Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:11 pm EST

Aside from P.T. Barnum and the Ringling brothers, nobody loves a circus as much as Jerry Jones. And if that circus comes with television cameras, all the better. In June, Dallas Cowboys training camp will once again serve as the backdrop to a reality show, this time for a Spike vehicle that will reward its winner with a spot on the Cowboys 80-man camp roster. In case that's not absurd enough, the show will be hosted by Michael Irvin.
The as-of-yet untitled program will pit 12 NFL wannabes against each other in a competition to see who will earn an invitation to Cowboys camp in San Antonio to practice alongside Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Terrell Owens and DeMarcus Ware. The winner is guaranteed a spot at camp and nothing else.
Former Cowboys legends and Jones himself are set to appear as judges. There was no word on how the athletes would be judged during the show, but Irvin said:
Tune in and watch. It'll be groundbreaking in so many ways.
Hopefully the show's producers are keeping Irvin away from the planning of the individual competitions, lest we end up with "groundbreaking" becoming a race to see who can drive to and from the strip club the fastest or a Project Runway-type challenge that involves making a five-button, double-breasted pinstripe suit with a secret pocket sewn in for "accessories".
It's not the first time the Cowboys will participate in a reality show. In 2002 and 2008 the team hosted HBO's "Hard Knocks" during training camp. The team missed the postseason in both years.
Photo: Getty Images
Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Police: Dog kicked to death before Steelers game
Posted Nov 23 2009
Are NFL players hiding concussions?
Posted Nov 19 2009
Posted Nov 19 2009
Edited by MJD
Edited by 'Duk
Edited by J.E. Skeets
Edited by Greg Wyshynski
Edited by Matt Hinton
Edited by E. Brennan
Edited by Jay Busbee
Edited by Jay Busbee
Edited by Steve Cofield
Edited by Chris Chase
Edited by Chris Chase
Edited by Andy Behrens
220 Comments
1 - 22 of 220
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
americas joke
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
i want T O on it or i am not watching
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
now i have to look at our owner sitting with m.irvin? i remember a man named hollywood henderson,good linebacker but a real idiot,he played a couple seasons then started to push the envelope and landry got rid of him. i remember thinking what took him so long? i do realize we need to win,but at what cost?
then jerry bought the team they brought a fire with him jimmy j , at first i was like what is he doing?broke the team down went 1-15 then started to grow,and i seen what he was doing,we went on to win 2 super bowls,this was great,then he was gone? i was like huh?jerry then took the spotlight acted as though he did this put switzer in there the players won another in spite of him and then it happened, a spiral down hill,and m.irvin started acting like an assh$LE? then the hotel thing ,then jerry stood by him???? i was upset that he didn't distance himself from him?
over 10 years have past and i just don't get it ?
i realize that jimmy gathered draft picks and knew the talent out there but didn't jerry learn anything from those days? how can he embarass us like this? now there is a show that irvin is the host?
we had a team with such class until irvin started the 1st down dance,my name is playmaker? what happened to tossing the ball to the ref,now we celebrate 1st downs??
as a cowboy fan i really thought jerry would say ok that's it,by T O,TANK,t,tell romo that football is first,or i will trade you,or even breakdown and hire a real GM? and step back and concentrate on the stadium,and the business
now i have to see this? i am very disappointed !!
i will root for my team but i can't help to think what the old cowboys are thinking? they must be scratching their heads,i am !!
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Romo is the best thing to happen to the division as long as hes there no playoffs for the cowdungs and that gives other a shot !
Report Abuse
WOW! Undiscovered talent gets discovered?!?! on TV, no less?!? IT'S REVOLUTIONARY!
Didn't Pro Wrestling do this already with "Tough Enough"? ....guess that says alot for the Dallas Cowboys' standards.
Report Abuse
I aplaud you i was starting to wonder if there were real men in texas
sir you are one!!!!
1 - 22 of 220