By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
Actor Chico Benymon is helping to spearhead Hollywood's new gridiron gang and he wants you to know about it.
The former star of UPN's 'Half & Half' and R&B singer Tank have formed an entertainment football organization called E.F.F. League (Entertainment Flag Football League).
The 34-year-old actor, who also starred in Lifetime's 'Life is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story,' said that the idea to kick-off the league began with a simple brainstorm he and the 'Please Don't Go' singer had while working out at the gym.
"So around four months ago, me and Tank saw each other at the gym and were both agreeing that all of us actors and artists go to the gym and are working out doing the same thing and never really put it to use," the Amityville, New York native explained. "So we decided to start the E.F.F. League as an all around fun league for entertainers that just want to get in some good cardio. We also wanted to create a league for us celebrities that don't really get the chance to have some recreational fun due to our working schedules. So we started calling people and began to play like five-on-five flag football. We began spreading the news and let's say the news traveled in hyper-speed!"
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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The actor said the league quickly grew from 10 people to 80 and in no time, they had six teams formed with a who's who roster of entertainment and sports figures.
Benymon, Tank and former NFL star Damien "Fatback" Marzette (Cincinnati Bengals) are the commissioners of the league and the players include names like actor Columbus Short ('Stomp The Yard'), former NBA star Brian Russell (Utah Jazz), actor Keith Robinson ('Dreamgirls'), former NFL player Matthew Hatchett (New York Jets) and former NBA star Mitch Richmond (Golden State Warriors), among others.
To introduce the league the Hollywood community and to celebrate their successful first season, E.F.F. League is having a huge bash at
"The party is basically a set-up for the second season. We just finished our first season and had our first Super Bowl, which was won by The OG's whose captain is Fatback. At the party each captain will announce old and new players added to their roster, plus it'll give people the opportunity to come to the games and watch. The first season wasn't open to the public due to certain players' privacy," he offered, before adding: "But now it has gotten so big, brothers need some people in the crowds to get their egos fed."
In a league full of actors and high-profile celebrities, I'm sure agents, managers and publicists alike 
are scared to death that their clients could end up with an accidental injury that could prevent them from working.
"As with any sport, injuries are a factor. But the E.F.F League is a non contact sport. It's flag football! We use flags instead of tackle. Now don't get me wrong, it does get very competitive out on the field, but no one is out there trying to hurt each other. We all know we have careers. But at the same time each person is responsible for how they conduct them selves on the field. Also, there are penalties for unnecessary roughness, which was barely used in our first season because no one went overboard," Benymon assured.
BV Buzz also spoke to Benymon about his thoughts on the lack of Black sitcoms on television, the unsuspecting end to 'Half & Half' and got an update on his forthcoming music endeavors.
Look for part two of the conversation in the coming weeks.
Comments: (7)
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By: Sheryl on 3/11/2009 1:11AM
Interesting.... I hope it works out!
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By: queenvirtuous83 on 3/12/2009 12:59PM
I love Chico Benymon! He is such an amazing actor who hasn't the the chance to really flex his muscles (no pun intended.) But congrats to you! and one day I hope to see you soon! Love ya and God Bless!
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By: June Bug Davis on 3/12/2009 8:50PM
Amazing Actor
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By: osirus return on 3/13/2009 12:02AM
i never heard of him but i wish him the best iam an actor myself.its hard for man of color to be excepted in this industries of film and tele i have been persuing acting craft for 10 yrs. i was lucky to have had two HBO film we as black actors need to write and work together to produce our own films. forget about the oscar and hollywood. i hope when he become a major actor he will at least try to produce his own films or plays.give back to the craft..
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By: Redd76 on 3/13/2009 2:56PM
I would like to see all of them play if not in person maybe on TV. I hope they think of that next.
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By: vette on 3/16/2009 2:11PM
i have loved chico since seeing him on half and half and he is a brilliant actor.i just wish that he would get more opportunities to spread his talents.the football league that he's starting sounds like a great way for him to stay in the loop with people who can steer him in directions to more exposure in the entertainment field. good luck and god bless you,chico...love your work!!!!!
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By: OnyxJones on 3/23/2009 1:01AM
I've had the pleasure of meeting Chico and he is a really nice, down to earth person. He's a talented actor and singer. I hope to see more of him in the future. Chocolate City loves you Chico....come back and see us!!
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