The crews of NFL Films and HBO's "Hard Knocks" have been swarming the campus of SUNY Cortland during the New York Jets' training camp as the Jets players have been honing their skills during two-a-day practices. The first episode of the hit reality television show will air on Wednesday, Aug. 11, but there will be a special event on Tuesday, Aug. 10, to commemorate the new season of the show.
Starting at noon in Times Square in New York City, HBO Sports will be taking over the Broadway pedestrian mall between 42nd and 43rd streets for this season of Hard Knocks, hosted by master of ceremonies Greg Buttle, the former Jets linebacker. The event will also be attended by Jets owner Woody Johnson, HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg, former Jets players and the Jets Flight Crew.
Here's what will be going on in Times Square on Tuesday:
● A Jets fan kickoff rally in Times Square to help celebrate "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets" (which premieres on Aug. 11 on HBO at 10 p.m. ET/PT).
● A youth skills competition for boys and girls ages 8-16, who can compete to win a chance to become preseason Jets assistant team captains. (Preregistration starts at 11 a.m. for 100 available spots. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to participate. First come, first served.)
● A chance to win "The Jets Super Fan Experience," which includes 10 Jets-Giants preseason game tickets and a VIP tailgate party.
● A live satellite feed from Jets training camp in Cortland as head coach Rex Ryan and Jets players answer questions submitted from Times Square. (Coach Ryan will be joined by children from Camp Owahta. HBO has partnered with the non-profit organization Generation Jets Academy to provide a positive summer camp experience to a select group of underserved NYC children, and these children will participate in the live satellite feed from Cortland.
