Football fans with Showtime subscriptions should be delighted to hear that the premium cable network is releasing a documentary about NFL star Victor Cruz and a docuseries following college football powerhouse Notre Dame this fall.
“I Am Giant: Victor Cruz” traces the New York Giants wide receiver’s improbable rise to stardom though a demoralizing knee injury in 2014, and his dramatic attempt at a comeback. The Showtime Sports original documentary created in conjunction with SpringHill Entertainment is currently in production as Cruz attempts to work his way back into the Giants’ starting lineup, so there is no solid release date just yet.
But network president David Nevins did announce a Sept. 8 premiere for the 12-episode run of “A Season with Notre Dame Football” at the Television Critics Association’s annual Summer Press Tour on Tuesday.
Scott Stone of Stone & Company Entertainment, Steve Mayer of IMG, Tom Capello of Crazy Legs Productions and Jason Sciavicco are executive producing the new 30-minute series, which will dive into preparations for the previous Saturday’s matchup, the intensity of the sidelines on game day and the rigors of balancing athletics with classwork during the grueling season.
New episodes will premiere at 10 p.m. each Tuesday night as the Fighting Irish battle for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Cruz documentary is being directed by Gotham Chopra, who will executive produce alongside his partners Chris Uettwiller and Martin Roe, as well as Cruz and his business partner Elaina Watley. NBA star LeBron James and Maverick Carter, CEO of SpringHill Entertainment are executive producing, too.
“Victor’s story is one of tragedy and triumph, fear and courage, patience and persistence,” said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president & general manager of Showtime Sports. “NFL fans around the world cheered for New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz as he made his improbable journey from undrafted free agent to NFL superstar. This film will reveal the man inside the uniform as he faces the biggest challenge of his life. It is real-world, high-stakes drama, captured in real time in its most authentic form.”