or


[08/21/17 - 12:40 PM]
ESPN Films' 30 for 30 Series Continues with "Year of the Scab" on September 12
On Tuesday, September 12, ESPN Films' award-winning "30 for 30" documentary series will continue with a feature-length film on the group of men who replaced the Washington Redskins team during the 1987 NFL players strike.

[via press release from ESPN]

ESPN Films' 30 for 30 Series Continues with "Year of the Scab" on September 12

· Documentary Chronicles the Story of the 1987 Washington Redskins Replacement Players

· 30 for 30 Short "Strike Team" Directly to Follow

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, ESPN Films' award-winning 30 for 30 documentary series will continue with a feature-length film on the group of men who replaced the Washington Redskins team during the 1987 NFL players strike. "Year of the Scab," directed by John Dorsey, will premiere at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN followed by a 30 for 30 Short, "Strike Team," at 9:30 p.m. ET. The 25-minute short film directed by Willie Ebersol tells the incredible story of a sting operation set up by a division of the U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C., to lure fugitives in by telling them they won free Redskins tickets.

"Year of the Scab," which has screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York as well as closing night at AFI Docs in D.C., looks at the men who served as replacements for the Redskins in 1987 when NFL players went on strike to gain bargaining power in their struggle with the team owners. Crossing the picket line to play in the NFL changed their lives, but not in the way they'd expected or hoped. For most of them, what was billed as the last shot at a dream became the final blow to their careers. This group, who were called "scabs," braved ridicule and threats of violence for one last chance at glory.

Now 30 years later, director John Dorsey introduces viewers to some of these players and their stories, as well as the men whose jobs they took and other participants in one of sports' strangest chapters. The replacement squad won all three games before the strike ended, and the Redskins went on to win the Super Bowl that season. Yet most of the "scabs" were watching from home as the team they had helped get to the playoffs won the biggest game of the year. "Year of the Scab" is produced by Ten100 in association with Leftfield Pictures. Trailer: http://es.pn/2wrfRQT

"In 1987, a bunch of nobodies were offered a second shot a dream they thought had died," said director John Dorsey. "What they didn't know was that their golden ticket would become a scarlet letter. For 30 years, an experience that should have been a badge of honor has been the scab that never healed, and I hope that through this film their story will be given the recognition it deserves."

Directly following will be the premiere of 30 for 30 Short "Strike Team," which chronicles the unbelievable true story of how U.S. Marshals pulled off the biggest sting operation in their history. On December 15, 1985, the Washington Redskins hosted the Cincinnati Bengals at RFK Stadium. But they weren't the only D.C. team with a lot at stake that day. A division of the U.S. Marshals Service known as FIST - Fugitive Investigative Strike Team - set up an elaborate sting operation to lure area criminals to the Washington Convention Center to pick up two free tickets on the morning of that Redskins game. "Strike Team" is executive produced by Charlie Ebersol.

Director Willie Ebersol retells the story of the operation, from the planning stages when it was met with skepticism, through the comical dress rehearsal, and on to its suspenseful execution. All in all, more than 100 fugitives were arrested that day without a shot being fired.

"It's so rare for a documentary to actually place an audience inside an event from over 30 years ago," said Willie Ebersol, director. "But after discovering a treasure trove of never-before-seen footage, we were able to give viewers a front row seat to this fun and wild operation, from conception to execution, making sure to not miss a single epic 80's mustache along the way."

He added, "'Strike Team' gives a truly behind-the-scenes look into the most elaborate, can't-believe-it-actually-happened sting in U.S. law enforcement history -- all without ever breaking tension or era by cutting away to interviews."

About ESPN Films

ESPN Films has been an industry leader in documentary filmmaking since its inception in March 2008, producing more than 100 documentaries that have showcased some of the most compelling stories in sports. The high quality of storytelling, highlighted by the Peabody and Emmy-Award winning 30 for 30 series and the Academy-Award winning documentary "O.J.: Made in America," has led to record viewership as well as multiple honors and critical acclaim. Additional projects from ESPN Films over the years have included 30 for 30 Shorts, Nine for IX and the SEC Storied series.





  [august 2017]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· 30 FOR 30 (ESPN)





[07/01/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Glass Heart" Main Trailer and Title Song Revealed
This summer, Netflix presents a harmonious blend of emotion and music.

[07/01/25 - 02:48 PM]
FX's "The Bear" Renewed for Season Five
Christopher Storer's Emmy-award winning hit will return in 2026.

[07/01/25 - 02:25 PM]
Emmy Winner Michael Imperioli Set to Star Opposite Patrick Dempsey in New FOX Drama Series "Memory of a Killer," from Warner Bros. Television and FOX Entertainment
The new drama series is scheduled to premiere midseason on FOX.

[07/01/25 - 02:21 PM]
Video: Preview - "Unwrapping Christmas" Movies - A Four Part Movie Event
The Hallmark+ films will make their linear premieres starting this Saturday at 8:00/7:00c on Hallmark Channel.

[07/01/25 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Week of June 23: "Squid Game" Season 3 Takes Over with Record-Breaking Global Debut at No. 1
"The Waterfront" was a Top 10 hit once more as the No. 1 series on the English TV list (11.6 million views).

[07/01/25 - 12:00 PM]
Video: "Neuromancer" - In Production - Apple TV+
Welcome to the Chatsubo, cowboy.

[07/01/25 - 10:31 AM]
Netflix Renews "Tires" for Season 3
"Tires" will return with an all-new season next year.

[07/01/25 - 10:26 AM]
ESPN Formula 1 Viewership Notes After Austrian Grand Prix
ESPN's live telecast on Sunday, June 29, averaged 1.1 million viewers, a two percent gain over last year's race and the largest audience ever for the event on U.S. television.

[07/01/25 - 10:01 AM]
Neil Patrick Harris to Host "What's in the Box" - A Bold New Game Show Coming to Netflix
The series promises edge of your seat excitement as contestants take on a massive guessing game where every decision could lead to life-changing rewards.

[07/01/25 - 09:34 AM]
FX and Disney+ Latin America's "Necaxa" New Docuseries from the Producers of "Welcome to Wrexham" Premieres Thursday, August 7
"Necaxa" will premiere two episodes each Thursday for the first three weeks followed by one episode each Thursday until the season finale on Thursday, September 18.

[07/01/25 - 09:19 AM]
Apple TV+ Lands New Series Inspired by Jennette McCurdy's "I'm Glad My Mom Died"
Emmy, SAG and Golden Globe Award winner Jennifer Aniston is set to star and executive produce.

[07/01/25 - 09:16 AM]
ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" Featuring the Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers Averaged 2 Million Viewers - Up 66% from Last Year's Comparable Game
The audience peaked with 2,304,000 viewers in the 9:15 p.m. ET quarter hour.

[07/01/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Leanne" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When her husband leaves her for another woman, a resilient Southern mom starts over with the support of her loving, but unfiltered family.

[07/01/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Marvel Animation's "Eyes of Wakanda" - Official Sneak Peek - Disney+
Wakanda's secrets span centuries.

[07/01/25 - 09:01 AM]
The CW Network Announces New Drama Series "Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent" to Premiere Wednesday, September 24
The series' 2024 launch in Canada was the #1 primetime premiere on Citytv and was the #1 primetime debut for a drama that season.