Anyone familiar with Heidi Gardner knows that she may be the biggest NFL fan at Saturday Night Live. But that didn't prevent her from having a pretty awkward encounter with a star quarterback.
Gardner has been vocal about her Kansas City Chiefs fandom. She recently revealed she was behind the push to get Chiefs star Travis Kelce to host SNL. So maybe if she had run in to Patrick Mahomes instead of Josh Allen, things wouldn't have been so weird.
During an appearance on the Not Skinny but Not Fat podcast, Gardner talked about her love for the Chiefs. The Saturday Night Live cast member also said she doesn't necessarily hate any other team. But, the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen do get under her skin. Gardner was able to put that aside when she recently shared a flight with Allen.
" was next to me on a flight, and I was so starstruck," Gardner admitted. Right off the bat, it's worth noting an SNL cast member being starstruck by an NFL player. Gardner spends every week with some of the biggest names in movies, TV, and music.
Gardner went on to say she spent the entirety of the three-and-a-half hour long flight thinking of what to say to Allen. When the time came, it was a bit of an awkward exchange.
"As I was getting my bag down, I was like 'thank you for everything you do on Sundays to just put your body and yourself on the line for us and our entertainment," Gardner recalled. Host Amanda Hirsch could not believe that's what Gardner came up with, and even the actress had to laugh.
Josh Allen would make a good candidate to host Saturday Night Live
Athletes have proven to be solid choices when it comes to hosting Saturday Night Live. So would Josh Allen make a good pick?
He's already one of the most popular players in the NFL. And the Buffalo Bills are a serious contender to win the Super Bowl this season, which would only make an SNL appearance more likely.
Then there is Allen's crossover appeal. He's engaged to actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld, putting him on the radar of audiences outside of the football world.
Would Heidi Gardner be on board with Allen hosting Saturday Night Live? If the Bills win the Super Bowl, that would mean going through the Chiefs. But if her interaction on the plane is any indication, Gardner has enough respect for Allen to put the rivalry aside for a week.