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Time Magazine
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
The 10 Best Sports Movies of All Time According to AI
This article is published by a partner of TIME. Sports movies have a unique way of bringing people together. They're not just about the games themselves but about the human stories behind the competition. They capture the grit, determination, and emotional highs and lows of athletes and teams, often reflecting universal truths about resilience, teamwork, and the pursuit of greatness. What sets sports movies apart is their ability to resonate with everyone, not just sports fans. They explore relatable themes like overcoming adversity, chasing dreams, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of excellence. Whether it's an underdog story, a personal journey, or a tale of triumph against all odds, these films inspire and uplift us. This list dives into the 10 best sports movies of all time, with research assistance from ChatGPT. These cinematic gems not only capture the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat but also deliver unforgettable characters and moments that linger with us long after the credits roll. 1. Rocky (1976) The ultimate underdog story, 'Rocky' follows Rocky Balboa, a struggling boxer from Philadelphia, as he gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champion of the world. Sylvester Stallone's portrayal of Rocky, combined with the film's gritty realism and heartwarming narrative, turned this movie into a cultural phenomenon. Director: John G. Avildsen Awards: Won three Oscars, including Best Picture Iconic Scene: Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Legacy: Launched a franchise with multiple sequels and spinoffs Impact: Inspired generations to chase their dreams against all odds Memorable Quote: 'It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.' 2. Remember the Titans (2000) Set in the racially divided 1970s, 'Remember the Titans' tells the true story of a high school football team in Virginia as they come together under the leadership of Coach Herman Boone. The film is a powerful exploration of unity, leadership, and overcoming prejudice through sports. Director: Boaz Yakin Based on: The true story of the 1971 T.C. Williams High School football team Starring: Denzel Washington as Coach Herman Boone Impact: Highlighted the power of sports to bring people together Key Themes: Teamwork, racial harmony, and perseverance Memorable Quote: 'This is where they fought the Battle of Gettysburg. Fifty thousand men died right here on this field, fighting the same fight that we are still fighting among ourselves today.' 3. Field of Dreams (1989) 'Field of Dreams' is a heartfelt tale of redemption, family, and the enduring magic of baseball. When farmer Ray Kinsella hears a mysterious voice telling him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield, he embarks on a journey that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. Director: Phil Alden Robinson Starring: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, and Ray Liotta Iconic Line: 'If you build it, he will come.' Themes: Forgiveness, nostalgia, and the father-son bond Awards: Nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture Legacy: Considered one of the most moving sports films ever made 4. The Sandlot (1993) A nostalgic look at childhood and the love of baseball, 'The Sandlot' tells the story of a group of kids who spend their summer playing ball and forming lifelong friendships. The film is a celebration of innocence, adventure, and the joy of sports. Director: David Mickey Evans Starring: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, and James Earl Jones Iconic Scene: The boys retrieving a baseball signed by Babe Ruth from a monstrous dog Legacy: A cult classic beloved by fans of all ages Themes: Friendship, teamwork, and the magic of youth Memorable Quote: 'You're killing me, Smalls!' 5. Hoosiers (1986) 'Hoosiers' is the quintessential basketball movie, based on the true story of a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that defies the odds to win the state championship. The film highlights the importance of discipline, teamwork, and believing in the impossible. Director: David Anspaugh Starring: Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, and Barbara Hershey Based on: Milan High School's 1954 championship season Awards: Two Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for Dennis Hopper Key Themes: Redemption, perseverance, and small-town pride Memorable Quote: 'I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book, we're gonna be winners.' 6. Raging Bull (1980) Martin Scorsese's 'Raging Bull' is a brutal and unflinching portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta's rise and fall. With Robert De Niro's Oscar-winning performance, the film examines themes of jealousy, self-destruction, and redemption, making it a masterpiece of sports and character study. Director: Martin Scorsese Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Cathy Moriarty Based on: The autobiography of Jake LaMotta Awards: Won two Oscars, including Best Actor for De Niro Legacy: Hailed as one of the greatest films ever made Themes: The dark side of ambition and the pursuit of greatness 7. Chariots of Fire (1981) 'Chariots of Fire' is the inspiring story of two British runners competing in the 1924 Olympics—one driven by religious faith, the other by a desire to prove his worth. Its iconic theme music and powerful narrative make it one of the most memorable sports films. Director: Hugh Hudson Awards: Won four Oscars, including Best Picture Iconic Score: Vangelis' legendary theme music Themes: Faith, determination, and the Olympic spirit Legacy: A timeless classic that celebrates the human spirit Memorable Line: 'I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.' 