The top ten greatest sports films

As the new decade begins, the world of sports continues to remain a vital catalyst to the welfare of American life. For every great game of the past residing deep within the psyche of sports fans, there exists a sports film that ran tangential to the games themselves. Some movies illuminated sports with truth and triumph, while others produced unforgettable parodies that made us laugh.

10. The Longest Yard (1974)

 Iconic actor Burt Reynolds brought his college football experience to the big screen as he portrayed former pro football quarterback, Paul "Wrecking" Crewe. Crewe's career was cut short since he was caught "shaving" points (gambling) in games he played. After a drunken dispute with his wealthy girlfriend one night, Crewe steals her car and leads police on a high speed pursuit. Eventually he is caught and sentenced to serve 18 months in prison. The plot unravels as Crewe is hand-picked by the prison warden to lead the inmates in a football game against the guards.

9. Happy Gilmore (1996)

Adam Sandler starred in this blockbuster that took the country by storm with his unique comedic style of acting. Happy Gilmore is a failed hockey player with no apparent direction in life. While trying to save money to prevent foreclosure on his grandmother's house and retrieve her away from the nursing home, Happy discovers his skills on the ice allow him to hit big drives on the golf course which prompts him to attempt to play on the Pro Tour.

8. The Program (1993)

 With an all-star cast including James Caan, Halle Berry, Omar Epps, Craig Sheffer and Kristy Swanson, this film brought to life the different realities college students and athletes potentially face: Pressure, stress, alcohol and drug abuse and the lengths athletes will adhere to in pursuit of being the best.

7. Above the Rim (1994) 

Duane Martin portrayed Kyle-Lee, an inner city high school kid aspiring to take his basketball future to Georgetown University. This film brought to life the struggles of America's youth residing in inner city suburbia. Supporting actors included Marlon Wayans, Tupac Shakur, Leon Robinson and Bernie Mac.

6. Remember the Titans (2000)

Based on a true story, "Remember the Titans" tells a tale of struggle for civil rights for African Americans and the desegregation movement that followed in the late 1960's. T.C. Williams High School is assigned a new head football coach, Herman Boone (Denzel Washington), whose passion for the game bridged the gap against prejudice and racism for 30 high school football players during their 1971 season.

5. Jerry Maguire (1996)

"Jerry Maguire" encased a new angle from a sports film point of view in that it was centered on the life of a sports agent. Tom Cruise filled the shoes of the central character as Jerry Maguire plunged desperately to his demise after releasing a mission statement to his company which resulted in his termination. The plot unfolds when he is left with one client (Cuba Gooding Jr.) to repent and turn his life around.

4. Rocky (1976)  

Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in this epic tale of rags to riches about boxer Rocky Balboa. The "Rocky" saga itself spanned over a decade and has become one of the most iconic sports movies of all time. Stallone's character gleamed excessively that if you remain hopeful and work hard, anything can be accomplished. This movie changed the sport of boxing forever.