A Football Life
Profiles the most important and influential figures in the history of the National Football League.
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Sport
Cast:Jenn Brown , Bill Belichick , Troy Aikman , Steve Young , Jimmy Johnson , Ray Lewis , Jerry Jones , Brett Favre , Rich Dalrymple , Emmitt Smith , Michael Irvin , Jason Garrett , Cris Carter , Tony Dungy , Joe Theismann , Dick Vermeil , Jerry Rice , Bill Cowher
S1.E1 ∙ Bill Belichick, Part 1
A look at Patriots coach Bill Belichick through the 2009 NFL season as he interacts with players and his girlfriend and reminisces about his coaching career amid the frustrations of the season and the relaxation of boating.
S1.E2 ∙ Bill Belichick, Part 2
From the locker room to the meeting room, to the office, to the field--meet Bill Belichick. (Part Two)
S1.E3 ∙ Reggie White & Jerome Brown
This is a story of two men who shared a profession, a team and the same fate.
S1.E4 ∙ Kurt Warner
The unlikely football rise, precipitous fall, and stunning redemption of draft reject and grocer Kurt Warner to Superbowl hero.
S1.E5 ∙ Walter Payton
A look at the life of 'Sweetness' and the legacy of the Bears running back, built from an unyielding 'never die easy' will that defined him from the days of running hills in suburban Chicago to his untimely passing.
S1.E6 ∙ Ed Sabol
Ed Sabol took a hobby and turned it into a national treasure. As the founder and former president of NFL Films, Ed created a cinematic image that helped propell the NFL to its current position as America's most popular sport.
S1.E7 ∙ Mike Ditka
A look at Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end and Super Bowl-winning head coach. He brought a toughness and hard-nosed work ethic to football that few could match.
S1.E8 ∙ Tom Landry
A look at Tom Landry, the man underneath the hat, was more than just the legendary head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. He was a great innovator, a symbol and an icon.
S1.E9 ∙ Al Davis
A look at the Raiders owner Al Davis. He was one of the most influential executives in NFL history. He proved to be both feared and admired by his peers on his path to success.
S2.E1 ∙ The Faces of Tebow
Five former NFL quarterbacks examine the phenomenon that is Tim Tebow from five different perspectives.
S2.E2 ∙ Ray Lewis
For the first time in NFL history a camera crew follows a player for an entire season on and off the field. Think you know Ray Lewis? Think again.
S2.E3 ∙ Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin is known for being strict and firm on the football field, but very few know about the big heart inside of this Super Bowl champion.
S2.E4 ∙ Cleveland '95
A look at the collapse of the Cleveland Browns in 1995 amid the bankruptcy of owner Art Modell and his decision to move the team to Baltimore, while the coaching staff would go on to enormous football success in later years.
S2.E5 ∙ Fearsome Foursome
The legendary defensive line of the 1960s Los Angeles Rams, led by head coach George Allen were a dominant force on the field, and as close as brothers off of it.
S2.E6 ∙ Steve McNair
A look at Tennessee Titans legend Steve McNair, who overcame tough odds, injuries, and chronic self-doubt to become an NFL most valuable player, retiring after thirteen seasons only to meet with tragedy.
S2.E7 ∙ Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.
Eddie Debartolo owned the San Francisco 49ers for 23 years. In that span, his team won 5 Superbowls as well as the undying loyalty of those who played for him.
S2.E8 ∙ Chris Spielman
Chris Spielman was born to be a football player, but when his wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer he made the toughest decision of his life to step away from the game he loved for the true love of his life.
S2.E9 ∙ Jimmy Johnson
A look at Jimmy Johnson, a former college coach who became one of the most successful NFL coaches with his five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, only to see his career torn asunder by conflicts with team ownership.
S2.E10 ∙ John Riggins
John 'The Diesel' Riggins was fearless on the field and a fun-loving showman off it. He knew the power of his talents and achieved the ultimate prize with a Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl MVP title.
S2.E11 ∙ Barry Sanders
For 10 seasons, Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders electrified the NFL with unbelievable runs while putting up prolific rushing numbers. Yet just before the start of the 1999 NFL season, as one of the league's biggest stars, he quietly walked away from the game.
S2.E12 ∙ Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen knew how to score touchdowns and he ran himself right into the record books and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Through his tempestuous tenure with the Raiders to his remarkable run in Kansas City, A Football Life: Marcus Allen tells the story of a true NFL legend.
