Mandy Moore is stepping into the NFL world as she prepares for a new football-themed series, marking a transformation comparable to Taylor Swift’s recent immersion in the sport. Moore, 41, revealed insights about the Hulu project during the November 3 episode of Today With Jenna & Friends, explaining how she had to quickly familiarize herself with the NFL for her role.
“You guys, I feel like Taylor Swift. I had to learn all about the NFL,”
Moore admitted.
“I knew nothing about the NFL.”
The series, which began filming roughly two weeks before her interview, remains untitled and focuses on the dynamics within the football industry. Moore plays the daughter of an NFL team owner, getting to experience what it means to be a figure of authority.
“It’s centered around the NFL. I play the daughter of the owner of an NFL team,”
she added.
“So I get to be sort of a boss.”
Character Inspiration Draws from Real NFL Leadership
When asked by Jenna Bush Hager whether she connected with Charlotte Jones, the executive vice president and chief brand officer of the Dallas Cowboys and daughter of owner Jerry Jones, Moore confirmed the interaction. Her character is being groomed for leadership in the family’s NFL enterprise, reflecting real-life parallels.
Moore further described her role as
“someone who’s being primed to potentially take over for Dad when he steps down,”
showing the series explores generational change within a powerful NFL family.
Taylor Swift’s Entrance into Football Awareness Mirrors Moore’s Journey
Taylor Swift, 35, has also made headlines for embracing the football scene, especially after being seen at Kansas City Chiefs games following her relationship with star player Travis Kelce. Despite initially having no sports background, Swift has been vocal about her growing passion for football.
“Football is awesome, it turns out,”
Swift joked in her 2023 Time Magazine Person of the Year profile.
“I’ve been missing out my whole life.”
Earlier this year, she joined Kelce on his podcast, New Heights, to share how little she knew about NFL details when they first started dating. She recounted asking Kelce about the Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and the Eagles, leading to an amusing explanation of on-field positions.
“I legitimately asked him what it was like when the Chiefs played the Eagles in the Super Bowl and he looked across the field, across the line of scrimmage and saw his brother standing on the other five feet in front of him on the field,”
Swift recalled.
“I now know what an insane question that was. He was like, ‘Actually, I’m on the offense and my brother’s on the offense, and I’m only on the field at the same time as the defense.’”
Swift’s Love for Football Grows Deeper
Swift admitted she once thought all players were on the field simultaneously but has since become deeply involved with the sport, adopting a newfound passion for player drafts and games.
“I thought everyone was on there at the same time,”
she confessed.
“I fell in love with it. I became obsessed with it. I became a person who was running through the halls of my house, screaming, ‘We drafted Xavier Worthy!’ And my friends are like, ‘Who body-snatched you? What do you mean?’”
The pop star lightheartedly added,
“I’m not ready to be an analyst right now, but give me 16 months.”
Swift and Kelce announced their engagement in November 2023 after two years of dating, with Swift continuing to show her enthusiasm for the NFL season.
Moore’s NFL Project Features a Strong Ensemble Cast
Meanwhile, Mandy Moore’s upcoming NFL series promises a strong lineup, with collaborations alongside renowned ThIs Is Us creator Dan Fogelman. According to Variety, William H. Macy has been cast as the team owner, and Christopher Meloni will portray the head coach, lending considerable star power to the football drama set to premiere on Hulu next year.
What This Means for Football on Screen
With Mandy Moore stepping into a leading role and Taylor Swift openly embracing the NFL culture, this surge of celebrity involvement may attract new audiences to football-themed entertainment. Moore’s connection to NFL leadership through her character offers potential insight into the complexities of team ownership, while Swift’s journey could inspire others unfamiliar with the sport to become more engaged. As the Hulu series develops and Swift’s NFL presence grows, fans can anticipate a blending of pop culture and football that may broaden the sport’s appeal across different communities.
