You’ve seen the mustache. You’ve probably seen the grainy footage of a guy who looks like a 1970s substitute teacher trying to hurl a pigskin at Penn State.
Back in 2022, Eli Manning decided to put on some heavy prosthetics and a wig that looked like it was stolen from a garage sale to become Chad Powers. It started as a goofy segment for his ESPN+ show, Eli's Places, but it ended up becoming a legitimate cultural moment that’s still growing today in 2026.
If you're wondering how a retired New York Giants quarterback ended up as the face of a Hulu sitcom starring Glen Powell, you aren't alone. It’s one of those rare "lightning in a bottle" stories where a simple joke actually had legs. Long, slightly slow legs.
What Really Happened with Eli Manning and Chad Powers?
The original stunt was pretty simple. Eli headed to Happy Valley to try out as a walk-on for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He wasn't Eli Manning; he was Chad, a guy who claimed he was homeschooled by his mom and just wanted to "play some ball."
Honestly, the makeup was better than it had any right to be. It took hours to apply. He had this scraggly blonde hair and a mustache that looked like it might fall off if he ran too fast. Speaking of running, he clocked a 5.49 in the 40-yard dash. For context, that’s... not great. Most kickers are faster.
But then he started throwing.
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That’s when the coaches—most of whom were not in on the joke—started whispering. You don't just see a random 26-year-old walk-on with a "think fast, run fast" attitude throw 50-yard ropes with NFL-level mechanics every day. Danny O’Brien, a Penn State offensive analyst, was one of the first to notice that this weird guy in the wig actually knew how to read a defense.
Eventually, the jig was up. Eli stripped off the prosthetics in front of a bunch of stunned college kids. It was viral gold.
The Jump from YouTube Skit to Hulu Series
Most internet pranks die after a week. Not this one.
The Manning brothers (Eli and Peyton) have a knack for the business side of sports through their company, Omaha Productions. They saw that people didn't just like the prank; they liked the character.
Fast forward to late 2025, and Chad Powers became a scripted comedy series on Hulu. This wasn't just a 10-minute YouTube clip anymore. We're talking a full-blown production co-created by Michael Waldron (the guy who did Loki) and Glen Powell.
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Powell doesn't just play the role; he basically lives in the prosthetics. In the show, the character isn't Eli Manning in disguise. Instead, it’s about a disgraced college QB named Russ Holliday who nukes his career and decides to go undercover at a small school in Georgia to get one last shot at glory.
Why the Character Works
- The Catchphrase: "Think fast, run fast." It’s simple, it’s stupid, and it’s catchy.
- The Underdog Vibes: Even though we know it’s a pro athlete or a movie star under the mask, everyone loves a walk-on story.
- The Humor: It pokes fun at the self-seriousness of college football recruiting.
Where is Chad Powers Now in 2026?
As of January 2026, the show is a certified hit. It was recently renewed for a second season after the first six episodes topped the charts on Disney+ and Hulu.
Production for Season 2 kicked off in Atlanta just this month. There are even rumors floating around—mostly fueled by cast interviews—that they’re trying to get major cameos for the new episodes. Perry Mattfeld, who plays the assistant coach Ricky Hudson, even mentioned wanting Taylor Swift to make an appearance. While that might be a long shot, the fact that people are even talking about it shows how big this has gotten.
Eli Manning is still involved, too. He’s an executive producer and even popped up as an "Ole Miss Coach" in a Season 1 cameo. He’s basically the godfather of the whole thing.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Original Video
A lot of people think the whole Penn State team was in on it. They weren't.
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Head coach James Franklin knew, obviously. You can't just bring a camera crew and an NFL legend onto a Division I practice field without the boss's permission. But the players and the lower-level scouts? They were legitimately confused.
Some of those kids were fighting for their lives to get a spot on the roster, and here comes this guy who looks like he just crawled out of a van down by the river, throwing absolute dots. That tension is what made the original video so good. It wasn't just a celebrity playing dress-up; it was a legitimate "what if" scenario.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're just catching up on the Chad Powers phenomenon, here is how to dive in:
- Watch the OG Footage: Go find the Eli's Places episode on ESPN+. It’s where the "Think fast, run fast" mantra was born.
- Binge Season 1: The Hulu series is only six episodes. It’s a quick watch and surprisingly heartfelt for a show about a guy in a wig.
- Check the Merch: Believe it or not, the "Think Fast, Run Fast" shirts are still a thing. A lot of the early proceeds actually went to Penn State NIL collectives to help real-life walk-ons.
- Follow the S2 Production: Since filming just started in Georgia this January, keep an eye on social media for set leaks. Glen Powell usually posts some behind-the-scenes stuff when he’s in the makeup chair.
It’s weird to think that a retired QB’s mid-life crisis prank turned into a TV franchise, but in the world of modern sports media, Chad Powers is the new MVP.