A Bills Love Story Trailer: Damar Hamlin Stars in Hallmark Film
Hallmark’s initial glimpse at A Bills Love Story marks Damar Hamlin’s acting debut—one that has both rom-com and sports enthusiasts excited.
“Hallmark Channel and the NFL are back with a new holiday matchup,” the voiceover hints in the official trailer for Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, released on Sunday, September 7.
As stars Holland Roden and Matthew Daddario cheer, “Go Bills!” in support of the New York NFL team, Hamlin, 27, appears on screen. The Bills safety gives a wink and nod to the camera before fans dive deeper into the movie’s plot.
“Every year, like clockwork, someone sends me an ornament,” shares Joe Pantoliano’s Uncle Tommy, showcasing a Bills-themed ornament.
Bills’ VP of Stadium Development Gabe DeLuca (Daddario) then expresses to his love interest, pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn (Roden), his desire to “find the mystery sender.”
Together, they pledge to give Uncle Tommy “a Christmas he’ll never forget.”
“Two lifelong friends search for a secret Santa,” teases the voiceover. “But what they discover changes the game.”
As it becomes evident that Gabe and Morgan harbor feelings for each other, Santa advises the Bills VP, “You should just tell her how you feel.”
“Is it that obvious?” Gabe replies, prompting offensive lineman Dion Dawkins to chime in, “Who can’t see it?”
Hamlin then reappears, adding, “So obvious!”
Hallmark announced its new Holiday Touchdown film in March after the success of 2024’s Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.
The initial film highlighted Kansas City Chiefs superfans, exploring one’s love story and came after Taylor Swift stirred headlines with her real-life romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift and Kelce, 35, announced their engagement last month.
Meanwhile, the Bills-centered movie arrives following real-life Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s relationship with actress Hailee Steinfeld, with the couple tying the knot in May. (Hallmark has not confirmed whether the film draws inspiration from Allen and Steinfeld, although A Chiefs Love Story included several nods to Swift and Kelce.)
The network previously shared that Bills 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 would make cameo appearances alongside Hamlin and Hawkins.
While fans are eager to see any Bills player crossover to Hallmark, Hamlin’s cameo carries extra significance following his near-fatal incident in January 2023. The athlete suffered cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game, causing him to collapse.
Hamlin was hospitalized but has since made a remarkable return to the field as part of the Bills roster.
“It’s been such a long journey and a long process,” Hamlin shared exclusively with Us Weekly in September 2024. “It’s hard to describe what it took to get back to this point.”
Only time will tell if Hamlin and his teammates’ movie appearances will attract more Bills Mafia members. However, they have gained a new fan in Hallmark star Roden, 38.
“I say I, possibly, wasn’t the biggest football fan before this movie, but I am now absolutely—forever—the biggest Bills fan,” Roden told Decider at San Diego Comic Con in July. “They converted this theater girl overnight with their kindness.”
Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story premieres on Hallmark Channel Saturday, November 22, at 8 p.m. ET.
