Nicktoons Premieres NFL RUSH ZONE: SEASON OF THE GUARDIANS Tonight

NFL RUSH ZONE: SEASON OF THE GUARDIANS, the first-ever original half-hour animated series jointly developed by a cable network and major U.S sports league, premieres tonight, Nov. 30. The second season of Nickelodeon's and the NFL's co-produced series comprises 24 half-hour episodes and will debut with a one hour premiere at 9:00 p.m. (ET) on Nicktoons with an encore on NFL Network, Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7:00 a.m. (ET). NFL Rush Zone: Season of the Guardians airs regularly Fridays at 9:00 p.m. (ET) on Nicktoons and Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. (ET) on NFL Network.

In the series premiere, "Lions, Texans & Turkeys, Oh My!" kid protagonist Ishmael (Ish) is aided on his mission by Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who voices his animated persona. Next in "Change of Plans," Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware lends his voice and helping hand. The Houston Texans and Washington Redskins are also featured prominently in Friday's episodes.

The second installment of the Nicktoons series - based on NFLRUSH ZONE, the NFL's online world for kids - follows Ish and friends from his youth tackle football league on a journey to protect the league's 32 teams and the world from a plotting master villain. Season two begins with Ish and his family relocating to Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He quickly learns new foes, Wild Card and his wingman, Drop Kick, are targeting the NFL teams' Megacores - the essence of each team, its fans and its community - and the Core itself in an attempt to destroy the league and ultimately the world. During each episode, viewers will watch NFL players and coaches voicing their animated personas, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Richard Dent and Mike Ditka; brothers and head coaches Jim and John Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, respectively; and the New England Patriots' Stephen Gostkowski and Rob Gronkowski, who will appear in the series' third episode on Friday, December 7. All 32 NFL teams will be showcased throughout the season.