A Chiefs Love Story’ left a surprise in Travis’ Locker

The Hallmark Channel is currently in its Christmas season — and one of this year’s Countdown to Christmas movies centers on a Kansas City Chiefs romance.

While Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story is not about Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelcethe latter’s mother, Donna Kelceappeared in the new holiday movie.

“It felt like the president came to put,” Tyler Hyneswho stars in the film, said of the Kelce matriarch during an exclusive interview with Parade. Hunter Kinghis co-star, agreed. Hynes described Donna coming to the scene as “like royalty showing up and blessing us.”

The holiday film — which follows a Kansas City Chiefs superfan, played by King, and the NFL team’s director of fan engagement, played by Hynes — marked the first time that Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, had been used as a filming location in a Hallmark -film.

Hynes revealed to Parade that Donna had him and King write notes to Travis, which were then placed in his locker at the stadium. “So we both wrote little notes and she put it in his locker,” Hynes said.

Although Donna kept things “private” when it came to Travis and Taylor on set, she did mention her NFL playing son. King recalled, “She would refer to her sons as, “Oh yeah. Well, you know, one of my sons.” Like acting like we didn’t know who she was talking about. We’re like, ‘Yeah, you mean Travis?’ Like of course we know who.”

“And then Taylor was TS,” King added, “but, yeah, (Donna) kept things nice and private for them, but she was just so funny.”

Hynes and King’s new film Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Storywith Donna, premieres on November 30 at 8 p.m. ET on the Hallmark Channel. For more on the movie and “America’s mom” Donna, keep reading Parade‘s exclusive interview with Tyler Hynes and Hunter King.

How did it feel to create a Chiefs-centric romance in the midst of such a high-profile, real-life Chiefs love story?

Hynes: It felt like it was a bit of a moment. Do you know what I mean? It felt like a unique thing that will probably never happen again like this. And I think that made it kind of unforgettable for me.

With over 30 Countdown to Christmas movies this year, what do you think you do Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story so special?

King: Well, this is the first time Hallmark has ever made a movie with a professional football team.

Hynes: Yes.

King: So I think that in itself is very, very exciting. Very different. You just take this huge Chiefs Kingdom and put it into our movie. It creates pure magic, and making the film felt magical. We got to film in Arrowhead Stadium, which was just really cool. And then to have all the cameos, get some of the players in, Donna Kelce is in. It was very surreal making it and I think people will feel that when they see it.

Were you guys surprised to have Donna Kelce in the movie?

King: Yes. I mean, I just feel like she’s so busy, you know?

Hynes: Yes. It felt like the president came to set. It was like royalty appearing and blessing us.

King: We had to try to hide her. There were a lot of fans waiting outside because Kansas City loves Kansas City and they heard that a movie is being made about the Kansas City Chiefs. And then all of a sudden Donna had to come to play and we had to find a way for her to come, sneak through the back and not go out the front door. But yes, it was a bit like the president came to set.

Related: Your guide to Travis and Jason Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce

Did she ask any of you for tips or acting advice?

Hynes: I asked her for advice.

King: Yes. She didn’t need it.

Hynes: She’s a professional and I don’t know how she wanders into these circumstances that would be terrifying for anyone to take on and she manages to navigate it so wonderfully and she’s so funny in the film. And yes, there is no help I could ever offer that woman. She is also too lovely.

Did she share on set how Travis and Taylor reacted to the idea of ​​a Chiefs Hallmark movie?

Hynes: (asks the King) Did she talk about it?

King: She kept things a little, you know, more private, to herself. Sometimes she referred – she was so funny. She would refer to her sons as, “Oh yeah. Well, you know, one of my sons.” Like acting like we didn’t know who she was talking about. We say “Yeah, you mean Travis?” Like of course we know who. And then Taylor was TS but yeah she kept things nice and private for them but she was just so funny. She took her friend to set. Felt like a little girl’s trip. They are just the cutest.

Hynes: It was fun. She had us write Travis a note to go into his locker when we were at Arrowhead. So we both wrote little notes and she put it in his locker. Yes.

Related: Get Out of Your Calendars! The Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas 2024 schedule is here

There were quite a few cameos in the film. Did you ever think Patrick Mahomes or Travis would show up on set?

King: I think everyone was secretly hoping, but we also knew how busy they are, and asking them to break away from their schedules, I think, is kind of an impossible task. I think everyone was (secretly) hoping for it, but I mean, the cameos we got are just incredible.

Hynes: They were just starting their training camp as at the end of our shoot. I went to training camp eventually. Their season seems like it will never end. And then the fact that like Trey Smith, Clyde (Edwards–Hellaire), Macole (Hardman), George (Carl ceiling), Coach (Andy) Reidthey all came together and took the time to join us, some for a few days, felt that it is really a great gesture to do so. Because these guys are at the top of their game. They couldn’t have more eyes on them.

Definitely. I have to ask. Are you both Swifties?

King: Yes.

Hynes: She is an OG.

King: An AND (laughing).

Hynes: I made a film with a young lady named Chloe. She played my daughter in the movies right before the shooting of the Chiefs movie and she’s like a mega fan. And I wore a little bracelet, Swiftie style, for her in the movie, and she turned me on to all the endless amounts of Swiftie music. She has so much music. And she asked me every day. “Did you listen to this?” “I’m trying. Trying to get through them all. There are so many.”

(Taylor) is known for his Easter eggs. Are there any easter eggs that fans should look out for in the film?

King: Yes. Well, the one that I didn’t know about yesterday was the movie signs when we walk by the cinema. Just pay attention to the movie sign and whatever it says is playing now. There is probably a little hidden Easter egg. Which I didn’t even know. They did that in the mail, then.

What is your favorite Taylor Swift song or era?

Hynes: It’s me, hey, I’m the problem, it’s me.

King: (Laughing) This is your favorite song?

Hynes: It touched me. Yes.

King: “Tortured Poets Department” is like one of my favorites. Midnight is also one of my favorite albums. I can’t pick a favorite album. I can’t pick a favorite song. It’s an impossible task with Taylor Swift. Just know that I love them all and I’ve loved all her music and every journey she’s been on, no matter what genre it is. I love them all.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story premieres on Saturday 30 November at 8 p.m. ET on the Hallmark Channel

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