Well, as if the offseason wasn’t exciting enough, the HBO and the NFL have announced the Oakland Raiders will be feature in this year’s season of the popular sports documentary series, “Hard Knocks.” The announcement came Tuesday afternoon from the team’s Twitter along with NFL.com.
The team, which added controversial Pro Bowl personality Antonio Brown in the offseason, and has been one of the most captivating franchises under coach Jon Gruden and owner Mark Davis, will have its final season in Oakland captured on Hard Knocks before it heads to Las Vegas for good in 2020.
“If you’re a fan of football or great storytelling, ‘Hard Knocks’ with the Oakland Raiders is going to be must-see television,” says Peter Nelson, executive vice president, HBO Sports. “We are so grateful to this storied franchise for opening up its doors and allowing HBO and NFL Films to spend the summer with the Raiders in what promises to be a compelling and engaging training camp.”
"Everybody wants to be a Raider. Now they’ll find out what it takes to become one."
We'll see you in August: https://t.co/dZ1LvS7gRv #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/rTz6AnrCbl
— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) June 11, 2019
Fans were buzzing after the announcement.
The Oakland Raiders have been selected for HBO's Hard Knocks.
Some key new Raiders additions we'll get to watch:
Antonio Brown
Vontaze Burfict
Richie Incognito
Trent Brown
Lamarcus Joyner
Brandon Marshall
And Rookies:
Josh Jacobs
Clelin Ferrell
Hunter Renfrow— Jeremy Dawson (@JeremyDawsonnn) June 11, 2019
The Raiders organization was created for the sole purpose of being on Hard Knocks.
Everything they’ve ever done has been leading to this moment. pic.twitter.com/amnwKbNxKD
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) June 11, 2019
There goes the neighborhood! #RaiderNation: Raiders will be on HBO's Hard Knocks https://t.co/HOfBARQRPD
— Joaquín Chacón (@49Jag) June 11, 2019
The Raiders are going to be on Hard Knocks…guess we ain't canceling HBO after all pic.twitter.com/hUS22CbPZw
— The Autumn Wind (@TheAutumnWind80) June 11, 2019
#Raiders have compelling storylines for HBO’s Hard Knocks: the Gruden-Mayock dynamic, Josh Jacobs, the chemistry between Derek Carr & AB and UDFA DT Ronald Ollie, a @LastChanceU alum who earned a TC spot after a successful tryout.
— Andrew DiCecco (@ADiCeccoNFL) June 11, 2019
Great decision by the @NFL Gruden and #MrBigChest @AB84 are too captivating to not feature. #HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/dLwpH2IA2n
— Lets Talk Football (@2GuysNoLivesNFL) June 11, 2019
“Since the AFL-NFL merger, the Raiders have been a part of some of the most iconic moments in League history,” says NFL Films senior executive Ross Ketover. “We at NFL Films have been thrilled and honored to showcase the mythology of the Raiders from the Holy Roller, Sea of Hands, Ghost to the Post all the way to today with Coach Gruden and this unbelievable cast of players and coaches. Needless to say, we’re very much looking forward to this season of ‘Hard Knocks.’ ”
Per the Raiders.com, camera crews will head to the Bay area in the next few weeks to begin filming “Hard Knocks,” with the action heating up in August when the cinema verité show focuses on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches.
With Game of Thrones finished and Westworld on hiatus, “Hard Knocks” may be the most entertaining show on TV late this summer. One this is for sure: Antonio Brown is ready for prime time once again!
