As we await an announcement for the participants on the 2023 season of HBO’s Hard Knocks, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday picks ten of the greatest moments from the show’s history. The focus is mostly on entertainment value with these rankings, and of course a ton of moments didn’t make the list.
10. The Buccaneers love Game of Thrones (2017)
HBO took advantage of some promotion here, by making much of the post-episode credits throughout the Buccaneers’ season in 2017 include players and staff discussing Season 7 of Game of Thrones. It’s not shown in the clip below, but the players went nuts over the season finale.
#HardKnocksNow
When they're not talking about training camp, @Geraldini93 and@KevinPamphile64 are talking about @GameOfThrones 🤣⚔️@HBO pic.twitter.com/it6adOIaMc— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) August 2, 2017
9. Chad Johnson’s two appearances (2009/2012)
Chad Johnson is a very amusing guy, and he was on Hard Knocks twice—with the Bengals in 2009 and with the Dolphins in 2012. The show gave a look at “Ochocinco” when he was closer to the top of the game, as well as a low point when he was cut from his final opportunity in the league with Miami because of a domestic battery case. As for the good, Johnson gave insight on his phrase, “kiss the baby,” back in 2009.
8. William Hayes doesn’t believe in dinosaurs (2016)
Former Rams defensive end William Hayes was a low-key character when the Rams were on Hard Knocks in 2016—an interesting season that covered their move from St. Louis to Los Angeles. Hayes believed in mermaids but not dinosaurs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBNpP7MNsx4
7. Inside look at the Darrelle Revis contract negotiations (2010)
All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis had one of the best seasons of any player in NFL history in 2009, and he wanted a new contract leading up to the 2010 season—so we got major insight into the situation on Hard Knocks. The stakes were still high, but it was easier to watch than players getting cut given that Revis was in a comfortable spot and it was about money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC7wm8fs_Dg
6. Jamaal Williams’ emotional after-practice speech (2022)
Last year’s Hard Knocks with the Lions was so good that people want them back again this summer. One of the high points came from someone that is no longer with the team, as veteran running back Jamaal Williams gave a memorable post-practice speech to rally his teammates and set the tone for the season.
5. Antonio Brown’s stint with the Raiders (2019)
With high-profile people like Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock navigating the predicament, it was enthralling to follow Antonio Brown’s situation with the Raiders in 2019. AB first had problems with the NFL outlawing his helmet, and then he had frostbite on his feet from cryotherapy, but his arrival to practice was like something out of a movie—and, despite the problems, his work ethic was on full display.
4. Vontae Davis gets traded (2012)
“Yeah, I wanna call my grandmother.”
Vontae Davis getting traded from the Dolphins to the Colts was one of the realest moments in Hard Knocks history. You could tell Davis was a bit shocked by the trade, and it was an awkward meeting with Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland. Davis went on to become one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks in Indy, so at least it did work out for him.
3. Rookies impersonate Shannon Sharpe (2001)
The rookies were tasked with entertaining the veterans, as is common during training camp. But fortunately, this skit led by Ravens rookie linebacker Tim Johnson was not humiliating “hazing” and was instead flat-out hilarious and accurate, with the rookies mimicking star tight end Shannon Sharpe—with bucket hat and all. Sharpe was a great sport about it, finding it as funny as anyone in the room.
2. Rex Ryan’s speech (2010)
Like Shannon Sharpe, you could see how Rex Ryan made a successful transition to television. After an intense speech, Ryan just wanted to go eat a snack in one of the most quotable lines from the show.
1. The first episode (2001)
It all started with the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens appearing on HBO in 2001. They had plenty of characters on the roster, and their participation helped Hard Knocks become a difference-making reality sports documentary series.