Friday Faves: Sports Movies to Love
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 8:12PM | 2 Comments After being reminded that the Super Bowl is this Sunday, I realized how little interest I have in this game. There are only two Super Bowls I've really cared about. One was when the Seahawks played the Steelers, in 2006. It was exciting to root for the home team, and disappointing when they lost. The other Super Bowl I was invested in was long before that. The year was 1985 and Dan Marino was leading the Dolphins against Joe Montana's 49ers. I was one of three people in my entire class who wanted the Dolphins to win. My teacher was leading the charge for the 49ers because:
1. Her husband's name was Joe
and
2. We lived in Montana
Needless to say, my 'team' lost. But I firmly believed the Dolphins had the coolest quarterback and the best uniforms.
Today, when I think of the Super Bowl, the first thing that comes to mind are the commercials. Did anyone not catch the cute little kid channeling Darth Vadar for Volkswagen last year? Sure, the food is great and the men are all amped up (my husband included), but for the remainder of the day, I find myself mentally calculating all I should be getting done. I suppose most of me just wonders why we can't go back to when the Chicago Bears enticed us with a cool rap- "The Super Bowl Shuffle." A football team makes a music video...hold the Aqua Net! I still remember the tune.
"They call me Sweetness cause I like to dance. Runnin' the ball is like makin' romance."
and
"Give me a chance and I'll rock you good. Nobody messes in my neighborhood."
the clincher
"You're lookin' at the Fridge. I'm the rookie. I may be large, but I'm no dumb cookie."
The kid in me still finds that song to be totally rad.
Two movie quarterbacks, both based on real people, surface when I contemplate the excitement I should feel toward football. The first is Ronnie 'Sunshine' Bass from Remember the Titans. The second, Tami Maide, who was featured in the made-for-TV movie, Quarterback Princess. Tami was portrayed by a young Helen Hunt. I remember this show fondly and always felt a bit of hope of it being possible to be the star quarterback, as well as, the Homecoming Queen. I suppose it's no coincidence that I'm currently reading CATCHING JORDAN, by Miranda Kenneally.
So, here they are. My favorite sports movies, along with a favorite quote from each. Feel free to chime in on your own selections.
1. Rudy (1993) Simply put, this one tops my list as my absolute favorite sports movie. I still cry every time I watch Rudy Ruettiger run through the tunnel to play in his first, and only, Notre Dame football game. "I've been ready for this my whole life." -Rudy
2. Remember the Titans (2000) "I don't scratch my head unless it itches and I don't dance unless I hear music. I will not be intimidated. That's just the way it is." -Coach Boone.
3. The Sandlot (1993) "It's about time, Benny. My clothes are goin' out of style." -Squints
4. Love and Basketball (2000) "Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games." -Coach Davis
5. It's a toss up between Hoosiers (1986) "Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here." -Merle Webb
and
Field of Dreams (1989) "This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and could be again." -Terence Mann
Maybe that's why I've lost interest in the Super Bowl. I'm looking for a reminder of the past, of how exciting sports can be, and how thrilling it is to watch the underdog succeed. Thankfully, I catch glimpses of it during the excitement of March Madness and whenever I attend one of my daughter's gymnastic meets. I feel the palpable thrill in the air when I hear a marching band at a high school football game and when watching a child dribble a basketball in their first scrimmage.
Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday. Stay safe and have fun, wherever you might be celebrating. Maybe even take a moment to sing, "We're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle..." C'mon, you know you want to.
Reader Comments (2)
Dodgeball!
Definitely, Chris! "Obscure Sports Quarterly" is a wonderful place to get all of the latest sports news.