In the lead up to the kick-off of the 2021 National Football League (NFL) season, ESPN (DStv 218, Starsat 248) will broadcast the training camp docu-series Hard Knocks that showcases the wildly-popular Dallas Cowboys from Monday 6 September at 16:30 (CAT), with one episode airing each day that week.
This year’s NFL season starts on Friday 10 September with the reigning champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking on the Dallas Cowboys. This match will air live at 2:20 AM (CAT) with repeat broadcasts at Friday at 8:00 and 13:30 on ESPN2 (DStv 219, Starsat 249).
Hard Knocks takes an inside look at the intrigue surrounding the Dallas Cowboys, well known for their passionate following, and their five Super Bowl victories. The series features both on the field action and the behind the scenes excitement that is known to accompany high stakes American football.
The Dallas Cowboys ended with six wins and ten losses last season during Mike McCarthy’s first year as coach. Quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a dislocated right ankle and compound fracture that forced him to miss the final 11 games. Prescott’s return from injury is chronicled in the series as well as how McCarthy can rallied the team to believe in him and his staff.
“America, America’s game and America’s Team had a tough 2020. I feel like this is a perfect happenstance of football, the Cowboys and hopefully the country,” said NFL Films’ Ken Rodgers, the show’s senior coordinating producer. “I’m sure the Cowboys want to put their difficult season behind them more than anyone.”
The NFL action continues on Sunday 12 September, with an NFL Countdown broadcast live at 16:00, followed by Steelers vs Bills live at 19:00 and Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs live at 22:25 on ESPN2. ESPN Africa will broadcast matches throughout the season, culminating in the 56th Super Bowl on 13 February 2022.
The National Football League is comprised of 32 US-based franchises that compete each year culminating in the Super Bowl, the world’s most famous annual sporting event. Attracting fans from around the world, this year 272 games will be played in what is widely regarded as America’s richest sport.
How to tune in:
ESPN: DStv 218, Starsat 248
ESPN2: DStv 219, Starsat 249
NFL Fixtures – Round 1 (live on ESPN2)
- 10-09-21 2:20 Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 12-09-21 19:00 Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills
- 12-09-21 22:25 Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs
- 13-09-21 2:20 Chicago Bears @ Los Angeles Rams
- 14-09-21 2:15 Baltimore Ravens @ Las Vegas Raiders
