The Cleveland Browns reportedly won’t be on “Hard Knocks” this year with the team concerned that the HBO reality series would focus on Johnny Manziel.
According to ESPNCleveland.com, the Browns’ request to not be on the training camp documentary has been granted. NFL Films, which produces the series, apparently does not want an unwilling participant.
The Browns made their feelings known at the league meetings in March and one of their concerns was the attention the series would bring to Manziel as he continues on the road back from a 10-week stay in rehab.
“You just weigh everything in,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said in March. “Because being a part of ‘Hard Knocks,’ having been there, knowing they’re going to look to cover the team’s biggest current storylines, it’s obvious that he would be a point of attention.”
The Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans reportedly are the likeliest subjects this year with the Browns out of the picture. The featured team is expected to announced in June.
