Fox will be premiering the new competition series American Grit in 2016 starring WWE Superstar John Cena. The 10 episode series is described as a military-inspired competition that will involve four teams of made up of four men and women facing survival-themed, military-grade challenges. Cena will work with Rorke Denver, Noah Galloway, Tawanda “Tee” Hanible and Nick “The Reaper” Irving – all of whom have military backgrounds – to push the teams to their limits.
“The U.S Military is the epitome of resolve and dedication, which is why I am so excited to be a part of American Grit,” said Cena. “This show will not only be a challenging and fierce competition, but it will give viewers a glimpse into the perseverance and training of the men and women of the Armed Forces.”
“American Grit is a bold, aspirational competition series that aligns with the spirit of the FOX unscripted brand,” said David Madden, President, Entertainment, FOX Broadcasting Company. “The team at Leftfield and the incredible John Cena have created a series built on the pillars of determination, dedication and strength that we know will resonate with our audience. John is not only a phenomenal athlete but a motivational force, who inspires fans around the world, and we are thrilled he is leading the charge.”
The American Grit Plot:
American Grit embodies the military ethos “no man left behind,” because only the first team to complete the challenges together is safe from elimination. Each episode will culminate in “The Circus,” a punishing, endurance-based obstacle course designed to break the weakest competitors. With up to a million dollars of prize money at stake, this is the ultimate test of strength, grit, the human spirit and, most importantly, teamwork.
Details on the Mentors, Courtesy of Fox:
· Rorke Denver – Commander Rorke Denver has led Special Forces missions around the world, and has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALS. He starred in the film “Act of Valor,” and wrote the book “Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior.” Denver uses the skills he’s gained from training SEALS to teach leadership and motivate company teams to perform at their highest potential.
· Noah Galloway – A Purple Heart recipient, Noah Galloway served in the 1st Battalion of the 502nd Infantry with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. Having lost his left arm and leg during deployment, Galloway had to learn to overcome his disability and, in turn, has dedicated his life to empowering fellow veterans through fitness and motivational speaking. He started the No Excuses Charitable Fund, and works closely with Operation Enduring Warrior and Homes for Our Troops. He placed third on “Dancing with the Stars” on Season 20.
· Tawanda “Tee” Hanible – A Gunnery Sergeant with the U.S. Marines, Hanible recently retired from 19 years in the Marine Corps. She deployed to Iraq for the initial invasion in 2003, and was the only female to go out with her unit. Her organization, Operation Heroes Connect, connects at-risk youth with service members and veterans as full-time mentors.
· Nick “The Reaper” Irving – The first African-American sniper in the U.S. Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion to deploy in the Global War On Terrorism, Nick Irving earned his nickname, “The Reaper,” from his fellow soldiers for his sharp shooting. Irving is the deadliest sniper in the Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion, with 33 confirmed enemy kills in less than four months. He wrote the New York Times Best Seller “The Reaper,” chronicling his experiences. He owns and operates a training facility company, HardShoot.
