Jon Hamm’s Super Bowl Gig: The Bizarre Reason He Introduced the Chiefs!
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Jon Hamm’s appearance at the 2025 Super Bowl wasn’t your typical Hollywood moment. While many expected big-name stars to play some role in the event, Hamm’s introduction of the Kansas City Chiefs took everyone by surprise. In an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers on February 12, the actor—best known for his role in Mad Men—explained the rather quirky reason behind his unexpected Super Bowl gig.
The 53-year-old actor introduced Chiefs stars like Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes before their team’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, February 9. While Bradley Cooper was an obvious choice to announce the Eagles, given his roots in Abington Township, Pennsylvania, Hamm’s association with Kansas City wasn’t as clear-cut. After all, the actor was raised in St. Louis, some 240 miles away from the home of the Chiefs.
Hamm himself had a lighthearted response when discussing the NFL’s decision to pick him. “It was definitely a performance,” he quipped, poking fun at the whole situation. He explained that the NFL wanted to go with a “famous St. Louisan” for the Chiefs introduction, making the case that, “St. Louis and Kansas City are both in Missouri. A lot of people don’t realize that. They get stuck in the ‘Kansas’ part of ‘Kansas City.’”
Hamm’s tongue-in-cheek explanation continued with a humorous aside about Kansas City being renamed “America-Land,” referencing a controversial statement by former President Donald Trump regarding the Gulf of Mexico. The audience and Meyers shared a laugh, as Hamm’s lighthearted approach made it clear he had no issue with being the “Missouri guy” chosen for the Chiefs’ big moment.
The actor also confirmed that despite the unexpected nature of the role, he was more than happy to take it on. “You know me long enough,” Hamm told Meyers. “I say ‘yes.’ What’s the [improv] bit? ‘Yes and….’” This response sums up Hamm’s go-with-the-flow attitude, even when the gig comes as a bit of a surprise.
Hamm’s connection to St. Louis runs deep. He grew up in Creve Coeur, a suburb of the city, and even taught acting at his local high school after earning his degree from the University of Missouri. It was in those classrooms that Hamm’s star power began to show—one of his students was Ellie Kemper, who later reflected on how her teacher’s charm made him unforgettable. “In a room full of freshmen girls, he was definitely just as handsome back then,” she reminisced in 2010.
While Hamm was cheering on the Chiefs in Arizona, his Super Bowl counterpart, Bradley Cooper, celebrated the Eagles’ victory in style. The Oscar-nominated actor spent time with the team’s owner, Jeffrey Lurie, in a luxury suite and reflected on the incredible moment. “I used to come with my dad and now I get to bring my daughter, it’s just a beautiful thing in life,” Cooper shared after the game. His gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the Eagles’ story was palpable as he praised the team and the city of Philadelphia.
Hamm may have been the less obvious choice to introduce the Chiefs, but his easygoing demeanor and connection to Missouri made him a fitting choice in the end. Though the game didn’t turn out as hoped for Kansas City fans, Hamm’s unexpected moment in the Super Bowl spotlight will certainly be one to remember.
