Read the arguments from Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan about which movies they believe are the best sports movie of all-time, and the must-buy for those seeking gifts for a sports fan on Black Friday and beyond!
Happy Black Friday everyone! Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving, and like me, you stuffed your belly and were able to spend quality time with your loved ones! In honor of Black Friday, and in honor of last weekend’s successful release of the new movie The Blind Side, we are doing something different. We all like movies, and especially sports movies, so we are going to discuss our favorite sports movies. This is one we can watch over and over again. In actuality, we hope our wives and girlfriends do something nice for us today by picking up a DVD of our favorite sports movie, just so we can watch the extra features and commentary! So, memo to Loyal Homer’s girlfriend, wherever you are, please buy me a DVD of Remember the Titans!
This feel-good story came out in the fall of 2000 and was a big blockbuster at the box office. It stars Denzel Washington as head coach Herman Boone and co-stars Will Patton as coach Bill Yoast. It should also be noted that future stars Kate Bosworth and Ryan Gosling had small roles in this movie. Based on a true story, it takes place in Alexandria, Virginia in 1971 after the integration of an all-white high school and an all-black high school.
During my sophomore year in college my roommates and I watched this movie throughout the month of August to satisfy our craving and need for football. Being so close to high school at that time, we could all relate to the football aspect of the story.
It is quite amazing to see this team grow, from watching the players bond at camp to seeing the problems continue to exist back in the real world of high school. One of the star player’s girlfriends did not approve of his friendship with his black teammate. The white coach’s job has been taken by a black coach. Heck, it has a coach’s daughter who is very passionate about the game of football (why can’t Loyal Homer meet one of those girls?). It has the typical high school drama. It has hard hitting football. It has a great soundtrack. It has everything a guy could want in a sports movie.
For me it showcases one of my favorite pastimes… high school football. I am on the record saying I absolutely love high school football. This film showcases the growing pains and camaraderie of the players as they chase the state championship that they eventually win. T.C. Williams High actually finishes the year ranked second in the nation, behind a team from Valdosta, Georgia, which was featured on The Sports Debates a couple of months ago.
I will agree that Hollywood definitely spruces up the story of what actually happened. If you have seen the movie, you know that the Titans score a touchdown at the end to win the championship. In reality, that is not the case as they win the state championship 27-0, holding their opponent to minus five total yards, which is quite impressive. Despite the literary license, I still love this movie and certainly hope that a special someone gets it for me today!
By the way, the Blind Side is excellent.
And despite option 3 in the poll, Loyal Homer has absolutely nothing to do with New Moon!