Bears HBO “Hard Knocks” 2024: The best fan tweets and memes from episode 4 | News, results, highlights, stats and rumors
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The penultimate episode of Hard hits: Training camp with the Chicago Bears aired on Tuesday and showed the up-and-coming team preparing for its final preseason game (which it eventually won), a 34-21 victory over the host Kansas City Chiefs.
After a 4-0 preseason and rising expectations for a team now led by rookie quarterback and incumbent No. 1 pick Caleb Williams and boasting a much-improved roster, the mood in Chicago is great right now.
This episode showed Williams’ further preparation, including watching game tape and practicing a proper spike.
That included other moments like when Rome Odunze and John Jackson went shopping at Woodman’s Food Market, quarterbacks Tyson Bagent, Austin Reed and Brett Rypien traveled to Skydeck Chicago and offensive lineman Ryan Bates playfully teased rookie offensive lineman Theo Benedet for getting him Clorox wipes instead of the requested Dude Wipes.
Ultimately, however, there were two storylines that touched the most.
The first was safety Adrian Colbert, who recounted a tragic near-death experience. At the age of nine, Colbert nearly died after being hit by a bicycle. He survived, but was in a coma for two weeks, enduring an incredible ordeal.
Many fans recognized Colbert’s persistence and were amazed by what he said.
Bleacher Nation Bears @BN_Bears
The story of Adrian Colbert. I had no idea. The guy didn’t make the 53-man team, but he’s an easy guy to root for in the future. He has a great charisma. #HardKnocks
Colbert has played six NFL seasons and is now trying to break into the league, his seventh at that. Unfortunately, he didn’t make the final 53-man roster, but it’s entirely possible he could find a new home in the league after cut day.
The other heartbreaking moment came later in the week when rookie running back Ian Wheeler, who had performed well in training camp, tore his ACL during the Chiefs game.
Wheeler was particularly dominant two weeks ago against the Buffalo Bills, scoring two touchdowns. He is now on the injured list and must therefore fear that the season will end.
Afterwards, Wheeler and his mother Beaura, who had traveled to Kansas City, talked for a moment after the game.
It was obviously an incredibly difficult moment for both of them and the fans were very emotional afterwards.
Funky Cold Luda (Taylor’s Version) @lcm1986
When I watched the Ian Wheeler segment and knew where it was going, it was like watching Revenge of the Sith and knowing that Anakin was going to kill all these young people. You knew what was going to happen, but you still hoped that this time it would be different.
Nolan @Subscribe
#HardKnocks Episode 4, a gentle reminder that the players on the field are more than the number on the back of the jersey.
People from all walks of life.
Nick Whalen @_NickWhalen
Seeing Ian Wheeler hug his mother after knowing his NFL dream might be over… pic.twitter.com/WgwWs5wRd2
Wheeler was seen in Chicago afterward talking to general manager Ryan Poles, who essentially called 2024 a “redshirt” year for him at that point, and he seemed hopeful about his future. Hopefully he can come back 100 percent next year.
The final episode of the series will air on HBO and will be available to stream on Max on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET. The Bears begin their regular season at home against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 8.
