Saw this on ajc.com this morning.\u00a0 Pretty good list!<\/p>\n
Here are the 10 best motivational speeches in sports film:<\/p>\n
10: Coach Taylor in \u201cFacing the Giants\u201d<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 This is as simple as it gets. We\u2019re not supposed to be here. They\u2019re bigger than you. Have faith in who you are. Extra point: Mark Richt made a cameo in this film. This is the exact same halftime speech he gave to his team against Alabama.<\/p>\n 9: Coach Gaines in \u201cFriday Night Lights\u201d<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 We\u2019ve always enjoyed this speech. It\u2019s the classic mold of \u201cLook, we\u2019re going to lose, but you\u2019re winners in my book\u201d monologue so many coaches have given. Extra point: The film and TV series were based on a book by H.G. Bissinger called \u201cFriday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and a Dream.\u201d<\/p>\n 8: The Rock in \u201cGridiron Gang\u201d<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 We can\u2019t relate to being in detention and trying to field a competitive football team. But listening to the Rock in this speech makes it seem OK. Extra point: Dwayne \u201cThe Rock\u201d Johnson was a member of the 1991 University of Miami national championship team. He eventually played for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League but was cut after two months.<\/p>\n 7: Coach Brooks in \u201cMiracle\u201d<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 Hockey isn\u2019t our first love, but listening to Kurt Russell in this film makes us want to fight communism. Extra point: The \u201cMiracle on Ice\u201d wasn\u2019t actually the championship game of the 1980 Olympic games. It was the semifinal and allowed the USA to advance and face Sweden for the gold.<\/p>\n 6: Fortune in \u201cRudy\u201d<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 There is another speech<\/a> in this classic film that is more to the point, but Charles S. Dutton knows how to push Sean Astin\u2019s buttons. Listen to the janitor. Extra point: Daniel \u201cRudy\u201d Ruettiger\u2019s sack was against Georgia Tech. The movie depicts Notre Dame coach Dan Devine as a villain, not wanting to put Rudy in at the film\u2019s conclusion. It was actually his idea.<\/p>\n 5: Coach Boone in \u201cRemember the Titans\u201d<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 This was a tough decision. Coach Yoast has another motivational moment<\/a> we enjoy, but this speech with Denzel Washington is the better of the two. Extra point: The film was shot in various locations around metro Atlanta including Druid Hills High School, Shamrock Middle School and Paulding High School.<\/p>\n 4: Gale Sayers in \u201cBrian\u2019s Song\u201d<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 We acknowledge this is a little sad for a motivational speech, but Billy Dee Williams channeling Gale Sayers is what loving a teammate is all about. If you felt this way about the guy next to you, you\u2019d block better, run harder and play faster. Extra point: Brian Piccolo was not drafted but tried out for the Chicago Bears. He worked his way from practice squad to back-up for Sayers before ending his four year career.<\/p>\n 3: Coach D\u2019Amato in \u201cAny Given Sunday\u201d<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 Classic Al Pacino. If this speech can\u2019t help you erase a 10-point halftime deficit, nothing will. Extra point: Are we the only ones who notice that fake professional sports uniforms look ridiculous in any movie? It\u2019s like they don\u2019t even try. Watch this film and let us know.<\/p>\n