When athletes and actors mingle on a red carpet like they did at ESPN’s ESPYs at the Kodak Theatre, there is only one real question worth asking.
“What is your all-time favorite sports movie?”
Here are the best of the stars’ responses to RedEye’s query.
” ‘The Longest Yard’ is my favorite all-time sports movie with Burt Reynolds. ‘Rudy’ is another favorite. I heard they’re making another ‘Longest Yard,’ and that’s good. Burt has been sitting on it too long. I’m just hoping he’ll give me a call. I’m old enough to be in this one!”
–Joe Theisman
former Washington Redskins quarterback
“The one with Denzel Washington, ‘Remember the Titans,’ yes! That story was just very inspirational and, of course, Denzel is a wonderful actor. He just made that story shine. It’s a movie I wished I had been in.”
–Lisa Leslie
Los Angeles Sparks
” ‘Bull Durham.’ That’s my favorite, but I also love ‘The Natural’ and ‘Field of Dreams’ too. They’re all good feel-good movies.”
–Michael Chiklis
of “The Shield” on FX
“I’d probably have to go with ‘Rudy.’ It was inspiring and showed a lot of heart, a lot of drive and determination. It tells you if you keep your mind on something, you’ll be able to achieve it.”
–Richard Seymour
New England Patriots DT
“I like ‘Love & Basketball.’ It had a great story to it, and I could relate to it. Sometimes you have to choose between two loves. This movie kind of showed how you could balance them and be successful in both.”
–Tayshaun Price
Detroit Pistons forward
” ‘Wilma–The Wilma Rudolph Story.’ Just because she’s been a great inspiration to me in track and field for what she’s done. For her it was more triumph over adversity. …
I also loved ‘Brian’s Song’ and ‘Rudy.’ I loved ‘Rudy’ because he said he could do what other people said he could not do.”
–Gail Devers
five-time Olympic hurdler
“Maybe it’s ‘The Longest Yard.’ It’s got football in there and all the extra stuff. As far as classic old ones, I always enjoy watching it. Whenever it comes on TV, I can’t change the channel. I have to stay there and watch it.”
–Eli Manning
New York Giants QB
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Edited by the Sports staff of RedEye.
