PSR's Top 10
Football Movies
Compiled by Greg Washington and Tony DeFazio

10. Invincible - 2006
Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear

Based on a true story, this heartfelt movie profiles the rise of Vince Papali, who went from being a suburban Philadelphia bartender to living every man's dream by playing for Dick Vermeil's 1974 Philadelphia Eagles.

"Excuse me, my name's spelled wrong."
"Nothin' personal but by the time I'm through with this is it really gonna matter?"

9. Any Given Sunday - 1999
Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz

A "Pro Bowl" caliber cast and director Oliver Stone deliver an over-the-top portrayal of the realities facing a faux NFL franchise (the Miami Sharks): New ownership, an aging quarterback, a quack team physician and an over-the-hill coach struggling adjust to the times.

"We're in hell right now gentlemen. Believe me. And we can stay here, get the snot kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb outta hell... one inch at a time."

8. All The Right Moves - 1983
Tom Cruise, Craig T. Nelson

A Pittsburgh classic. Tom Cruise plays the "Ampipe" High School quarterback (so-named for Ambridge High School) who dreams of getting out of his small western Pennsylvania steel town with a football scholarship. Don Yanessa, then head coach at Aliquippa, plays the coach of Ampipe's rival. Filmed in Johnstown.

"All I have to do is maintain my fantastic 2.0 grade-point average, and everything is cool."

7. Varsity Blues - 1999
James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight

Porky's meets American Pie in this raunchy teen comedy. Set in Texas, it follows the high school football days of Jonathon "Mox" Moxon and his cast of friends, who must learn to deal with the pressure of winning, girls and a teacher with a surprising job on the side.

"I sure do love that dog."
"I think it's a pig."
"Yeah."

6. Jerry Maguire - 1996
Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Written by Cameron Crowe and based on the real life pursuits of super agent Leigh Steinberg, this comedy/drama uncovers the unseen business side of sports. Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. personify the agent-player relationship necessary for success in the contemporary sports scene.

"Anyone else would have left you by now, but I'm sticking with you. And if I have to ride your ass like Zorro, you're gonna show me the money."

5. North Dallas Forty - 1979
Nick Nolte, Mac Davis

A semi-fictional account of life as a professional football player in the 1970's based on the novel written by Peter Gent, a former Dallas Cowboys receiver. Nolte plays an aging wide receiver struggling to stay competitive, relying on pain killers and partying with his quarterback, played by Davis. The Cowboys of the "White House" era had nothing on these guys.

"Hell coach, I love needles."

4. Rudy - 1993
Sean Astin, Jon Favreau

Starring Sean Aston, this drama follows the dreams of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, an undersized player with the heart of a giant who aspires to step on the field for his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

"You're 5-foot-nothing, 100-and-nothing, without a speck of athletic talent. And you hung in there with the best college football team in the land for the last two years."

3. The Longest Yard - 1974
Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert

No, not the one with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Burt Reynolds was the original Paul Crewe, a disgraced NFL quarterback sent to prison and forced to assemble a team of fellow inmates to play Warden Hazen's daunting prison guard team in this granddaddy of all football movies.

"You could have robbed banks, sold dope or stole your grandmother's pension checks and none of us would have minded. But shaving points off of a football game, man that's un-American."

2. Remember The Titans - 2000
Denzel Washington, Will Patton

Denzel Washington stars as coach Herman Boone in this symbolic flick that captures the tensions that arose when African-Americans integrated with whites into T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA in 1971.

"I don't want them to gain another yard. You blitz all night. I don't want a receiver to get past the line of scrimmage. You make them forever remember the night that they played the Titans."

1. Friday Night Lights - 2004
Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black

Based on H.B. Bissinger's book, this is the true story of the Permian Panthers, a high school team from financially depressed Odessa, Texas, who must deal with the legacy of past generations and the perception that anything less than a state championship isn't good enough.

"I want you to take a moment, and I want you to look each other in the eyes. I want you to put each other in your hearts forever because forever is about to happen here in just a few minutes… and I want you to put that in your hearts. Boys, my heart is full. My heart is full."