"Playmakers" (2003) TV series

Directors:

John Bell
Scott Brazil

Writers:

Peter Egan (staff writer)
John Eisendrath (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

26 August 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

If all you see is the athlete, open your eyes.

Plot:

The series is a gritty ensemble drama about the off-field lives of a group of players on a pro football team and how they deal with the pressure of being on the professional level.

Plot Keywords:

Closeted Homosexual | Gay Athlete | American Football | Gay Interest | Interracial Relationship

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Omar Gooding	...	Demetrius Harris (12 episodes, 2003-2006)
Marcello Thedford	...	Kelvin 'Buffalo' James (12 episodes, 2003-2006)
Christopher Wiehl	...	Derek McConnell (12 episodes, 2003-2006)
Jason Matthew Smith	...	Eric Olczyk (12 episodes, 2003-2006)
Russell Hornsby	...	Leon Taylor (12 episodes, 2003-2006)
Anthony John Denison	...	Coach George (12 episodes, 2003-2006)
Stephen Bogaert	...	Phil Chambers (11 episodes, 2003)
Bruce Gray	...	Gene Wilbanks (11 episodes, 2003)
Phillip Jarrett	...	Coach Rudman (9 episodes, 2003)
Karen LeBlanc	...	Robin Taylor (8 episodes, 2003)
Thea Andrews	...	Samantha Lovett (7 episodes, 2003)
Dan Petronijevic	...	Thad Guerwitcz (7 episodes, 2003)
Kevin Jubinville	...	Dr. Gatewood (6 episodes, 2003)
Sasha Roiz	...	Stephen Lyles (6 episodes, 2003)
Gabriel Hogan	...	Guard Dog Fredericks (5 episodes, 2003)
Tacquira LaTouche	...	Herself (5 episodes, 2003)

Runtime:

USA:491 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

ESPN Original Entertainment

Trivia:

In some of the first eight episodes, Jason Matthew Smith wears jerseys (both home and away) with his character's name misspelled as "Olcyzk".

Quotes:

Luther Hawkins: I like a man who brings his game face to the strip club.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Collateral (2004)

Too Predictable, But True to Life

When this show started, you got a glimpse of what was to come in Episode 1. Fighting, drugs, depression, and domestic problems. After you watched that first one you knew that a murder was probable and that a gay player was eminent. Relationships with woman was a no brainer. While the show is sadly predictable and badly copying other storylines, including the real life story of Ray Lewis, it does have some truth to it. Here in Detroit former Purdue, Detroit Lions, and Cleveland Browns QB Gary Dainelson has a radio show on wich he stated that everything on this show to date happened to him in his pro career. I give Playmakers a 3 out of 5.