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Recently the American Film Institute named the top 10 sports films of all time. The list is full of classic flicks but after I read the 10 they chose there were a few that came to mind that did not make the cut.

Any one these seven movies could make the list in my opinion.

Seven sports movies that were overlooked on AFI’s list

1. Youngblood (1986) - Now this one might be a lot more popular in Canada but I think it is one of the best hockey movies made. I personally hate Slap Shot in case you wonder why I did not choose that. Youngblood is about a skilled young hockey prospect hoping to attract the attention of professional scouts. A very “young” Rob Lowe is pressured to show that he can fight if challenged during his stay in a Canadian minor hockey town. His on-ice activities are complicated by his relationship with the coach’s daughter. Patrick Swayze is also in this one along with one of my first boyhood crushes, Cynthia Gibb.

2. Rudy (1993) - Now I really don’t understand how this one did not make the list. It is not only my favorite football movie ever but one of my overall favorite movies period. You all know the story, Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. His grades sucked, his athletic skills sucked, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit and it pushed him to reach his goals. If you ever need to feel inspired, pop Rudy in the DVD player and it will do the trick and put that feeling of I can do anything in your head.

3. The Program (1993) - Another one of my fave football flicks. It seemed to touch on the dark side of football that gets played out in the media a lot. Yes it was probably over the top but it opened a lot of people’s eyes I am sure. For those who have not seen the movie, it is about how players from different backgrounds cope with the pressures of playing football at a major university. Some turn to drinking, others to drugs, and some to actual studying. There is a story to be seen and I bet there are a lot of schools out there not that far off from this. Laying on the railroad tracks always comes to mind when I think of this movie.

4. Bloodsport (1988) - This movie always makes me remember the sound of bones breaking. One of the best fight movies I saw growing up and the first time I got a look at Van Damme. It may not hold up that well after 20 years but it is worth a watch. Van Damme is Frank Dux and he is going to participate in the Kumite, the ultimate martial arts tournament, where participants are seriously injured or killed. Frank decides to go despite being told by his superiors in the army that he can’t because they need him. Drama follows with a lot of painful kicks to the head and one of the more sweaty movies I can remember.

5. Friday Night Lights (2006) - This sports movie might be a little too new to be considered but it is one of my favorite. Football seems to translate well into movies and this one has a true story attached to it. Billy Bob Thornton plays the coach that goes to Dillon, Texas where only one night matters. Friday Night Lights displays the stress that the town gives the high school players to win, and the hope that the team gives to a small town. In the end it shows how they come together as a team on their way to victory. Not your typical canned storyline but that is what happens when you run with non fiction. This was the first time I really understood just how insane high school football is in the States.

6. Cinderella Man (2005) - It helps that I am a huge Russell Crowe fan but I think this is one of the better boxing movies I have seen. The actual fight scenes make you cringe and feel the blows to the head as you watch. It sounded real and made you feel you were at the fights. I left this movie with a greater appreciation of how hard you had to fight in life during this dark period in history. The story is of James Braddock, a supposedly washed up boxer who came back to become a champion and an inspiration in the 1930s. It is no Raging Bull but it is worth a look if you love boxing flicks. At the very least you will be very hungry after and go out for a big meal.

7. Kingpin (1996) - Before you head to the comment section to tear me a new one let me defend this pick. A sports movie does not have to be a great dramatic piece of work as we all know. King Pin is still one of the funniest movies I have ever seen and just for Bill Murray alone it deserves some attention. The bowling scenes are great and I bet it did a wonder of good for the sport. Besides how can you not love a movie about a star bowler whose career was prematurely “cut off” and hopes to ride a new prodigy to success and riches. That right there is gold. A let us not forget Vanessa Angel. I think we all like candy don’t we?

There you have it, is there a sports movie you would list if you got to choose the 10 best?

I also want to thank Buzz Pirates for giving me the idea for this post.

To see all the previous seven posts just click here.

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