15 Black Performances In Sports Movies That Are Underappreciated

2 years ago 292

"I'm a winner. I'm going to win."

For Black History Month, I thought it would be fun to make a list showcasing some of the best characters in sports films:

*NOTE* I am including non-fictitious characters on this list because I feel the performances, although based on real people, are still worthy of recognition.

1. Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise

MGM

Maybe my favorite sports character in a movie and one of my favorite antagonists. He's not evil; he's just a world champion that is not entirely focused on his exhibition match and gets tested. His whole arc during the the first three films is fantastic, and he is always the best actor when he's on the screen.

In Rocky II, his line and the emotion he brings while saying, "I won, but I didn't beat him!" is one of my favorite moments in the whole series when he is talking to his trainer Duke...which reminds me...

2. Tony Burton as "Duke" Evers in the Rocky franchise

MGM

Duke brings a lot of heart to an already emotionally driven movie. The way he speaks through his expressions when he realizes Rocky is a dangerous opponent for Apollo throughout the first film, but Apollo is too distracted by the promotional side of boxing is a fantastic dynamic. His arc throughout the series is also masterfully executed by Evers. As Apollo's trainer turned Rocky's coach, he is an integral character in the Rocky universe, and I would like to believe his performances in Rocky I and II led to more screentime for him.

3. Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed in the Creed series

MGM

Last Creed-related entry, I promise, but how could I not include the next chapter of the Creed bloodline? Jordan carried the TV series Friday Night Lights on his shoulders for the final seasons, so it was no surprise to me that he made the perfect Adonis Creed. Fighting to get out of the shadow and expectations of his deceased father, Adonis follows his footsteps by boxing, and the first Creed might be the best of the whole Rocky series.

Jordan brings a lot of personality to Adonis, and his emotional range is in an elite class among actors.

4. Samuel L. Jackson as Coach Carter in...Coach Carter

Paramount Pictures

I think Coach Carter was my favorite basketball movie growing up, and it's largely thanks to Samuel L. Jackson's performance as Coach Carter. He brings everything you'd expect from an acting standpoint, while at the same time, offering compassion for his players and caring for their education. Plenty of onscreen coaches have conveyed "tough love," but Jackson showcased the troupe masterfully.

5. Denzel Washington as Coach Boone in Remember the Titans

Disney

Denzel Washington has had a long list of great performances, but I dare say this might be the greatest "coach" character in cinema. He brings a commanding presence, while at the same time, a sense of humanity. He has a "win first" attitude, which is interesting to see when bigger things than the game unfold in the film. Herman Boone was a real person, and I'd like to think Denzel did him justice.

6. Wood Harris as Julius Campbell in Remember the Titans

Buena Vista Pictures

Julius is one of the most important players in Remember the Titans, but the acting is also often overlooked by Harris. He is a natural leader and presents himself as not an overly "rah-rah" player, but a focused winner. That being said, he still has plenty of fun throughout the movie and shines in the scenes where he is dealing with life off of the field.

Fun fact: He also plays Duke's son in the Creed franchise.

7. Michael Clarke Duncan as Lucius Washington in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Sony Pictures Releasing

I never really think of Talladega Nights as a sports movie, but it still counts. Head of the pit crew, Washington gives Ricky Bobby the chance to drive after their driver needs a bathroom break. The rest is history. He works well as the straight man among the outrageous personalities of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Him yelling at Ricky Bobby in the hospital is one of my favorite comedic moments.

8. Charles S. Dutton as Fortune in Rudy

TriStar Pictures

Fortune is a unique sports character because we only get to see him as a groundskeeper. We learn he used to play for Notre Dame and quit the team. He's a great and wise voice for Rudy, and Dutton's performance is superb every scene is in. Him watching the game from the stands to support Rudy is one of the most overlooked heartwarming moments in any sports film.

9. James Earl Jones as Terence Mann in Field of Dreams

Universal Pictures

I wonder if anyone has ever said, "I don't really like James Earl Jones." The voice. The smile. He's just a lovely individual who brought a former baseball writer to life in the heart-wrenching movie Field of Dreams. I can count on my hand how many movies actually made me cry, and this was one of them. His character is funny, passionate, and completely relatable. This isn't a ranking, but he would be up there with Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed as one of my personal favorites.

10. Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42

Warner Bros. Pictures

The story of Jackie Robinson is larger than life, and Chadwick Boseman really nailed the role. The movie itself wasn't particularly memorable for me, but Boseman's performance was for sure. The scene in the dugout was a very powerful moment and a good reminder of what Jackie Robinson had to go through.

11. Carl Weathers as Chubbs in Happy Gilmore

Universal Pictures

Only Carl Weathers could double dip on this list in two VERY different roles. Chubbs had quite the story arc in Happy Gilmore, and he brought a ton of laughs. The mentor roles in sports films are always hard to pull off, but Chubbs is both likeable and has an interesting backstory to a former golfer...once you get past the ridiculousness that a gator bit off his hand.

12. Ray Allen as Jesus Shuttlesworth in He Got Game

Buena Vista Pictures

Pro athletes in movies always go under the radar because expectations are low. I could've included Michael Jordan or LeBron James for their respective Space Jam movies, but the three-point-shooting great Ray Allen made the cut.

Obviously, Denzel gives a fantastic performance, but a pat on the back to Allen for starring in a sports drama, which is a lot harder to pull off than a family comedy. I mean...the name alone could've earned him a spot on the list: Jesus Shuttlesworth.

13. Chadwick Boseman as Vontae Mack in Draft Day

Lionsgate

If you haven't watched Draft Day, please do. It's basically a Lifetime movie for sports fans and is a roller coaster ride.

Boseman once again makes this list for his role as the blunt and likeable Ohio State pass rusher Vontae Mack. He doesn't get a ton of screentime, but he steals every scene he is in with his charisma and character. I made this list and said I would add "Vontae Mack no matter what."

14. Will Smith as Muhammad Ali in Ali

Sony Pictures Releasing

It's hard to replicate "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali, but Will Smith did the role justice. It's always nice to get an inside look at real people, and Smith is one of the more underrated dramatic actors in the biz.

15. Gabrielle Union as Isis in Bring it On

Beacon Pictures

There must be some acting in the atmosphere. More of a teen comedy than a sports movie, but it still counts. Gabrielle Union's performance is pretty memorable as a commanding leader of the rival Clovers cheer squad. Like some on this list, Union's role as a more serious character in a comedy, and that usually always goes unappreciated.

Much like Apollo Creed in Rocky, I think it is cool to have a sports antagonist that isn't a mustache-twirling bad guy, but just a worthy adversary in the respective sport.