Lions HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2022: Best Fan Tweets, Memes from Episode 1

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It’s only right that the 2022 edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks started out with Dan Campbell.

After all, the Detroit Lions’ second-year head coach is a quote machine who brings a unique blend of energy, motivational tactics and experience as a former player. Those quotes and his focus on “grit” were on full display before the opening credits even rolled in Tuesday’s opening episode of HBO’s annual behind-the-scenes look at training camp for an NFL team.

This year’s team is the Lions, and viewers were ready to run through a wall for Campbell just like the players:

NFL Films @NFLFilms
Coach Campbell’s intensity is unmatched 🗣#HardKnocks: TONIGHT 10pm on @HBOMax pic.twitter.com/7qKMXlDmvi

kyle meinke @kmeinke
“We’ll play on grass, we’ll play on turf, we’ll go to a (expletive) landfill. It doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter if you have one ass cheek and three toes. I will beat your ass.”
Dan Campbell, before they’ve even rolled the opening credits

Brad Galli @BradGalli
Dan Campbell on ‘Hard Knocks’ is TV gold.
Absolute TV gold.

Tony Dombrowski @tonydombrowski
LOL LET’S GO. I LOVE MOTOR CITY DAN CAMPBELL.

Natalie Kerwin @NatalieKerwin1
Currently running through a brick wall after that Dan Campbell speech #HardKnocks

Isaac @WorldofIsaac
I’m scared of Dan Campbell and we’re 7 minutes in

Conor Daly @ConorDaly22
Are there Dan Campbell jerseys available? This guy is incredible. #MCDC #HardKnocks

Jeff Kerr @JeffKerrCBS
Dan Campbell on Hard Knocks.
“Doesn’t matter if you have one asscheek or three toes, I will beat your ass.”
No wonder players would run through a brick wall for him#Lions #HardKnocks

Steve Wyche @wyche89
Dan Campbell going straight John wick out the gate!!!!

James Starks II @_JamesStarks
After watching a few minutes of #HardKnocks, Dan Campbell is my kind of coach.

There’s nothing like a head coach joining his players in up-downs in the summer heat to set the tone for a football team attempting to put four straight last-place finishes in the NFC North behind it.

Finding the right combination of players will be key in that effort as well, and one of those potential franchise cornerstones is defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions selected him with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft because of his talent on the field, but he might have gone No. 1 if the picks were based on singing ability:

NFL @NFL
The #2 overall pick stole the show. 🕺🔥
How would you rate @aidanhutch97’s rookie performance? #HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/17UvRxbqfu

NFL Films @NFLFilms
Best rookie performance ever? 🤔#HardKnocks | @aidanhutch97 pic.twitter.com/xT7kiH5SRx

Mike Payton @POD_Payton
When does that Aidan Hutchinson album drop?

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
HBO’s season debut of Hard Knocks with the Lions features the 2nd pick, Aidan Hutchinson – who turns 22 today – singing Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” during team meeting. “Producers claim it may be the most entertaining rookie singing moment in show history,” per show official.

Ryan Mathews @Ryan_POD
Aidan Hutchinson bringing everyone to their feet and together in singing Billie Jean is probably a top-10 Detroit Lions moment of the past decade.

Brad Galli @BradGalli
They will play ‘Billie Jean’ in the streets of Detroit FOR YEARS if Aidan Hutchinson brings this city a Super Bowl

Harold R. Kuntz @HaroldRKuntz3
Aidan Hutchinson has the whole Lions team screaming ‘Billie Jean’ … leadership.

Brad Galli @BradGalli
Aidan Hutchinson 😮 pic.twitter.com/fmW6YlrciW

Julius P. Scott @TheFifthTop
That Aidan Hutchinson Billie Jean performance was the greatest thing I’ve ever watched on television. Full stop.

Hutchinson had the entire team dancing as a rookie, but it was a veteran who stole the show when it came to leadership.

Running back Jamaal Williams brought himself to tears during a post-practice motivational speech centered around how he uses last year’s 3-13-1 record as fuel to get better heading into a new campaign.

That he spent four years on the Green Bay Packers and understands the other side of the NFC North standings made the words all the more notable.

NFL @NFL
If you’re not ready for football season, Jamaal Williams will get you ready. #HardKnocks @jswaggdaddy pic.twitter.com/it66wwiLgM

Jamaal Williams @jswaggdaddy
Don’t think these tears are coming from a weak mindset, I will run you over while crying 😤
🎥: @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/XxeE24B5vf

Ty Schalter @tyschalter
The full version of Jamaal Williams’ speech was even better—and the guys murmuring “I love you” while he cried was incredible.
*I* was getting emotional

Jeffrey Wright @JWright929espn
Jamaal Williams better have the C on his chest. That is a leader.

Bobby Thompson @BThomps81
Jamaal Williams that’s the tweet. Guys attitude is contagious

Jeff Kerr @JeffKerrCBS
I’d go into battle with Jamaal Williams after that speech any day of the week.
Wow.#Lions #HardKnocks

Brandon Justice @BrandonJustice_
Post Jamaal Williams speech: pic.twitter.com/ULv9gJ1y1H

Kellie Rowe @kellierowe
the fact that Jamaal Williams can make you belly laugh one minute then want to follow him into war with an incredibly emotional passionate speech the next. respect

Tuesday’s episode also delved into the one-on-one battles between Hutchinson and offensive lineman Penei Sewell and introduced viewers to a coaching staff loaded with former players, including running backs coach Duce Staley and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

NFL @NFL
.@Lions coaches Duce Staley & Aaron Glenn are pure comedy. 😅
Even the coaches get competitive at practice. (via @NFLFilms)
📺: #HardKnocks with the @Lions starts tonight at 10pm ET on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/wZLEDfMsEN