The Real Inspiration Behind Glen Powell’s Football Comedy Chad Powers

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Russ Holliday seemed to have it all, except a national championship. As the star quarterback for the Oregon Ducks, he led his team almost to victory, needing just one yard to secure the win. However, he fumbled the ball on the 1-yard line, giving the opposing team a chance to score. But his biggest mistake wasn’t the fumble itself; it was what happened next. After a fan battling cancer, while in a wheelchair, told him he was his favorite player, Holliday unexpectedly punched the boy’s father on live television, causing the child and his wheelchair to fall over. “It’s the kind of thing that will haunt him for the rest of his life,” announcer Chris Fowler says during that moment. In the world of Chad Powers, that prediction proves to be true.

This idea is central to the show’s story. Chad Powers, a six-episode series launching on Hulu on Sept. 30, centers on Holliday (Glen Powell) and his plan to create a new identity-a remarkably talented, homeschooled athlete who secretly joins a college team with the help of a wig and fake facial features. While this might seem unbelievable, it’s based on a true story: NFL legend Eli Manning pulled off a similar stunt in 2022. The series also explores a thought-provoking question: how can someone reinvent themselves when others refuse to let go of their past? Starring alongside Powell, who also co-created, co-wrote, and co-produced the show, are Steve Zahn, Perry Mattfeld, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Wynn Everett, and Colton Ryan.

For Powell, the narrative focuses equally on personal growth and the sport of football. His 2023 film Hitman explored the excitement of taking on different personas; Chad Powers builds upon a true story, delving into themes of overcoming setbacks, taking responsibility, and the challenges of starting over.

The actor faced the difficult task of portraying a character with contrasting traits, learning the intricacies of football, and skillfully blending comedy with emotional depth. “I realized it wouldn’t be simple,” Powell shared with TIME. “It was a bold undertaking, and as an actor, when you attempt something ambitious, you commit to giving it your all and hope it resonates. But exposing yourself and taking risks is always daunting.”

The stunt that sparked a phenomenon

After 16 seasons playing for the New York Giants, Eli Manning retired having famously defeated Tom Brady in two Super Bowls-stunning wins in 2008 and 2012. These victories transformed him from being known as Peyton Manning’s brother to becoming a beloved New York icon. He wasn’t a player known for spectacular plays, but rather for his consistency. He finished his career with two championships, a permanent place in Giants lore, and the admiration of teammates who appreciated his calmness under pressure.

After three years, he discovered a way to remain involved with football, though not as a player. ESPN chose him to host Eli’s Places, a football history show that needed a unique angle. The Chad Powers segment wasn’t a planned tactic; rather, it was an idea that developed during the initial stages of production: what if a well-known football figure attempted to join a college team as a walk-on?

Being at Penn State’s open tryouts felt amazing – it was a huge arena where I really felt like just another hopeful. I heard Coach James Franklin was hesitant at first, but he agreed to let it happen as long as it wouldn’t mess with the team’s focus. He explained in a press conference back in September 2022, that his main concern was making sure it didn’t disrupt our process or become a distraction. He really wanted to protect what we needed to do to succeed, and I totally respect that. It was great he was willing to give everyone a chance while still prioritizing the team’s rhythm. It was a really well-handled situation.

Donning jersey number 200, a messy wig, and makeup that altered his face to look somewhat recognizable but not quite, Manning deliberately moved slowly during the 40-yard dash. He struggled with the agility drills. However, as soon as he began throwing the football, his disguise started to fall apart. The fast throwing motion that once troubled NFL defenses reappeared, sending accurate spirals through the air. Receivers started adjusting their routes, trusting the person wearing No. 200 to connect with them while they were running. The ball landed in their hands with an accuracy that seemed unbelievable for someone who said they were educated at home in a remote area.

The segment lasted nearly 15 minutes and concluded with Franklin stating that one player was eliminated due to “terrible testing numbers.” Then, Manning removed the wig, revealing his true identity. The team reacted with excitement. The video quickly went viral, gaining 17 million views on ESPN’s YouTube channel. It inspired Halloween costumes and led to Manning appearing on late-night television to discuss the prank. Soon after, Chad Powers shirts began appearing in stores and online.

The team at Omaha Productions, founded by the Manning brothers, noticed the surprising popularity and decided to do more than just documentaries and different kinds of NFL broadcasts. They started pitching the idea to studios in Hollywood, and Powell and co-creator Michael Waldron quickly realized they could build a whole series around what started as a popular online joke.

From prank to game plan

Powell and Waldron noticed something more in the prank than just a funny moment. While many people simply laughed at the stunt, they saw it as the start of a fascinating character study-and potentially, a whole series. When they learned Omaha Productions was interested in turning the Chad Powers sketch into a show, they were eager to work together, driven by their mutual passion for college football and a wish to explore the idea further. Waldron explains, “We quickly realized we could create not only a truly genuine college football show, but also a surprisingly insightful look at the kind of person who would wear a fake identity and go to such lengths.” He adds, “To invest in something that extreme, there has to be some serious underlying motivation and real darkness driving that person.”

The series centers around Holliday, a once-famous athlete whose overconfidence ruined all his relationships. Eight years after losing the national championship, he’s still determined to achieve professional success. However, his problematic personality has caused so much damage that adopting a new identity might be his only path to redemption.

