What do Al Pacino, Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock and Denzel Washington have in common? These big Hollywood stars have all played notable characters in films dedicated to America’s favorite sport. In celebration of Super Bowl weekend, we look back at seven memorable performances in football films.
Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire (1996)
Tom Cruise left his mark with his portrayal of sports agent Jerry Maguire in this Cameron Crowe drama which takes us behind the scenes of professional football. His cult line “Show me the money!” has become one of the most famous lines in the history of sports cinema. Cuba Gooding Jr. also shines in the role of a talented but unpredictable young player.
Denzel Washington in Remembering the Titans (2000)
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Inspired by a true story, this Disney film stars Denzel Washington as African-American coach Herman Boone, who became a symbol of the fight against racial segregation in the early 1970s by leading a high school team that had long been all-whites.
Al Pacino in Sunday heroes (1999)
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Equal to himself, the legendary Al Pacino delivers an electrifying performance as Tony D’Amato, the coach of a football team in crisis, in this sports drama from Oliver Stone. Carried by an exceptional cast (Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid….), the film stands out for its spectacular football scenes.
Matthew McConaughey dans The Spirit of a Team (2006)
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Long before winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for Dallas Buyers Club by Jean-Marc Vallée, Matthew McConaughey played a charismatic coach in this film inspired by a real tragedy. The story follows the November 1970 crash of Southern Airways Flight 932 in West Virginia, which claimed the lives of 75 people, including 37 players on the Marshall University football team.
Sandra Bullock in The Awakening of a Champion (2009)
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Sandra Bullock won the 2010 Best Actress Oscar for her performance in John Lee Hancock’s film about Michael Oher’s rise from homeless to NFL star after being taken in by a wealthy family. In 2023, the real Michael Oher, however, accused his adoptive parents of having taken advantage of his story by changing certain elements of the scenario.
Kevin Costner dance The Draft (2014)
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In this sports drama released in 2014, Kevin Costner soberly plays a (fictional) general manager of the Cleveland Browns who tries to rebuild his team after acquiring the first pick in the annual NFL draft.
Mark Wahlberg in Invincible (2006)
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Mark Wahlberg shines in this film inspired by a true story, that of Vince Papale, a Philadelphia Eagles fan who managed to carve out a place on his favorite team after participating in a training camp open to the public.
