Safety (Disney+)
I never cry in movies, but this one may have got me. This 2020 film is based on the true story of Ray-Ray McElrathbey, a safety (hence the name) for the University of Clemson. The movie follows him while he raises his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr, all the while balancing his football scholarship and the demanding nature of college football. As he secretly raises his brother in his college dorm, Ray-Ray’s story is one of found family, brotherhood, and the power of football in bringing people together.
Fun Fact: The football game action was filmed during halftime at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium (aka Death Valley) during a Clemson Tigers — Charlotte 49ers game played on September 21, 2019. Fans stayed in their seats for the game sequences and cheered as if the plays were real!
If you are looking for a heartwarming story of brotherhood in football, I highly suggest this movie. While all the trades and releases are happening in the NFL, and teams get torn apart by the offseason, this movie can serve as a reminder of the family and unity that football can create.
Courtesy of IMDb
Blind Side (Amazon Prime Video)
Inspired by a true story based on Michael Oher, this football movie is an instant classic - heartwarming, humorous, and deeply moving. The Blind Side tells the story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless black teen who has drifted in and out of the school system for years. Then, Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and her husband, Sean (Tim McGraw), take him in. The Tuohys eventually become Michael's legal guardians, transforming both his life and theirs.
Michael's tremendous size and protective instincts make him a formidable force on the gridiron, and with help from his new family and devoted tutor, he realizes his potential as a student and football player.
This movie will have you in all the feels, you will be screaming at the TV quoting Sandra Bullock (“Enough with the trick plays, Burt! Run the dang ball!”), and yes, even crying.
Courtesy of USA Today
Brian’s Song (YouTube and AppleTV)
Based on a true story, Brian’s Song follows the unlikely friendship between Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. What starts as a competitive rivalry turns into a deep bond transcending race and football. When Piccolo is diagnosed with terminal cancer, their friendship is put to the ultimate test. Through moments of laughter, loyalty, and heartbreak, the film highlights the power of brotherhood and resilience. Fair warning, be prepared to cry!
Courtesy of PARK CIRCUS
Last Chance U (Netflix)
This Netflix original series follows college football teams that aren't major programs and don't get much national attention. Last Chance U isn’t just about football, it's about redemption. Many of the plays have faced setbacks whether it was due to academic struggles, off-the-field issues, or even being overlooked by bigger programs. The first season spotlighted East Mississippi Community College, which has won several NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) national titles before it shifted its focus to Independence Community College. Unlike EMCC, the Kansas school lacks the same winning tradition and is trying to rebuild after years of losses. Regardless of the program, the players are all chasing the same dream: a second chance to prove themselves.
For many of the athletes, Last Chance U served as a stepping stone back to Division I programs or even the pros. Several Last Chance U players have made it to the NFL, such as John Wright, who is a cornerback for the New Orlean Saints, Dakota Allen, who has played for the Los Angeles Rams, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos as a linebacker. Lastly, John Franklin III, who has played the last two seasons in the United States Football League (USFL) with the Memphis Showboats in 2023 and another with the Tampa Bay Bandits in 2022, and has now signed with the Edmonton Elks in the CFL as a wide receiver. Before joining the USFL, Franklin spent parts of four seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears (2018) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-21).
Last Chance U is a testament to the resiliency needed to survive in the cutthroat world of football. It shows how with the right mindset, determination, and support, players can overcome obstacles and reclaim their football destiny.
Courtesy of SHIFTER
Coach Prime (Amazon Prime Video)
As legendary football player Deion Sanders trades in his Hall of Fame cleats for a headset and some swanky sunglasses, this docu-series follows him as he steps into the high-stakes world of college football coaching. After making waves with Jackson State University, where he transformed the Tigers into a dominant program, Coach Prime works to revitalize the Colorado Buffaloes. With his signature swagger, relentless work ethic, and, of course, those ever-present shades that never come off (seriously, does he even sleep in them?), Sanders brings a fresh energy to every program he is a part of.
Mr. Prime Time is out in full force, with electrifying locker room speeches that will have you jumping off your couch to intense gameday moments, this docu-series delivers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most charismatic and game-changing coaches in college football today.
Courtesy of Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
Colin in Black and White (Netflix)
Colin in Black & White is more than just a story about football - it's an eye-opening journey into the formative years of Colin Kaepernick and the experiences that shaped him into the activist he is today. Viewers will walk away with a better understanding of who he is and why his fight goes beyond the football field through a mix of dramatized storytelling and Kaepernick’s own narration. This Netflix series offers a powerful look at his high school years, where he navigates race, identity, and the realities of being a Black athlete in a predominantly white world. It challenges viewers to rethink what they know about his decision to take a knee and the deeper social issues that fueled his activism.
Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes
Quarterback (Netflix)
Quarterback takes you beyond the field and into the lives of NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota in the 2022-23 NFL season. This docu-series gives fans an all-access pass to the highs and lows of being an NFL QB. Each of these quarterbacks is in a different place in their career and navigates the turbulent nature of the NFL. Through their mic’d-up moments, behind-the-scenes family life, and raw emotions, Quarterback offers a rare glimpse into what it takes to play the most demanding position in sports.
Courtesy of Netflix
Receiver (Netflix)
Following the success of Quarterback, five new NFL players are followed throughout their 2023 season. This eight-part docu-series follows five NFL wide receivers and one tight end. The series highlights the personal lives of these players and explores what it's like to play one of the most scrutinized and electrifying positions in sports. Fans will get exclusive moments with Davante Adams, wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders, Justin Jefferson, wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, George Kittle, tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, Deebo Samuel, wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, wide receiver for the Detroit Lions.
Courtesy of Netflix
Aaron Rodgers: Enigma (Netflix)
Who is Aaron Rodgers? Is he the first-ballot Hall of Famer, the deep thinker, or the NFL’s most unpredictable superstar? Aaron Rodgers: Enigma unpacks the layers of Rodgers and his career, from his rise to stardom to his controversial moments on and off the field, through exclusive interviews and deep dives into his philosophies. Enigma explores what makes Rodgers one of the most polarizing and fascinating quarterbacks in NFL history.
Courtesy of Netflix
Draft Day (Netflix)
Kevin Costner and Jenifer Garner star in this 2014 film that is the best thing to watch to get you pumped for the draft on April 24. The movie follows General Manager for the Cleveland Browns, Sonny Weaver, on his draft day journey. Weaver must rebuild his team, trade for the number one pick, and decide what he’s willing to sacrifice for a few hundred young men with NFL dreams. If he doesn’t make a statement, he could be fired. Sonny is forced to choose between a lower-ranked linebacker with a questionable past or a celebrated quarterback with a questionable future. Step into the shoes of a GM on draft day with this Kevin Costner classic!
Courtesy of Deadline
Edited By Elle Chavis
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