Sport Psychology in Film Collection

  Untold: Johnny Football chronicles the meteoric rise and meteoric fall of Johnny Manziel , who was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy . His freewheeling playstyle and personality meshed well on and off the field, as he had tremendous success in high school and college while also maintaining an active party life. Simultaneously, Texas A&M had just joined the Southeastern Conference and used Manziel as proof they belonged - and also to make millions of dollars off his name. But once drafted into the National Football League, he could not find that level of success without drastically changing who he was, and was released after only two years in the league. Released 2023; Runtime 70 minutes Concepts Burnout : Once in the NFL , Johnny lost his love of football. He was exhausted from the demands of being an NFL player (notably film study), stopped caring about football, and saw his performance decline, which ultimately led him to self-destruct so that his team would ...

Invincible  follows the story of 30-year-old Vince Papale, a substitute teacher in Philadelphia. After losing his job and his marriage, Vince tries out for the Philadelphia Eagles, who are holding open tryouts to look for any hidden talents they've been missing. Vince trains relentlessly, defies the odds, and inspires both the city of Philadelphia and the nation. Released 2006; Runtime 105 minutes Concepts Commitment : Vince refuses to allow his shortcomings define him; His level of determination sets him apart from everyone else and helps him earn a spot on the team. Inspirational Moments : Despite coming from trying circumstances and being doubted and kicked around, Vince's spirit wins out and leaves a mark on people. Pursuing Your Dream : Even when he was told that he would never make the team and experienced negativity about what he was doing, he kept moving forward towards his ridiculous endeavor. Underdogs : Vince makes it on the team as a walk-on, somethin...

When the Game Stands Tall  is about a high school football team building a 151 game winning steak and what happens when they lose it. The team most unify as they recover from both the major loss they encountered and the loss of a former teammate. Released 2014; Runtime 115 minutes

23 Blast  is about a high school football star, Travis, who suddenly loses his sight. Throughout the movie we see Travis struggle and adjust to his new lifestyle and fight his way back onto the field. Released 2014; Runtime 98 minutes Concepts Disability : Travis is faced with an unexpected disability, becoming blind, and learning how to live and play football with that disability. Motivation (Extrinsic) : Travis wants to prove those doubting him that they are wrong. Motivation (Intrinsic) : Travis also wants to prove to himself that he can play football and still feel the same satisfaction he once did from playing. Parents & Family : His parents play a huge role in helping him adjust to his new lifestyle and are supportive of the decisions he makes. Sportsmanship : The rest of his team helps Travis adjust and reach his goals on and off the field.

Trophy Kids  follows families in four different sports (football, basketball, golf, tennis) who are pushing their kids to succeed. But what are the kids playing for: their own dreams, or someone else's dream? This documentary takes an honest look at how sport parents can go wrong. Released 2013; Runtime 107 minutes Concepts Parents & Family; Youth Sport : The entire documentary is about the state of youth sport and overbearing parents; Fascinating look at how well-intentioned people can push their children in counter-productive and negative ways. Motivation (Extrinsic) : Many of the parents talk about their children obtaining a scholarship, playing professionally, living up to their expectations, etc., but rarely is anything intrinsic cited as a reason for playing. Anxiety & Stress : It is clear that the kids are stressed out by the forceful and negative parenting.

The Marinovich Project  recounts the career of Todd Marinovich, who was slated to be the NFL's next big star. The documentary outlines Todd's upbringing, his legendary training and diet regimens, his high school and college careers, his tumultuous NFL career, and what happened to him afterwards. Released 2010; Runtime 90 minutes Concepts Burnout : Todd Marinovich is one of the best-known cases of burnout; Plenty examples are given throughout the first half of entrapment, overtraining, foreclosed identity, and chronic stress. Parents & Family : A prominent fixture throughout Todd's early life was his father, who started training Todd when he was still in a crib; Todd's family goes through a lot of stress because of his intense training, plus when he is homeless following his NFL career. Substance Abuse : Todd becomes addicted to marijuana while in high school, using it as a release; His drug and alcohol use skyrocket in college and while in the NFL, causi...

The Blind Side , based on the best-selling book by Michael Lewis, tells the story of Michael Oher's life leading up to his decision to play college football. The support of his new family allowed him to go from being homeless to a football star. Released 2009; Runtime 129 minutes Concepts Parents & Family : Oher's adopted family drives his love for football and the people around him; Michael comes to view his team as his family too. Economic Issues : Oher was homeless, living on the streets of Memphis, TN, when a wealthy family takes him under their care. Goal Setting : Michael sets new goals about football and school, which motivates him to try in ways he never did before.

