THE TOP TEN GREATEST FOOTBALL MOVIES OF ALL TIME

With the NFL still in a lock out and College Football over a month away from kicking off, the best way to fill the pig skin void is by sitting in front of the television and enjoying one of these football classics. Hollywood has provided us with many great football films over the years but these ten are my own personal favorites…

Just a note that some of the clips below contain language that might not be appropriate for everyone.

10) Varsity Blues (1999)
This is a classic flick about high school football and an underdog backup quarterback who gets thrust into the spotlight. You could probably describe it as “The Tom Brady Story meets Dazed and Confused”.  And who knew Dawson Leary had a cannon for an arm and the courage to stand up to Angelina Jolie’s old man? Lets just say that if he had been this cool on “The Creek” the WB would still be pumping out new episodes.

9) Invincible (2006)
Marky Mark as a blue collar bartender turned walk on player for the Philadelphia Eagles? Whats not to like!?!? The only thing that could have pushed this real life story up my ranking would have been a cameo by the Funky Bunch.

8. Any Given Sunday (1999)
This is Oliver Stone’s fictional look inside the inner workings of pro football. He does a pretty solid job, but it also doesn’t hurt that he talked Lawrence Taylor into playing a character that couldn’t be more like Lawrence Taylor if he tried. If that even makes sense…it also contains one of the all time great speeches from one of the all time great actors, Scarface.

7) We Are Marshall (2006)
The true story of the horrific plane crash that killed the majority of the 1970 Marshall Thundering Herd football team. It is hard to believe that there would be nothing funny in a movie starring Matthew McConaughty but this one proves that’s some how possible. It’s somber tone and epic finale will stay with you for awhile.

6) Friday Night Lights (2004)
It was a great book, an excellent movie and an even better TV series. Usually when non fiction books get turned into a movie or a series they leave something to be desired. Thankfully that is not the case with FNL.

5) The Program (1993)
This movie gets three thumbs up because 1. it stars a young Hale Barry 2. it makes you realize how much Omar Epps actually looks like the Steelers current head coach Mike Tomlin and 3. it contains the classic line “It’s time to put the women and children to bed and go looking for dinner”. I don’t even know what that means but how does Joe Kane not win the Heisman for that line alone???

4. Brian’s Song (1971)
An absolute classic. You will have to see it for yourself because if I start making any type of comment about it I will instantly start crying…

3) Jerry Maguire (1996)
Remember how cool the old Tom Cruise was? Well this is Tom Cruise at his absolute best, right before Dawson Leary’s love interest from “The Creek” turns him into a real life weirdo. Is that two Dawson’s Creek references in one article?? Maybe I’m the weirdo…either way Jerry Maguire is a great movie from start to finish.

2) Remember the Titans (2000)
The one and only Denzel Washington stars as a high school football coach who brings his team together during a time of intense racial tensions. How could they not win? By the end of the movie you will be wondering why Denzel has never been considered a candidate for a coaching gig in the NFL.

1) Rudy (1993)
Before Sean Astin was leading Frodo through the terrors of middle earth he was kicking ass and taking names playing middle linebacker for the Fighting Irish. Well the truth is he mostly gets his ass kicked, but everyone does end up learning his name by the end of the movie. Also, this classic includes a young Vince Vaughn as the starting quarterback. Easily the greatest casting job since the cast of Saved by the Bell was assembled.  Rudy is not only the greatest football movie ever created, it is the best film ever. The Academy clearly dropped the ball when they forgot to nominate this gem for an Oscar.  Don’t just rent it, buy it.

This was a tough list to create and I had to leave some other great movies off.  But let’s hear your list and maybe you can help me find something new to watch this week!