Warning: Contains SPOILERS for 80 for Brady.Although 80 for Brady is inspired by a real story, not all the characters in the film correspond to real-life people, making the question of whether the 80 for Brady Dan is fictional or a real NFL player understandable. 80 for Brady does take creative liberties with its nonfictional source material as it tells the story of four lifelong friends who embark on a trip to see their hero, Tom Brady, and his New England Patriots play in the Super Bowl. While the movie is inspired by the real-life "over 80" fan club for Brady, some of the characters and plotlines only exist in the film.
Jane Fonda's character in 80 for Brady, Trish, is one of the four best friends the movie follows. During the course of the film, Trish meets former NFL player Dan O'Callahan at the NFL Experience for the 2017 Super Bowl, where the four women go upon arriving in Houston. As they meet again when Dan invites Trish and her friends to a party, the two seem to fall in love with each other. In the film, Dan is an ex-Super Bowl winner who has two different rings from two different teams, both of which exist in real life. However, this doesn't mean that he's based on a real person.
No, 80 For Brady’s Dan Isn’t A Real Former NFL Player
In 80 for Brady, many characters play real-life people, especially football players like Brady, who the film is named after. However, Dan is not, in fact, a real former NFL player but a character completely made up for the film, perhaps to add to the plot and center Trish as the protagonist of a love story. Therefore, his story with Trish, and his entire existence and persona overall, is one of the instances in which 80 for Brady changes the real-life story behind the film.
Most of the other NFL players and celebrities in the film are portrayed on screen by their respective selves, such as Rob Gronkowski and Guy Fieri. However, unlike them, 80 for Brady's Dan is played by the actor Harry Hamli,n who is not a real former NFL player. However, it's easy to see why audiences might think he is, as the teams in the movie are real and he seems to fit very well with the real-life setting and inspiration of 80 for Brady.
Could Dan Have Been Inspired By A Real Player?
Even though 80 for Brady's Dan isn't a real-life football player, that doesn't mean that he couldn't be inspired by a real NFL player. A handful of former NFL players fit Dan's description, specifically, those who have won two Super Bowls on two different teams. In total, there are 43 players who have more than one Super Bowl ring, and of them, only 23 of them have two Super Bowl rings, just like Dan. These players include Jim Burt, Matt Cavanaugh, and Bill Curry. Dan could very well be an amalgam of several of these players' best traits, as the character is lovable, well-mannered, and everything Trish wants.
Did Trish End Up With Dan In 80 For Brady’s Ending?
At the end of 80 for Brady, the characters are all at the football party as the four protagonists celebrate with their family and friends, allowing the story to end on a happy note. The 80 for Brady cameos are perhaps one of the funniest parts of the film for those in the audience that share the same passion for Brady and the New England Patriots as the four women in the film.
However, Trish's romance with the 80 for Brady Dan seems to have been short-lived. This may be because 80 for Brady is less about romance and more about the strong friendship that unites these four women. While they may share a common love for Brady, this seems to be more of an excuse to check on each other and take the trip of a lifetime. In the end, what really shines in 80 for Brady is their relationship and the adventure they all choose to embark on, which happens to include romance.