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N.F.L. has been very much against airing it\'s dirty laundry .

Playmakers does just that ........

From the 08 propaganda file ..... ;)

Madden: \'Playmakers\' realism has NFL\'s brass squirming

Tuesday, November 11, 2003

By Mark Madden

Playmakers,\" ESPN\'s pro football drama, has been the best show on television since its first episode. But \"Playmakers\" hit new heights Tuesday when gangsta rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg played the older brother of DH, the crackhead rookie running back of the fictional Cougars.

In real life, Snoop is a former drug dealer. He hosts hard-core adult videos. In his raps, Snoop glorifies violence and substance abuse and denigrates women. He once was accused of murder.

Somehow, none of that got mentioned during \"Playmakers,\" nor Tuesday during SportsCenter, which had a lengthy feature about Snoop coaching youth football. Confession may be good for the soul but helping ESPN get ratings can make up for a multitude of sins PR-wise.

Anyway, Snoop was great. He got shot, helped police solve a murder and inspired DH to do the right thing, namely ratting out one of his posse for two shootings. Ray Lewis must be proud.

The season\'s final episode of \"Playmakers\" airs Tuesday. The cliffhanger: Will ESPN bring back \"Playmakers\" for a second season despite pressure from the NFL not to do so?

The NFL hates \"Playmakers\" because the series paints an all too realistic ... uh, sorry, I meant to say the NFL hates \"Playmakers\" because the series paints an unrealistic picture of pro football. But I think the real reason the NFL hates \"Playmakers\" is because it\'s more entertaining than the NFL. Parity hasn\'t made \"Playmakers\" boring.

Assuming \"Playmakers\" returns for a second season, the series will need new material. It has already pirated every single real-life NFL scandal over the past decade or so.

Further information to review from the 08 propaganda file ... ;)

ESPN undecided about return of \'Playmakers\'
The series about a fictional football squad has drawn heat from the NFL, players and owners.
By Ron Reid
Inquirer Staff Writer

ESPN has not decided whether to bring the popular but controversial dramatic series Playmakers back for another season, a spokesman said.

Asked whether the NFL had called ESPN to complain about the program, or the recent controversy sparked by Rush Limbaugh\'s critical opinion of Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, spokesman Chris LaPlaca said yesterday: \"You should speak to the NFL about that. I\'m not aware if that\'s the case. Same deal with Rush. I\'m not sure what communications have taken place there.\"

Limbaugh resigned Wednesday night in the face of criticism over comments he made on ESPN\'s Sunday NFL Countdown, including the statement that, \"The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.\"

On Thursday, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie spoke out about the Limbaugh issue and also criticized the network for its portrayal of athletes in the fictional Playmakers series.

The league and the players\' union both have been unhappy with the series, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said yesterday. He said commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who has described the show as a \"gross mischaracterization of our sport,\" has called the network about the show.

\"ESPN is well aware of our feelings toward the show, and it not only comes from the league office but every team around the league,\" Aiello said.

[Edited on 14/11/2003 by saintz08]