‘Hard Knocks’ Pulled Off a Perfect ‘Sopranos’ Tribute Scene With Robert Saleh, and NFL Fans Loved it

Chills.

HBO’s Hard Knocks paid tribute to The Sopranos with a perfect remake of the show’s classic intro, and fans loved it.

Late Sopranos star James Gandolfini was a big New York Jets fan, so the team being featured on Hard Knocks this year created the perfect chance to honor the great HBO show and its star, and they hit it out of the park. 

NFL Films set video of Jets head coach Robert Saleh driving to the team’s preseason game against the Giants to the Sopranos theme music, just as Gandolfini’s character was seen doing in the show’s open.

The results were incredible: 

I still can’t believe Hard Knocks gave us a Soprano’s tribute tonight with Robert Saleh. So awesome. Bravo, @NFLFilms…

James Gandolfini was a die hard #Jets fan. He would have been proud. RIP. pic.twitter.com/dEl03JNJyC

— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) August 30, 2023

Perfection.

Naturally, fans everywhere loved it.

Me, watching Hard Knocks last night. pic.twitter.com/L05B7YZSmu

— JetsSopranos (@JetsSopranos) August 30, 2023

This was utter genius last night. Phenomenal footage @NFLFilms #ganggreen #jets #HardKnocks https://t.co/TuxqjokXem

— Paul Devlin (@lonestarpaul) August 30, 2023

Not ashamed to admit The Sopranos bit on Hard Knocks gave me chills.

— Chris Klemmer (@ChrisKlemmer) August 30, 2023

Damn you @NFLFilms for making me like the Jets for nearly two minutes. https://t.co/VYbPy64vcF

— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) August 30, 2023

This is the coolest thing ever https://t.co/0MA9w9XqgI

— Andrew Pisano (@AndrewPisano) August 30, 2023

When I heard the sopranos music on hard knocks you can go ahead and lock in the jets for 13 wins

— JUNG TRILL JOHNNY GILL (@jayxtwo) August 30, 2023

Meanwhile, Saleh had a hilarious response when asked Wednesday whether the show portraying him as a Gandolfini-esque figure gave him “street cred,” saying: “I don’t get street cred until my wife signs off, so I’ll wait for her to watch the show.”