Christopher McDonald Applauds Travis Kelce’s Acting Skills in Happy Gilmore 2 (Exclusive)

Move over football, Travis Kelce is an actor!

Ahead of his anticipated appearance in Happy Gilmore 2, the Kansas City Chiefs star was praised by veteran actor Christopher McDonald, who worked alongside him while reprising his 1996 role as Shooter McGavin in the sequel.

“Travis Kelce has been out there and I just really liked him as a person. He is really funny. Way too handsome, by the way, but really a good actor actually,” McDonald told PEOPLE exclusively on Tuesday, June 25 while celebrating Happy Gilmore 2‘s partnership with Subway.

“Surprisingly good,” he added.

While McDonald was careful not to reveal too many details ahead of the Adam Sandler-led sequel’s release on Netflix on July 25, he did weigh in on Kelce’s golf skills.

“I think he’s got game,” the actor said of the NFL star, admitting that they “did not” get to play together while filming.

“He’s a good athlete,” McDonald continued of Kelce. “He’s a beast. I’m sure he kills the ball.”

In August 2024, Sandler broke the news on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that Kelce would be appearing in his Happy Gilmore sequel. 

In January 2025, the football player called working with the Sandman “a dream come true” when speaking on an episode of ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show.

“I thought SNL was going to be the peak of my acting and showman or entertainment career,” he continued, adding, “Working with Happy Gilmore himself, the Sandman and Happy Productions, it was off the chain.”

In addition to Kelce, McDonald — who told PEOPLE exclusively that fans should expect a “plot twist” from his Shooter role in the sequel — raved about the slew of other surprise cameos in the film, in addition to original cast members.

“Everyone that’s still with us, I have been in touch with,” he said of the returning cast from 1996’s Happy Gilmore. “They’re great people. It’s great to have them back… like Kevin Nealon, one of the funniest guys I’ve ever known, great to see him back.”

“There’s so many people who just do lovely little cameos in this too,” he continued. “We got all this stacked cameo stuff that I can’t really talk about… I can’t really tell any things. I signed an NDA.”

Still, McDonald teed up a hint at who fans can expect to see.

“Just know that the top 5%, maybe 3% of the great golfers out there are in,” he teased. “All the legends that we worked with was just pinch me time. For this guy who loves golf, to be rubbing elbows with these legends was a true joy.”

As for his own villainous role as Shooter, McDonald confirmed “he’s back with a vengeance.”

“Just being in this production, finally strapping on Shooter McGavin’s shoes again and getting on the course is just, it makes me so happy,” he continued, adding, “I’ve been really an ambassador for making a sequel for a very long time!”

“He’s a very funny character, so I absolutely loved playing it,” the actor continued. “And it’s an honor to be back. And finally, we made it and it’s really going to be good.”

In addition to the premiere of Happy Gilmore 2, McDonald’s also “thrilled” about the revival of the iconic partnership between the film and Subway with the launch of the limited-time Happy Gilmore Meal starting July 10.

As part of the Happy Gilmore Meal, Subway is launching a collection of limited-edition collectible cups. It features four film-focused cups, each showcasing a different character from the movie franchise: Happy Gilmore, Shooter McGavin, Hal and a newcomer: Oscar. 

“Not only is the sandwich amazing… I love the fact that Subway stepped up to the tee again,” McDonald told PEOPLE of the team up with the sandwich chain. “You can come in, spend $1 more and get a Happy Meal and get a cup for free!”

On par, McDonald added, “I’m in my happy place.”

Happy Gilmore 2 hits Netflix on July 25.