6. RB Gavin Grey (LSU)
He was not only Everybody’s All-American but a Heisman Trophy winner. LSU running back Gavin Grey (played by Dennis Quaid) had a tremendous career with the Tigers, supported by his college sweetheart and eventual wife “Babs” (Jessica Lange) and best friends “Cake” (Timothy Hutton) and Lawrence (John Goodman). His pro career begins in Washington but he’s not nearly the pro success that he was in school.
Post-football has its issues, including a failed restaurant business (thanks to Lawrence’s gambling debts). Grey struggles to deal with his latter years and let go of his college success. It’s a sad reminder of living in the past, but Babs is his rock. Quaid gives a tremendous performance as “The Grey Ghost.”
5. QB Levander ‘Bird’ Williams (Central High School)
Good comedy provided by Goldie Hawn, who plays Molly McGrath in Wildcats. She goes from a track coach at Prescott High to head football coach at Central High School. The team has talent but is raw and McGrath goes to great lengths to win over their trust and respect. The key is securing the services of extremely talented quarterback Levander ‘Bird’ Williams (played by Mykelti Williamson), who has various other interests (legal and illegal) outside high school.
Young actors Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson are members of the team who with Williams at the controls learn how to win. Conveniently, McGrath’s club faces Prescott for the championship. Tied and with time running out in the fourth quarter, massive Phillip Finch blocks a game-winning field goal attempt, Williams scoops up the ball and returns it for a touchdown.
Next: Nos. 4 and 3