25 Football Films to Love (Even if You Don't Love Football)15 of 25
The Replacements (2000)
For NFL fans with a long memory, the last time a players' strike impacted a regular season was in 1987. That was when three weeks' worth of games were contested by replacement players, many of whom had been cut in training camp or had pursued other careers after failing to catch on in the league. This 2000 film tells the story of a ragtag roster of players that is quickly assembled when the fictional Washington Sentinels go on strike. Gene Hackman plays their coach Jimmy McGinty, who is called out of retirement to help establish some order out of the chaos. Keanu Reeves plays former college standout Shane Falco, who helps to lead a lineup that includes a convenience store guard, some rappers, a former sumo wrestler, and an ex-convict, among others.
For NFL fans with a long memory, the last time a players' strike impacted a regular season was in 1987. That was when three weeks' worth of games were contested by replacement players, many of whom had been cut in training camp or had pursued other careers after failing to catch on in the league. This 2000 film tells the story of a ragtag roster of players that is quickly assembled when the fictional Washington Sentinels go on strike. Gene Hackman plays their coach Jimmy McGinty, who is called out of retirement to help establish some order out of the chaos. Keanu Reeves plays former college standout Shane Falco, who helps to lead a lineup that includes a convenience store guard, some rappers, a former sumo wrestler, and an ex-convict, among others.