8. Moneyball (2011) 'Moneyball' tells the story of how Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane revolutionized baseball by using analytics and data to build a competitive team on a tight budget. The film is a compelling look at innovation and the power of unconventional thinking. Director: Bennett Miller Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman Based on: The true story of the 2002 Oakland Athletics Themes: Innovation, risk-taking, and challenging tradition Awards: Nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture Legacy: Sparked widespread interest in sports analytics 9. Friday Night Lights (2004) Based on the true story of a high school football team in Odessa, Texas, 'Friday Night Lights' captures the pressures and passions of small-town football. The film's raw emotion and realistic portrayal of the sport have made it a classic. Director: Peter Berg Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, and Garrett Hedlund Based on: H.G. Bissinger's book about the 1988 Permian Panthers Themes: Community, resilience, and the highs and lows of competition Legacy: Inspired a critically acclaimed TV series Memorable Line: 'Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.' 10. The Blind Side (2009) 'The Blind Side' is the uplifting story of Michael Oher, a homeless teenager who becomes a football star with the help of a caring family. Sandra Bullock's Oscar-winning performance anchors this inspiring tale of hope and perseverance. Conclusion on Top 10 Sports Movies Sports movies aren't just about the final score—they're about the stories that stay with us. They remind us of what it means to fight for something, to believe in ourselves, and to trust in the power of teamwork. The films on this list have transcended the genre to become cultural touchstones, offering lessons in perseverance, courage, and hope. Whether it's the raw emotion of 'Rocky,' the heartwarming lessons of 'The Blind Side,' or the magical nostalgia of 'Field of Dreams,' these movies continue to inspire audiences across generations. They show us that, on and off the field, life's greatest victories often come when we least expect them. Related Articles: About the Authors: Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn. Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies. Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rare Civil War flag sold at Columbus auction for $468,000
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A long-lost Confederate flag, captured at the Battle of Gettysburg and among the rarest Civil War artifacts, sold for $468,000 at an Ohio auction house last month. Carried by the 11th Virginia Infantry during Pickett's Charge, a failed Confederate assault in 1863 on the Gettysburg battle's third day, the flag was acquired after heated bidding between four phone bidders on April 26 at Fleischer's Auctions in Columbus. The charge, named after Gen. George Pickett, who led more than 12,500 soldiers that day, resulted in mass casualties and ultimately led to the Confederacy's defeat. Columbus dispensary issued product alert for 'edible glitter' in cannabis gummies The auction house, one of the nation's leading purveyors of early American antiques and artifacts, previously estimated the flag could sell for $150,000 to $300,000. 'It's recognition as one of the most valuable Civil War artifacts sold in recent years rightfully reflects its importance,' auction president Adam Fleischer said. 'We were honored to facilitate the sale and ensure it was preserved so that future generations can appreciate and learn from it.' The flag was one of 564 lots in Fleischer's premier spring auction, yielding a combined price realized of $2,326,440. Other items included a portrait of Revolutionary War artillerist Alexander Ramsey Thompson I, accompanied by his commission signed by President George Washington, which sold for $50,400. A high-grade sword presented by the 3rd Mississippi Infantry to Colonel Richard H. Ballinger sold for $90,000, and a cast of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's bust portrait by Augustus Saint-Gaudens was acquired for $120,000. While all Confederate battle flags are rare, the one sold by Fleischer is significant because it's the only unaccounted-for flag that was captured from a regiment in Pickett's division, Fleischer said. Other such flags are accounted for and reside in museums or institutions, which means this flag is the only one left that's privately owned. Several Virginia color bearers who carried the flag were wounded or killed before it was captured by Cyren B. Lawton, a Union lieutenant from the 16th Vermont Infantry who died shortly after in hand-to-hand combat. The flag was preserved by fellow Vermont officer Henry F. Dix, who quietly passed down the artifact through generations of his family. Central Ohio advocate says RFK Jr.'s autism comments concerns families Still, the flag's whereabouts were generally unknown for more than 150 years, Fleischer said. Dix's family held onto the artifact until about the 1940s or '50s, when it was given to a family friend who also passed it down. The flag didn't resurface until the owner brought it to a Georgia collector show in 2021, and the discovery was announced to the collecting community. The artifact's current owner turned to Fleischer's, which also sold the sword of Civil War Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman last May, to list the flag for bidding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Epoch Times
