Category: Hard Knocks

‘Hard Knocks’ shows what officials said to anger Mike Tomlin vs Eagles

Officials’ unseen exchange with Mike Tomlin highlights one of the worst excuses after a controversial Week 15 Steelers penalty.

Viewers of this week’s new episode of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North, were treated to what led to Steelers HC Mike Tomlin profanely telling officials to get away from him.

Before Tomlin’s choice words to the officials, he questioned why they decided to call such a heinous penalty on both Steelers players: “Y’all didn’t see that guy throwing punches for Philadelphia?”

The official speaking to Tomlin then provided the most embarrassing excuse one could imagine, claiming the Eagles player was “knocking his hands off him.”

Fans who saw up-close footage of the altercation could clearly see that while Steelers TE Darnell Washington blocked CB Darius Slay Jr. for an extended period, the Eagles cornerback was the first to throw punches.

No wonder Tomlin was so bewildered with the officiating crew during Week 16’s contest between the Steelers and Eagles. Not only was Pittsburgh wrongly penalized for the skirmish, but he was also given one of the worst officiating excuses imaginable.

As the Steelers prepare for the Ravens in Week 16, hopefully the team can put these wrongful penalties behind them, with the stakes higher than ever in the upcoming AFC North showdown—a chance at the divisional title.

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Russell Wilson hints at re-signing with Steelers on ‘Hard Knocks’

HBO’s Hard Knocks reveals Russell Wilson’s heartfelt hope to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, delighting fans and viewers alike.

In what is shaping up to be an incredibly uncertain 2025 offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with several key players on both sides of the ball set to hit free agency, fans who watched the most recent episode of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North were in for a treat.

While visiting the Boys & Girls Club, Steelers QB Russell Wilson made his desire to remain a Pittsburgh Steeler known to viewers of HBO’s Hard Knocks.

When asked whether he would re-sign with the Black and Gold, Wilson warmed the hearts of all Steelers fans: “Hopefully, I love it here.”

The new divisional rendition of HBO’s Hard Knocks series has been a true gem of entertainment for Steelers fans on Tuesday nights.

One of the most exciting storylines to watch in the coming episodes is how the Pittsburgh Steelers will handle the dreaded 10-day stretch of doom, which sees the team playing three games in that span. Tune in to Steelers Wire for updates and takeaways on all Hard Knocks-related news.

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Eagles HC Nick Sirianni sees ‘Hard Knocks’ as advantage against Steelers

Philadelphia Eagles HC Nick Sirianni sees Hard Knocks as giving his team an edge for their Week 15 matchup with the Steelers.

It appears certain fears from the Pittsburgh Steelers organization are beginning to come to fruition: their opponents are utilizing Hard Knocks against them.

While many might assume that having a behind-the-scenes look at how the Pittsburgh Steelers operate would provide an obvious advantage to opponents, who would be bold enough to declare it aloud? Well, it appears Philadelphia Eagles HC Nick Sirianni is that bold.

Speaking to reporters on Friday morning in preparation for the Steelers-Eagles Week 15 matchup, Sirianni acknowledged that the Steelers’ identity is on full display in HBO’s Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North. He stated, “I guess you get to see it a little bit—the episodes of Hard Knocks when you get to see it. It’s an advantage you get to see some of those things.”

Teams facing the Pittsburgh Steelers down the stretch in 2024 are likely eager for every new episode to drop on Tuesdays. While HC Mike Tomlin’s impressive coaching style has been admirable to watch on Hard Knocks, is exciting television ultimately setting Pittsburgh up for failure?

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Steelers fans react to ‘Hard Knocks: In Season with AFC North’ premiere

Steelers fans were captivated by the debut of ‘Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North’, sharing their excitement on social media.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the most entertainment Steelers fans could have ever dreamed of was experienced last Tuesday night during HBO’s Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North debut episode.

The premiere of the AFC North’s rendition of Hard Knocks went off with a bang and showcased not only several important storylines fans have grown familiar with during the 2024 season but also shed light on some important behind-the-scenes revelations for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aside from the backstage point of view and the inner workings of what went into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game plan for Week 13’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, there were several fun and exciting moments throughout. From HC Mike Tomlin’s passion to the Heyward brothers’ hilarious dynamic, fans were in love with the new series’ debut. With that in mind, here are some of the best fan reactions to the premiere of Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North.

