Following in the footsteps of the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, the Chicago Bears are slated to receive their own holiday movie treatment from the Hallmark Channel. The forthcoming film, titled "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story," is scheduled to commence production this summer.
The announcement has led some to ponder potential storylines for a Bears-themed romantic comedy. One writer, drawing on a background in screenwriting, has developed a comprehensive and imaginative plot outline for what they envision as an engaging Hallmark movie.
A Detailed Plot Concept Unfolds
The proposed narrative begins with an opening sequence featuring drone footage of Chicago, set to the tune of "25 or 6 to 4" by the band Chicago—a deliberate nod to the city. The central character, Chandra Ditka (no familial relation to the football legend), is introduced as a driven Chicago-based advertising executive who views football as a barbaric distraction from her career focus. Her father, Richard "Dick" Ditka, frequently invites her to Bears games, but her demanding work schedule always leads her to decline.
The story progresses to a scene where Chandra, while waiting for her daily Italian beef sandwich, encounters Brad Bearman, a charismatic individual. Their shared preference for Italian beef (dry with gravy on the side, featuring both sweet and hot peppers) instantly connects them, leading to plans for a first date.
Their initial outing takes them to a notable Chicago landmark, the "Bean" sculpture. Brad, finding the experience uninspiring, suggests attending the upcoming Bears-Packers game the following day. Chandra, eager to maintain Brad's interest, reluctantly agrees despite her disinterest in football.
Before the game, Chandra meets her friend Janice for a shopping excursion on Michigan Avenue. A montage depicts Chandra trying on various Bears jerseys and hats, with Janice humorously rejecting each selection.
On game day, Brad arrives to pick up Chandra, who emerges from her apartment in a DJ Moore jersey. Brad notes that the jersey's likely sale price, due to the player's trade, suggests Chandra might be feigning her fandom. During their Uber ride to Soldier Field, Chandra remains engrossed in work emails for her new advertising campaign for "DUDE Wipes For Her" (a potential product placement opportunity), while Brad passionately expresses his disdain for the Packers. This animosity is attributed not only to the teams' rivalry but also to a traumatic childhood incident where his parents were tragically mugged by an individual in a Packers hat, drawing a parallel to a famous comic book origin story.
Game Day Antics and Family Revelations
Upon arriving at Soldier Field, Chandra discovers her father seated alone in the same row. To avoid being seen at a game without him, she resorts to an array of comedic disguises whenever her father leaves his seat, which occurs frequently. At one point, she comically dons a mustache borrowed from someone dressed as Bill Swerski from "Bill Swerski's Super Fans."
Despite the humorous predicament with her father, Chandra and Brad enjoy their time together, forging a connection. A minor altercation ensues when Brad engages in a shouting match with a fan wearing a cheesehead, prompting Chandra to intervene to prevent security involvement and encourage Brad to put his shirt back on.
As the Bears secure a late lead with a game-winning field goal, Chandra and Brad agree to another date. Brad, however, resumes yelling at the cheesehead-wearing fan. Chandra's father, who missed the pivotal play while using the restroom, returns to his seat, inquiring about the game's outcome, and recognizes his daughter.
Chandra profusely apologizes for attending the game with a date instead of him. Her father, however, expresses understanding, remarking on her age and the importance of pursuing personal relationships. He also candidly admits his preference for attending games alone, enjoying the extra space and the absence of conversational distractions. Chandra suggests they attend the next home game together, but her father reiterates his desire for solitary viewing.
Accepting his preference, Chandra decides to order him Bears merchandise online for Christmas. The story concludes with Chandra and Brad committing to continue attending games together (until a hypothetical future move of the Bears to Indiana makes the commute impractical). Their relationship blossoms as they leave the stadium for a late-night deep-dish pizza, with Brad, a self-proclaimed tavern-style pizza enthusiast, making a concession for their evolving bond, signifying the give-and-take inherent in relationships.
The writer muses that the movie could end with a question mark, hinting at a potential sequel.
