Jets are officially the theme of this year’s Hard Knocks, the HBO production will not include some footage like in previous years.
According to American sports writer, Adam Schefter, New York is not allowing HBO to film parts of training camp, including the time when the team informs players that they have been cut, similar to previous years’ Hard Knocks episodes.
During Monday’s episode of ESPN, The sports writer said via Front Office Sports, “Hard Knocks will not be the same. They’re not going to be given the same access,” He added, “The Jets don’t believe it’s humane to show players being released.”
Several members of the Jets team have previously participated in the series, which was the focus of the Jets as an organization in 2010.
Football executive, Joe Douglas came on Hard Knocks for the first time in 2001 with the Ravens. In the same year, Douglas was a personnel assistant, and part of his responsibilities was to bring players back just before they were notified of their release. Douglas was nicknamed “The Turk” for what he described as “The Grim Reaper”.
During an episode, Douglas said, “You’re doing the dirty work of grabbing somebody to take them to get cut,”. He added, “This is not a good part of the business.”
Now that Douglas is the one doing the cutting, he may have decided that particular aspect of the job was too personal to publicize. New York reportedly did not want to be on Hard Knocks this year, but it did not meet the requirements to deny the choice.
Douglas is the one who is doing the cutting, he may have decided that aspect of the work was too personal to promote. New York reportedly did not want to join the Hard Knocks this year, but it did not meet the requirements to decline the option.
The upcoming season of Hard Knocks is set to air on Tuesday, August 8.