Ex-‘SNL’ Star Reveals an Unusual Career Pitch After Her Exit — and It Involves Football

Actress and comedian Heidi Gardner revealed her unexpected career pitch, months after her departure fromSaturday Night Live.

During a January 2026 appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, hosted by fellow SNLalum Seth Meyers, Gardner, who is from Kansas City, Missouri, referenced that she’s a major fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. She said 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?’ And it’ll go ‘read.’ And then I’m like, ‘Are the guys looking for, like, hugs ever?'” said Gardner during the interview. “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.”

Heidi Gardner Shared What She’s Been up to Following Her ‘SNL’ Exit

After eight seasons on SNL, Gardner left the NBC sketch comedy show following season 50, which ended in 2025. During the Late Night With Seth Meyers interview, Gardner noted that she’s appearing in the Broadway play, All Out, which is co-produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels, until February 15.

Gardner also said on top of acting in All Out, she’s been “planning parties,” specifically a three-day event in celebration of her 42nd birthday, after her SNL exit.

Gardner spoke about her time on SNL during an October 2025 interview on her friend and former castmate,Ego Nwodim‘s podcast, Thanks Dad, as reported by USA Today. Nwodim also left SNL after season 50. Both Gardner and Nwodim described SNL as being competitive and said they never had a successful week on the show at the same time.

In addition, Nwodim complimented Gardner’s graciousness during her time on the sketch-comedy show.

“Getting to spend seven years of my time on SNL with you [was] one of life’s greatest gifts. It’s not the easiest place to work, but you were such a huge gift, and I absolutely adore and love you and am so grateful for that time,” said Nwodim on her podcast.