The comedown of Sunday evening with the reality of Monday morning can be daunting. Whether it’s the social battery of a big weekend or the sudden realization you must be at work in less than twelve hours, the mental battery is drained, and the sky begins to darken. A common remedy is movies but sometimes an extra jolt is needed to get back up. Personally, sports themed films have been an unending source of motivation no matter how many times I have watched them previously. Identifying and relating to the struggle and triumph of the below became my subconscious mantra and still is when facing the climb of another week. Especially when life is at its roughest. These scenes are iconic because of the emotions they simultaneously draw and restore. And if they don’t evoke anything from someone watching, they probably never played sports or there is something seriously psychologically wrong with them.
(Tin Cup) “You define the moment, or the moment defines you.”-Roy McAvoy
Costner inspires all of us hacks to take a chance on immortality no matter how ridiculous the odds are against. The legendary driving range pro of west Texas took the U.S. Open by storm armed with his hot therapist, spicy caddy and a little native ability. Roy McAvoy’s struggles and triumphs are relatable because of how common they are on and off any public golf course. He’s in love with a girl who thinks he’s an idiot, wants more for himself but is afraid to fail and some days his swing and everything around him feels like an unfolded lawn chair. Other days he’s King Kong, mildly attractive when he’s obnoxious and arrogant, parring out the back nine with just a seven iron to qualify for a major on his way to Waffle-House.
(Rush) “So that’s it? It’s over?… Fuck it!”-James Hunt
An incredible true story of the first rock-star athlete who would not accept defeat until the wheels literally came off, no matter what the situation or cost. One of the few to beat Nickie Lauda and the only ever driver he ever respected, James Hunt lived his life on the edge and Ron Howard’s biopic comes with as many lessons as it does thrills. His legend has only grown stronger with time nearly five decades following his death at the age of 45.
(The Fighter) “This is your time, all right? You take it.”-Dickie Eklund
The pride of Lowell, Mass. Mickey Ward took the boxing world by storm with a combination of sheer guts and determination that could only be attributed to overcoming the difficult circumstances outside the ring involving his family. His older brother and trainer Dickie Eklund was once a contender, going toe to toe with Sugar Ray for 10 rounds. He now finds himself clinging to the shadow of who he was fifteen years prior, battling addiction, jail, and an overzealous mother/manager. Mickey’s rise through the ranks to world champion was nothing short of incredible and contingent on his brother’s sobriety and coaching ability. Ward retired after multiple title defenses and Dickie currently works as a youth boxing trainer and motivational speaker.
(Wimbledon) “Go out there and decide who you are.”-Lizzie Bradbury
When you’re 119th in the world and past thirty the outlook for a championship at The All England Lawn Tennis Championships would be a dubious proposition, to say the least. The addition of a girlfriend currently ranked number one during the tournament becomes the B12 shot that propels Peter Colt from retirement to revival, proving the age-old adage that we all play better when our girl or boy is in the stands watching. A film about tennis without Will Smith in it, Wimbledon is elevated by its fantastic sports cinematography and one-liners peppered throughout.
(Rudy) “In this life, you don’t have to prove nothin’ to nobody but yourself.”-Fortune
Although he may have been guilty of defensive offsides, it’s incredibly hard to not feel your eyes well up when Rudy makes the sack on G-Tech’s QB with a stadium chanting his name. His story of perseverance culminates in an end scene that is extremely difficult to change the channel from when on basic cable, even if the result of the play should have been first and five the other way.
(Mystery, Alaska) “I’m not beaten!”-John Biebe
A tiny town in the great north draws the attention of the NHL after a Sports Illustrated article by one of its former locals proclaims their ability to skate with anyone. The Saturday game of pond hockey between residents turns into a chance to play the Rangers on their ice, culminating with a heartfelt, semi-believable ending and laughs throughout.
(White Men Can’t Jump) “You can put a cat in an oven, but that don’t make it a biscuit.” -Sidney Deane
The hilarious story of two street balling hustlers has as many repeatable lines as it does amazing hoop scenes. Both characters in desperate need of money turn to each other to defeat the kings of concrete in dramatic fashion with an emphatic alley-oop for the game and ten grand. Woody Harrelson’s face and reaction as he throws it down is exactly what I imagine it would feel like, making this my favorite basketball movie ever since age 10.
(Day of Thunder) “I’m more afraid of being nothing than I am of being hurt.”-Cole Trickle
Mental breakthroughs happen in mere seconds after taking trillions of them to get there but the smile is always the same on anybody when they do. A little help from Uncle Eddie and Robert Duvall doesn’t hurt either. A Cruise classic complete with mind blowing cinematography and sound, great script and somehow a scene with him running on foot at full speed.
(Cinderella Man) “I had a run of bad luck. This time around, I know what I’m fighting for. Milk.”-James J. Braddock
The definition of resilience and precedent of what a comeback really is, James J. Braddock provided a ray of hope during the darkest hours of our country’s great depression. His fight to feed his family was greater than any opponent’s punch and the heavyweight title he won was simply extraordinary. Eventually the great Joe Louis would take his crown but was quoted as saying that Braddock was the bravest man he ever fought, and Ron Howard does an amazing job of capturing that essence in this film.
(Breaking Away) “I think you really should go. I think you should come home, singing, with a trophy. I think you should do all those things while you can.”-Mrs. Stohler
One of the better coming of age films and certainly a point of pride for Indiana University, Breaking Away is typically voted among the top 5 sports movies ever made. It centers on Dave Stohler, a recent high school graduate who becomes so enamored with cycling that he pretends to be Italian including the accent. His quest to ride with team Cinzano one day is supported by his three hilarious friends and mother but despised by his old man who believes it’s time to grow up, get a job and be miserable. Well written dialogue and even better performances by all involved have made this movie as timeless as the little 500 itself.
The Modern Renaissance Man 
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