Hard Knock Life – Can A Hard Knocks Team Win the Super Bowl?August 7, 2012
By: CJ Oates
Sports Illustrated curse. Madden Curse. Hard Knocks curse. Wait, is there really such a thing as a Hard Knocks curse? Are teams that let the world to know how they run their training camp setting themselves up for failure? Many would have you believe that once you sign your name up to HBO, you are signing the papers that you will not be participating in the Super Bowl of that season. If you look at facts though, that may be debunked.
Tonight on HBO, the Miami Dolphins season of Hard Knocks begins.
If you have never seen an episode of Hard Knocks, here is the history of how the organizations have fared pre-show and post-show :
2001: Baltimore Ravens
Previous season: 12-4, won Super Bowl
Hard Knocks season: 10-6, lost in divisional round of playoffs
2002: Dallas Cowboys
Previous season: 5-11
Hard Knocks season: 5-11
2004: Jacksonville Jaguars
Previous season: 5-11
Hard Knocks season: 9-7
2007: Kansas City Chiefs
Previous season: 9-7
Hard Knocks season: 4-12
2008: Dallas Cowboys
Previous season: 13-3, lost in divisional round of playoffs
Hard Knocks season: 9-7
2009: Cincinnati Bengals
Previous season: 4-12
Hard Knocks season: 9-7, lost in wild-card round
2010: New York Jets
Previous season: 9-7, lost in AFC championship game
Hard Knocks season: 11-5, lost in AFC championship game
Looking at all of these records pre-Hard Knocks and post-Hard Knocks, there really has not been any evidence that being on the show cause the team to have a bad season. Two of the seven teams actually did not finish above .500. Those two teams are the Cowboys, who had Chad Hutchinson and Quincy Carter at QB and the Chiefs, who were lead by Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle. After this season, I am sure we can add the Dolphins to that statistic. Another stat for you, the record of teams during the season before they appeared on Hard Knocks: 57-55. The record of the eight teams in the season during which they appeared on Hard Knocks: 57-55.
To say that there is a curse or an organization won’t win the Super Bowl that next season due to their appearance on Hard Knocks is irrational. The reason why they won’t get a chance for a Super Bowl winner is because the great organizations want to “focus on football” so they keep distractions at a minimum. For you people who would like an insight to how training camps are ran or how your favorite player interacts pre-season, then Hard Knocks surely gives you that opportunity.
