Take 10: Best sports movie speeches

High School Sports

Photos: The AJC's high school Take 10 blog looks at the best sports movie motivational speeches.

No. 1: Coach Wallace in "Braveheart" -- Sure, this isn't a sports movie. But we challenge you not to be fired up by pre-crazy Mel Gibson. We almost quit our job once after watching this.

No. 2: Coach Dale in "Hoosiers" -- Gene Hackman plays the perfect coach. He did the same in "The Replacements." The movie itself is inspirational enough. Our high school basketball coach must have played it 74 times.

No. 3: Coach D'Amato in "Any Given Sunday" -- Classic Al Pacino. If this speech can't help you erase a 10-point halftime deficit, nothing will.

No. 4: Gale Sayers in "Brian's Song" -- We acknowledge this is a little sad for a motivational speech, but Billy Dee Williams channeling Gale Sayers is what loving a teammate is all about.

No. 5: Coach Boone in "Remember the Titans" -- This was a tough decision. Coach Yoast has another motivational moment we enjoy, but this speech with Denzel Washington is the better of the two.

No. 6: Fortune in "Rudy" -- There is another speech in this classic film that is more to the point, but Charles S. Dutton knows how to push Sean Astin's buttons.

No. 7: Coach Brooks in "Miracle" -- Hockey isn't our first love, but listening to Kurt Russell in this film makes us want to fight communism.

No. 8: The Rock in "Gridiron Gang" -- We can't relate to being in detention and trying to field a competitive football team. But listening to the Rock in this speech makes it seem OK.

No. 9: Coach Gaines in "Friday Night Lights" -- We've always enjoyed this speech. It's the classic mold of "Look, we're going to lose, but you're winners in my book" monologue so many coaches have given.

No. 10: Coach Taylor in "Facing the Giants" -- This is as simple as it gets. We're not supposed to be here. They're bigger than you. Have faith in who you are.

1/10

No. 1: Coach Wallace in "Braveheart" -- Sure, this isn't a sports movie. But we challenge you not to be fired up by pre-crazy Mel Gibson. We almost quit our job once after watching this.

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