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Mike Tomlin is far from thrilled for Hard Knocks: AFC North debut

Mike Tomlin reaffirms his disdain for Hard Knocks through his refusal to watch the Steelers and AFC North debut on the series.

It’s safe to say fans know one man from the Pittsburgh Steelers organization who will not be watching HBO’s Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North premiere. Head coach Mike Tomlin has long made his disdain for the reality sports documentary well known. While the 2024 season has been highly successful for the Black and Gold, it also marks the Steelers’ debut on Hard Knocks. In a series first, the show will follow not just one team but the entire AFC North division.

During the team’s press conference on Tuesday, Tomlin was humorously asked if he would be watching the debut of the AFC North’s Hard Knocks series. The head coach kept his answer short and sweet: “Absolutely not.”

Tomlin has frequently expressed his dislike for allowing reporters or cameras access to the inner workings of his coaching methods. It is likely this transparency, integral to Hard Knocks, that he finds so unappealing.  However, Tomlin still appreciates the challenge that having these cameras brings to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization.

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How to watch HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ In-Season with the AFC North

HARD KNOCKS: IN SEASON WITH THE AFC NORTH, will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season

The AFC North is the most challenging division in the NFL.

The season started with four potential 2024 playoff teams and tons of storylines. As HBO’s Hard Knocks takes an inside, in-season look at this historical division, fans will now have an up-close look at the Ravens and Steelers chase for a division title.

HARD KNOCKS: IN SEASON WITH THE AFC NORTH, will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season and a playoff run for the division-winner and any AFC North Wild Card teams. The 18-time Emmy®-winning series will deliver its signature all-access coverage as it follows the Mike Tomlin-coached Pittsburgh Steelers, who have never been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the history of the series, as well as coach John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, coach Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals, and coach Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields will share the “Hard Knocks” spotlight with Derrick Henry, Ja’Marr Chase, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, and an array of other AFC North star players.

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It will debut tonight, Tuesday, December 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and stream on Max. Subsequent Tuesdays will air through the end of the NFL regular season and continue into the NFL playoffs in January 2025. HBO released the first trailer a few weeks back, and it looks intense.

Baltimore was the first team featured on the original “Hard Knocks” training camp series 2001. Since then, the Bengals have appeared twice, in 2009 and 2013, and the Browns in 2018, while the Pittsburgh Steelers will be making their debut appearance. Storylines to watch will include Patrick Queen’s arrival in Pittsburgh and the renewed Steelers-Ravens rivalry.

Contract disputes in Cleveland, Deshaun Watson’s return and subsequent injury, Russell Wilson’s debut, Justin Field’s arrival, and Joe Burrow’s return are just the tip of the iceberg of storylines. Intriguing subplots, including Patrick Queen in Pittsburgh, are things to watch. 

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WATCH: First look at HBO’s Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North

HBO released the initial trailer for Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North featuring the Ravens, Bengals, Browns and Steelers

The AFC North is the most challenging division in the NFL. The season started with four potential 2024 playoff teams and tons of storylines. As HBO’s Hard Knocks takes an inside, in-season look at this historical division, fans will now have an up-close look.

For the first time since its debut, the award-winning docuseries goes behind the scenes of an entire NFL division for the first time. Warner Brothers Discovery made the announcement back in June.

HARD KNOCKS: IN SEASON WITH THE AFC NORTH will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season, as well as a playoff run for the division-winner and any AFC North Wild Card teams. The 18-time Emmy®-winning series will deliver its signature all-access coverage as it follows the Mike Tomlin-coached Pittsburgh Steelers, who have never been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the history of the series, as well as coach John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, coach Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals, and coach Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields will share the “Hard Knocks” spotlight with Derrick Henry, Ja’Marr Chase, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, and an array of other AFC North star players.

It will debut Tuesday, December 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and stream on Max. Subsequent Tuesdays will air through the end of the NFL regular season and continue into the NFL playoffs in January 2025. HBO released the first trailer on Tuesday, and it looks as intense as the action presents.

Baltimore was the first team featured on the original “Hard Knocks” training camp series 2001. Since then, the Bengals have appeared twice, in 2009 and 2013, and the Browns in 2018, while the Pittsburgh Steelers will be making their debut appearance. Storylines to watch will include Patrick Queen’s arrival in Pittsburgh and the renewed Steelers-Ravens rivalry.

Contract disputes in Cleveland, Deshaun Watson’s return and subsequent injury, Russell Wilson’s debut, Justin Field’s arrival, and Joe Burrow’s return are just the tip of the iceberg of storylines and interesting subplots.

