The Chicago Bears are hitting the silver screen this fall. They will be the subject of a new Hallmark Christmas movie, Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story.
On Tuesday, Caleb Williams, Colston Loveland, and others attended an exclusive premiere at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest, Illinois.
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However, head coach Ben Johnson was a no-show, per Adam Hoge of CHGO Bears. When asked if he was attending the premiere, Johnson said: “Not a chance.”
It turns out Johnson isn't too thrilled about the movie, both when announcing it back in the summer and when taking a break from watching film. However, Johnson does make a cameo appearance.
The film follows freelance reporter Avery, played by Lyndsy Fonseca, who gets an assignment to profile Darlene, played by Marsha Mason, as she gears up to attend her 500th Bears game. Along the way, Avery develops a romance with Darlene's grandson Matt, played by Robert Buckley, a Chicago firefighter.
Article Continues BelowLoveland and Cole Kmet make cameos, as do Bears legends Mike Singletary, Charles Tillman, and Dan Hampton.
The Bears are among the most visible NFL teams to make strong inroads into popular culture. It all began with the “Super Bowl Shuffle” in 1985 with Walter Payton, Jim McMahmmon, Richard Dent, and William Perry. The Bears insignia appeared in sitcoms such as Roseanne and was a central theme in the iconic Saturday Night Live skit “Superfans,” which paid homage to the late coach Mike Ditka.
Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story debuts on the Hallmark Channel on October 17.