25-04-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
The Leader Who Played a Pivotal Role in the Battle of Gettysburg
As the fighting got intense during the Civil War's infamous Battle of Gettysburg, the 20th Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry group knew they were about to lose their vital position. In an instant, the group's leader Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain launched a surprise offensive attack that promptly changed the tide of the battle. In fact, years later in 1893, Chamberlain was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery that day. Chamberlain was a Maine native who came from a long line of soldiers, with ancestors having fought in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. But instead of following in their footsteps, he decided to study and become a professor. Despite having a stuttering problem as a child, Chamberlain learned over half a dozen languages and taught rhetoric and modern language courses. However, once the Civil War started, the patriotism that ran through his veins prompted him to quit his position and volunteer his services to the Maine militia. Shortly after, he became lieutenant colonel of the 20th Maine Regiment. The infantry group engaged in one of its first significant skirmishes in the war during the Battle of Fredericksburg in late 1862. The group of volunteer soldiers missed the Battle of Chancellorsville after suffering an outbreak of smallpox. Then they met their ultimate challenge. On July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, the 20th Maine was ordered by Union Gen. George Meade to hold the extreme left of the Union Army's line on the top of a hill later named Little Round Top. Knowing that the far left side of the enemy line was crucial, Confederate troops led by Gen. John Hood heavily attacked the infantry group. The 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment monument on Little Round Top is the most popular Gettysburg National Military Park monument visitors request to see. Now led by Chamberlain, the group, though outnumbered, fiercely held its position. But Chamberlain knew he had to change course soon as his soldiers had run low on ammunition. Related Stories 12/28/2024 12/2/2024 Suddenly, Chamberlain screamed, 'Bayonet!' Without hesitation, his troops lowered their rifles and charged down the hill attacking their opponents with their mounted blades. The momentum of the battle suddenly changed in the favor of the Union. The Union's victory at the Battle of Gettysburg became a major turning point in the Civil War. Chamberlain played a small role in a few more battles before he was severely wounded during the Siege of Petersburg in June 1864. After being shot in the pelvis with a minié ball (a small, hollow-based lead bullet), the U.S. Congress gave him the rank of brigadier general thinking he would succumb to his battle wound. However, Chamberlain survived and recovered in time to be invited by Gen. Ulysses Grant to receive the Confederate surrender of arms to end the Civil War on April 12, 1865. Chamberlain gained the respect of the defeated Confederate soldiers after he ordered his troops to salute the Confederates during the ceremony. Overall, Chamberlain fought in 24 Civil War battles. He was wounded in battle six times and was shot off of his horse about a half dozen more. His last wound though, caused him pain for the rest of his life. When Chamberlain retired from the military, he moved back to his home state of Maine. He used his fame as a war hero to launch a gubernatorial campaign and was elected to four one-year terms as Maine's governor between 1867 and 1871. Chamberlain refused to run for a fifth term and instead chose his last leadership role as the president of Bowdoin College, his alma mater. He held his role until 1883, when his health seriously declined. He suffered from pain surrounding his pelvic wound until he passed away in 1914 at age 85. Chamberlain's official portrait as president of Bowdoin College. Public Domain What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
The Intercept
20-04-2025
- Politics
- The Intercept
Trump's Power Feeds on White Demographic Fears
