By Emilee White
Some of the best sports stories go way beyond just what happens between the lines. There are a lot of great documentaries out there that tell these stories. Here are some of our favorite sports documentaries with some memorable clips from each of them.
Free solo (2018)
Looking for an adrenaline rush? “Free Solo” provides just that as expert climber Alex Honnold prepares for the biggest free solo climb of his career: the 900-meter vertical rock face of Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan. Get ready for some very sweaty palms.
Pumping Iron (1977)
Arguably the documentary that made Arnold Schwarzenegger famous, “Pumping Iron” is centered around professional bodybuilding. This documentary also made bodybuilding popular and inspired the 1980s fitness frenzy.
Last Chance U (2016-)
This Netflix docuseries highlights under-recognized football programs across the country. From lower-division universities to community and junior colleges, “Last Chance U” is a binge-worthy and captivating series.
Cheer (2020-)
There is a huge misconception about cheerleading. And “Cheer” is here to change that. The competitive cheer world is not for the faint of heart and neither is this documentary.
Last Dance (2020)
Michael Jordan’s last season with the Chicago Bulls was one everyone was going to remember. “Last Dance” was a work in progress since the 1997-1998 NBA season and focused on Jordan’s final season with the Bulls. Not only do you get to see some great game film of the GOAT, but you also get to hear from him yourself as well as other NBA legends like Phil Jackson, Steve Kerr, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman.
Resurface (2017)
A veteran turned to surfing when he was on the verge of suicide, leading to the creation of Operation Surf, an organization that believes in nature-based therapy and the healing effects of the ocean for veterans. With a run time of only 26 minutes, “Resurface” is able to make you feel all kinds of emotions in less time than it takes to deliver a pizza.
Photo Credit: Pixy.org
