SUPER FLICKS

On this Super Bowl Sunday, I give you my top ten favorite football flicks of all time.

1.   REMEMBER THE TITANS (2000) starring Denzel Washington and Will Patton. Set in 1971, Coach Herman Boone is hired as head coach over a newly integrated high school football team. The struggle to build a successful team is intensified by the struggle to surpass racial tensions but the team unifies when the players realize they share a common goal and realize attitude is what separates people and not race. Most polls have The Blind Side as the best football movie but I like the purity of high school football over college and pro ball. Most of these kid will never play the game beyond high school level but they give it all they’ve got everyday to fulfill their dreams.

2. THE BLIND SIDE (2009) starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. The real life story of NFL player Micheal Oher who would come from the depths of despair in Memphis, Tennesee and become adopted by a rich white family, the Tuohy's. The story details Oher's rise in prep football and the investigation into whether they influenced him to go to Ole Miss and if their money had anything to do with it. The Tuohy's eventually adopt Oher who was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the  2009 NFL draft.

3. RUDY (1993) starring Sean Astin and Charles S. Dutton. An unforgettable, inspirational film based on the true story of a Notre Dame player’s journey to the team roster and playing field. Despite his small stature and weak athletic ability, Rudy’s will, perseverance, and determination fulfill his life’s dream and earn him the respect, affection, and admiration of his team and the community. When I coached at John Milledge Academy, the coaching staff watched this movie every game day.

4. BRIAN’S SONG (1971) starring James Caan and Billy Dee Williams. The real life story of Chicago Bears Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. When cancer strikes an unlikely friendship, a bond is formed that surpasses football, race, and adversity. This unforgettable classic makes a positive impact on almost everyone who watches it. This is the first movie that ever made me cry.

5. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2004) starring Billy Bob Thornton and Derek Luke. In a down and out town where the only way out is a football scholarship, the pressure to win is intense. High school Coach Gary Gaines carries the weight of that pressure squarely on his shoulders and sets out to show his players there is more to winning than the final score of the ball game. Good movie but I like the fictional TV series better.

6. WE ARE MARSHALL (2006) starrying Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox. Inspired by a true story, this film follows the fatal plane crash which killed members of the Marshall University football team and the aftermath of starting over. New Coach Jack Lengyel struggles to rebuild the team and honor the memory of the fallen players.

7. RADIO (2003) starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ed Harris. Set in Greenville, South Carolina, this true story of a coach’s commitment to helping an underprivileged, mentally-challenged, young boy enjoy life and realize his potential is simply unforgettable. Radio made his way into the hearts of the football players, the school, and the town and formed an unbreakable bond. The relationship proved the heart of a person is more important than intellect or athletic ability.

8. THE JUNCTION BOYS (2002) starring Tom Berenger and Fletcher Humphrys. This movie shows the relentless, almost incomprehensible coaching methods of one of America’s winningest coaches, the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant, and the discipline, obedience and willingness of the team committed to following him. The results are unquestionable, but the methods provoke quite a bit of thought to the viewers.

9. FACING THE GIANTS (2006) starring James Blackwell and Bailey Cave. The thought-provoking tale of what truly drives people, athletes, and success. This story follows the struggle of a high school coach’s faith in God, his team, and himself and illustrates where to find real joy, victory, and peace. I have actually coached in the stadium in Albany where this movie was filmed.

10. ALL THE RIGHT MOVES (1983) starring Tom Cruise and Craig T. Nelson. A small town story about young kids with big dreams and the struggle to bring those dreams to life is well portrayed in this football classic.

HONORABLE MENTION -- The Longest Yard, The Express, Invincible, The Program, The Replacements, Varsity Blues, Knute Rockne All American, The Best Of Times, Wildcats, Heaven Can Wait, Lucas, Jim Thorpe: All American and Semi-Tough.