by Will Barboza



To quote the one-time herald of Monday night pigskin programming, “Are you ready for some football?” Are you ready for the thrilling passes? The daring interceptions? The concussions and the domestic abuse charges?

Millions of television-viewing Americans are. They are putting on their overpriced replica jerseys, spending salaries on bank-emptying cable sports packages, and shelling out the shallow remains of their child’s college fund for that new plasma TV to watch Jay Cutler throw interceptions. Batten down the hatches, and hide your impressionable sons and daughters, it’s concussion season. These are the truths of the NFL. Players cut years off their lives taking vicious shots to the dome, steroids are passed around the locker room like a well-torched roach at a frat party, and men who could be in prison find salvation on the gridiron. Roger Goodell and the cronies of the NFL won’t shed light on these dark secrets. However, back in 2003 ESPN produced a television series that did.

The Cougars play pro ball. They have a quarterback who’s suffering kidney failure from overusing anti-inflammatories, a marginalized coach who’s pissing blood, a running back facing domestic abuse charges, and a linebacker with PTSD. This is the reality of the men on the show Playmakers. But hey, isn’t it all worth it to play ball?

Created by now executive producer of The Blacklist, John Eisendrath, Playmakers followed the trials and tribulations of a pro ball club. The show ran for a season on ESPN before the NFL forced ESPN to spike the ball and cancel the series. More than a decade later, the themes and storylines are more topical than ever. Many of the shocking secrets coming to light about the NFL (the concussions, domestic abuse charges, steroids, etc.) were central topics during Playmakers’ brief run. Even the topic of homosexuality within the league, brought to the forefront by Michael Sam, was covered in one episode.

Playmakers was well-received, but aired at the worst possible time, with the NFL renegotiating its contract with ESPN near the end of the show’s first season. Much like Mike Webster or Junior Seau, Playmakers became a casualty of the NFL. Now, the series has been forgotten, save for some kind soul posting the entirety of it to YouTube.

It’s easy to get lost in the fun of Aaron Rodgers throwing a game-winning pass to Jordy Nelson, or watching Malcom Butler steal the Super Bowl from the Seahawks’ talons. Playmakers was a reminder that the NFL is not all glory and sportsmanship. It highlighted the bad, but that’s what made it good. If you have some time in between your fantasy football mock drafts and Sunday tailgates, Playmakers is a great watch.

At a time when the only question being asked was, “Are you ready for some football?” Playmakers dared to ask, “Is it worth it?” It’s a question I’m still not sure anyone knows the answer to.