“Chad Powers” includes an appearance by the most notorious meme of 2024.
Hulu’s sports comedy Chad Powers is filled with delightful cameos from the football world. Episode 1 begins with the familiar faces of sports commentators Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler. The trailer for Chad Powers also hints at a special appearance by former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who serves as an executive producer alongside his brother, Peyton Manning. This charming series is inspired by a segment from Manning’s Eli’s Places, in which he joins walk-on football tryouts at Penn State in disguise.
However, the premiere episode introduces a whimsical cameo from a different realm—an unexpected delight from internet fame. Making an appearance is Haliey Welch, affectionately known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl.” Welch rose to prominence in the summer of 2024, when her memorable phrase, “spit on that thang,” from a Tim & Dee TV interview became an internet sensation. Since then, she has embraced this newfound recognition, launching a podcast called Talk Tuah and making her mark with a cameo on Chad Powers.
In a light-hearted moment, Welch appears shortly after the episode begins, as disgraced quarterback Russ Holliday (Glen Powell) encounters her in a club. Overjoyed to meet her, he exuberantly exclaims, “Hawk tuah, spit on that thing!” Yet, Welch, not particularly impressed, responds with a gentle plea: “Please don’t tell people we met.”
Her reaction subtly reflects the challenges of sudden fame, mirroring Russ’s own experience as he navigates his new role following a viral championship loss. While Russ is saddled with the lasting label of “scumbag quarterback,” Welch has also become inextricably linked to her catchy phrase.
Although Chad Powers was filmed during the peak of Welch’s fame from August to October 2024, she has faced her own share of ups and downs since then. In December 2024, she ventured into the world of cryptocurrency with her memecoin, $HAWK. Initially successful, the coin’s swift decline led to accusations against her and her team, causing her to retreat from the public eye. She addressed these challenges in a recent episode of Talk Tuah and at a live VidCon 2025 taping, discussing the implications of the cryptocurrency fallout.
As Welch transitions from internet sensation to a more introspective narrative, her cameo in Chad Powers offers an insightful glimpse into her journey. The combination of humor and unexpected reflections creates a unique blend of entertainment that invites audiences to embrace both laughter and understanding.
Chad Powers is now streaming on Hotnchill.
