Ted Lasso co-creator and star, Jason Sudeikis, explains the AFC Richmond players' names each have very sweet and personal meanings. Originally created as a series of commercials for NBC's defunct sports channel to promote the Barclay's Premier League, the Apple TV+ show debuted in 2020 and quickly received praise for its effective dramatic writing, uplifting humor, and charming performances. Ted Lasso garnered the most Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for a fledgling series with 20, winning four.

The show centers on American football coach Ted Lasso (Sudeikis) after he is hired by Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) to manage AFC Richmond as a way to ensure relegation for her ex-husband's favorite team. However, the plan does not entirely go to plan as she and a bulk of the series' vast cast of characters find themselves rooting for Lasso. The once skeptical team, featuring the Nigerian Sam Obisanya (Toheeb Jimoh), the aging midfielder Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), team captain Isaac McAdoo (Kola Bokinni), and Dutchman Jan Maas (David Elsendoorn), end up supporting their coach.

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While on 60 Minutes, Sudeikis took the time to explain that the AFC Richmond player's names each have very personal meanings. The actor admitted that the players were named to give recognition to people they knew and respected such as The Afterparty star Sam Richardson, SNL's Mike O'Brien who worked with Sudeikis on that show, and Sudeikis' old improve teacher, Martin de Maat. Check out what Sudeikis said below.

Naming the players after friends, colleagues, and members of the industry that Sudeikis and his team respect is an excellent way to honor those they care for. Due to the success of the show, the characters' names will continue to live on in popular culture well after the series is completed. This only goes to show the high level of respect and appreciation Sudeikis and his show partners, Brendan Hunt and Bill Lawrence, have for those who have impacted their lives in a very positive way.

Ted Lasso is a series known for its positivity and inspiring tone. It is no surprise that the people who created the show, as well as the immensely optimistic and loyal character Lasso, would pay tribute to those around them in such a special way. With Ted Lasso returning for season 3, most likely its final run, the series may only have one more chance to add more names to an already expansive cast.

Source: 60 Minutes