Lenovo yesterday announced the launch of its comedy fantasy football video series, “Fantasy Online College," which features eight NFLers and comedian J.B. Smoove. Giants WR Odell Beckham, Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles, Jets WR Eric Decker, Bears RB Matt Forte, Redskins WR Pierre Garçon, Packers RB Eddie Lacy, Eagles RB DeMarco Murray and Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas star as the school’s professors, while Smoove plays the role of chancellor (Lenovo). AD AGE's George Slefo noted Lenovo "is now in its fourth year as the official laptop, notebook, desktop and workstation sponsor of the NFL." Fantasy football culture "usually takes all the ideals of playing sports and throws them out the window," and Lenovo "takes note of that madness and pokes fun at fantasy culture as well as itself in the series." In one bit, Beckham, Forte and Murray "encourage fantasy owners to tweet at them on game day when their performance is lacking." The trio says, "Talking with my fantasy owners is the most important thing in my life ... Feel free to contact me any time, with foul language in all caps -- we know that's just passion." The players are then seen "giving out their Twitter handles." The ads "are running during week three of preseason football, a time when most fantasy football players tune in to watch their favorite players." Last year, the company "teamed with Onion Labs to create Tough Season, a mockumentary that was viewed more than 20 million times and won a Sports Clio award" (ADAGE.com, 8/25).
