Lions' Jamaal Williams: 'I don’t give a f---' about 'Hard Knocks'

It was learned in March that the Detroit Lions will be the NFL club featured in this year's season of "Hard Knocks." At least one person on their roster isn't overly thrilled about the idea ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. 

Running back Jamaal Williams joined the Lions in March 2021 after he spent his first four pro seasons with the Green Bay Packers and, per ESPN stats, finished the 2021 campaign second on the team with 601 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, Williams offered a direct and honest answer when asked Wednesday how he felt upon learning the Lions would be on "Hard Knocks" this year. 

"I don’t give a f---," Williams responded in a lowered voice. 

"All that is to me now is more cameras walking around staring at me," he continued. "I don’t care. I just want to play football. I want to win a Super Bowl — this year. Forget the 'Hard Knocks,' all that stuff. It’s just going to happen, you know what I mean? Like, people think I’m funny, but I don’t do it on purpose. It’s just me. I just walk around and just be me all the time, that’s it. I can’t fake nothing.

"But they’re gonna see it. They’re gonna see it on my face. Every time they’ve got a camera in my face, I’m just gonna look at them. We’ve got people here to do that already. So if they’re not people you already know and they’ve got a camera in my face, I’m not gonna smile at them. Maybe. We’ll see." 

Williams certainly isn't alone, as players and coaches from around the league would likely prefer to avoid and eliminate any potential preseason distractions. As long as fans keep watching editions of "Hard Knocks," though, the league will insist teams participate until further notice.