In recognition of increased watching of the Super Bowl, Peter Bentley provides a draft chapter from a (hoped for) book looking at the U.S.A. through film and television.
The USA and Sport Part 3: Football
When an Australian thinks about American football they may become momentarily confused and then many now recall the yearly event known as the Super Bowl. Part gladiatorial contest (without the mandatory deaths), and part celebrity tournament with a prominent half-time extravaganza show producing an advertising bonanza for sellers and consumers.
While there was spasmodic televising of NFL games in Australia from the early 1980s (delayed broadcast games), NFL came into prominence in the early 1990s through American singer and entertainer Don Lane who was affectionally known as ‘the Lanky Yank. [1] Lane initially came to Australia in the mid-1960s and became one of the most significant television hosts. During a second sojourn, he became famous for his high-rating variety show, The Don Lane Show (1975 – 1983). In his next stint in Australia, Lane hosted and commentated on NFL games and twice went to the USA to host live Super Bowl games broadcast to Australia for the Australian national broadcaster (the ABC). Interestingly, Super Bowl XXVII (1993) featured O.J. Simpson with the coin toss and Michael Jackson headlining the half-time show. Super Bowl XXVIII saw O.J. Simpson as an announcer only a few months before he featured in his most prominent television appearance.
These live Super Bowl events led some locals to arrange Super Bowl parties (anything for a party in Australia), though they may have inadvertently attracted people who thought it had something to do with Tupperware. I remember taking the day off on a Monday (when they were broadcast in Australia) to watch this beginning spectacle. According to an article in The Sydney Morning Herald, interest in the Super Bowl has dramatically increased, and a number of city bars now host early morning Super Bowl parties. [The Superbowl is live on 7 at 10:30 am Monday, Eastern Australia Daylight Time.]
And then there is college football. It was only after listening to some Christian podcasts that I began to understand the importance of college football in America as the hosts would often be distracted by talking about their team’s latest game. Clearly for those who have gone to a college there is a bond to this sport, and this continues in a wider way as people also follow their college players into the professional leagues.
When thinking about the college connection of football, there is one film that has reached a wide and popular audience. The Blindside (2009) gave Sandra Bullock a role as a knowledgeable ‘football mom’, highlighting the seriousness of college sport and the continuing interest from past students. Not-with-standing the controversy that has since followed the film, and some of the portrayal of the athlete Michael Oher and the other main characters, the film remains a sentimental ‘small c’ Christian type faith film.
Before moving onto significant faith films as this is a substantial connection, I need to mention at least one film connected with gambling given the significance of gambling in and on sport and particularly American football. Two for the Money (2005) introduces Matthew McConaughey to working with Al Pacino. While a mostly uninspired film, one gains a good impression of the solid base of the American sports betting machine and this was before the proliferation of web services. An illuminating report in 2018 indicated the base available. [2]
A more overt faith film is the second film from the Sherwood stable Facing the Giants (2006). While it follows a traditional underdog story, the foundation that attracted wider interest was American football. Grant Taylor is the coach of the Shiloh Eagles, and husband to Brooke. He has coached his high school team to dismal results for six years, and the writing is on the wall. They struggle personally as well, as they have been trying to start a family and wonder why God has not blessed them with children. Taylor begins to adopt some bible teaching and encouragement in his coaching, and his life and the lives of the young people around him change. This film is more for sports enthusiasts, especially American football, and there are parts that are a little obscure for an Australian audience, but the themes about relationships and the struggle with faith will resonate. There were over 7000 local Facing the Giants film events in the USA during the year of its release, highlighting the significant role of sport and the increasing move to tap into this audience within the church scene in the USA.
The tagline for the movie “… With God, all things are possible” is a clear reference to the bible verse Luke 1: 37, and this of course links to the faithfulness of God with his promises and the fulfilment in the incarnation.
There are times when I wondered about some aspects of the theology presented, but the theological overview is oriented to trusting in God, rather than simply ‘believe in God and you will win’.
Woodlawn (2015) is a Christian faith film that received a wide streaming release and connects to the recent and more popular cinema release film Jesus Revolution (2023) that tells part of the story of the Jesus Movement. For further consideration of this film see my review [3] that captures part of this era for the setting of Woodlawn as well. It is an understated film based on the true story of racial reconciliation in a high school football team and is a vivid testimony to the power of the gospel.
Another warm-hearted story is provided in The Mighty Orphans (2022). This provides an opportunity to see a much older Martin Sheen in a different, but as usual, solid role as the long-serving doctor in a school-based orphanage. The true story of a football team made up of orphans is a classic underdog story, and highlights the idea of the American Dream, though with a twist.
All this reflection has inspired me, and I am looking forward to watching the Super Bowl again, and learning more about American culture and this extension of civil religion.
Peter Bentley
Draft chapter extract January 2025
pkbentleyarchive.com
[1] Don Lane and delayed telecasts: the life of an NFL fan in 1980s Australia | NFL | The Guardian; The Lanky Yank bows out – ABC News
[2] How Much Does the NFL Stand to Gain From Legal Sports Betting? – American Gaming Association
[3] Jesus Meets Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and Becomes Almost Famo | ChristianToday Australia