Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald showed a note card on Hard Knocks recalling a time when Rex Ryan called him terrible on television. The moment came in a teaser for Tuesday night’s premiere featuring the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
Macdonald’s Note Card Called Back to Rex Ryan’s Criticism
Macdonald and safety Nick Emmanwori were initially discussing Emmanwori’s recovery from ankle surgery before their conversation shifted to outside noise and how to handle it. Macdonald showed the keepsake to illustrate his point.
Macdonald told Emmanwori that criticism can pass quickly, comparing it to someone talking about a player or coach on social media. He then pointed to the note card, which recalled Ryan’s assessment of him as a new coordinator.
Macdonald said he believed the criticism was deserved at the time because the defense had performed poorly. He also said he once cared deeply about his image, while Ryan now views the group far more favorably.
The 2022 Ravens Loss Behind Ryan’s Comments
The criticism dated to 2022, when Macdonald was in his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore lost 42-38 to the Miami Dolphins after surrendering a 35-14 fourth-quarter lead, and Ryan, then an ESPN NFL analyst, strongly criticized Macdonald.
The Ravens later traded for Roquan Smith, and their defense eventually became the best in the league. Macdonald was hired as Seattle’s head coach before the 2024 season and won a Super Bowl a year later.
Emmanwori Says He Keeps His Own Receipts
Emmanwori said he also keeps receipts and is motivated by proving people wrong. Macdonald responded that other people’s perceptions of him are not necessarily who he is, and that he has become comfortable with that difference.
The exchange used a past moment of criticism to frame a discussion about outside opinions. After the teaser appeared, people began looking for Ryan’s earlier comments, and a clip of his criticism started making the rounds.
Macdonald’s note card connected the 2022 criticism with the Ravens’ later defensive improvement and his subsequent success in Seattle.
