Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale's beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.
Acting
Greg Kinnear's sweaty, desperate Dick Vermeil steals scenes.
Production
Filmed at actual Veterans Stadium—RIP to that concrete dump.
Director
Ericson Core
Mark Wahlberg
Vince Papale
Greg Kinnear
Dick Vermeil
Elizabeth Banks
Janet Cantrell
Kevin Conway
Frank Papale
Michael Rispoli
Max Cantrell
Morgan Turner
Susan Vermeil
Dov Davidoff
Johnny
Kirk Acevedo
Tommy
Michael Kelly
Pete
Sal Darigo
Mick
Nicoye Banks
TJ Banks
Turron Kofi Alleyne
Ronnie Sampson
Cosmo DeMatteo
Dean German
Stink Fisher
Denny Franks
Michael Mulheren
AC Craney
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Vince Papale has a cameo as a reporter during the final game scene. Spot the actual legend!
Released in 2006, this rode the wave of Disney sports films that peaked with Miracle and The Rookie—corporate nostalgia for when men were men and concussions were personality traits.
US
