Winnipeg athletes pick the best sports movies of all time

The release of the Jackie Robinson biopic 42 adds another to the list of memorable sports movies.  Three athletes joined the Morning News‘ Derek Taylor for a matinee showing of the movie.  Afterward they recounted their favourite sports films of all time.  One of the athletes now has to include  42 in his best list  (films are not necessarily in order).

The four sit down and discuss the film, and the possibility of a modern-day Jackie Robinson, on this week’s Focus Manitoba, Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on Global Television.

Anthony Coombs, second year Bisons football (@acoombs1)

• Remember the Titans
• Friday Night Lights
• The Best That Never Was (ESPN 30 for 30 documentary)
• The Longest Yard (1995)
• Coach Carter

“I liked the overall message, how he was trying to get the young black males out of the ‘hood and focus on education.  And let them know that if you don’t focus on school first, you won’t have a future when basketball’s over.  And that was something that was able to help me through my academic career.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: <em>"I liked the overall message, how he was trying to get the young black males out of the 'hood and focus on education.  And let them know that if you don't focus on school first, you won't have a future when basketball's over.  And that was something that was able to help me through my academic career.</em>

Nolan Gooding, fifth year Wesmen basketball (@wesmen23)

• The Blind Side
• Coach Carter
• More Than a Game
• Rebound:  The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault
• He Got Game

“The story of (Jesus Shuttlesworth) and his dad, and his dad went to jail.  Then (Jesus) had to step up and be a big brother to his sister and be the man of the house, and also take care of his own.  I found that very inspirational.  He’s doing all this on his own and he had no one to take care of him.  He had to grow up very early instead of enjoying his childhood.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: <em>"The story of (Jesus Shuttlesworth) and his dad, and his dad went to jail.  Then (Jesus) had to step up and be a big brother to his sister and be the man of the house, and also take care of his own.  I found that very inspirational.  He's doing all this on his own and he had no one to take care of him.  He had to grow up very early instead of enjoying his childhood."</em>

Willard Reaves, Blue Bombers running back, 1983-87

• Field of Dreams
• The Longest Yard (1974)
• 42
• Invictus
• Remember the Titans

“Running through the cemetery in Gettysburg … the Union soldiers and Confederates were buried pretty much where they died.  For Denzel Washington to say ‘100 years and we’re still fighting the fight’ between blacks and whites — that movie was very, very powerful.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: <em>"Running through the cemetery in Gettysburg … the Union soldiers and Confederates were buried pretty much where they died.  For Denzel Washington to say '100 years and we're still fighting the fight' between blacks and whites — that movie was very, very powerful."</em>

Derek Taylor, The Morning News

• Hoosiers
• Slap Shot
• Major League
• Field of Dreams
• Hoop Dreams

“I paid to see Hoop Dreams in the theatre six times.  An incredible documentary following two Chicago-area high school basketball stars who both think they have the skills to play in the NBA.  I saw so much of myself in Arthur Agee — even though our circumstances were in no way similar — it legitimately changed my life. “

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: <em>"I paid to see </em>Hoop Dreams<em> in the theatre six times.  An incredible documentary following two Chicago-area high school basketball stars who both think they have the skills to play in the NBA.  I saw so much of myself in Arthur Agee — even though our circumstances were in no way similar — it legitimately changed my life. "</em>