Donald Trump answers questions from reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office on April 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo:GETTYSBURG — This is the most American of towns. It is where Robert E. Lee tried to destroy the nation, where Abraham Lincoln tried to heal it, and where William Faulkner revealed a century later that the country was still irretrievably racist and broken. Even though much of its bloody Civil War past is hidden behind McDonald's and Burger King and Dairy Queen and Walmart, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, today is still the symbolic capital of the endless American fight over the nation's history. Inevitably, that fight always comes down to race. And so that means that this is the town that best explains Donald Trump. Once you understand that Trump's rise is all about white fears and white power — the same motivations that triggered the Civil War — the Trump agenda begins to make sense. Gettysburg is where the Confederates invaded the North to make their ultimate bid to protect slavery and white supremacy. Pickett's Charge, on July 3, 1863, the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg, lives on in Southern mythology as the so-called 'high tide of the Confederacy,' the closest that Southerners believe they came to winning the Civil War. But it really wasn't that close. Pickett's Charge was a disaster for the Confederates, a bloody massacre of thousands of rebel troops. After Gettysburg, it was just a matter of time before the Confederacy's ultimate defeat. Lincoln recognized Gettysburg's real significance as the beginning of the end and so came here to give his most iconic speech to explain what the war was about. When he said in his Gettysburg Address that 'this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,' Americans at the time understood what he meant: an oligarchic slavocracy could not be allowed to run the nation. But after Lee surrendered at Appomattox and the war ended in 1865, there were still millions of white people in the South who refused to accept the death of the slavocracy, while many more of their descendants have never accepted that white people and Black people can truly live as equals. In his Yoknapatawpha County masterpiece, 'Intruder in the Dust,' Faulkner revealed in 1948 what Southern white people really thought about race and American history. If only they could try Pickett's Charge again: 'For every Southern boy fourteen years old … there is the instant when it's still not yet two o'clock on that July afternoon in 1863, the brigades are in position behind the rail fence, the guns are laid and ready in the woods … it's all in the balance … we have come too far with too much at stake and that moment doesn't need even a fourteen-year-old boy to think this time. Maybe this time with all this much to lose and all this much to gain: Pennsylvania, Maryland, the world, the golden dome of Washington itself to crown with desperate and unbelievable victory.' What even Faulkner couldn't imagine was that white people all across the nation would eventually come to sympathize with and perhaps even share that Confederate fantasy. It is white hysteria, the same phenomenon that gripped the antebellum South and led to the Civil War, that has fueled the rise of Donald Trump. The Trump phenomenon and the surge of right-wing extremism in America has never really been about economic anxiety, as so many pundits have claimed. True, many swing voters, including some minorities, have supported Trump by wrongly thinking that he would be good for the economy. But for Trump's MAGA base, it has always been about race and racism. The fact that MAGA voters aren't motivated by the economy has become clear as Trump has tanked the stock market and threatened a global financial crisis with his crippling tariffs. Trump's voters, who loudly complained about inflation under the Biden administration, now say they don't care about the higher prices and financial panic generated by Trump's tariffs. Instead of economic angst, MAGA is gripped by a demographic paranoia of the same kind that surged throughout the South in the years just before the Civil War. The antebellum South feared what was to come in 20 years: America's western expansion would lead to the creation of so many free states that the South would eventually be outnumbered in Congress and lose its power to defend slavery. The Civil War was about the future. Today, MAGA also fears the future: It fears that America will soon become so diverse that white people will lose their power over politics and society. Here is the figure that freaks out MAGA the most: In 2025, only about 47 percent of American children under five years old are white. That one statistic explains MAGA hysteria — and explains much of Trump's agenda. It explains his draconian anti-immigration and deportation policies and his attempts to end birthright citizenship. It also explains the anti-abortion movement and the right-wing pro-natal movement, both of which represent flailing attempts to increase the white percentage of the population. The racist truth about the right-wing pro-natal movement becomes clear by examining its contradictory positions; many of its leaders are virulently anti-immigration at the same time they say they fear population decline. They only fear white population decline. As long as Trump demagogues about race and identity and takes actions that his base thinks are designed to curb minority population growth and enhance white power, MAGA will go along with anything else that he wants to do. Right now, that racial bond between Trump and his base manifests itself through Trump's draconian anti-immigration policies. Trump and his MAGA base are obsessed with immigrants. Trump