The True Story Behind “Chad Powers”, Including Which NFL Legend Originated the Character

Caroline BlairThu, September 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

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Glen Powell in ‘Chad Powers’; Eli Manning tries out for Penn State disguised as ‘Chad Powers’.Credit: Daniel Delgado Jr./Disney; ESPN/YouTube -

Glen Powell suited up again for the second season of Chad Powers, which hits Hulu on Sept. 3

The comedy was inspired by Eli Manning’s real-life 2022 skit in which he went undercover at Penn State football tryouts

Both Eli and his brother, Peyton Manning, were actively involved in the series

Glen Powell has once again transformed into Chad Powers for season 2 of the Hulu comedy.

Chad Powers, which returns for season 2 on Sept. 3, stars the Running Man actor as disgraced former quarterback Russ Holliday trying to get a second chance at the sport by pretending to be a different person.

However, as he continues living the lie for another year, Powers admits that he “might be in over my head” and says in the season 2 trailer, “I am a man living inside the fake skin of another man.”

While viewers will have to tune into the second season to see how Powers manages the two identities, they can see how the real-life version of events actually turned out. The Hulu comedy was inspired by former professional football player Eli Manning, who originated the character.

While the show itself is fictional, it is based on and inspired by Eli’s character of the same name from the 2022 ESPN docuseries, Eli’s Places. The episode from the viral miniseries starred Eli, using professional hair and makeup artists to disguise him as Powers, trying out as a walk-on quarterback for Penn State.

So, is Chad Powers based on a true story? Here’s everything to know about the real Eli Manning skit that inspired the show.

What is Chad Powers about?

Glen Powell as Chad Powers in ‘Chad Powers’.Credit: DJ Delgado/Disney

Chad Powers, which premieres its second season on Sept. 3, stars Powell as Holliday, a former hotshot college quarterback who blew his chance at a national title and professional football career because of his ego.

Nearly 10 years after his demise, Holliday decides to go undercover as Powers to try to get a second chance with a struggling college team, South Georgia. Powers uses prosthetics to disguise himself and go undercover for the walk-on tryouts.

After Powers makes the team and seems to successfully hide his true identity, he tries to make up for his past mistakes and use his second chance to better himself and the team.

However, as Powers continues the lie in season 2, his “odd behavior off it has everyone suspicious — especially Coach Hudson and Gerry,” reads the official synopsis for season 2.

“The walls are closing in on Russ’s lie, and if he and Danny want Chad to survive the regular season and lead the Catfish to the College Football Playoff, the only person who can help them is the last person who wants to: Ricky,” the description continues.

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Is Chad Powers based on a true story?

Eli Manning as Chad Powers; Glen Powell as Chad Powers in ‘Chad Powers’.Credit: ESPN/YouTube ; Daniel Delgado Jr./Disney

Chad Powers was inspired by the real-life events of Eli going undercover at Penn State to try out as a walk-on quarterback during a 2022 episode of Eli’s Places.

“We took that concept and that inspiration and have doubled down on the prosthetics, it, improved it, new model, new Chad, and we’re making a hell of a show here,” Powell explained in an interview with Good Morning America.

What was Eli’s Places about?

Eli Manning as Chad Powers in ‘Eli’s Place.’Credit: ESPN/Youtube

Eli’s Places looked at different aspects of college football and explored the country’s obsession with the sport. During season 2 in 2022, Manning released one of his most famous episodes about what it’s like to walk onto a football team.

In order to truly understand the college walk-on process, Manning transformed into Powers by using skin and hair prosthetics — which resemble Powell’s portrayal of the character — and signed up for the real Penn State football tryouts.

Eli successfully played with other walk-on hopefuls and drew the attention of coaches and players alike. However, the stunt didn’t grant him the same longevity as Powell’s fictionalized version, as the Penn State coaches quickly discovered that he was ineligible.

After learning all he could about the process, Eli removed his wig, fake facial hair and prosthetics to reveal his true identity — leaving all the students stunned.

“I’m sorry,” he told the coaches and athletes. “I’m just a 41-year-old who just wants to play ball. I’m just trying to get back out there. I appreciate you letting me try out with y’all.”

Are Eli Manning and Peyton Manning involved in Chad Powers?

Peyton Manning and Glen Powell at “Chad Powers” premiere on September 25, 2025 in Pasadena, California.Credit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Both Eli and his brother, Peyton Manning, had extensive involvement in both the creation and the production of Chad Powers. Eli serves as an executive producer, along with Peyton and his production company, Omaha Productions.

In addition to working on the sidelines, Eli had a season 1 cameo as a frustrated coach from an opposing team. Powell has also reflected on both brothers being “extremely involved” in the series.

“One of the coolest things about the Manning boys is that they are extremely involved,” the actor said on GMA. “What makes this show different is we wanted this thing to be funny and heartfelt but to have the football be legit. You know what a real quarterback looks like and when it doesn’t, so the fact that I have these guys as my coach, it’s a nice little lifesaver.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”