Browns Will Be Featured On “Hard Knocks”

Update:

The Cleveland Browns have announced that they will be featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this summer.

“HARD KNOCKS returns with 91 football players determined to fulfill their NFL dreams, yet only 53 will succeed,” says Peter Nelson, executive vice president, HBO Sports. “The standard set by this landmark program is for fans to witness the truth as it unfolds: no staging, no second takes, no varnish. We are grateful to the Browns organization for allowing us to spend the summer with the team in what promises to be an intriguing training camp experience.”

“The storylines in Cleveland are compelling, which make the Browns an ideal partner on Hard Knocks,” says NFL Films senior executive Ross Ketover. “We’re looking forward to showing NFL fans around the world what the Haslams, John Dorsey, Hue Jackson and the coaching staff are doing to rebuild the team and reboot one of the most iconic franchises in sports.”

“NFL Films has always been exceptional at bringing fans closer to the game and they do an outstanding job with every show they produce, including HBO’s Hard Knocks,” said Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.  “We have been asked multiple times about being featured on Hard Knocks, and we really felt like it was our turn this year and the timing was right. We want to be great partners in this league, and we also recognize Hard Knocks gives fans a special opportunity to learn more about our team and players. Organizationally, we are confident about where we are headed, but we have a lot of work to do in order for this franchise to earn the respect of our fans on the field. We understand winning is ultimately most important to our fans. We’re looking forward to partnering with HBO and NFL Films to show how our team is working hard at training camp to prepare for the 2018 season.”

“I’ve been a part of Hard Knocks and when you experience it first hand, you come to appreciate the inside look it really gives fans,” said head coach Hue Jackson. “We are excited about what we are building within our organization and feel good about the progress we have made this offseason. Being able to bring our fans in so they can get to know our players and our organization in a different way will be a huge positive for us. I want people to see how much our players and coaches care, how hard they work and how badly they want to win for Cleveland. This will be a great opportunity for our team.”

“Like many, I was reluctant about being the featured team on Hard Knocks but once we sat down and talked about it as an organization, I feel a lot better and understand why the time is right,”  said general manager John Dorsey.  “Hue and I both feel like this team is in a good place and that we are in the process of building something that will lead to success. Being a part of Hard Knocks will give our fans the opportunity to see how passionate the people in our building are about winning and how excited we are about getting to work and preparing for the 2018 season.”

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Browns will be featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this summer. According to Schefter, an official announcement regarding the Browns and “Hard Knocks” should come later today.

• Nate Ulrich reports that the NFL asked the Browns to appear on the show multiple times before they finally agreed to it.

Indications have been that the Browns would be selected to be on the show, so this shouldn’t come as a big surprise.

A few weeks ago, Michael Lombardi heard from a source that the Browns might be on “Hard Knocks” next year.

Regarding the possibility, Browns GM John Dorsey said he’d be okay with it.

“You know what? They’ll do that, but it’s OK,” Dorsey previously told Cleveland radio station WKNR. “I’m OK with it. I mean, you know what? It is what it is, but I’m OK with it.”

The Browns were among six teams that can be forced to appear on “Hard Knocks” including the Ravens, Broncos, Chargers, 49ers and Redskins.

However, the Browns should be an interesting team to follow this summer. They clearly have talent on both sides of the ball and used the No. 1 overall pick on QB Baker Mayfield. Although, they’re coming off of an 0-16 season and there are questions about the coaching staff’s future.

It should be an interest series to follow this summer.