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VIDEO: Thrilling HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ AFC North trailer will amp up Steelers fans

The official trailer for Hard Knocks In Season with the AFC North, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers, just dropped!

We’re two weeks out from the premiere of HBO’s popular docuseries “Hard Knocks,” featuring not only the Pittsburgh Steelers but the entire AFC North. The official trailer just dropped, and here’s your first look at it in all its glory.

“Hard Knocks” has been taking NFL fans behind the scenes of teams since 2001, but this is the first year they’re going in-depth on an entire division — and we’re here for it. The “in-season” rendition first started in 2021 with the Dallas Cowboys.

For the first time since its debut, the award-winning docuseries goes behind the scenes of an entire NFL division for the first time. Warner Brothers Discovery made the announcement back in June:

“Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North” will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season, as well as a playoff run for the division-winner and any AFC North Wild Card teams. The 18-time Emmy-winning series will deliver its signature all-access coverage as it follows the Mike Tomlin-coached Pittsburgh Steelers, who have never been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the history of the series, as well as coach John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, coach Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals and coach Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will share the “Hard Knocks” spotlight with Derrick Henry, Ja’Marr Chase, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt and an array of other AFC North star players.

This is the first time Pittsburgh will appear in the award-winning docuseries. The Ravens were the first team featured on the original “Hard Knocks” training camp series in 2001. Since then, the Bengals have starred in the summer show in 2009 and 2013 and the Browns in 2018.

It’ll be exciting to see a weekly behind-the-scenes look at the Steelers, a team that came out of their Week 9 bye to face the toughest schedule in the NFL.

And there’s no better time for it, with Pittsburgh facing five more AFC North opponents in seven weeks.

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How will Mike Tomlin’s Steelers respond with ‘Hard Knocks’ cameras in their faces?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a more formidable opponent to contend with on the horizon: HBO film crews in their faces.

Forget the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a more formidable opponent to contend with on the horizon: HBO film crews in their faces full-time for the first in-season rendition of “Hard Knocks.”

Though Mike Tomlin was not asked at his press conference this week about the forthcoming distraction for the Steelers, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh commented on it from Baltimore’s perspective.

Harbaugh said in his press conference on Wednesday that he’s considered how the Ravens will handle having the HBO cameras around full-time at Under Armour Performance Center after their Thanksgiving Week matchup with the L.A. Chargers.

We’re not going to do anything different. We’re just going to be us; that’s how we’re going to handle it. We’re going to be very genuine. It’ll be real.

While it’s Tomlin’s first “Hard Knocks” rodeo, he’s been a head coach for longer than many young fans have been alive and acts accordingly. Tomlin will undoubtedly have his Steelers take a similar approach to Baltimore’s: Don’t do anything different.

This is also Harbaugh’s first “Hard Knocks” rodeo. The Ravens last appeared on the hit docuseries in the pre-Harbaugh era (2001).

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Flashback to the original HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ at Ravens training camp

With the Ravens back on the show, some football fans have been flashing back to that inaugural season.

Monday’s news cycle brought the exciting announcement that NFL Films and HBO’s Hard Knocks series will, for the first time, chronicle an entire NFL division. The AFC North was selected, and it will be covered during the reality series “In Season” portion.

This marks the Baltimore Ravens’ first appearance on the popular program since its inception in 2001.

The Ravens were coming off the franchise’s first Super Bowl win at the time.

Once again, the Ravens are making Hard Knocks history, as they become one of four teams to be in the first divisional edition, complementing their status as the series’ inaugural team selected. According to both NFL Films and HBO, the production was “the first sports-based reality series” in television history.

For the first twenty years of the series’ history, the focus was on the training camp portion of the season only. Then, in 2021, the Indianapolis Colts became the first team to participate in the in-season edition.

This year will mark the first time Hard Knocks has an offseason edition, with the New York Giants selected as the subject matter. With the Ravens back on the show, some football fans have been flashing back to that inaugural season.

The video below features arguably the most iconic clip from that first season: Tim Anderson bringing down the house with his hilarious lampoon of Shannon Sharpe at the rookie talent show.

Watching Sharpe’s reaction, as he loses his mind with laughter, makes the bit much funnier. In the same episode, Todd Heap did a spot-on impersonation of coach Brian Billick, which was pretty hilarious as well.

If you want to watch the first full episode of the entire series, it is embedded here below: