THE BLIND SIDE* (2009)

Let’s throw this one on Monday due to its Monday-like problems. The Blind Side has an unfortunate asterisk on its title due to the familial strife caused by the story and its controversial portrayal of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron). Oher took legal action to end the Tuohy’s (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw) conservatorship, to be paid fair payment from film profits, and, ultimately, to end their relationship. It’s a tough end to a beautiful story that, admittedly, took creative liberties on an individual that had obviously not fully bought in on the process. The film isn’t perfect, but even with its real-life shortcomings, it still tells a compelling (if not calculably safe) feel-good tale. My favorite part is the inclusion of college football coach cameos in their hope to recruit Oher. As a Tennessee fan, I also appreciated the disdain for the college, if not my interpretation of revered respect, and the mention of the “body farm.” I can’t help it, guys… I just like it.  

REMEMBER THE TITANS (2000)

Tuesday is still a setup day for the week, and a good day to grab inspiration as you look ahead to what’s coming. Remember the Titans is a great way to get that inspiration. Also, is it any wonder that a football film featuring Denzel Washington and Ryan Gosling would make my list?! Ya’ll knew better. In any case, while their contributions are always appreciated, it is the intense inspirational story that really captivates me. The film is loosely based on the true story of coach Herman Boone (Washington), when an all-black high school is integrated with an all-white school. Two football teams, both having presumed starters, must deal with the implications of this coalescence, both within the school and within the hostile environment surrounding them in 1971 Virginia. Washington is uncompromising, acting as the patient, moral light that we can all look to for inspiration, while Will Patton (Coach Bill Yoast) and Hayden Panettiere (Sheryl Yoast) also shine. Titans is a football film that hits all the feels within the context of social turmoil and one of the greatest sports on earth.

RUDY (1993)

Now, it’s “hump day,” where the load either feels lightened as we look to the weekend, or it feels heavier than ever as the week begins to crush us. However, the only thing that will be getting crushed is our goals because we’re getting some crazy inspiration from our boy, Rudy (Sean Astin). Rudy is simply the best football movie that has ever been made. It is a biographical sports film based on the grit and determination of Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger, and it has consistently ranked as one of the best sports movies of all time and as one of the most inspiring films, period. When I think of cheesy films that will convince me to get off my ass and do whatever it is I’m procrastinating on, I know Rocky or Rudy will do the trick (Please, don’t tell my wife, or else these might be playing in the living room 24/7). The thing that makes the film so great is that you don’t even need to be a football fan to be truly inspired by Rudy’s actions. Side note: the film oddly does not mention that Rudy served four years in the U.S. Navy prior to his battle to join the Notre Dame football team. What a badass!

DRAFT DAY (2014)

The NFL draft usually starts on a Thursday at the end of April, so Draft Day is an appropriate film for the day. Maybe you aren’t thrilled about the Thursday night game, or you just need something to amp you up before or after kickoff. Either way, Draft Day is probably my third favorite film on this list. It has its problems, sure: Kevin Costner is his usual stoic self (it just happens to play here), the tension is diminished because of its predictability, and its cliché delivery drives it well-below similar films like Moneyball. However, if you can relate to the difficulties the Browns have experienced (*cough* Falcons *cough*), you are a football fan, and you are interested in the draft process — check, check, and check — you will love this semi-puff NFL piece. I’ve watched this movie so many times, mostly when I start to miss football in the off-season and especially prior to the draft, because it just works. Plus, you know you can trust a film directed by Ivan Reitman, a man that used Arnold Schwarzenegger as his comedic leading man three times, even if one of those films was Junior…

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2004)

For Friday? Duh. Full disclosure, I lived in the small town of Roscoe, Texas, when I was young, and the high school football team there is the Roscoe Plowboys. They are beloved by their hometown fans. So, I speak from experience when I say Friday Night Lights‘ story of an Odessa, Texas, high school football team facing the pressure and prestige placed upon their players is a fantastic reflection of reality. It feels so real because it is based on the non-fiction book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream, written by H.G. Bissinger. I’ll say it again and again: the best Hollywood stories are based on reality, and Friday Night Lights is no exception, especially with Billy Bob Thornton giving one of the best locker room speeches ever as Coach Gary Gaines.

THE WATERBOY (1998)

Saturday is for relaxing, college ball, and, unfortunately, yard work (stay with me). Recently, my brother-in-law and I went halfsies on a John Deere lawn mowing tractor. He lives about half a mile from my house, so when I need to mow, I drive down to his house in my truck, drive the tractor back down the road to my house, mow the lawn, and then reverse course. Every single time, I feel like Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler), waving to my country neighbors on the way. Outside of Billy Madison, The Waterboy is about the most Sandler film that has ever been made, for better or worse. I, for one, think it is for the better. All the usual suspects accompany Sandler, alongside a tremendous Kathy Bates, playing Mama Boucher with light-hearted brilliance. Say what you will, but this film is an amusing and fun ride that is still distinguished by being the highest-grossing sports comedy of all time. 

JERRY MAGUIRE (1996)

It really should come as no surprise that Jerry Maguire has made it to another one of my feature articles (READ: “roMANce: A Dude’s Guide to Valentine’s Day” HERE) as it is simply one of the best, all-around films ever made. Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is a sports agent for Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, which is about all the football you get here. There probably is little need for background on the story since we have all seen it. Plus, I have never heard one person say they didn’t like it. Directed by Cameron Crowe, the extremely quotable film may be light on the sport at hand, but there is enough to put it up there as one of my favorite football films of all time. Here is why it’s a sneaky good pick for Sunday, though… Maybe all the football throughout the week isn’t making your significant other too happy? I can’t imagine why, but still… Following the early game (after your team wins, hopefully), it might be good to curl up on the couch with your special someone and reconnect. They’ll hardly notice the football included, and it might just prepare you two for another great week.