including three days at Arrowhead Stadium.

Romantic, uplifting, inspiring, funny... Holiday Touchdown was set during the bright holiday season, showcasing festive decorations, football enthusiasm and the warmth of community.

The plot is simple: Alana Higman and her family are competing for the Chief’s Fan of the Year award. Director of Fan Engagement, the fictional Derrick, is helping to state her case to the team while simultaneously falling in love with her along the way.

What can I say, yes the movie is cheesy. It’s a Hallmark Christmas movie! What do you expect? But it’s the perfect movie for a woman who happens to like football, expecially the Chiefs.

The movie also features a cameo from Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce's mom, Donna Kelce? The matriarch plays the manager of a barbecue restaurant, also named Donna, who witnesses Alana and Derrick's connection blossom. She also appears as herself on the sideline wearing her custom Kelce-Kelce jersey with the front representing son Travis' KC number and the back featuring her other son Jason's number and nameplate.

There are also special appearances by former Chiefs Mecole Hardman, Trey Smith, Trent Green, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and George Karlaftis. Then the best line of the movie comes from Coach Andy Reid.

The movie was obviously shot a couple of years ago and there was no appearance by “my friend” Patrick, but it still warmed my heart.

In the movie, Alana's family owns a 1960s vintage knit hat given to her grandfather by Santa. The family believes in a superstition that someone in the family has to wear the hat every year on Christmas Day in order to make the Chiefs win. Of course, the hat gets lost and Alana goes crazy. Yes, the superstition is nuts, but it's absolutely something that a family of fans might do. My step-son always wears his “lucky” shirt when he attends a Memphis Tiger’s game. I’m just saying...

I, for one, will watch it again and maybe again before Christmas. But don’t worry. I will still be waiting impatiently to watch the Chiefs win the Super Bowl once again this year.

Ladies, this is one you can probably get your man to watch with you. Just saying...

And, don’t worry, Taylor Swift was no where to be seen. Remember, it was shot in 2022.

Sandra Brand is the editor of the NEA Town Courier and The Osceola Times. She may be reached by phone at 870-763-4461 or 870-563-2615 or by email at brand@osceolatimes.com.

Sandra Brand is the editor of the NEA Town Courier and The Osceola Times. She may be reached by phone at 870-563-2615 or by email at brand@osceolatimes.com.