The Waterboy  is about the team waterboy (Bobby Boucher) who accidentally has his anger unleashed, turning him into a defensive maniac and a feared linebacker. However, if he wants to play football, he must keep it a secret from his mother who believes he is too delicate, while also overcoming academic adversity. Released 1998; Runtime 90 minutes Concepts Aggression &Violence : Aggression is displayed throughout the movie, usually unlocked by opposing team members and even his coach, which causes him to play better. Confidence : Bobby was picked on by players from both teams he worked for but failed to redeem himself due to a lack of confidence; His aggressive play leads him to feel more confident. Cultural Differences : Bobby's coach is invited over for dinner, and his mother says that he does not need to go to college; It is evident they have different standards and beliefs towards education. Imagery : In several instances Bobby uses images from his past to make...

Wildcats  is about a white middle-class woman, the daughter of a legendary football player, who dreams of becoming a football coach. However, she is assigned to coach a black inner-city football team, presenting numerous difficulties. Released 1986; Runtime 106 minutes

Varsity Blues  is about a high school football team in a small Texas town that is obsessed with football. This coming-of-age story focuses on the back-up quarterback as he is forced to start. Released 1999; Runtime 106 minutes

Rudy  is the story of a kid who is determined to fulfill his dream of playing football for Notre Dame, despite being undersized, unathletic, and struggling academically. Released 1993; Runtime 114 minutes

The Replacements  is loosely based on the 1987 NFL players' strike, which lasted for four weeks. A formerly retired coach must harness a ragtag group of replacement players to go on a winning streak and make the playoffs. Released 2000; Runtime 118 minutes Concepts Coaching : Coach McGinty has to teach the replacement players the fundamentals of how to play and compete at the professional level. Pursuing Your Dream : Each replacement player in the movie has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play professional football. Team Cohesion : The replacement players need to learn how to work together in order to win. Leadership : Shane Falco, the quarterback, exorcises his past mistakes and learns what it takes to be counted on.

Remember the Titans  is based on the true story of a high school desegregating, meaning that the school and football team now contain both white and black students. Coach Boone, the team's first African-American coach, must unite a high school football team, share a common goal, and show that anything is possible. Released 2000; Runtime 113 minutes Concepts Coaching : The differences between the two coaches was evident; Coach Yoast was easier on the black players, while Coach Boone was tougher but fairer on all the players; Coaches showed everyone that they can become a family. Commitment : The two coaches had to stick by each other, even while other forces were pulling them apart; The players needed to make academics a greater priority so they could play. Team Cohesion : Worked through their differences during training camp. Cultural Differences; Race & Ethnicity Issues : The setting is after two schools are desegregated and integrated; Racism was still commonplace...

The Program  is the story of a college football team facing the pressure of winning and balancing life. The team has players from all walks of life, and they need a winning season so the program can survive. Released 1993; Runtime 112 minutes Concepts Aggression & Violence : Shown through the desire to win and one player's use of steroids, which caused him to become very angry and aggressive. Anxiety & Stress : There was a lot of pressure on the team to win, otherwise their program would be cut. Plus, the quarterback came from a family of alcoholics, so he was always on edge and nervous, and ultimately ended up going to rehab for drinking. Parents & Family : Girlfriends and families played a big role. Alvin wanted to get his family out of poverty, the QB wanted his family to support his playing, and the running backs were battling for a girl's heart and approval. Cultural Differences : The team was made of players with very different backgrounds and the...

The Longest Yard  is about former popular professional quarterback Paul Crewe who is sent to prison. He decides to create a makeshift team of inmates to face off against a team of prison guards in a game of football. Released 1974; Runtime 121 minutes Remade 2005; Runtime 113 minutes Concepts for 2005 release Aggression & Violence : Both the inmate and guard teams are extremely aggressive towards each other when playing. Coaching : Paul coaches the inmates despite many of them not knowing much about football. Motivation (Extrinsic) : Paul uses a variety of tactics to motivate his team, but none is more motivating then the mean prison warden. Substance Abuse : A major alcohol problem at the beginning of the movie was the reason the quarterback was imprisoned. Team Cohesion : The inmates helped each other in many ways to pull off the win against the prison guards. Underdogs : The inmates' football team is clearly the underdog in the movie;...

Little Giants  is about a nerdy coach who assembles a football team to play the city champions. Released 1994; Runtime 107 minutes

Jerry Maguire  is a story about a sports agent and his only client learning what is really important in life. Released 1996; Runtime 139 minutes

Everybody's All American  tells the story about the life of a college football player after his glory days. Released 1988; Runtime 127 minutes

Brian's Song  is a heart-wrenching tale of friendship between Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, who is fighting cancer. Released 1971; Runtime 73 minutes

Any Given Sunday  depicts the pressures and violence of modern day American football. Released 1999; Runtime 150 minutes