S2.E13 ∙ The Immaculate Reception
The Immaculate Reception: A Football Life" - A Football Life features the iconic "Immaculate Reception" play that has been described in various ways - a myth, miracle, conspiracy, crime and a detective story.
S3.E2 ∙ Don Shula
A look at Don Shula, the Hall of Fame head coach with the most victories and the architect behind the only perfect season in NFL history.
S3.E10 ∙ Randall Cunningham
The life of Randall Cunningham who was one of the most influential players of all time
S3.E13 ∙ Steve Gleason
A Football Life' -Steve Gleason" - A Football Life honors the life of the former Saints star, now battling ALS.
S3.E15 ∙ Houston '93
A look at the 1993 Houston Oilers season, a season where they started poorly but overcame controversy and internal strife to win a club-record twelve games before the organization began a slow-motion collapse.
S3.E22 ∙ Jerry Rice
Following the life of the arguably the best player football has seen in history. Jerry Rice is one of those players that had forever changed the game. At a young age, Jerry had no interest in football. However, he was soon to be the best player of all time. Watching the life of Jerry Rice and his rise to fame is inspiring and will forever change how you see football.
S4.E4 ∙ Warren Moon
This is the story of Oilers Quarterback Warren Moon, ignored by the NFL to where he achieved success in the CFL and thus finally reached the NFL, driven by a sense being slighted by the NFL was racially motivated.
S4.E8 ∙ Ricky Williams
A rare look at one of the unique individuals in recent NFL history, Ricky Williams.
S4.E10 ∙ The Perfect Backfield
Running backs, Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, and Eugene ''Mercury'' Morris combined to help the 1972 Miami Dolphins of the NFL have the only undefeated season. The 3 running backs reunite and talk about "The Perfect Backfield".
S4.E11 ∙ Lyle Alzado
Tells the life story of a tortured, misjudged, and unappreciated hero who, because he told the truth, was denied his right to the pro-football hall of fame.
S4.E15 ∙ 2006 Rose Bowl
"The 2006 Rose Bowl: A Football Life" - The legacy of one of the greatest college football games ever played, the 2006 Rose Bowl that matched USC and Texas in a battle of undefeated teams.
S5.E1 ∙ Christian Okoye
The story of the Nigerian Nightmare, a Kansas City Chief who left an unforgettable impression on the game and his opponents.
S5.E2 ∙ Dexter Manley
The story of the rise, fall and redemption of one the most dominant and beloved players in Washington Redskins history. The "Secretary of Defense" who was functionally illiterate and became addicted to drugs.
S5.E4 ∙ Terrell Owens
A look at the football career of Terrell Owens, who first became a star in the 1998 playoffs and felt expressing himself would better ingratiate himself with others, but this led to misunderstandings and controversy amid spectacular play.
S5.E9 ∙ Mike Singletary
Mike Singletary: A Football Life" - The heart and soul of the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears defense, Mike Singletary shares a life full of lessons learned from the game.
S6.E1 ∙ Brett Favre
Brett Favre: A Football Life" - Brett Favre’s incomparable journey from Kiln, Mississippi to Green Bay to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
S6.E5 ∙ Steve Young
Quarterback Steve Young reads from his autobiography of his life in the game, highlighted by his 49ers career where he chafed for four years to become a starter until finally becoming one.
S6.E7 ∙ Michael Vick
The life of controversial quarterback Michael Vick, whose style of play led to success and controversy but whose involvement in a criminal enterprise nearly ended his career.
S6.E9 ∙ Steve Smith Sr.
A look at receiver Stevonne "Steve" Smith, whose shortness of stature was misinterpreted in terms of capability to where his athleticism and production was pushed with a determination rare to football.
S6.E11 ∙ Troy Aikman
Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman overcame lack of confidence by his coaches (and in himself) to win three Superbowls only to leave to game because of escalating injuries.
S7.E1 ∙ Dan Marino
A look at quarterback Dan Marino, rejected by most teams in the 1983 NFL Draft until the Miami Dolphins selected him, where he went on to reset multiple passing records, but always chased playoff success.
S7.E3 ∙ John Madden
A look at former Oakland Raiders coach and telecaster John Madden, whose out-sized personality created a popularity for him that transcended his football career.
S10.E3 ∙ Calvin Johnson
Growing up in Tyrone, GA and nearly having his athletic career cut short by a diagnosis of Osgood-Schallter in high school. Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson reveals the truth behind his 40-yard dash at the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine and breaking Jerry Rice's single season receiving yards record in 2012. Calvin talks about his decision to retire in 2015 and the creation of Primitiv Group.
