5 football ’30 for 30’s to remind you why the NE Patriots deflated their balls

Do you know how much it costs for your very own Super Bowl ad? A 30-second spot  will run you $4.5 million!

All of the money seemingly thrown around the Super Bowl and the NFL in general seems almost ludicrous, but I often forget about Biggie Smalls’ lesson of more money, more problems. With new found wealth and a load of expectations, it’s easy to see why professional athletes can have a hard time controlling their finances. Why else do you think the Pats did what they did? They HAVE to win to pay off all their stuff!

Before the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl Sunday, these 30 for 30 documentaries show that at the end of the day, no matter what your profession, we are all just trying to create a well-balanced life. From overbearing parents to trying to discover who we really are, sports fans may have more in common with their favorite athletes than they think.

5. 30 for 30: Run Ricky Run (2010)
When we watch incredible athletes like Tom Brady and Marshawn Lynch hit the field on Sunday, we tend to forget that these are men, who have a life outside of football. There are certain individuals who define themselves by how they make a living(we all probably have at least one of those type of people at our jobs), but not every players’ identity is wrapped around being an NFL star. While extremely talented, Ricky Williams did not feel like he was put on this earth to run around with a football. This documentary helps to shed light on what really was going on with Ricky when he left the game, and why we shouldn’t always judge a book by its cover.

 

4. 30 for 30: The U (2009)
The Seattle Seahawks reached the Super Bowl for a second-consecutive season because Pete Carroll lets the players be who they are. He also gets them to buy into his vision, but this requires a very delicate balancing act. College football fans hated the antics of Miami players on and off the field, but under Jimmy Johnson’s tenure, “The U” finished with an incredible 52-9 record. Johnson let the players be who they are, and the results speak for itself. We are still left with the question, however, if the ends justified the means.

 

3. 30 for 30: Brian and the Boz (2014)
After watching Brian and the Boz, I came to the conclusion that Brian Bosworth was way ahead of his time. From book to movie deals, Bosworth became a branding machine, and it appeared he could have a successful career in multiple outlets. The problem was, his NFL skill did not match the hype of his college days.  The documentary showcases how the “Boz” persona quickly took over, and Brian lost focus on the work ethic and dedication to football that brought him attention in the first place. Similar to Ricky Williams, don’t judge Brian Bosworth before watching this documentary.

 

2. 30 for 30: Broke (2012)
The average sports fan hears all the talk around player bonuses and big new contracts, and besides getting shocked, many of us become outraged when an athlete becomes bankrupt. We proclaim this wouldn’t happen to us, but what if you didn’t even know how to open up a bank account and then someone handed you a $5 million check at 21 years old? I’m not saying you should feel super sorry for a guy who buys 10 houses and 20 cars and goes bankrupt, but realize that when the money starts rolling in, not all athletes know who to trust or how to handle their earnings.

(Wouldn’t be a Super Bowl countdown without an advertisement)

 

1. 30 for 30: The Best That Never Was (2010)
The re-occurring theme I found in all of these titles is that the public is not always privy to what is going on behind the scenes. It’s easier to say someone is lazy or squandered their talent, than it is to admit success brings out people who are trying to ride your coattails and pull you in directions you may not want to go. The story of Marcus Dupree provides a great narrative on family, trust and the burden of expectations.

 

Just remember, football players are regular people to! Just regular people like us, who have millions and millions of dollars.

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