Over the course of Hollywood’s history, some of the most meaningful and memorable motion pictures have been relative to greatness on the gridiron. Movies such as Brian’s Song and Remember the Titans that touch our hearts and move our souls, as well as others such as We Are Marshall, showing triumph even in the face of adversity.
However, what many people fail to realize is that football is not just merely a sport, but a life coach, teaching the values of hard work, determination, teamwork, leadership, how to cope with adversity, and the list could go on for days. Here are a few quotes from some of those movies, and a few ways you can apply them to being able to strive for success and deal with the harsh realities of life. (It may also help you tough it out through the long, harsh, devoid Sundays of summer!)
The opening visual from the movie Any Given Sunday shows a quote form the famed Vince Lombardi saying “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour – his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.
Now, anything can be a battlefield, from the 50-yard line at Lambeau Field to the kitchen in a truck stop diner on I-90. The bottom line is that at the end of the day, you are victorious, and you are so dog tired from that day long battle that you crash right then and there from it. Take that moment to recover from your exhaustion and bask in your glory.
Another quotable from Any Given Sunday is an incredible statement from Coach Tony Dimato talking to his quarterback, Willie Beaman. “That’s what a leader is about. Sacrifice. The times he’s got to sacrifice because he’s got to lead by example, not by fear and not by self pity.”
What is really being said here is that, well, its pretty self explanatory. To put it all in short being a leader requires sacrifice. If you don’t want to make the sacrifices it takes to lead, you’re just another follower.
“When I look at those pictures and trophies and stuff, it only makes me sad. It’s like a room full of ghosts. When I’m done with this game, or this game is done
with me, I want to be more than that.” This was a quote from Willie Beaman during Any Given Sunday.
What Beaman is saying is that like all of us, we all want to be more than just a memory, but to be a legend, one who will be around in the everyday minds of their descendants. But in order to be the greatest of tomorrow, we must first be the greatest of today.
One of the most highly acclaimed movies that ABC has now turned into a TV series is Friday Night Lights, which combines the drama of adolescence with the hardcore rough and tough attitude of Texas high school football. That’s their entire weekend in Texas. High school games on Friday night, college games on Saturday, and Cowboys and Texans on Sunday.
“You shouldn’t have any doubt in your mind about what you’re supposed to do or how you’re supposed to do it.” This was said in the locker room prior to opening night in the film. If you are thinking about what you’re supposed to do, you’re doubting. If you don’t have the full know-how as to how to do something, or what you’re supposed to be doing, you are doubting. So get the knowledge first, and then do it.
Another big one that comes out of this film is the following. A football team is not about one player or two players. A football team is about the team. This is a unit and that’s the way we have to play it.” Here, we see players getting individual attention, not being focused on working on the team, but themselves alone. Players become selfish, and in turn, teams wind up looking like the Oakland Raiders; a team of selfish players all worried about themselves alone.
A movie that shows truly what being a team is about, and quite possibly the greatest football movie of all time, We Are Marshall holds some of the most important values in not just its quotes, but its visualizations as well. If you haven’t had the chance to watch it, make time. For those of you who have no idea what the title refers to let me give you a brief synopsis. On November 14, 1970, Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia suffered a tragic loss, having almost their entire football team perish in a horrific plane crash. This movie tells the story of how the university returned to glory.
“When I heard about what had happened, your situation, the only thing I could think about was the four of them. (his kids) I thought about how much they mean to me, and about how bad it would hurt if I was to lose them. Then I thought about team, and a school, and a town. It’s got to be hurting real bad. Then I thought hell, maybe I can help.”
This was a quote from Jack Lengyel, during an interview with the president of Marshall, speaking in reference as to why he wanted the job as the coach of a team that just died. The bottom line is that to players, coaches, fans, its a family. Whether it be your biggest rival, or your own teammate, the sport is about doing your best and taking care of one another.
“A good effort is not enough. I’m proud of you, but I will not accept losing with you. Because there’s only one thing they judge us on, only one thing people remember, and it ain’t how we play the game. Winning is everything.” This statement was made by the Marshall coach the night of the crash. Despite the fact that it isn’t the most eloquent of speeches, its true. After all, who came in 2nd place in the 100m dash in ’04?
The bottom line is trying to be the best is not enough. You have to be the best.
The one quote that is most ironically memorable is one that takes place at the very beginning of the film, with the Marshall coach leading the coined chant of “We are Marshall”, immediately followed by “Almost home.” The irony falls into this as to the fact that immediately following such, the plane was struck by lightning, causing the plane to crash, killing everyone on board, and taking them home to heaven.
In reality, we can face death in one instant. Go until the final whistle blows, because when it does blow, thats it. There are no do-overs, no time put back on the clock, and unfortunately, in life, you can’t throw out a challenge flag and ask for them to review the play. Kicking butt and taking names is the name of the game of life today. You had best do it, or you’re name is going to get taken, and you’ll be just another ghost on the wall.