Powell based the character on a mix of different athletes. He explains, “There isn’t one single athlete who inspired Russ Holliday.” However, Johnny Manziel, the former quarterback for Texas A&M, and his ability to make plays on the fly were helpful. When the opposing team’s defense closed in, Manziel could always find a way to escape and create opportunities. Powell aimed to capture that same skill in Holliday, especially in the very first scene of the show, where Holliday’s movements are particularly “reminiscent of Johnny.” Powell, who has been a college football fan for years, also considered athletes whose promising careers “ended suddenly, or seemed to end suddenly.”

Just having a good idea wasn’t enough. Powell worked with Nic Shimonek, who also coaches Patrick Mahomes, focusing on his throwing technique and footwork until Peyton and Eli Manning approved. Next came the special effects makeup: he spent hours getting silicone applied to his face and a wig fitted, which itched under the stadium lights. He had to act convincingly while wearing all of this, with sweat collecting under the mask as he played. Powell also stopped drinking alcohol during filming. If he did, he would sweat more, potentially loosening the prosthetic mask that was glued to his face.

All of that focused on the physical demands of the role. But according to Powell, the real challenge was becoming the character himself. “The requirements were incredibly difficult and precise,” he explains, and adds, “I also needed to develop a sad history for him, so the audience would sympathize with him, despite his imperfections.”

A battle beneath the helmet

The story we see mirrors widespread concerns about who we are online. Unlike the recent sports comedy Ted Lasso, which starts with a hopeful outlook, Chad Powers begins with a character struggling with insecurity. The main character isn’t a happy newcomer; he’s a man whose true self caused too much damage-the show suggests that Holliday can only move forward by pretending to be someone else.

Powell explained that he constantly felt the pressure of his many responsibilities, considering everything from the technical aspects to the emotional impact and overall feel of the show. As the co-creator, writer, producer, and lead actor, he considered himself one of the story’s guardians, and he felt he couldn’t afford any mistakes-“no off days,” as he put it. He had to perfectly portray the difficulty of playing football, create realistic personalities for Russ and Chad, and ensure the show maintained a consistent tone-avoiding what he described as a “schizophrenic” feel. He acknowledged, “There were many potential pitfalls, and it required a lot of focus to get it right.”

Waldron says the most difficult part was finding the right tone. He explains, “It’s not Ted Lasso, and although it takes inspiration from Mrs. Doubtfire, it isn’t Mrs. Doubtfire.” He believes that for a story like this to succeed, it needed some underlying sadness and emotional depth. “That’s what hopefully makes the humor work in an unexpected way,” he says, “and it allows the genuine, emotional moments to feel more meaningful and engaging.”

As a film enthusiast, I was really fascinated to learn how much thought went into even the smallest details of this character. It wasn’t just about *sounding* like someone from the region; even the accent became a window into the character’s mind. Apparently, the actor, who’s originally from Austin, Texas, actually reached out to his dialect coach from Hitman to explore accents from West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi. He ended up choosing the one he felt best fit the character’s overall vibe. He described the process as “really the most odd matchmaking session ever,” explaining that it was about pairing an accent with a face, and ensuring it came across as both harmless and sweet.

The show doesn’t offer easy resolutions. During a scene-a team-building water balloon fight at Coach Hudson’s (Steve Zahn) lake house-the kind-hearted Chad Powers disappears. Russ Holliday’s competitive side emerges, and his desire to win overcomes the image he’s carefully created. He throws the balloons with the same fierce determination that once led him to both success and failure, unable to treat even a playful game as unimportant. This moment perfectly captures the show’s main question: is Chad Powers helping Russ Holliday become a better person, or just teaching him how to conceal his true self more skillfully?

The Manning brothers’ involvement as executive producers meant Chad Powers was more than just a funny show about a comeback; it was a football story focused on hard work and dedication, even in the details like the precision of Powell’s quick snaps. “Usually, executive producers just take the credit and step back,” Powell explains, but “Eli was actively involved in writing, ensuring the story stayed on course. Having players of their caliber willing to collaborate and protect the show’s quality is amazing.”

The cost of a comeback

Chad Powers appears at a critical time, where a person’s professional life can change based on just one video or statement, and any attempt to rebuild a reputation happens with everyone watching closely: including public apologies, planned efforts to return to success, and carefully displayed honesty.

Powell and Waldron create a funny, lighthearted story based on how things are today, but also explore a difficult idea: constantly changing yourself can be draining. “We aimed for this story to feel current and relevant,” Waldron explains. “That meant showing genuine struggles and the real impact of your words and actions.”

That emphasis on taking responsibility is what makes Chad Powers different from other stories about making amends that came before it. As Waldron points out, unlike in films like Tootsie or Mrs. Doubtfire, where the deception is quickly revealed and everything is resolved, this story shows the disguise continuing to have effects, causing emotional and social problems even after the character stops pretending. “Especially now, with the internet, people feel a lot of pressure to avoid making mistakes,” Waldron says. “When they do mess up, they’ve been taught by many sources not to apologize and not to take responsibility for their actions.” He adds that in today’s society, the biggest challenge isn’t just getting forgiveness-it’s learning to own up to mistakes in a world that often encourages people to avoid doing so.

The idea goes deeper than just the character of Holliday. Manning’s short stint as Chad Powers wasn’t intended to be permanent, but it clearly struck a chord with viewers who enjoy the idea of a fresh start, even if it’s just for fun. The show takes that quick gag and explores what happens when hiding your identity isn’t a joke, but a necessity – when the persona you create is the only one the world will embrace. Underneath the makeup and humor is a story about the price of deception and the chance to begin again.

Powell explains that the show is fundamentally about hope, fresh starts, and making things right – themes he believes are especially important today. He adds, “If it leaves people feeling inspired and uplifted, instead of feeling worse, then that’s a major success.”

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2025-09-30 19:07