The Top 5 True Sports Movies

There are literally hundreds of sports movies, and many that didn't make my list are noteworthy. The difference between my list and many others are that all of mine are based on true stories. Although we all love watching Rocky battle Apollo Creed, watching real boxing legend Jim Braddock battle to stay out of the soup lines is, to me, a much more powerful story. These are my top 5 sports movies of all time.

5. The Rookie

Dennis Quaid stars in Disney's wonderful adaptation of Jimmy Morris's Major League Baseball debut at the age of 35. Morris was a promising minor league pitcher who injured his arm before he got a chance to really shine. Twelve years, and many surgeries later, we find Morris teaching chemistry (the real Morris taught physics) and coaching baseball and football. He promises his struggling team that if they make it to the playoffs he will try out for the Major Leagues. The team makes it to the playoffs and to keep his promise Morris attended a Tampa Bay Devil Ray training camp. His consistent 98 mph fastballs prompted the Devil Rays to sign him. He plays minor league for a while, moving up until he is called to the Big Leagues. The Rookie tells a real-life story about second chances, perseverance and that you're never too small, or in Morris's case too old, to realize your dreams.

4. Seabiscuit

As underdogs go, Seabiscuit was a storybook example, or maybe an underhorse. He was a horse everyone said was too small, ridden by a half-blind jockey everyone said was too big, in the stable of a man everyone said didn't know the racing business. Everything about Seabiscuit's tale is one of triumph. Owner Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges) bought Seabiscuit because he saw potential in the grandson of famous Man-O-War. He hired Tom Smith, (Chris Cooper) real life horse whisperer, who brought Seabiscuit out of his lethargic running style and into a fierce competitor. The movie is as much about jockey Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire) as the horse. Maguire does a great job of playing the anorexic, bulimic, half-blind, down-on-his-luck jockey who helps turn Seabiscuit into one of horse racing's greatest champions. The emphasis on Seabiscuit's inspiration to a depression-era nation is one that will bring a tear to the sentimental eye. The triumph of a group of people and a horse will encourage anyone.

3. Remember the Titans

In 1971 President Richard M. Nixon said that T.C. Williams High School "saved the city of Alexandria". Remember the Titans tells the true story of African American Coach Herman Boone's (Denzel Washington) T.C Williams High School football team, The Titans. The movie deals with racial issues in the 70's by showing how a football team of mixed race came together to be undefeated state champions. The football scenes are intense and exciting. The racial drama is emotional and thought-provoking. The 70's soundtrack, costumes and scenery provide a nostalgia and lively backdrop. The real stars are the young actors playing the football players. Ryan Hurst leads with a wonderful portrayal of real-life high school superstar Gerry Bertier. Hayden Panettiere plays Sheryl Yoast, assistant coach Bill Yoast's (Will Patton) daughter. The story is told from her point of view. All together Remember the Titans is a heart-warming tale of America's youth and the powerful struggle against racism.

2. Cinderella Man

Ron Howard shows why he is one of Hollywood's biggest directors by telling the incredible tale of boxing great Jim Braddock. Russell Crowe delivers an incredible performance alongside Renée Zellweger, who portrays his wife Mae Braddock. Braddock found his fortune spiraling downward, along with most of America during The Great Depression. He lost a slew of fights and injured his hand. Struggling to support his family he is forced to accept government assistance and whatever jobs he can find. A stroke of fate delivers Braddock one chance to fight again. No one believes Braddock will be able to defeat the younger man and the has-been fights for something else now. He fights for his family's survival. The movie spends a good deal of focus dealing with Braddock's goal and realization of a title fight with Heavyweight Champion Max Baer (who unfortunately gets demonized for the cause of a good story.) The story of victory in a time of troubles and of a man's character, convictions and courage is one of sport's all-time great movies.

1. Hoosiers

My favorite sports movie of them all reminds me of stories my father used to tell me of high school basketball in rural Ohio. Hoosiers, of course, is set in basketball loving Indiana in 1951. Gene Hackman plays a volatile Bobby Knight-style high school coach with a sordid past. He turns a tiny school into champions, turns a solitary boy into a legend and turns a son back to his father. Dennis Hopper plays an alcoholic basketball fanatic turned assistant coach. (He garnered an Oscar nomination for the role.) While the story embellishes significantly from its origins, it is poignantly touching throughout. If you don't stand up and cheer for Maris Valainis's final shot, then you are no true basketball fan.