The Best Films About 'Washed-Up' Sports Stars

By Jason Hazzard

In Playing for Keeps, Gerard Butler stars as former soccer pro whose life has fallen by the wayside and who begins coaching his son’s soccer team to rebuild relationships on and off the field. He’s the beloved, force-to-be-reckoned-with archetype, the washed-up sports pro searching for redemption. The following films all pay homage to the "washed-up" pro gunning for a second chance.

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Make sure you have tissues handy while viewing this 2004 Academy Award-winner for Best Picture. Small-town waitress Maggie (Hilary Swank) has big dreams and a knockout punch, so she heads to L.A. with the hopes of being trained by brilliant, but washed-up, trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood). Frankie "doesn’t train girls," but Maggie’s persistence and determination win him over.

Space Jam (1996)

The world cringed when Michael Jordan left the basketball court for the minor league baseball bench, and again when he teamed up with Bugs Bunny in 1996’s Space Jam. As aliens plot to enslave the Looney Tunes as an amusement park attraction, the Toons recruit the greatest basketball player in history (no offense, Kobe), to help them win the game on which they've bet their freedom.

A League of Their Own (1992)

When World War II threatened to suspend Major League Baseball, Chicago Cubs owner Walter Harvey (Garry Marshall) created a women’s league to make money. Sisters Dottie and Kit join the likes of Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna on Rockford Peaches. Coached by (wait for it), former baseball pro and current raging alcoholic Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks), the women learn the ins and outs of playing ball in the public eye.

Cinderella Man (2005)

James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) is a washed-up, Irish-American boxer who was a lightweight contender in his glory days, but a broken hand and the Great Depression have forced him to do manual labor to support his family. As fate would have it, he's given one more shot in the ring, and he shocks everyone by knocking out his opponent in the third-round of his match -- reviving both his boxing career and his family's bank account.

Angels in the Outfield (1994)

"Dad, when can we be a family again?" a young Joseph-Gordon Levitt asks his father. "When the Angels win the pennant," his sarcastic father responds (aka--never). Taking his father's response literally, the young boy prays for help, and thus a miracle was born in California as God Himself lifts this washed-up baseball team to celestial heights. Look for future stars Adrien Brody and Matthew McConaughey as Angels players in the outfield.

White Men Can’t Jump (1992)

Woody Harrelson proves that white men can jump and hustle in Ron Shelton's 1992 hit comedy. Former college basketball star Billy (Harrelson) hustles other players on the streets by allowing them to assume he's bad at ball because he's white. After meeting another like-minded b-ball hustler, Sidney (Snipes), the two embark on a mission to beat the best and take it all on the courts!

The Sandlot (1993)

In the San Fernando Valley, the neighborhood kids play baseball in an old sandlot—the catch is the property surrounding the sandlot is owned by mean Mr. Mertle. But the boys discover that Mr. Mertle is actually a former baseball pro who was good friends with The Great Bambino himself! All's well that ends well, and it seems the only character who ended up "washed-up" from this family classic was little Bertrum, who "got really into the '60s" and was never heard from again. Groovy.

The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

Former gold pro Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), is a washed-up wreck after seeing his entire company killed in battle during WWI. As he lives in drunken obscurity, his former flame (Charlize Theron) recruits him to play in a local golf tournament. Enter legendary Bagger Vance (Will Smith), who offers Junuh tips in the games of golf and life, helping him to revive his career and redeem his existence—oh, and he gets to date Charlize Theron again.

Invincible (2006)

Ok, so Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) may not have been considered "washed-up"--you can't be "washed-up" if you were never "up" to begin with! The lifelong football fan and Philadelphia high school teacher didn't even play college ball, but that did not stop him from trying out for, and making the roster of, the Philadelphia Eagles at the ripe age of 30. This incredible true story proves that it's never too late to follow your dreams.

Miracle (2004)

In this case, the only players left "washed-up" were the Soviets! In one of the greatest sports moments in American history, a team of puck-loving college all-stars overcomes immense odds to beat the best hockey team in the world, the Soviet Union, in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Gavin O'Connor's 2004 depiction of this miraculous sports moment showcases the blood, sweat and tears that Team USA endured for gold.

Rocky (1976)

Written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, Rocky spawned five sequels (Rocky II, III, IV, V and Rocky Balboa) and became one of the most iconic films in cinematic history. Rocky's transformation from kind-hearted debt collector to heavyweight contender is nothing short of inspiring. While this onetime washed-up meathead does not flat-out beat Apollo Creed, he certainly goes the distance, and that kind of triumph is something we can all cheer for.