5 Great Football Movies and 5 Current Teams That Need to Watch Them

Some teams this year need a little bit of motivation. They look a little flat and they're just not playing as well as they could. They need that little kick to keep give them some new life.

Great movies have been made and their stories inspire us, so why can't they inspire current teams today as well?

Check out five great movies and five NFL teams today that need to watch them and gain some inspiration from them.

5. Invincible (2006)

The plot:

Follows the story of Vince Papale—who quits his job and gets a divorce—and somehow ends up playing football for the Philadelphia Eagles—despite the fact he’s already in his 30s.

The quote:

"When I told you not to get your hopes up...doesn't mean that I didn't..."

The team:

Arizona Cardinals. Kevin Kolb, in my opinion, has been handed a lifeline in the end of his career to play with young guys who love playing football, as well as some incredibly talented guys, least of which is Larry Fitzgerald.

Kolb will not win the Super Bowl, but he can play well and win some games and be proud of the achievements he makes in his NFL career. He needs to step up and play well and even without the greatest team, enjoy the opportunity he has to play football.

4. Rudy (1993)

The plot:

Tracks the real life story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettinger who dreams of playing for the fighting Irish at Notre Dame and has to go through different colleges and tutors to get there, only to be a tackling bag for the team for two years. Rudy inspires the team and is allowed to dress for one game, where he is carried off by his teammates in triumph.

The quote:

"You're five-foot nothin', 100 and nothin', and you have barely a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football players in the land for two years. And you're gonna walk outta here with a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody but yourself. And after what you've gone through, if you haven't done that by now, it ain't gonna never happen. Now go on back..."

The team:

Chicago Bears. Tackling bag? Jay Cutler. I think the Bears need to watch this movie just for them to see how passionate their QB is for success for his team—so much so that he takes more hits and sacks than most other QB’s week in, week out, just so they can win some games.

The O-line isn’t cash; neither is the defense, but Cutler turns up every week and as we saw Monday night, has some serious talent when it comes to making big time throws against big name teams. He reeks of passion and talent and his team need to see it and step up.

3. Friday Night Lights (2004)

The plot:

Follows the story of the Permian Panthers—a football team in Texas—that gives their town hope every Friday night in playing football. A career-ending injury to the superstar tailback leaves the team in a spin, and hope is lost by all and they must somehow find their way back to winning.

The quote:

“Perfection is being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you did everything you could to not let them down...”

The team:

Oakland Raiders. After a strong season last year, which included a sweep of all divisional teams, the Raiders started strong this year (4-2) before injuries to QB Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden as well as the passing of Al Davis have rocked the team. Oakland still sits in a great position to make the playoffs. They must just pull together and fight their way back into the winners circle.

2. Remember the Titans (2000)

The plot:

The story of TC Williams High School where in the early 1970s, players of different races were forced to play together. The players find the city in turmoil due to the forced segregation and as the season progresses, the team’s success forces the community to accept the changes and brings them closer than before.

The quote:

"We will be perfect in every aspect of the game. You drop a pass, you run a mile. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, and I will break my foot off in your John Brown hind parts and then you will run a mile. Perfection. Let's go to work..."

The team:

Minnesota Vikings. It’s time to move on guys—Brett Favre is gone and you’re looking at Christian Ponder for the future. The problem in Minnesota is that (like Arizona) they want to sign a big-name QB to replace their ex big-name QB and expect whoever that is, that they’re going to fix everything.

News flash. They’re not. You need to look at what you’ve got and grow Ponder. The kid is good—he was sound against the Packers early—you need to grow him and give him years in the starting line rather than trying to sign a big-name at the end of their career. That just kills the team. And kills the fans.

1. We Are Marshall (2006)

The plot:

Tracks the Marshall University football team of the 1970s after all but four members of their playing and coaching staff were killed in a horrific plane accident. The movie is about toughing it out and seeing it through and never giving up—even in the most harsh of circumstances.

The quote:

"One day, not today, not tomorrow, not this season, probably not next season either but one day, you and I are gonna wake up and suddenly we're gonna be like every other team in every other sport where winning is everything and nothing else matters. And when that day comes, well that's, that's when we'll honor them. You understand me? How you play today, from this moment on is how you will be remembered. This is your opportunity to rise from these ashes and grab glory..."

The team:

Indianapolis Colts. Yeah, you've lost Peyton Manning. Yeah, it's been a bad year so far and it's only going to get worse. Yeah, you've had your fair share of bad luck. Yeah, you're not playing for the Super Bowl this year—you're playing for pride. You need to rise up from these ashes and grab glory. And then, one day, not today and not any time soon, then winning will count again. But for now, it's about showing some pride and not giving it all up.