Playmakers on ESPN

2003, TV Show

ESPN's first scripted drama series focused on the pro football Cougars, a team rife with such problems as drug abuse and racial tension. Impressively produced, well-acted and a ratings success, it was nonetheless canceled after one season, reportedly because of pressure from NFL executives who felt it negatively portrayed the game and its players.
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Season 1, Episode 11
In the season finale (Game 17) of ESPN's critically acclaimed dramatic series Playmakers, Leon (Russell Hornsby) plans for retirement by auditioning for a sportscaster job at a local station. Buffalo's (Marcello Thedford) weight issues affect his chances of playing. Now that DH (Omar Gooding) is back on top, he tests just how far he can flaunt his playmaker ways. After Olczyk (Jason Matthew Smith) invites Beth (Sarah LaFleur) to move in, he must decide how to handle the surprise of Jenna's (Alexandra Coventry) pregnancy.
Paid | iTunes
Length: 20:11:46
Aired: 11/11/2003
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Season 1, Episode 10
Leon (Russell Hornsby) learns that Wilbanks (Bruce Gray) is not renewing his contract, so he puts himself through a combine of athletic drills to prove to Coach George (Tony Denison) that he's still got it. DH's (Omar Gooding) reunion with his older brother, Big E (rapper Snoop Dogg), leads to trouble when Big E learns the truth about Cal's (Cle Bennett) crime.
Paid | iTunes
Length: 22:22:27
Aired: 11/4/2003
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Season 1, Episode 9
Guerwitcz (Daniel Petronijevic) makes an attempt to dodge a rumor that one of the players is gay by asking August (Laura Jordan) to marry him. But his partner David (Frank Chiesurin) has had enough and outs him to the team, putting Guerwitcz's future with the Cougars in question. Meanwhile, tensions build between Olczyk (Jason Matthew Smith) and Leon (Russell Hornsby) over Olczyk's in-season contract negotiations.
Paid | iTunes
Length: 23:44:29
Aired: 10/28/2003
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Season 1, Episode 8
Olczyk (Jason Matthew Smith) prepares to face his nemesis and Leon (Russell Hornsby) must resolve his legal issues to continue playing on the team. While Coach George (Tony Denison) gets his test results, McConnell's (Christopher Wiehl) halftime hookup comes back to haunt him.
Paid | iTunes
Length: 23:31:58
Aired: 10/14/2003
more Playmakers videos (6 total videos)
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Premiered: August 26, 2003, on ESPN
Rating: TV-MA
User Rating: (6 ratings)
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Premise: ESPN's first scripted drama series focused on the pro football Cougars, a team rife with such problems as drug abuse and racial tension. Impressively produced, well-acted and a ratings success, it was nonetheless canceled after one season, reportedly because of pressure from NFL executives who felt it negatively portrayed the game and its players.

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