Buffalo Bills Star Damar Hamlin Shines in Hallmark’s New Holiday Rom-Com Trailer
Hallmark Channel is at it again, bringing together sports and romance in their latest holiday flick, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story. This one’s especially notable for NFL star Damar Hamlin’s acting debut, which already has fans buzzing.
It’s set to premiere on November 22 at 8 p.m. ET, and features a cast that includes Holland Roden and Matthew Daddario. The plot? There’s a mysterious Christmas ornament and, of course, a spark of romance—pretty much a recipe for holiday comfort.
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Table of Contents
The Plot Thickens: A Bills-Themed Romance
Everything starts with Uncle Tommy, played by Joe Pantoliano, who gets a Bills-themed ornament every year from some unknown sender. Naturally, this little mystery catches the attention of Gabe DeLuca (Matthew Daddario), who’s the Bills’ VP of Stadium Development.
Gabe joins forces with Morgan Quinn, a pediatric doctor played by Holland Roden, to figure out who the secret Santa is. Their search turns into a mission to give Uncle Tommy a Christmas he won’t forget.
Unveiling the Mystery Sender
As they dig into the secret Santa caper, Gabe and Morgan start getting closer—and you can probably guess where that’s headed. The trailer teases, Two lifelong friends search for a secret Santa. But what they uncover, changes the game.
Santa himself even pops up to nudge Gabe towards confessing his feelings. And just when you think it can’t get more fun, Bills lineman Dion Dawkins and Damar Hamlin show up for some lighthearted cameos.
Star-Studded Cameos: NFL Meets Hollywood
One of the big draws here is seeing real Bills players on screen. Hallmark confirmed appearances by head coach Sean McDermott, running back Ray Davis, long snapper Reid Ferguson, defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, tight end Dawson Knox, and wide receiver Joshua Palmer.
But it’s Damar Hamlin’s cameo that really stands out, considering everything he’s been through recently.
Damar Hamlin’s Triumphant Return
Back in January 2023, Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game—a moment that rattled the sports world. His recovery and return have been nothing short of inspiring.
Hamlin’s appearance in the movie feels like a celebration of his grit. “It’s been such a long journey and a long process,” he told Us Weekly in September 2024. For Bills fans, and honestly anyone who loves a comeback, it’s a special moment.
From the Field to the Big Screen: The Impact of Sports in Cinema
Hallmark’s move to pull NFL players into their holiday movies is pretty clever. After the success of Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story in 2024—which winked at the Chiefs, Taylor Swift, and Travis Kelce—Hallmark is keeping the momentum going with this Bills-centric story.
The real-life romance between Bills quarterback Josh Allen and actress Hailee Steinfeld, who got married in May, adds a little extra intrigue for fans looking for connections.
Celebrity Romances: Fact or Fiction?
Hallmark hasn’t outright said A Bills Love Story is inspired by Allen and Steinfeld, but it’s hard not to see the similarities. Their last film didn’t shy away from nods to Swift and Kelce, so fans will probably be on the lookout for Easter eggs here too.
Mixing real-life celebrity stories with fictional romance keeps things interesting and a little unpredictable.
Converting New Fans: The Hallmark Effect
Holland Roden, who plays Morgan, confessed she wasn’t much of a football fan before filming. “I say I, potentially, wasn’t the biggest football fan prior to this movie, but I am absolutely—for life—the biggest Bills fan now,” Roden told Decider at San Diego Comic Con in July.
Her switch from theater kid to football supporter is honestly kind of relatable. It just shows how a good story can pull you in, even if you didn’t expect it.
Mark Your Calendars: Premiere Details
Set a reminder for Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story on Hallmark Channel, Saturday, November 22, at 8 p.m. ET. Whether you’re all about the Bills or just in it for the rom-com vibes, it looks like a cozy, feel-good watch.
So grab your friends, maybe some snacks, and get ready for a little love and football this holiday season. Who knows—you might even become a Bills fan by the end.
Final Thoughts
Hallmark’s latest holiday offering feels like more than just a movie. It’s a nod to resilience, love, and a bit of that holiday magic we all crave.
The cast is stacked, the plot’s got some real intrigue, and, honestly, seeing actual NFL players pop up? That’s a fun touch. *Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story* might just be the surprise hit of the season.
Maybe mark your calendar, maybe don’t—but if you do tune in, let yourself get swept up in the holiday spirit. Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
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