Hallmark’s latest NFL collaboration uses Chicago Bears tradition, an unexpected assignment, and generations of memories to tell a touching story about belonging and discovering where life can lead.
Courtesy of Hallmark Media
Written by Christopher L. Antie
“As long as there is time on the clock, anything is possible.”
That sentiment fits Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story surprisingly well. Going into Hallmark’s latest NFL collaboration, Will and I really did not know what to expect. What unfolded was not simply another Christmas romance built around football. Instead, the film gradually develops into an emotional story about tradition, personal discovery, and the pieces of life that accumulate around the people and things we choose to love.
Lyndsy Fonseca stars as Avery Clark, an ambitious freelance reporter who returns to Chicago for Christmas only to find herself assigned a story about longtime Chicago Bears fan Darlene Donnelly, played by Marsha Mason, as Darlene approaches the extraordinary milestone of attending her 500th game.
For Will and me, Avery immediately felt familiar.
As journalists ourselves, we connected with the way Fonseca portrayed someone searching for the story beneath the assignment. Avery observes, asks questions, and gradually recognizes that the best stories require more than simply collecting information—they require understanding the person behind it. Fonseca makes her believable, warm, and relatable while maintaining Avery’s ambition and independence.
Robert Buckley is equally well cast as Matt, Darlene’s grandson, a Chicago firefighter and devoted Bears fan. His chemistry with Fonseca feels natural rather than manufactured, and their relationship develops at an easy pace. More importantly, the film allows both characters to reconsider pieces of their lives without suggesting that either needs to abandon who they are. Avery begins questioning whether work must always come first, while Matt is given his own opportunities for growth.
But the emotional center belongs to Marsha Mason.
Her portrayal of Darlene is heartfelt without losing the character’s personality. Darlene’s 500th game becomes much more than a statistic.
Through memories, traditions, and pieces of her past, the film begins revealing how a sports team can become connected to relationships, milestones, and entire chapters of a person’s life. Mason delivers those moments with an authenticity that nearly brought us to tears.
That was also where the movie became personal for us. Darlene’s memories reminded Will and me of our own moments we may not think about every day, but that can suddenly return through a place, tradition, or shared experience. The movie understands that sometimes the smallest things become the ones we carry the longest.
And that is where the Chicago Bears connection succeeds.
The Bears do not feel like a commercial inserted into a Hallmark movie. They are part of Darlene’s life and, therefore, part of the story. The film uses game-day traditions, Soldier Field and Bears culture to explore why fandom can become generational. Even viewers who know little about football can understand what matters: community, memories and the act of continuing to show up.
The numerous cameos from current Bears figures, alumni and familiar television personalities are also handled with restraint. Rather than constantly stopping the story to announce another recognizable face, most appearances blend naturally into the world surrounding Avery, Matt and Darlene. That balance keeps the personal story in control.
Where we wanted more was Chicago at Christmas.
The city is important to the story, but the production does not fully capitalize on everything Chicago can offer visually during the holiday season. We would have enjoyed more exploration of the Christmas Market, decorated streets, distinctive neighborhoods, and those magical seasonal moments that could make viewers want to experience Chicago for themselves. The Christmas atmosphere is present, but lighter than we expected.
That is a relatively small criticism because the film succeeds where it matters most: storytelling.
The pacing is strong, the editing and direction allow the different pieces to connect, and the sentimental moments feel earned. Football, journalism, family, romance, and nostalgia could easily have competed against one another, yet the movie maintains a surprisingly natural flow.
Most importantly, A Bears Love Story understands that its real subject is belonging.
Avery arrives looking for her next story. Darlene already has a lifetime of stories behind her. Matt carries his own relationship with Chicago, family and tradition. Their paths allow the film to consider what “home” actually means—and whether finding it sometimes becomes an adventure of its own.
Will and I both loved where that journey took us. We went into the film without expectations and came away surprised by how emotional and inspiring it became. It is accessible enough for viewers who have never followed the Bears and authentic enough that football fans can still recognize the passion behind the traditions.
Chris & Will give Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story 10 out of 10 smiles* for its touching story, strong performances, emotional connection, and the way its many elements come together without overpowering one another.
Darlene may be approaching her 500th game, but her story ultimately reminds us that life is not simply about counting milestones.
It is about living the story that develops between them.
Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story premieres tonight on Hallmark Channel and tomorrow on Hallmark+
Source: ChrisWill Media
About the Authors: Christopher L. Antie and William Antie are podcast journalists and media personalities covering entertainment, travel, culture, events, and stories from across a wide range of industries. Together, they bring a conversational and experience-driven approach to the stories they share. Follow more from Chris & Will through their podcast, What About Our Life?, on iHeartRadio and at chrisandwill.com.