Flea Flicker's Favorite Football Flicks Revisited

Having just watched My All-American (2015), now apparently named Courage. I was once again thinking about my favorite football movies. My All-American won't make this list but it was entertaining. It's the inspirational story of former University of Texas football player Freddie Steinmark, his drive to excel on the football field as an undersized safety, and his courageous battle with bone cancer. It's a tear-jerker in the mold of Brian's Song, Something for Joey, and The Express. Finn Wittrock is believable as Steimark and the football action is good. It's a fine movie. If I had to rank it I'd put it a notch below The Express among those football tear-jerkers. It did get me thinking about my favorite football flicks. Here they are.

20. The Waterboy (1998)

A guilty pleasure movie. The football action is outrageously entertaining. 

19. Leatherheads (2008)

This movie depicting the very early days of professional football would probably be higher on the list if I hadn't entered into it with such high expectations. It's an entertaining movie but probably one that I need to see again. Maybe it gets replaced on this list by The Replacements.

18. The Express (2008) 

This tragic story of Ernie Davis. It might be higher if not for some liberties taken with history. Like Art Modell being the Browns owner in the 1950s.

17. Invincible (2006)

The improbable football career of NFL-walk-on Vince Papale. Who doesn't love a story like this?

16. All The Right Moves (1983)

The most amazing thing about this movie is that Tom Cruise is actually believable as a high school cornerback.

15. When The Game Stands Tall (2015)

You just knew that someone was going to make a movie about the incredible story of coach Bob Ladouceur and the De La Salle High Spartans. This was a nicely done look at the season that saw the loss that ended their 151-game win streak as well the win that was arguably the greatest in school history. 

14. We Are Marshall (2006)

The remarkable rise of a town, a university, and a football team from a devastating plane crash. A great story. 

13. Rudy (1993)

Some people love this movie. Others hate it. I guess that I'm in the middle. 

12. The Program (1993)

Despite being a fictional story it probably touches frighteningly close to the truth.

11. Any Given Sunday (1999)

Oliver Stone with a football movie? Never would have pegged that pairing. 

10. The Longest Yard (1974)

It's a classic. And Joe Kapp's in it. And Ray Nitschke. 

9.  Draft Day (2014)

Some of the trades are ridiculous but it's a very entertaining look at the greatest non-playing day on the football calendar. 

8.  Brian's Song (1971)

This one set the bar for tear-jerker football movies. Great story. Memorable performances. 

7.  Knute Rockne: All-American

A timeless look at one of football's great coaches. 

6.  Everybody's All-American (1988) 

Adapted from the terrific book by Frank Deford. A great, depressing movie. 

5.  Paper Lion (1968)

Another movie adapted from a terrific book. Alan Alda is excellent as George Plimpton. So excellent that I often picture Alda when I think of Plimpton. 

4.  Heaven Can Wait (1978)

A terrific remake of Here Come's Mr. Jordan (1941) with a football spin. There was a time when this was my favorite movie of any genre. 

3.  Undefeated (2011)

This is probably the only football movie to take home an Academy Award. It won for Best Documentary. A great story. A great movie. 

2.  Remember The Titans (2000) 

Great movie. Entertaining movie. You have Denzel Washington but you also have unknown youngsters like Ryan Gosling, Hayden Panettiere, and Donald Faison. 

1.  Friday Night Lights (2006)

Buzz Bissinger's book was outstanding. The movie was good but Friday Night Lights earns the top spot on this list because of the unbelievable television series. They may have lost some traction in the second season but they sure regained it and never lost it again. This series was one of the best things that I've ever seen on television.

There it is. Until next time.