FOX Announces Competition Series 'American Grit' with John Cena

FOX has announced American Grit, a new reality competition series hosted by WWE star John Cena that will air in 2016.

The 10-episode series will feature 16 of the country's toughest men and women as they are split into four teams and compete against each other in a variety of military-grade and survival-themed challenges. Mentors, known as "The Cadre," will assist the contestants with their military knowledge and experience. The four mentors are military heroes Rorke Denver, Noah Galloway, Tawanda “Tee” Hanible, and Nick “The Reaper” Irving. Each week will offer up a new challenge for the teams to compete against each other in. The team that completes the challenge first is safe from elimination. The rest will face "The Circus," a punishing obstable course. There is $1 million in prize money at stake so you can expect everyone to be giving it their all.

“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.”

“We are excited to be working with FOX and John Cena on a show that highlights the American spirit of competition, which is epitomized by Cena,” said executive producer and CEO, Leftfield Entertainment, Brent Montgomery. “With John as their inspiration, our contestants will show viewers what happens when you swing for the fences with focus, commitment and teamwork.”

About “The Cadre”:

• 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.