Football is probably the most popular sport in the United States, and the new season is upon us. So, while most might be busy watching Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and others sling a football around on Sundays, here are five football movies to keep fans busy during the week. And by the way, they’re all based on true stories.
The Blind Side
The Blind Side is a critically acclaimed film that features a couple of star performances and sports an audience score of 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the reason that it stood out in the sports genre was how it showed that football is bigger than a game. As is true for so many people, football was the catalyst for Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) to find his place -- not just as an athlete, but as a member of a family both on and off of the field. Functioning almost like a fable, The Blind Side told the touching story of how the Tuohy family changed Michael Oher’s life.
While in high school, a homeless Michael befriended a younger student named Sean “SJ” Tuohy (Jae Head). When SJ’s mother (Sandra Bullock) found out that Michael had nowhere to stay, she offered him a place on their couch. Over the course of the film, Michael became an essential part of their family and was eventually adopted. Because of his size and the Tuohys' love of the game, Michael joined the football team at Wingate Christian School and after some early struggles, found out that he was really good. Michael became an overnight recruiting phenomenon, and while a college decision and an alleged recruiting scandal threatened to tear them apart, Michael and the Tuohys grew closer through Michael’s decision to attend the University of Mississippi. A photo montage at the end of the film showed that Michael had an outstanding college career and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.
Remember the Titans
Receiving multiple awards, Remember the Titans tells football coach Herman Boone’s (Denzel Washington) story as he attempted to integrate a high school in Virginia. It's a great film because it brought history to life and showed real-life conflicts of the time. It boasts a 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is loved because of its heartfelt story. People came together amidst their differences for a common goal, but along the way, they found out that they weren't that different after all.
Set in 1971, Herman Boone was only offered a coaching job at T. C. Williams High School as a way to placate the rising racial tensions, but he went above and beyond. Through some difficulty with everyone involved, Boone made it clear to his players, his coaching staff and the school board that racial prejudices would not be tolerated on his team. Boone’s task wasn’t easy, and he was threatened in multiple ways by more than one party. However, he stayed his course and eventually found a way to overcome the odds, go undefeated and win the state championship. Coach Boone used football as a way to bring people together across racial divides, and by doing so, he affected his players' lives as well as the surrounding community.
Safety
Disney’s Safety is a much newer film than most on this list, and it remains to be seen how it will stack up in the grand scheme of things. However, because of NCAA's current rulings that now allow student-athletes to make money for their likenesses, it could turn out to be a landmark film that shows that college athletics should be treated like a job. Safety tells the story of Ray McElrathbey (Jay Reeves) and his time at the University of Clemson. He received a scholarship to play football, but because of the time commitment that football demanded, he couldn't also work to provide for his little brother, Fahmaar (Thaddeus J. Mixson).
One day, Ray learned that Fahmaar was not home because their mom had relapsed. Faced with losing his brother to the system, Ray smuggled Fahmarr onto campus and hid him in his dorm. Naturally, it wasn't long before they were found out. Their coach wasn't happy, but by then Fahmarr was able to return to his mother, who had completed rehab. However, when they arrived, their mother told them that she needed to stay much longer. Ray agreed to keep Fahamarr but had to live off-campus while working side jobs. Ray’s girlfriend put his story in the school paper, and people in the community started to help them out. Unfortunately, the NCAA got wind and investigated Ray for receiving irregular benefits. After a heartfelt speech and declaring that he was taking full custody of his brother, the NCAA appeals board granted him the necessary benefits, so he could play football and raise his brother. Credits scenes show a graduated Ray and his brother reunited with their sober mother.
Rudy
Rudy follows Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger (Sean Astin) and shows how he overcame the odds to play college football. Rudy dreamed of playing for the University of Notre Dame, but his lack of good grades, money and athletic prowess made his wish a longshot. While the movie is a little corny and predictable, it's still beloved by audiences. Boasting a 90 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Rudy makes everyone want to root for the underdog and the possibility of someone's All-American dream.
When Rudy's friend was killed in a mill explosion, he decided to chase his dream despite his challenges. While at the nearby Holy Cross College, Rudy got a job as a Notre Dame groundskeeper and got help studying. After two years, Rudy was finally admitted to Notre Dame. Making the team was a challenge, but he was given a chance on the practice squad because of his hard work. Then, in his senior year, he was going to get to dress out for a game, but his coach retired. The new one had no intention of letting Rudy do anything. However, his teammates made the coach let Rudy dress out and engineered the game so that Rudy could play on the last play of the game. After he sacked the quarterback, Rudy was carried off of the field by his team, and no other Notre Dame player has been carried off since.
Woodlawn
Woodlawn tells the story of the Miami Dolphins’ superstar running back Tony Nathan (Caleb Castille). It's popular because it tells the story of a popular athlete but also because it combines elements from other successful, football films. Woodlawn uses the subject matter of racial integration from Remember the Titians while taking on the theme of Christian faith like Facing the Giants, and it also features an appearance from Sean Astin, who played the titular character in Rudy.
Tony Nathan attended Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama in the early 1970s, when racial tensions were high. The school had just been desegregated, so Tony joined the predominately white football team with some of his black friends. Many people – players and parents -- were not pleased with the situation, so after a riot at school, their coach (Nic Bishop) invited a traveling sports chaplain (Sean Astin) to speak to the team as a “motivational speaker.” After, the team all decided to give their lives to God and committed themselves to love one another despite their differences. In the end, their religious commitments bridged both racial divides and school rivalries. After he graduated, Tony played for “Bear” Bryant at Alabama and later for Don Shula with the Dolphins, starting in two Super Bowls.