Arkansas fans love a story about one of our own and the ESPN 30 for 30 is just that. Hit It Hard is the documentary of the rise and fall of former Razorback, John Daly.
Being from across the river from Dardanelle in Russellville, and having a dad who loved golf, I was familiar with the legend that is John Daly. I grew up hearing about this guy who was from Arkansas and was just as good as the greats.
The story of John Daly isn’t a story everyone can relate to. No, I am not referring to his golf story. John Daly is about much more than golf. He represents the struggle many people have with personal demons. This 30 for 30 did a great job of showing how he fell, then fell further but came out the other side.
"“To get the true meaning out of John Daly and this show is to know that I care and that I’m still gonna just be John Daly. I’m gonna hit it hard, I’m gonna grip it and rip it, and I’m gonna grip it and sip it. Ain’t changing” -John Daly, 30 for 30: Hit it Hard"
Daly has been addicted to everything from alcohol to chocolate and he’s very open about it. That’s the aspect about him that people are drawn to and one of the things he prides himself on. He isn’t trying to fake it when he is struggling with his problems. Instead, he openly talks about it which brings people closer to him. Everyone has problems of some sort and most think they are alone in having these issues. Daly lets the down and out know that there’s someone else out there hurting, but he’s fighting as hard as he can.
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Arkansas fans will love it because it’s about one of us. Daly didn’t come from the country club clique. Instead, he came from a small town just like a lot of us did. He had offers to go out of state and play golf for other programs but there was only one program that he had his eye on. The University of Arkansas. Rather than let his success make him forget where he came from, Daly brought us along for the ride. He always has and always will have that special pride only we who are from Arkansas can understand. The film is a must watch! Woo Pig!