The Netflix documentary series “Receiver” is gaining positive reviews with its insightful interviews with family members, teammates, and coaches of some top NFL players. The series follows George Kittle and Deebo Samuel of the 49ers and Davante Adams who plays for the Raiders. Justin Jefferson, of Viking’s fame, and Amon-Ra St Brown, of the Lions, are also in the series. All five players are seen on and off the field over eight episodes. As a follow-up to “Quarterback,” this documentary quickly reached number one on the top 10 Netflix shows.
An insightful look into players’ lives
The documentary chronicles the backstory of gifted, hardworking, and thoughtful athletes. It lets you into their lives, and the camera and editing do the rest. The NFL has become the most popular sport to bet on in the U.S. Knowing the backstory of athletes can create even more interest. Research shows that there’s a direct link between NFL betting and watching a game.
Improves the public image of players
Netflix is not a new streaming service but competition is increasing from other services that are new on the block. Its documentaries help it to maintain its popularity, and this series is particularly compelling. Viewers spend time watching Justin Jefferson in his home in the Twin Cities and playing for the Vikings. He is possibly the best wide receiver in the league, and although he is confident and cocky, he is also hard on himself.
Davante Adams’ tumultuous second season with the Raiders supplies some drama. He has a refreshing honesty, and viewers can appreciate his greatness on the field. He can sometimes be misunderstood as selfish, but at the same time, he is revered by his peers.
Compelling stories and personalities
“Receiver” may not be the best Netflix series ever but its appeal lies in the stories and personalities of the players. Amon-Ra St Brown has both and was willing to give the crew behind the documentary the necessary access to his life. NFL Films Producer and Director Shannon Furman said she believed in him and pushed for him right from the start. Viewers not only learn about his Egyptian “Sun God” first name, but also get to know his Mr. Olympia dad, German mother, and girlfriend.
Family ties
Samuel and Kittle also proved to be entertaining subjects. Viewers see Samuel fighting through injuries to get back on the field. Between balancing new fatherhood and playing for the 49s, his physical gifts and the durability concerns that come with it are revealing.
Viewers see the genuinely endearing family support these players receive. Many viewers commented on George Kittle’s sweet relationship with his wife Claire. St. Brown’s interactions with his parents make for some great moments. His revelation that he played most of the season with a torn oblique was a surprise.
Criticisms
One criticism is that the highlights from games are basically highlight reels. There is no discussion of what was done in training that resulted in success or why a play worked. As far as in-depth insights into the lives of the players, some complain that two of the five receivers don’t even appear in the first episode and the personal life of Samuels is barely mentioned. Some reviews state that while the documentary is well-made and engaging, it doesn’t approach the insight of some sports documentaries. Passionate fans already know a great deal about the players and the overall 2023 season so they need some deeper digging to satisfy them.
Positive reviews
George Kittle, who brings passion and humor to everything he does, is a favorite of many fans. Seeing him celebrate his grandma’s 100th birthday or open Christmas gifts is endearing. Clearly, there are enough reasons to like “Receiver” as it shows some of the human costs of playing football and celebrates some of the best in the game. It succeeds in making the players as popular as Hollywood TV stars.
