The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of five teams eligible to appear on HBO’s annual late-summer football series, “Hard Knocks.”
If coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t aware of this prior, he was made aware of it during his season wrap-up news conference Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. And the veteran, typically reserved coach initially had a characteristically stoic reaction before delivering a one-liner that brought down the house in laughter from media.
The moment of levity in #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s final news conference, thanks to a @JColony13 question and @tribjoerutter follow-up about #HardKnocks. pic.twitter.com/E8zRmcoY0O
— Kevin Gorman (@KGorman_Trib) December 31, 2019
Does he have any thoughts on perhaps appearing on the show?
“I don’t,” he said.
Would Tomlin do it if the NFL and HBO asked the Steelers to?
“Asked?” Tomlin said, grinning out of the corner of his mouth while cocking his head sideways.
The NFL has set up parameters for selection to be on the show, which will be in its 15th season in 2020. If a team meets three criteria — does not have a first-year head coach, missed the playoffs the past two seasons, has not been featured on the show in a decade — it, by rule, does not have a choice whether to be on “Hard Knocks.”
Priceless reaction from Mike Tomlin when I asked whether the Steelers would be on "Hard Knocks" if they were asked?
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) December 31, 2019
"ASKED?" Tomlin said, laughing.
The NFL doesn't ask when it comes to "Hard Knocks," although Tomlin clearly wants no part of being on the show.
This past year’s series featured the Oakland Raiders. Receiver Antonio Brown, who had spent his first nine seasons with the Steelers before a March trade, was one of the show’s stars.
The AFC North’s other three teams — the Baltimore Ravens (2001), Cincinnati Bengals (‘09 and ‘13) and Cleveland Browns (‘18) — have appeared on the show. The Bengals and Dallas Cowboys are the only teams selected twice.
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