The Detroit Lions Will Be On This Summer’s HBO Hard Knocks

The NFL’s Annual League Meetings are this week, and a big announcement was made. The Detroit Lions will be on this summer’s HBO Hard Knocks. The Lions are the first NFC North team to ever be featured on the hit reality sports program. The press release reads in part:

 

“We are excited about the opportunity to showcase the City of Detroit and the amazing culture we are building at the Lions,” said Detroit Lions Team President and CEO, Rod Wood. “HBO Sports and NFL Films are the best of the best and we know they will be excellent partners in sharing our story with football fans around the world.”

 

Camera crews will head to the Lions’ training camp in Allen Park, Michigan in the next few months to begin filming, with the action heating up in August when the cinema verité show focuses on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches. HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE DETROIT LIONS will chronicle head coach Dan Campbell entering his second season leading the team and an intriguing mix of young emerging stars, established veterans, free agent additions and highly regarded rookie hopefuls throughout training camp and the preseason. HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE DETROIT LIONS will be narrated by Liev Schreiber, marking his 16th season with the show.

 

“As Hard Knocks enters its third decade inside NFL training camps, we are both thrilled and thankful for the opportunity to feature a historic franchise like the Lions,” said NFL Films Vice President and Senior Coordinating Producer, Ken Rodgers. “The city, the culture and the coaching staff in Detroit all have an exciting energy that will make the show must-watch television this summer.”

 

The Lions were one of three teams that could not deny a request to be on the show, as they have not made the playoffs in any of the previous two seasons, they have not appeared on the show in the past ten years, and they do not have a new head coach.

 

This year, it’ll be nice to have the COVID protocols out of the way after the NFL suspended them. Over the past couple of seasons, COVID has been front and center in the show to some extent.

 

Lions head coach Dan Campbell is an intriguing figure to lead the season. Last year, Campbell had some memorable and funny quotes, including the “bite a kneecap” remark. Campbell also showed big emotion following a loss last season. Some players to watch will be quarterback Jared Goff, cornerback and former third overall pick Jeff Okudah (coming off a torn Achilles), and entertaining running back Jamaal Williams.

 

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Detroit Lions premieres on Tuesday, August 9 and will run five episodes, concluding on Tuesday, September 6.