Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has some conflicting feelings about HBO's "Hard Knocks." He may get a chance to clarify those feelings this season.
The NFL announced on Monday that the Ravens will be part of first-ever in-season, divisional series of "Hard Knocks," featuring the AFC North.
The series will follow all the Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals as they all push for the playoffs in what should be another tight race.
In a recent interview with the "Adam Jones Podcast," Harbaugh said he "never" watches "Hard Knocks" and dismissed it as "not real."
"I never watch that show," Harbaugh said. "I have never watched it. I mean, I'm not saying I don't see a clip or two here. Someone will say 'Did you see Hard Knocks last night and they'll show me a clip and I'm just like, [blinks in disbelief].
"I just think it's just not real. People think it's real, but it's not real. Everything is put-on. I mean, anybody, you're gonna put a microphone and a camera in your face, people aren't the same."
Although Harbaugh said he doesn't view it as real, he added that if the Ravens were ever put on the show, he'd tell his team to be their authentic, genuine selves.
"If they wanna bring 'Hard Knocks' in here, it wouldn't bother me one bit, just because I'll tell our guys, 'Here's what we're going to do: we're just going to be us,'" Harbaugh said. "We're going to say what we say, we're going to do what we do, we're going to handle it the way we're going to handle it because we've got nothing to be ashamed of and we're not trying to put on a show or an act for anybody."
However, moments later Harbaugh said the show would be a "distraction."
"You've got a camera in your face!" Harbaugh said, adding: "There's always going to be some acting that's going to go on in that scenario."
The Ravens were the first team to ever be featured on the show when it debuted in 2001. They haven't been back on it since.
Harbaugh will get a chance to see how he truly feels about the experience. No matter what, he does want his team to push through the distraction.
"I just want our guys to get the most out of the day and become the best team they can be."
Watch the clip below:
The Ravens will be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North" this December.
— Baltimore Banner Sports (@AllBannerSports) June 17, 2024
On The @AdamJonesPod, John Harbaugh said he never watches the show.
"It's just not real. You know, people think it's real, it's not real." pic.twitter.com/HsGpvMviBj
