Top Six Football Biopics of All Time

Top Six Football Biopics of All Time – I have to be honest Chiefs Kingdom, like most of you, I too am as tired of, as much as I am frightened by, this pandemic. I’m worried about family and friends and suffer from severe panic attacks when thinking about what the next few months hold for our nation. I’m not going to get into it, but we’re constantly bombarded each day with news of this disaster unfolding before us. At times, it’s overwhelming.

We need a break!

A respite, or time out, if you will. We need football! I have just the thing to fill your next few days and/or weeks. I proudly present my:

Top Six Football Movies Ever

I strongly urge you to choose a few of these and take a well-deserved interlude from the COVID-19 crisis. Not only is It good for your mental health, a few of my selections are certain to elicit a much-needed guffaw along with an occasional tear or two.

The criteria for inclusion in my list was simple: Firstly, the film had to be based on a true story. Secondly, the film had to have a Chiefs tie-in, no matter how flimsy. Some of these tie-ins are readily apparent, while a few others are quite the stretch.

6. My All American (2015)

Synopsis: All undersized safety Freddie Joe Steinmark wants to do is play college football. Steinmark’s hard-charging father motivates and trains his son for just that goal. The hard work pays off.  Freddie is noticed by Texas Longhorns head coach, Darrell Royal, who awards him a scholarship. Sadly, an injury suffered in a late season game reveals a cancerous bone tumor in Steinmark’s leg, requiring  amputation of the leg.

Steinbeck’s battle against cancer and resilience shown during his subsequent amputation that season helped inspire and motivate the Longhorns to clinch the National Championship.

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Cool Trivia

The role of Texas Longhorns quarterback James Street was portrayed by his son, Juston Street, an established actor with multiple film roles to his credit.

Chiefs Related Fact

Two notable Chiefs were University of Texas alumnus: Linebacker Derrick Johnson (2005) and Running Back Jamaal Charles (2008).

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5. When the Game Stands Tall (2014)

Synopsis: on the surface, “When the Game Stands Tall” centers around Concord, CA’s De La Salle High School Spartans and their their record 151-game win streak. But, in all actuality, the film focuses on Spartans head coach Bob Ladouceur; the various trials and tribulations he and his team face in their quest to set and maintain the record and the lessons learned along the way.  Primarily, “Don’t let a game define who you are. Let your lives do that.”

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Terry Eidson (De La Salle Spartans assistant coach):  Why don’t you tackle him? This is a contact sport. You can hit someone; it’s encouraged even!

Cool Trivia

During a team practice, Jim Caviezel, who plays, sports a Lions hat during a team practice scene. During filming of “When The Game Stands Tall,” Caviezel’s brother-in-law, Scott Linehan, was the Lions’ offensive coordinator.

Chiefs Related Fact

Former Chiefs backup quarterback, Matt Gutierrez (2009) was quarterback for four years of the perennial powerhouse De La Salle Spartans during their undefeated streak.

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4. The Express (2008)

Synopsis: the Express follows the life of Ernie Davis, aka the Elmira Express. Discovered by Syracuse Orange head coach Ben Schwartzwalder and recruited by outgoing Orange RB Jim Brown, Davis has huge shoes to fill with Brown moving on to the NFL’s Cleveland Brown. However, Davis shows himself more than worthy of the challenge, winning the Heisman Trophy in his senior year, the first African-American to do so.

Near the end of the film, Davis is drafted by the Washington Redskins and subsequently traded to the Cleveland Browns, where head coach Paul Brown has visions of championships dancing in his head with a backfield featuring both Davis and Brown. However, prior to season’s start, Davis is diagnosed with leukemia.

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Ben Schwartzwalder (Syracuse Orange head coach): I won’t tell him he’ll be the next Ernie Davis, because there’ll never be another Ernie Davis.

Cool Trivia

In “The Express”, actress Nicole Beharie plays Ernie Davis’ (the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy) girlfriend. Coincidentally, Beharie plays the wife of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play Major League Baseball, in “42.”

Chiefs Related Fact

While Ernie Davis was the first African American in history to win the Heisman Trophy, the Chiefs own Mike Garrett was the second. Garrett won the Heisman in 1965 as a tailback for the USC Trojans.

