Hard Knocks (2001 TV series)
Hard Knocks is a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL Films and HBO. First broadcast in 2001, the show typically follows a National Football League (NFL) team through its training camp and covers the team's preparation for the upcoming football season. Beginning in 2021, the show has also dedicated an additional season of television to following an additional team throughout the NFL regular season.
| Hard Knocks | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sports Reality television Documentary series |
| Created by | Marty Callner |
| Developed by | HBO Sports NFL Films |
| Starring | Baltimore Ravens (2001) Dallas Cowboys (2002, 2008, 2021) Kansas City Chiefs (2007) Cincinnati Bengals (2009, 2013) New York Jets (2010, 2023) Miami Dolphins (2012, 2023 In Season) Atlanta Falcons (2014) Houston Texans (2015) Los Angeles Rams (2016, 2020) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017) Cleveland Browns (2018) Oakland Raiders (2019) Los Angeles Chargers (2020) Indianapolis Colts (2021 In Season) Detroit Lions (2022) Arizona Cardinals (2022 In Season) New York Jets (2023) Miami Dolphins (2023 In Season) |
| Narrated by | Liev Schreiber (2001–2002 & 2008–present) Paul Rudd (2007) |
| Composer | Dave Robidoux |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 19 |
| No. of episodes | 105 (6 in 2001 and 2002, 5 in each training camp season from 2007 onwards, 9 in 2021 and 2022 In Season) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Steve Sabol Rick Bernstein Ross Greenburg Marty Callner |
| Producers | Ken Rodgers Keith Cossrow |
| Production location | Varies |
| Running time | ~55 minutes (commercial-free) |
| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | 2001 – present |
The series depicts the personal and professional lives of players, coaches, and staff, including their family life, position battles, and even inside jokes and pranks. It particularly focuses on rookies' adjustments to playing in the NFL, usually with emphasis on the team's most recent top draft pick. It usually also chooses to focus on undrafted and journeyman players who are attempting to make the team.
The NFL and HBO have called Hard Knocks "the first sports-based reality series" in television history. The 20th season features the New York Jets in their second appearance on the show, as well as the Miami Dolphins.