Movies to get you excited for football season

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THE GRIDIRON — Football season is right around the corner. NFL preseason is already underway, college football is just over a week and a half away and some high schools have already kicked off.

As if you needed one more thing to get you even more excited for the upcoming season, here are some football flicks to get your inner warrior ready for the big game.

The one that will make you cry — Brian’s Song

Brian's Song
Brian's Song (Photo: ABC)

The 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song” stars James Caan, Billy Dee Williams and tears. Lots and lots of tears.

The movie is based off the real-life relationship of teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond they establish when Piccolo finds out he’s dying.

The movie is surrounded by football, but it goes so much deeper and it will make the manliest of men cry.

"Brian's Song" is rated on OK.com at a 10+ with a 100-percent worth-your-time rating.

The one that gets you pumped up — Invincible

For the die-hard football fans out there, I’m guessing getting pumped up for the season isn’t hard, but just in case here’s a movie to get you ready.

Invincible
Invincible (Photo: Disney)

“Invincible” chronicles the true-story of Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender who manages to walk on to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sure, the movie can be a little corny and sappy at times, but makes all of us weekend warriors believe that we just might be good enough to run with the big boys. The movie is all about football, and that’s all you really need to know this time of year.

"Invincible" is rated 67-percent worth your time on OK.com with an age rating of 7+.

The inspirational one — Rudy

We knew “Rudy” would be on the list somewhere.

Rudy
Rudy (Photo: TriStar Pictures)

There were several films I thought of putting in this spot like “The Blind Side,” “Remember the Titans” and “We are Marshall,” but no matter what I did my conscience kept telling me it had to be “Rudy.”

The story of an undersized football player with an oversized heart will inspire anyone who sees it. The movie encapsulates everything we view football to be and everything we hope it can be.

Let’s be honest, we love football here in America, and this movie reminds us why.

"Rudy" is rated 100-percent worth your time on OK.com with an age rating of 7+.

The odd ball one — The Best of Times

The Best of Times
The Best of Times (Photo: Universal Pictures)

Want to watch a football movie that maybe you’ve never seen before and get a chuckle or two out of it? If the answer is “yes,” give “The Best of Times” a chance.

The 1986 flick stars Kurt Russell and the late Robin Williams as middle-aged men who can’t quite let go of the glory days.

Russell and Williams played on the high school football team and lost the big one to their rivals. In an effort to recapture their glory, they organize a rematch and try their best to prepare.

The movie is far from perfect, but it’ll hit close to home because pretty much everyone that’s played has dreamed about strapping on the pads one more time.

The too close to real-life one — Friday Night Lights

Sometimes football movies can be so close to real life and too similar to some of our own stories that it polarizes audiences, and that’s just what 2004’s “Friday Night Lights” did.

Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights (Photo: Universal Pictures)

The movie tells the true story of the Permian High Panthers as they strive for the Texas State Championship.

The movie doesn’t romanticize the brutal sport like so many other films and shows the heartache and sacrifice connected to the game.

The movie is probably the closest to the real thing you’ll find and will undoubtedly put you in the mood to watch some high-quality football.

"Friday Night Lights" is rated 33-percent worth your time on OK.com with an age rating of 14+.

Some other football flicks to get you in the gridiron mood:

The Bind Side — 94% 12+

Remember the Titans — 100% 10+

We are Marshall — 75% 9+

The Waterboy — 100% 14+

The Replacements — 50% 13+

Draft Day — 92% 15+

Radio — 100% 8+

Little Giants — 100% 7+

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John Clyde for OK.com

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