10 greatest fictional football players of all time

4. QB Shane Falco (Washington Sentinels)

It was a tribute of sorts to the players who crossed the picket lines during the National Football League’s players’ strike in 1987. That NFL season kicked off with two games for each of the league’s 28 teams. There was no football in Week 3, and then three weeks of “replacement games” featuring players (and eventually some veterans) looking to fulfill their dreams.

The Washington Sentinels, led by replacement quarterback Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves) and guided by head coach Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman)

The Replacements was released in 2000, more than a decade after the players’ strike. It’s interesting to note that the then-Washington Redskins won all three of their replacement games in 1987, finished with an 11-4 record and eventually routed the Denver Broncos, 42-10, in Super Bowl XXII.

3. LB Charles Jefferson (Ridgemont High School)

When Jeff Spicoli wasn’t busy learning about Cuba and having some food in history class and in the process tormenting teacher Mr. Hand, he was busy borrowing Charles Jefferson’s Trans Am.

One evening he and Charles’ little brother were out cruising and would end up trashing Jefferson’s car. Jeff claimed he could fix it. He had the mangled car (spray painted with Die Ridgemont and Lincoln Rules) taken to the school for all to see.

That included Jefferson, the Ridgemont Wolves’ star linebacker. He would make Lincoln pay in a big way. He tackled and hit everything in sight. He even gave one of the officials a smack with his shoulder. What a defensive display.

Final score: Ridgemont 42, Lincoln 0.

Next: Nos. 2 and 1