The Importance of Sport Films
We watch Friday Night Lights and 30-for-30 because we enjoy the hardships athletes overcome. The Blind Side always seems to be on TV no matter what channel you turn to and the collection of sports movies on Netflix is endless.
It does not matter what generation you are. There always seems to be an iconic sports film that is defining sacrifice and teamwork. There is just something timeless about sports movies. No matter who you are or where you are from, you can find something relatable. Whether it is the struggle to achieve success or the underdog mentality, sports movies teach us many lessons.
Miracle was my favorite movie growing up. A movie that seems to be like any other sports film: drama, community, context, and the game. However it is very inspirational and yet, the film commented on more than just sports.
This was about politics, ambition, pride, and family. This particular sports moment was more than a hockey game. It was about proving what it means to be an American: to fight and claw when the odds are stacked against you. It was about bringing a group of people together and having them unite under an ideal, a goal, and a flag.
I learn something new every time I watch it because that is the thing about sports films: what I learn from the film reflects where I am in my life. It teaches me to learn from failure, to work hard, and never give up. All cliché ideas turn out to be useful now and again.
I watched Creed, an inspiring boxing film, for the first time last week and found myself thinking of Miracle. These two movies created at least 15 years apart, tell stories of different sports, and take place in completely different times in time eras, yet the themes remain the same.
Relentless hard work and training in pursuit of a goal, understanding the importance of family and having guiding mentors are themes present in both films. At the end of the movie, you can relate to their happiness and satisfaction because you had the opportunity to live their story with them.
This is why I watch sports films. Because at the end of the day, we need the reminder of the little things, of the values that define who we are and who we can become.
