5. The Program (1993; Written by David S. Ward & Aaron Latham and Directed by David S. Ward): James Caan stars as Sam Winters, a university football coach under extreme pressure from the school and fans to deliver wins. The struggles of the coach are mirrored by those of his players as they try to cope with life playing football at a major university with a strong track record of success. The film explores the strong undercurrent of questionable practices that people will participate in to win games, and the pressure the team endures as they struggle to choose between what they believe is right or wrong.
Memorable Quote: "...when was the last time 80,000 people showed up to watch a kid do a damn chemistry experiment? Why don't you stick the bow-tie up your a**?" - Coach Winters responding to a school official questioning his focus on football rather than academics
4. Any Given Sunday (1997; Written by John Logan & Oliver Stone and Directed by Oliver Stone): Tony D"Amato (Al Pacino) is the aging coach of a struggling fictional team called the Miami Sharks. When the team's star quarterback, Jack Rooney (Dennis Quaid), gets knocked out of the game, a third-string quarterback, Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx), is called in as a replacement and dazzles with his skills. With a new star player, plus a new and tough female owner, Coach D'Amato struggles to acclimate and questions his impact on the new era of Sharks football.
Memorable Quote: "On any given Sunday you're gonna win or you're gonna lose. The point is - can you win or lose like a man?" - Coach D'Amato to his team
3. Remember the Titans (2000; Written by Gregory Allen Howard and Directed by Boaz Yakin): Denzel Washington stars as Herman Boone, the man hired as coach for the football team of T.C. Williams High School, a newly desegregated school in Alexandria, Virginia. Based on true events and set in 1971, the story follows the players as they clash over race issues and shows Boone's influence in setting the team straight and directing them towards success. Boone encounters a heavy backlash from the town's people as they have a hard time coming to terms with an African-American coaching their team, but Boone perseveres and establishes a strong unity among his players.
Memorable Quote: "This is no democracy. It is a dictatorship. I am the law." - Coach Boone, to his players
2. Jerry Maguire (1996; Written and Directed by Cameron Crowe): This part-comedy, part-drama features Tom Cruise as Jerry Maguire, a high-profile sports agent who is fired from his firm after writing a mission statement about how the sports management business should be run. Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger) is the only one who follows Jerry outside his firm and joins forces with him as he attempts to rebuild his damaged ego and career. The only client who sticks with him is Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), a high-energy Arizona Cardinals wide receiver who gives Jerry fits but rewards him in the end.
Memorable Quote: "I am out here for you. You don't know what it's like to be ME out here for YOU. It is an up-at-dawn, pride-swallowing siege that I will never fully tell you about, ok?" - Maguire explaining his life to Tidwell as his agent
1. Rudy (1993; Written by Angelo Pizzo and Directed by David Anspaugh): Daniel E. "Rudy" Ruettiger (Sean Astin) was an undersized small-town boy with poor athletic skills and a dream to play football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, one of the most storied and respected football programs in the country. Instead of settling for working in the steel mill like his other family members, Rudy makes the decision to chase his dream despite the lengthy line of naysayers. His story, a true one, evokes inspiration every time it's watched. Future Hollywood stars Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn appear in supporting roles.
Memorable Quote: "I've been ready for this my whole life!" - Rudy responding when asked if he's ready for his first and only game
