Cornrows, cakes and everything you missed in Dolphins’ debut episode on ‘Hard Knocks’

The debut episode of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ premiered Tuesday night and took an in-depth look at the 2023 Miami Dolphins midway through the season — with a focus on the team’s return from the bye week, preparation for last Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders and the 20-13 win.

The episode highlighted star players such as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, in addition to coach Mike McDaniel, whose personality has made him an affable figure in the NFL.

Cameras were able to provide rare footage of team meetings, bonding activities and an at-home interview with Hill, who spoke about his eventful bye week.

Here are highlights from the first episode.

Tyreek’s Marriage

During the bye week, Hill married his longtime fiancée, now Keeta Vaccaro Hill. Upon returning from the bye, Hill spoke to reporters about tying the knot and how his life has changed in recent years. He opened up even more in front of the “Hard Knocks” cameras, speaking alongside his wife in his home.

“We were engaged for literally like two years,” he said, “and I wasn’t able to wear different hats. I would come home and I was still wearing my football hat. I wasn’t stepping into the role of being a fiance. I wasn’t stepping into the role of being a son, a father. I was still frustrated over football where it’s now, I’ve got a full grasp on it.

“I understand when I come home, I need to leave that football stuff at work. I need to come home, I need to be a father, a husband, a son to my mom, because they need their love languages, too, just like I’ve been getting mine all day. I’ve figured out, man. I think I did, at least.”

Cornrow Tua

Tagovailoa’s new cornrows went viral on social media, with many comparing his look to rap star Drake (Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters even joked about it with Tagovailoa after Sunday’s game).

In the debut episode, he’s shown unveiling the look to quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell and explaining why he changed his hairstyle.

There was plenty more of Tagovailoa, who was also shown joking with fellow quarterbacks Skylar Thompson and Mike White about what the position group what do you for Secret Santa.

And in preparation for Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby and his relentless pass rush, the team called on practice squad linebacker Quinton Bell to emulate the pass rusher, constantly bumping into and pushing Tagovailoa after the play.

“Thank you,” Tagovailoa is repeatedly shown saying to Bell during the practice.

McDaniel Mania

McDaniel is the most unique head coach in the NFL and cameras made sure to document his one-of-a-kind personality. In the episode, he shifts between serious and light during a Wednesday practice, emphasizing the importance of timing in the offense then looking at Tagovailoa in bewilderment after a no-look pass.

“I think the swagger starts with the head man,” Tagovailoa said of McDaniel.

Campanile’s Cakes

The Miami Herald previously reported on a new tradition in which players are given cakes for being involved in turnovers and other on-field achievements. The debut episode showed linebackers coach Anthony Campanile handing out cakes to defenders Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips for their games against the Chiefs in Germany.

Campanile then addresses the entire team with an impassioned, profanity-laced speech in which he, in part, says: “Everybody understands a [expletive] whooping ... we might not be able to communicate, but if somebody is getting their [expletive] whooped, we all understand what’s happened.”