Cue the clip previewing this week’s episode of "The League," the popular FX comedy centered on a fictional fantasy football league, and here’s Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and Cleveland Browns kick returner Josh Cribbs.
They’re at a party playing themselves when cast regular Andre Nosik, a clueless and boisterous plastic surgeon and reigning fantasy league champion, claims to be longtime friends with the two NFL stars.
Andre: "I love black friends. I got you guys and you know … "
Cribbs: "We don’t know him."
Suggs: "We just met like five minutes ago, seriously."
The episode airs Thursday night at 10:30.
Suggs said he’s on the show for a few minutes.
"I got a little spot, it’s quick and easy," Suggs said. "Nothing outrageous."
Suggs said he got to improvise a little, but not too much.
Mostly, he followed the script.
"I wish they had let me put a little more personality in there," Suggs said. "When you get a chance to do a show, you just do what you’re told."
Suggs and Cribbs aren’t the first NFL players to appear on " The League." Past participants include Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates.
"I watch the show, I think it’s funny," Suggs said. "I think it’s hilarious. I like the way it’s structured. It’s not really a script. They just let you wing it."
Who’s Suggs’ favorite character?
Defending champion Pete Eckhart, a born troublemaker and prankster?
District attorney Kevin McArthur, whose wife secretly runs his fantasy team?
Defense attorney Rodney Ruxin, who has never won a championship despite unscrupulous tactics?
Stoner musician Taco McArthur who spends his time chasing girls instead of concentrating on his team?
Or newcomer Rafi, Ruxin’s boorish, immature brother-in-law?
"I don’t know," Suggs said. "I would really have to look at it and judge who’s the funniest. It’s a lot of funny guys. They do a great job. It was really cool being on the show."
In a press release from the show, Cribbs indicated that he had a good time in his cameo appearance where Ruxin uses a sick kid to meet the Browns’ wide receiver.
"I prepared for my role by watching episodes from the first season and memorizing my script," Cribbs said. "When I stepped on the set, it was like seeing a blitz for the first time. The actors were so talented and funny, so a lot of my lines were improvised."
Show creators Jeff Schaffer and Jackie Marcus Schaffer said they’ve gotten a good response from NFL players.