has pushed out a frenzied series of anti-immigration orders, including, among many others, the freezing of funding for refugee resettlement and the scrapping of temporary protected status for refugees from Venezuela, the banning of migrant legal aid, detaining and deporting students simply because they were involved in pro-Palestinian protests, and the withdrawal of hundreds of other international student visas with no explanation. Many of his orders, including his attempt to end birthright citizenship, are facing ongoing legal challenges. The only point of Trump's crude anti-immigration orders is to try to reduce the number of nonwhite people entering the country. That became clear when Trump extended refugee status to white South Africans, who he falsely claimed were being persecuted by the majority-Black South African government. Read Our Complete Coverage The consequences of MAGA's demographic hysteria are similar to what happened in the antebellum South, when Southerners gave up on the idea of being part of the United States. A sense of existential dread has led to the rise of radical right-wing politics in MAGA, combined with a surge in conspiracy theories that revolve around race and identity. Conspiracy theories once confined to the margins of the internet now flourish, most infamously one that claims that a leftist deep state secretly unleashed a surge in immigration in order to replace America's white population. There is a parallel with the antebellum South, which was also immersed in conspiracy theories about race and identity: then, conspiracy theories were stoked by Southern fears of slave revolts, of the abolitionist movement, and of Abraham Lincoln. Today, MAGA's beliefs have spread so far that even more traditional Republicans have embraced the notion that liberals are seeking to sabotage traditional America. William Barr, who turned against Trump after serving as his attorney general in his first term, still insisted in 2024 that he couldn't support a Democratic presidential candidate because he believed that a 'continuation of the Biden administration is national suicide.' Trump's rise has been stoked by his unrelenting use of racist conspiracy theories, beginning with his false claims that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and highlighted during the 2024 campaign by his lie that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating people's pets. His one great political skill has been his shameless willingness to lie to appeal to white people fearful of a diverse future and convert them into his MAGA disciples. While Trump's MAGA base is not a majority of the country, it is large enough to dominate the Republican Party's base, which explains why Republican politicians have been so reluctant to speak up against any of Trump's chaotic actions. What is most ominous today is that MAGA is now so immersed in conspiracy theories that it has developed a deep hatred of the federal government, much as the South did in the 1850s. Trump's followers not only believe that the federal government has been instrumental in their demographic decline, but they also seem convinced that Western-style liberal democracy is no longer the right political system for them. They appear willing to give up on democracy in exchange for a white nationalist autocrat — someone like Donald Trump.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Firefighters help repair historic Adams County Courthouse clock tower after high winds
A historic Pennsylvania courthouse got a helping hand from community volunteers after a part of the building's clock tower came loose due to high winds, according to officials. In a release, the Gettysburg Fire Department shared that the volunteer department's firefighters were called to assist with securing loose pieces of an aluminum scroll on the Adams County Courthouse's clock tower on Wednesday morning after high winds and severe storms moved through the area on Tuesday. "Due to the increase of wind, it was important to secure this as soon as possible, so it would not blow off and potentially injure someone," the department said in their release. Utilizing the 104-foot aerial ladder of the department's Truck 1, a 2007 Seagrave ladder truck, maintenance personnel ascended the ladder and secured the aluminum scroll pieces back in place. Those storms, including a severe thunderstorm, had gusts up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Half-inch size hail was reported in Adams County, the weather service said, and social media reports showed significant hail in the northern portions of the county near Aspers. Wednesday was also expected to bring high winds, with the service forecasting wind gusts of 35 mph throughout Wednesday in Adams County. Fire police officers from the department assisted with traffic control on one of the borough's main roads as crews worked to secure the precariously dangling pieces of the building. The Adams County Courthouse, located at 111 Baltimore St., is a historic building within Gettysburg, and was built in 1858. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. During the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, the courthouse was used as a field hospital. This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Gettysburg, Pa. historic courthouse repaired with help of firefighters
