HBO's new dramedy Ballers tells the tale of Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), a former NFL player turned financial manager, as he looks to help his friends and former teammates navigate the ups and downs of being a professional athlete.
Ballers gets a lot right in its first season.
(Photo by: HBO)
Your favorite athletes make a cameo
Often compared to Entourage, Ballers incorporates the former HBO show's use of celebrity cameos. In the pilot, Ballers gives airtime to NFL players DeSean Jackson, Antonio Brown and Steven Jackson at, of course, a raging party.
(Photo by: HBO)
There's a former player in the cast
Ricky Jerret (John David Washington) was a former running back for the Rams. He went undrafted in 2006 before signing with St. Louis. You also might've heard of his father, Denzel Washington, who has some Hollywood ties.
(Photo by: HBO)
Stay off Twitter
One of Strasmore's best lines in the Ballers premiere is when he tells Jerret to stay off Twitter. For athletes big or small, social media tends to only get them in more and more trouble.
(Photo by: HBO)
Trading for a jersey number
In Episode 2, Jerret is hellbent on acquiring the No. 18. He even offered a cool $40,000 and a gold chain for the digits, which is a common occurrence in sports. Oh, to be superstitious.
(Photo by: HBO)
Credit: JEFF DALY PHOTOGRAPHY
There's a real player's perspective
Not only does Ballers contain a multitude of cameos, but the HBO dramedy has a former star running back as a staff writer. Rashard Mendenhall, who retired from the NFL at 26, lends his perspective to the show. He's taking the approach 'write what you know' to heart.
(Photo by: HBO)
The post-career struggle
One of the hardest transitions for athletes is after they're done playing the sport. For Charles Greane (Omar Benson Miller), injuries derailed his NFL career. Greane searches for a consistent income that leads him to a car dealership. Suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon currently is a car salesman.
(Photo by: HBO)
Credit: JEFF DALY PHOTOGRAPHY
Players buying extravagant gifts
When young athletes become millionaires in a split-second, there's bound to be some absurd purchases. Running back Steven Jackson boasts about his purchase of a "real" elephant for $265,000 in the Ballers premiere.
(Photo by: HBO)
Ballers uses real NFL logos
For Ballers to gain credibility, the show uses real logos from NFL teams. The Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers emblems were used in the show's premiere.
(Photo by: HBO)
An unceremonious retirement
Not every player has the chance to retire on his own terms, especially in the NFL. In a heart-to-heart conversation with Jerret, Strasmore described his vision of standing at a podium to announce his retirement. In actuality, Strasmore stared at his phone waiting for a call that never came.
(Photo by: HBO)
Punctuality is important
Giants coach Tom Coughlin infamously has said if you aren't five minutes early, you're late. That proverb is exemplified in the Ballers premiere when Jerret arrives one minute late to his meeting with the Dolphins coach.
(Photo by: HBO)
There's painkiller abuse
Now retired, Strasmore is constantly shown taking pain medication in Ballers. Football players past and present have long misused painkillers.
(Photo by: HBO)
Players going broke supporting family and friends
Once players sign that first big contract, family and friends come out of the woodwork. For Vernon (Donovan Carter), he's supporting family, friends and people he doesn't even know on Ballers. An ESPN documentary Broke chronicles former players who lost millions because of just that.
(Photo by: HBO)
NFL legends make an appearance
Not only are current NFL stars featured on Ballers, but so are former players and coaches. On the coach's boat are Dolphins Hall of Famers Don Shula and Larry Csonka.
(Photo by: HBO)
Players are waived for off-field transgressions
Following a nightclub altercation, Jerret profusely apologizes to the Packers' front office. Despite his desperate plea, Green Bay immediately decides to release him. A common occurrence in today's NFL.
