NFL Films eased into its midseason Hard Knocks with an upbeat, quirky first look at the 2023 Miami Dolphins. And no surprise, Tyreek Hill was the star of the show.
The standout Dolphins receiver invited the ubiquitous camera crew into his home, introduced the world to his new bride Keeta (who accidentally got either a nacho cheese or mustard bath in the stands at the team’s Week 11 game), shed new light on his in-game hand injury and captured what he said during his touchdown celebration.
A dolphins fan dropped his nachos on Tyreek Hill wife 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LOWQtavN20
— Brandon 🐬 (@Finsfan141) November 22, 2023
“I’m the best in the world!” Hill shouted repeatedly as he came off the field, and after another 146 receiving yards (and a game ball) on Sunday, he might just be right.
Miami Dolphins News: Hard Knocks Episode 1 Recap
Hill of course wasn’t the only big name to get screen time too. Tua Tagovailoa, showing off his new braids, featured prominently.
Plus the world got a closer look at their head coach, the wholly unique Mike McDaniel, who told his team in the opening moments of the show that “s—‘s gonna get real, who cares?” with Hard Knocks cameras following their every move throughout the remainder of the Dolphins’ 2023 season.
MORE: Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey Named PFN Defensive Player of the Week
McDaniel’s top concern in the days leading up to the Dolphins’ 20-13 win over the Raiders was all-world pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
“This dude right here is probably playing the best football of any defensive player we’ve played this year,” McDaniel told his team in the leadup to the game.
The Dolphins were so concerned with Crosby getting into Tagovailoa’s head, they had scout team linebacker Quinton Bell mimic Crosby’s mannerisms in practice — down to the message-sending bumps and shoves Crosby is known to deliver after the whistle.
Crosby was as good as advertised Sunday, finishing with six tackles (one for loss), a sack, two quarterback hits, and a pass defensed.
Still, Hill was the best player on the field Sunday — even though he played through a hurt hand.
He briefly left the game after getting tackled on a failed fourth-down try late in the first half, but Hard Knocks revealed that he had actually hurt the hand earlier. Hill seemed quite concerned in the moments that followed the initial injury but was able to return and play through it.
Hill and Jalen Ramsey — who had two interceptions in his third game back from knee surgery — were game-ball recipients for their marvelous performances in Week 11.
One more quick Hill highlight from Episode 1:
Before the game, the officiating crew warned Hill against flashing his famous peace sign during big plays, reminding him that doing so would result in a taunting penalty.
“I’m spreading world peace,” Hill replied, unconvincingly.
Hard Knocks: NFL refs told #Dolphins Tyreek Hill not to do the "Peace Sign" ✌ celebration before a game.@cheetah: "I'm spreading world peace.." 😄
(via @DolphinsTalk) pic.twitter.com/i5FA1Rxl0chttps://t.co/M7ak8FI5dx
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 22, 2023
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