What Chiefs said about acting in Hallmark Christmas movie: ‘A little nerve-wracking’
Kansas City Chiefs fourth-year pro Trey Smith had an extended speaking part in the recently released Hallmark movie, “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
And, well, it wasn’t always comfortable for the 6-foot-6, 321-pound offensive lineman, who was making his cinematic debut.
“A little nerve-wracking at first,” Smith told The Star about the experience last week, “but it was a ton of fun to do.”
Smith was one of a few Chiefs with lines in the film. Receiver Mecole Hardman also said a few words, while coach Andy Reid made a cameo for a speaking part at the end.
No Chiefs player had more responsibility than Smith, however, who exchanges a full dialogue with lead actors Hunter King and Tyler Hynes when the characters meet during a Chiefs holiday party.
“It’s sort of cool, just seeing how movies operate — all the work and all the people that are involved in making the whole thing together,” Smith said. “You don’t really think about that.”
Reid, meanwhile, said he appreciated those involved with the movie who made things easy for him as a coach-turned-actor. Reid had a single line at the end while playing himself as Chiefs coach.
“It was fun — it was fun for what I did there,” Reid added. “They made it painless.”
The movie, filmed in the KC area over the summer, premiered on Nov. 30; replays will run on the Hallmark Channel throughout December.
Other Chiefs- and KC-related folks appeared in the flick as well. They included Donna Kelce — mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — and players George Karlaftis and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who had non-speaking parts while portraying themselves as Chiefs football players.
Mayor Quinton Lucas, former Chiefs QB Trent Green, former Chiefs running back Christian Okoye, senior team reporter Matt McMullen, Andy Reid’s wife Tammy, and owner Clark Hunt’s daughters, Gracie and Ava, were among others with roles.
When speaking last week, Edwards-Helaire said he was looking forward to seeing the movie’s release.
”Can’t pass up too many opportunities to do something like that,” Edwards-Helaire said.
One of the highlights, Edwards-Helaire said, was meeting Jenna Bush Hager, who played an on-field emcee in the movie. Hager is the daughter of former President George W. Bush.
As for his actual role, Edwards-Helaire said it didn’t take much preparation. He appears with Karlaftis and Hardman on the field during pregame festivities in the movie.
“It’s (the) same stuff like any other interview, any other time I’m on camera: It’s just be yourself,” Edwards-Helaire said. “It’s nothing crazy.”
Reid joined Smith and Edwards-Helaire at a red carpet event over the weekend. Ultimately, he said the movie’s directors were thoughtful in how they used him.
“I didn’t have a real big part in it, thank goodness, or the movie probably wouldn’t have been as good as it was,” Reid said with a smile. “So that’s a good thing.”
