NFL Legend Faces Family Crisis Hallmark Star Patti Murin Calls for Fans’ Support and Prayers

Get ready for a heartwarming holiday season. Hallmark Channel’s second NFL-themed movie, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, is set to premiere during the 2025 holiday season.

This film isn’t just a treat for Buffalo Bills fans. There’s an emotional undertone, as legendary former quarterback Jim Kelly is asking fans for prayers and positive energy for his family.

While Kelly is all smiles during his cameo in the movie, he’s also been transparent about a family crisis that’s deeply affected him and his loved ones.

Jim Kelly’s Emotional Plea for Prayers

Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, who led the team to four straight Super Bowls, has been sharing updates about a difficult family situation. In mid-July, Kelly revealed that his grandson was born with unexpected medical complications.

The baby, affectionately called Little Bean, has been hospitalized since birth. Kelly’s eldest daughter, Erin Kelly-Bean, and her husband, Parker Bean, have been facing this tough journey with a lot of strength and hope.

On August 7, 2025, Hallmark star Patti Murin took to social media to rally fans for support. She shared a heartfelt photo of herself with Kelly on the set of Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story and asked fans to send their love and positive energy to the Kelly family.

She emphasized that the Kelly family is on an extremely difficult journey and needs as much support as possible. It’s hard not to feel for them, honestly.

An Update Filled with Hope

Hours after Murin’s plea, Jim Kelly shared what he called an amazing update with his followers. On August 5, Little Bean was taken off oxygen and has stayed off ever since.

This date means a lot to the Kelly family. It’s the anniversary of the death of Kelly’s only son, Hunter, who passed away on August 5, 2005, due to Krabbe Leukodystrophy.

Kelly expressed that this timing was something only God could orchestrate. He thanked fans for their continued prayers and support, saying their collective hope is truly helping.

August 11 is the next big milestone. That’s when doctors will try to take Little Bean off his medication, and Kelly’s hoping for more good news.

He’s asked fans to keep those prayers coming, hoping the baby won’t need any extra intervention. It’s a lot to ask, but sometimes hope is all you’ve got.

A Star-Studded Cast

Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story isn’t just about football. It’s a celebration of the Buffalo Bills community, and the movie features appearances by both current and former Bills players.

• Jim Kelly – Legendary former quarterback
• Sean McDermott – Buffalo Bills head coach
• Ray Davis – Running back
• Dion Dawkins – Offensive tackle
• Dawson Knox – Tight end
• Reid Ferguson – Long snapper
• DeWayne Carter – Defensive tackle
• Joshua Palmer – Wide receiver
• Damar Hamlin – Superstar safety

Former players like Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas, Scott Norwood, and Andre Reed will also make appearances. Bills announcer Chris Brown and Luke Russert, son of the late broadcast journalist Tim Russert, will be part of the cast too.

Meet the Main Cast

The primary cast of Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story is pretty impressive. Leading the film are Holland Roden, known for her role in Teen Wolf, and Matthew Daddario, a star from Shadowhunter.

The supporting cast includes:

• Tracy Pollan – Family Ties alum and wife of Michael J. Fox
• Caroline Aaron – Cast member of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• Steve Schirripa – Known for The Sopranos and his first Hallmark movie Sisterhood Inc.
• Joe Pantoliano – Another Sopranos alum

Patti Murin, who played the original Anna in Broadway’s Frozen, is also part of the cast. She’s got a string of Hallmark movies to her name, like Mystic Christmas (2023), In Merry Measure (2022), To Catch a Spy (2021), Love on Iceland (2020), and Holiday for Heroes (2019).

Some of her movies have even co-starred her husband, actor Colin Donnell. That’s always a fun bit of trivia for Hallmark fans.

The Magic of Hallmark

Hallmark Channel just knows how to create movies that tug at the heartstrings, don’t they? Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story brings the excitement of football to the screen, but it’s really about community, love, and support.

With a star-studded cast and a storyline that’s surprisingly close to real life, this movie could easily become a holiday favorite. I mean, who doesn’t want a little hope and football with their hot cocoa?

Why You Should Watch

Maybe you bleed Buffalo Bills blue and red. Or maybe you just want a cozy holiday movie to curl up with this winter.

*Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story* sort of bridges both worlds. There’s football, sure, but there’s also plenty of heart—sometimes unexpectedly so.

And let’s be honest, it’s just fun seeing the Bills players outside the stadium for once. That’s not something you get every day.

There’s also a nod to Jim Kelly and his family woven in. Their story has always been a testament to sticking together, especially when things get rough.

So, if you’re looking for a little inspiration or just some feel-good moments, this one’s worth adding to your 2025 holiday watchlist. Maybe you’ll find yourself rooting for more than just a touchdown.