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The first episode of “Hard Knocks” is out and there was little dirty laundry aired from the Buffalo Bills training camp.
Dozens of NFL Films crew members have been at training camp at St. John Fisher University since last month.
The-five part documentary series directed by a Penfield High School graduate offers an inside look inside the Bills organization as it ramps up for the 2025 season.
Hard Knocks: Little drama in the first episode
Fans tuning into the show looking for juicy tidbits left disappointed.
At times, the show seemed like a prepackaged airline meal carefully put together by the Bills public relations staff to stir up no controversies.
In the end, it made being an NFL star look pretty humdrum.
Hard Knocks: Rochester in the spotlight early
The first episode kicked off with Dion Dawkins and Dawson Knox packing for training camp at St. John Fisher University.
Not long after, the series cuts to aerial scenes of downtown Rochester and the affluent suburb of Pittsford that hosts the Bills each summer.
“The Bills are one of only five teams that still use a college for training camp,” said narrator Liev Schreiber. “And they do it, because going back to school means going back to basics.”
Hard Knocks: No doubt, Josh Allen is star of the show
Coming off a fantastic 2024 season where he was voted NFL MVP, Josh Allen continues to be the face of the Bills franchise and is one of the most beloved Bills players in a long time. His “awe-shucks” demeanor and blue-collar work ethic has won over Bills fans, who jealously protect their quarterback on social media.
So, it’s not a surprise that Allen features prominently throughout the first episode.
“The Bills are the best show in western New York, and the leading man is one of the game’s best quarterbacks,” Schreiber said.
Not long after, the show turns into a highlight reel of moments during the 2024 season.
Hard Knocks: Bills Mafia in the spotlight
The Bills fanbase and the legion of kids who clamor to meet Allen at training camp were in the spotlight.
“The Bills Mafia is special (for) the way they love their football team … ,” Allen said. “Every year, they have this energy and excitement that it’s going to be our year. … It makes us want to go out there and play extremely well for them.”
The camera crews caught young Bills fans telling Josh Allen everything, from how much they love him to that they just celebrated their birthday. Through it all, Allen seems to enjoy himself as he tries to respond to every kid.
Kudos to the Bills quarterback for showing grace to his youngest fans.
Hard Knocks: Dion Dawkins and the family that drifts together
Some of the best parts of the show were devoted to family time with Dion Dawkins, who lets his kids ride shotgun as he get his kicks drifting cars.
“It’s a thrill. Almost every single day, I’ll be out there spinning tires,” Dawkins said.
Who doesn’t love doing cool stuff with dad.
— Bill Wolcott is a producer who helps cover the Buffalo Bills, high school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker has been a journalist for 31 years.