By: Austin Davis

Throughout movie history, exceptional sports movies have been made depicting sports ranging from baseball, to football, to rugby.  With the recent release of The Blind Side more and more people are beginning to appreciate a truly good sports movie.  Here are the top ten sports movies of the 2000s. 

This is a fantastic movie that shows the herculean efforts the United States hockey team used in defeating the power house of the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics.  The reason that this movie is such a gem is not the final game against the Soviets; but, the way that the director, Gavin O'Connor, showed the immense struggle that different players and the coach, Herb Brooks, faced before they even made it to the Olympics.  This movie can transcend generations and be enjoyed by all, which makes it my number one pick for greatest sports movie of the 2000s. 

This is a close second to Miracle, and I believe that it is one of the greatest football movies ever made.  The desegregation of high schools following the 1960s Civil Rights Movement almost overshadows the actual football part of this movie; but, the movie is balanced very well with football scenes of multiple games showing the Titans incredible season.  The relationship between the black and white players grows tremendously throughout the film and ultimately everyone learns to be accepting of the other by the film. 

This is a great Disney classic that shows how even through great adversity, anyone can reach their goal.  The strong and realistic baseball scenes add to the rich story to make it a good movie for any age level.  This movie inspires younger viewers to keep trying at achieve their goal no matter what they might face, as the high school baseball team does in the movie.  For older viewers, it instills a hope that it is never too late to follow your dreams, just like Jimmy Morris did in The Rookie.  

This is a somewhat underrated movie that shows how one thing, specifically Seabiscuit in this case, can unite many people.  During the depression many people did not have a small ounce of hope that tomorrow would be any better for them, except the group of trainers and the jockey who rally behind Seabiscuit towards a better life.  This movie shows how the struggles and the tenacity of the young jockey change his entire life, with the help from an excellent racing horse. 

This movie is a heartbreaking tale of an extremely spirited fighter, Maggie, who realizes she has nothing in her life, so she just wants to fight.  She faced incredible odds and leapt over every wall she was up against. Until she is completely paralyzed from a cheap shot during a fight and she gives up her will to live.  This movie combines the ethics of a determined fighter and a trainer who makes the ultimate choice to give Maggie happiness at the end of her life. 

Murderball is a little known movie that shows that the true competitor inside of a man never leaves, no matter his situation in life.  It follows the United States Paralympics rugby team as they prepare and battle in the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.  All of the men in the movie have sustained spinal chord injuries that have paralyzed them from the waist down.  Their injuries came from car accidents, sporting events, and from the Iraqi War; but, they are all united by a love of their country and a wish to beat the Canadian national team. 

The most recent movie released on this list, The Blind Side, is an uplifting story about the “blind side” tackle, Michael Oher.  Oher had never had a stable family life until he moves in with the Tuohy family who show him love and they help him ultimately achieve success on and off the field.  Oher uses his protective instincts to eventually become the Baltimore Raven’s pick in the 2009 draft.  This movie is sure to inspire all who live in a less than great circumstance in life to never give up your hope for a better life. 

Invincible is a different take on the typical movie, but it is based on a true life story, like many sports movies are.  It follows home-town Philadelphia man Vince Papale as he tries out for and becomes successful with the Philadelphia Eagles football team.  Vince has to overcome lots of adversity and doubt as he rises to fame and secures a spot on the Eagles team, proving to himself and the doubters that he is indeed good enough.  This movie is another good story from Disney that reminds everyone to never quite when faced with adversity. 

The intense reality of Coach Carter is depicted very well in the movie.  The high school setting is one filled with hatred and danger as Coach Carter tries to change the lives of the young men on his basketball team.  Typically, no one cares what happens to the teenagers and they generally end up in prison or poverty.  The true story of how Coach Carter changes the lives of his players is a good one, mainly because he focuses on academic excellence instead of basketball like many people, including some parents, wished was the number one priority.

While most sports movies are dominated by male athletes, save Million Dollar Baby on this list, Gracie is a touching, yet somewhat unknown movie about the first high school girl to play soccer in the 1970s.  Based on a true life story, Gracie knew that she was as good as the boys, and since her school did not have a girl’s team, she tried out and made the boys varsity team.  This movie is great for all ages as it again shows persistence and determination in the face of adversity.  Also the soccer scenes are realistic and the boys sometimes do not hold back on Gracie because she is a girl, which pushes her even harder to succeed.