Jets Sign On to Star in HBO's 'Hard Knocks'

Published: 03-25-10
By Randy Lange
Editor-in-Chief
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"It's a great thing," Ryan told newyorkjets.com before the news conference began. "We're going to be ourselves. We won't hide anything. All we want to do is portray who we are and let the whole country see why I brag about our players and assistant coaches."

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For those who are only passingly familiar with the show, the cinema verité series focuses on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches as the dynamic Jets prepare for the upcoming season. The first show of one of the fastest-turnaround reality series will air Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 10-11 p.m. ET/PT, with a replay Thursday night. Four more shows will air each Wednesday from there, culminating in the Sept. 8 season finale.

Hard Knocks launched with the Baltimore Ravens (with Rex Ryan a member of Brian Billick's coaching staff) in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. The series resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Sports Emmy.In 2008 the series returned to the Dallas Cowboys, receiving a second Sports Emmy for production excellence. Last summer Hard Knocks spotlighted the Cincinnati Bengals and has been nominated for four Sports Emmys, the winners of which will be announced April 26.