The Waterboy
Adam Sandler’s role as a water boy turned all–star linebacker is a comedic story of unexpected heroism. At a big school, even the water boys are super important. “The Waterboy” gives all of us NARPs hope that we can be part of a celebrated team without ever being tackled.
Watch it on Amazon Instant Video.
Blue Mountain State
This hilarious 2010–2011 series depicts the lives of the “Mountain Goats” football players as they football hard and party harder. If the football team loses? Party away the sadness. If the football team wins? Party in celebration.
Watch all three seasons on Netflix.
Coach
“Coach,” a 1990s TV series, stars Craig T. Nelson as the head coach of the Minnesota State Screaming Eagles, who spends all of his time deriving plays and whipping his team into shape. Spoiler Alert: they win the national championship as the underdog team, and it will give you chills. What could be more incredible than watching your team bring home a championship ring?
Watch all nine seasons on Netflix.
Friday Night Lights
(The TV Show)
“Friday Night Lights” follows a football team in a small West Texas town that eats, sleeps, and breathes football. In Dillon, you can be sure that on game days, when you walk out of the door, everybody you encounter will be wearing team colors and apparel. The passion for the team goes way beyond its players. Speaking of Homecoming, this TV show is based on a book with the same name by Penn alum Buzz Bissinger (C ’76).
Watch all five seasons on Netflix.
Forrest Gump
“Forrest Gump” is an epic story about several eventful decades in one man’s life. Forrest finds himself playing for Alabama’s football team, becoming one of their star players. Even though this classic is more often remembered for philosophizing about a box of chocolates, the football scenes make us wish we Roll Tided.
Watch it on Netflix.
Glee
“Glee” centers around several characters who play football and sing in the glee club, duh.The football players are bigger celebrities than any actual famous person. But, they also sit next to you in math class and sing in your a cappella group. Swoon (at the ones that aren’t homophobic bullies). Plus, who wouldn’t want to watch a football team do the “Single Ladies” dance?
Watch seasons one through four on Netflix and season five on Hulu.
We Are Marshall
Based on the true story of the plane crash that killed 37 football players on the Marshall University Thundering Herd, “We Are Marshall” follows the rebuilding of a team post–tragedy. Everyone comes together to cheer for the same team, reminding audiences how teams can unite groups of people in hard times.
Watch it on Amazon Instant Video.
Rudy
“Rudy” is the story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruetigger, a boy who overcame tremendous obstacles, chased his dreams and ended up playing football at Notre Dame. “Rudy” reminds us never to give up on our dreams. As “Rudy!” is chanted over and over in one of the final scenes of the movie, we wish we could be cheering along in the bleachers for this titular underdog.
Watch it on iTunes.
Necessary Roughness
(The Movie)
“Necessary Roughness” is a sports comedy that stars members of the Texas State Fighting Armadillos. After a series of scandals, Coach “Straight Arrow” must put together a new team. In one epic scene, the coach puts female soccer star Lucy Draper on the team. Lucy proves girls are more than just confused spectators, who can be not only big fans but also key players.
Watch it on Amazon Instant Video.
The Comebacks
“The Comebacks” is a satirical spoof on typical sports movies. Directed by an impostor Tom Brady, “The Comebacks” follows a piteous coach as he tries to create a strong football team from a group of non–athletes who do not know the first thing about the sport.
Watch it on Amazon Instant Video.
I’m Schmacked
We’ve all watched this YouTube series, and we’ve all wished we went to a football school afterwards. Only on Homecoming weekend would this “film” be worthy of Film and TV section status. Best of luck getting schmacked this weekend.
Watch it on YouTube.
