In a move that blends hometown pride with post-Saturday Night Live creativity, actress Heidi Gardner has proposed a unique role for herself: the Kansas City Chiefs’ official ‘big sister’ to provide hugs and support after tough losses.
Actress and comedian Heidi Gardner has revealed an unexpected career pitch, months after her departure from Saturday Night Live. During a January 2026 appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, the Kansas City native shared her unique plan to support the hometown Kansas City Chiefs football team.
Gardner, who is from Kansas City, Missouri, stated that she knows “the vice president of the Chiefs, Brett Veach,” and has reached out to him about being a source of support for the team’s players, especially after a difficult game. “He lets me text him sometimes, and it’s usually me being like, ‘Is there a desire around the locker room for like a big sister vibe?'” she explained during the interview. “And it’ll go ‘read.’ And then I’m like, ‘Are the guys looking for, like, hugs ever?’ Because I know it’s a brutal sport and like, especially after a fumble, most fans and stuff are like, ‘What the F?’ You know? And so I’m like, ‘What about just a nice soft woman on the bench that is like looking to hug, and be tender with the players?'”
Gardner then quipped that because her offer is “not really getting bites,” she is making her interest known “on national TV.”
A New Chapter After ‘SNL’
After eight seasons on the iconic NBC sketch comedy show, Gardner left SNL following season 50, which ended in 2025. During her Late Night interview, she highlighted her current projects, including starring in the Broadway play All Out, which is co-produced by Lorne Michaels, until February 15. She also mentioned she’s been “planning parties,” specifically a three-day event to celebrate her 42nd birthday, marking a new chapter post-SNL.
Gardner reflected on her time on the show during an October 2025 interview on her friend and former castmate Ego Nwodim‘s podcast, Thanks Dad. Both Gardner and Nwodim, who also left SNL after season 50, described the show as being highly competitive. Nwodim praised Gardner’s graciousness during their shared tenure, calling her “a huge gift” and expressing immense gratitude for their time working together.
This lighthearted and heartfelt proposal from Gardner showcases a unique blend of her comedic sensibilities and a genuine desire to connect with her community. It represents a creative pivot that fans have come to expect from the versatile star, who is now exploring opportunities beyond the sketch comedy world.
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