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3. Invincible (2006)

Synopsis: it’s 1976, Philadelphia native, substitute teacher, and part-time bartender Vince Papale is having a rough stretch of luck. Not only has his wife just recently left him, Papale is laid off from his substitute teacher job.  Strapped for cash, he jumps at the chance to tryout when Philadelphia Eagles new head coach Dick Vermeil announces open tryouts at Veterans Stadium.  Papale impresses the young coach who invites him to training camp to compete for a roster spot. But,does the sandlot stud have what it takes to make it in the pros?

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Carol Vermeil:  [referring to Philadelphia Eagles fans] These are the toughest fans there are. They threw snowballs at Santa Claus.

Cool Trivia

Although he was a wide receiver, Papale, was used mostly on special teams.  His one and only reception in the NFL was in 1977. The 1969 NFL MVP, quarterback Roman Gabriel, tossed Papale a 15-yard completion. Papale first (and only) reception was also the last pass Gabriel threw in his NFL career.  Gabriel retired at the end of the 1977 season.

Chiefs Related Fact

Papale’s first season (1976) with the Eagles was also former Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil’s first season as a head coach in the NFL. Vermeil, portrayed by Greg Kinnear, played a prominent role in the film.

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2. Rudy (1993)

Synopsis: Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, a Catholic working class kid and die-hard Notre Dame fan from the hardscrabble city of Joliet, IL, overcomes multiple obstacles in his quest to fulfill his dream of playing for the Fighting Irish.  Despite multiple setbacks, naysayers, and his own self-doubt, Rudy is selected for the team’s practice squad. The film’s finale features Rudy being able to dress for the final game of his senior season as a reward for his persistence and spunk on the practice squad. But, will he get to play?

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Daniel Ruettiger (Rudy’s father): [Upon entering Notre Dame Stadium] This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen!

Cool Trivia

Rudy is one of two movies ever shot on Notre Dame’s campus. The other?  “Knute Rockne All American” (1940), starring former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Chiefs Related Fact

A number of notable Chiefs spent their collegiate careers at Notre Dame.  Fighting Irish Chiefs include wide receiver Lake Dawson, center Tim Grunhard, linebacker Jim Lynch, and quarterback Joe Montana.

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1. Brian’s Song (1971)

Synopsis : “Brian’s Song” is based on the real-life relationship of Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, and centers on how these unlikely friends bond grows stronger when Piccolo (‘Pic’) discovers he has cancer.

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Abe Gibron (Chicago Bears assistant coach): Piccolo, you bone-headed spaghetti eater, that was Fake Draw Screen Right. What the hell do you do on Fake Draw Screen Right?

Cool Trivia

“Brian’s Song” was Dick Butkus’ acting debut. Butkus played himself in an uncredited role. The Hall of Famer would go on to enjoy a successful acting career after football.

Chiefs Related Fact

Gale Sayers, aka, the Kansas Comet, was also drafted by the AFL Kansas City Chiefs in the 1965 AFL Draft. However, after consulting with his wife, Sayers decided to sign with George Halas’ Chicago Bears.

The Ones That Didn’t Make It

I really wanted to make this a true top ten list. Unfortunately, I fell short. Four movies that I desperately wanted to include in the list, “We Are Marshall” (2006), “Remember the Titans” (2000), “Radio” (2003), and “Friday Night Lights” (2004), did not meet the criteria of having anything remotely related to our beloved Chiefs.

I tried, Chiefs Kingdom, I really did. In despair, I almost added Friday Night Lights only because it covered a Texas High School football team, Permian High School, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes played his high school football in Texas at Whitehouse High School. However, it was too far a stretch — even for me. My Google-Fu failed me.

Regardless had I been able to add these four movies, however, “Brian’s Song” would remain as number one. Fifty years later, it is still the greatest football movie ever made. Anybody, man or woman, football fan or not, who does not tear up when watching this classic has neither a heart nor a soul.

So, Chiefs Kingdom, how’d I do with my selections? What’s your favorite football biopic that I fumbled the ball on? Better yet, which one on the above list should have been an audible? Please let me know in the comments below.

Stay home and stay safe, Chiefs Kingdom. We’ll get through this. Godspeed, my friends.

Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne

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