“Everybody wants to be a Raider!” exclaimed owner Mark Davis upon learning his franchise, the Oakland Raiders, will star as HBO’s zoo animal during this year’s season of Hard Knocks.
Now the entire world will taste first hand what it’s like to be a Raider, as the award-winning TV show plans to illustrate and give insight on the team during their training camp programs, which they’ve done with multiple other teams for 13 seasons.
The Raiders got the nod over the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions,and head coach John Gruden’s brother’s team, the Washington Redskins led by Jay Gruden. Although the teams drawing HBO’s consideration each summer often fail to turn things around and achieve a playoff berth the following year, the Raiders appeared upbeat and candidly excited to show off their organization’s internal components once the news broke. Newly-acquired wide receiver Antonio Brown tweeted out his reaction to the news as he stated, “It’s a hard knock life for us,” and then “Get your popcorn ready.” Raiders quarterback Derek Carr replied to Brown as he commented, “Yes sirrrrr brodie!!!”
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Brown poises to offer the entertaining content that most HBO viewers crave, as his antics surrounding his departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers and beef with former teammate JuJu Smith–Shuster generated multiple drama–filled headlines this offseason. Additionally, the Raiders intend to share practice time with the Los Angeles Rams during their respective offseason programs, allowing viewers to glimpse into the defending NFC Champions’ behind-the-scenes action simultaneously.
During their final season prior to shipping off for Las Vegas, the Raiders now own perhaps their franchise’s largest media spotlight ever. Hard Knocks premieres August 6.
