Everyone loves fall because it is football season.  What better way to spend chilly nights than watching inspirational football movies to kick off the season of touchdowns?   Four great movies come to mind when someone says football: The Blind Side, Facing the Giants, Remember the Titans, and Friday Night Lights.  These movies will bring out the best in people, and inspire them to never give up – even when the world hits rock bottom.

The Blind Side:

Setting: Memphis, Tennessee

Actors and Actresses: Sandra Bullock (Leigh Anne Tuohy), Tim McGraw (Sean Tuohy), Lily Collins (Collins Tuohy), Quinton Aaron (Michael Oher), Jae Head (S.J. Tuohy), Ray McKinnon (Coach Cotton), and Kathy Bates (Miss Sue).

Synopsis: The Blind Side is based a true story about a family of two kids, who take in a homeless teenager by the name of Michael.  Michael, known as “Big Mike”, comes from a low income area in Memphis.  His mother gave up Michael due to her drug issues and his father left when he was young.  Leigh Anne Tuohy, a strong Christian, mother and wife, hardly knew Michael, but she allowed him to stay in her fairly large home without question.  The Tuohy’s make sure Michael is comfortable and help him to succeed.  When Michael expresses an interest in football, Leigh Anne goes all out, teaching him the concept of football, hiring a tutor to help get Michael a NCAA Division One Athletic Scholarship to Ole Miss, and becomes a motherly figure for Michael.  The story continues on with Michael overcoming his past, and makes it to the NFL.  Michael currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens, and lands a starting position.

Review: The Blind Side is an amazing story that inspires people to reach out to those in need within their community.  Tears will be shed and hearts will be warmed over this family movie.

Friday Night Lights:

Setting: Odessa, Texas in 1988

Actors and Actresses:  Billy Bob Thornton (Coach Gary Gaines), Lucas Black (Mike Winchell), Garrett Hedlund (Don Billingsley), Derek Luke (Boobie Miles), Jay Hernandez (Brian Chavez), Lee Jackson (Ivory Christian), Lee Thompson Young (Chris Comer), Tim McGraw (Charles Billingsley), Amber Heard (Maria), and Connie Britton (Sharon Gaines).

Synopsis:  The people who reside in the small town of Odessa, Texas live for football.  Friday nights are the only nights the townspeople look forward to.  Odessa, racially split and economically suffering, holds the Permian Panthers, a winning football team.  The team houses quarterback Mike Winchell and all-star tail-back Boobie Miles.  All seems well until Boobie experiences a career-ending injury.  The Panthers feel as though all is lost, but Coach Gaines inspires the boys with words of wisdom.   The Permian Panthers turn themselves around, and make it to the state playoffs.

Review: Never again will anyone be the same after watching this rollercoaster of a movie.  Even after horrific accidents, this team pulls through, making it all the way.  Viewers will experience a sensation of hope watching this life-changing movie.

Remember the Titans:

Setting: Alexandria, Virginia

Actors and Actresses: Denzel Washington (Coach Herman Boone), Hayden Panettiere (Sheryl Yoast), Ryan Gosling (Alan Bosley), Will Patton (Coach Bill Yoast), Ryan Hurst (Gerry Bertier), Wood Harris (Julius Campbell), Ethan Suplee (Louie Lastik), Kevin Ian Pardue ( Ronnie ‘Sunshine’ Bass), Donald Faison (Petey Jones), Kate Bosworth (Emma Hoyt).

Synopsis:  Coach Bill Yoast, the head coach for the T.C Williams High school football team, steps down from his head position, making way for Herman Boone, the new head coach. At first the school was an all white school, until it was integrated.  All members of the team, Titans, bond over Coach Boone’s intensive preseason football training.  Herman Boone coaches the Titan boys how to correctly execute the game of football, and teaches them to respect one another.  The Titans work hard for a winning season, and come to the realization that no matter what race, everyone is equal.

Review: Remember the Titans is a fun story of men and boys overcoming differences and working together to achieve a common goal – winning football games. This movie leaves people on the edge of their seats, cheering on the Titans.

Facing the Giants:

Setting: South Georgia

Actors and Actresses: Alex Kendrick (Grant Taylor), Shannen Fields (Brooke Taylor), Steve Williams (Larry Childers), Bailey Cave (David Childers), Jason McLeod (Brock Kelley), Tracy Goode (Brady Owens), Chris Willis (J.T. Hawkins, Jr.), James Blackwell (Matt Prater), Jim McBride (Bobby Lee Duke), Mark Richt (Himself).

Synopsis: Coach Grant Taylor, a faithful Christian, never guided the Shiloh Eagle football team through a season of victory.  Faced with a childless future and potential firing of his head coach position, Coach Taylor and his wife, Brooke, are heart broken.  Coach Taylor is desperate for help, looking to God for answers.  Grant finds the answers and decides to help the members of team grow with their faith in God.  Faith helps the Shiloh Eagles win games, and it gives the boys a new perspective on life.

Review: Faith is a large portion of this family/team motivated movie.  Players on the football team and nearly ruined families bonded over their faith in God and their love of football.   This is a must-see movie for all those who have a relationship with God and football.