Invincible to Leatherheads: Football Film Culture

Americans love football. Anyone hailing from the rural regions of the US knows that football is often regarded as an important part of life: it teaches discipline, provides an outlet for grueling competition, and is one way to become a local or national hero.

Football in film delivers on a few key components of the American associations with the sport. Films that feature the NFL or NCAAF as a focal point of the plot often depict hard-fought battles where the odds are stacked against a rag-tag team. Whether through comedic mishaps, determined work ethic, or the powerful bonds of community, football squads always prevail in the end.

Some features focus on individual players, like Invincible and Rudy. Others focus on teams or communities that are disenfranchised and seek to reinstate their autonomy through a killer football season, like The Longest Yard and We Are Marshall. Finally, there are the comedic takes, like Adam Sandler’s Waterboy or Disney’s The Game Plan.

In the end, the audience expects to be inspired and, most of all, they expect a big win. Even if the scoreboard doesn’t reflect a technical win from the team, then there’s never a big emotional or practical payoff far away. So if you're looking for some sports-related excitement, check out the following titles.

Invincible, 2006

Set in the gritty streets of South Philadelphia in the 70s, Invincible offers an emotional and heartfelt tale of defying the odds and developing character. Based on the true story of Vince Papale, Mark Wahlberg stars in the drama that focuses on one regular man’s dream to play for the Philadelphia Eagles in the wake of personal disaster.

Today, the Eagles do well amongst analysts that offer NFL Picks and have a recent 2017 Super Bowl title under their belt. But back in Papale’s days, the Eagles were an exciting, on-the-rise franchise that was ready to shake up the NFC.

In the end, Papale appears in Super Bowl XV… which is a slight deviation from the true story of Papale’s life.

Any Given Sunday, 1999 

Hailed as the epitome of great football films that preceded the Remember the Titans and Friday Night Lights franchises, Any Given Sunday focuses on a fictional professional football team and the dynamics at play on and off the field. 

At its core, it’s a film about professional football from every angle—social, physical, mental, and emotional. It’s beloved for its wide ensemble cast of actors including Al Pacino and real football players like Jim Brown.

The title is pulled from a quote about how football teams can win and take it all on ‘any given Sunday’, which astutely summarizes the impetus that drives teams to keep winning—no matter the odds.

Leatherheads, 2008

While not a comedy on par with the slapstick shenanigans of The Waterboy or quite as family-friendly as The Game Plan, this Smokehouse Pictures production focuses on the early days of American football.

It’s a smart comedy for those who appreciate the finer aspects of football—like its origin, structural theory, and some of the classic strategies from the first offensive and defensive lines.

As usual in an American football film, the story features an uplifting ending, a hero who defies the odds and becomes a better man in the process. Did we mention it stars George Clooney and John Krasinski?

Rudy, 1993

Football is often imagined as an equal playing field despite the ample social and physical requirements that have often been associated with the gridiron. Still, America loves to imagine that the field is the place where anyone can make a name for themselves.

Enter the true story of Daniel Eugene ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger. Despite lacking sufficient grades, finances, and height to appear on Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish football team, Rudy doesn’t give up his battle to step onto the field.

Rudy is considered one of the most inspirational films ever made, rated number 54 of 100 in a list by the American Film Institute. Unlike the other films on this list, Rudy is close to the actual events that inspired the story. Aside from the over-vilification of Coach Devine, it’s a solid retelling.