# Which Athlete Would You Most Like To See In A Biopic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 19, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885 "2014-08-19T10:20:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/21 "2014-08-19T19:41:20Z")
I thought Andre Agassi’s autobiography was very interesting, and could make for a great movie. Start with him as a little kid, with his hustler Dad setting him up in high stakes matches with rich hotel guest s in Vegas. ---
**Author:** ![Evin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@Evin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evin)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/22 "2014-08-19T21:02:33Z")
Ralph Metcalfe ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/23 "2014-08-19T21:14:56Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > I agree. Have you read [Black\_Ajax](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ajax)? I have indeed, I think that’s what sparked the idea for this thread. There is simply nothing about the man’s life that wasn’t cinematic: he punched his way out of slavery, for God’s sake. In a similar vein I’d also like to see a movie about [Jack Johnson](http://www.pbs.org/unforgivableblackness/rebel/), who proudly lived like a 21st century rapper in an era where looking at a white woman wrong could get a black man hanged. ---
**Author:** ![chicagowhitesox1173](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@chicagowhitesox1173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicagowhitesox1173)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/24 "2014-08-19T21:30:47Z")
-Pete Alexander…I think his story would be amazing. The whole 1926 World series, his WW1 service, his addictions and being a Hall of Fame pitcher to working at a flea circus would be a blockbuster if done right. -Larry Doby…being over shadowed by Jackie Robinson could make a interesting movie. -Ty Cobb…Keep Al Stump research out of a new movie based on him though. I really feel Al Stump made him worse than what he really was. -I also think Moe Berg would make a great movie. -Connie Mack. 50 years as a baseball manager and all the different eras he was part of would be cool to see. -Billy Martin…after reading a few of his books, I’m fascinated by this guy. His farm animal story with Mickey Mantle is priceless. I guess you could make these into documentarys but I would rather watch a well made movie of these guys. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/25 "2014-08-19T22:43:47Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The problem is it’s tough to make a good narrative out of an athlete who was successful and unpleasant. Where’s the hook? If an athlete is an asshole, you either want to see him humbled or redeemed. **Cobb** was an excellent movie. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/26 "2014-08-19T22:52:34Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > I’d also like to see a movie about [Jack Johnson](http://www.pbs.org/unforgivableblackness/rebel/), who proudly lived like a 21st century rapper in an era where looking at a white woman wrong could get a black man hanged. The movie The Great White Hope, was, as has been said, a thinly disguised version of the Jack Johnson story. > **[The Great White Hope (1970) ⭐ 6.9 | Drama, Romance, Sport](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065797/?ref_=nv_sr_4)** > > 1h 43m | PG-13 James Earl Jones in one of his earliest roles. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/27 "2014-08-19T23:28:02Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > The life of boxer [Tom Molineaux](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Molineaux), the first professional black athlete of the modern era, cries out to be filmed. Born a slave in late 18th Century Virginia, ranged by his owner in bare-knuckle bouts against other slaves, won his freedom in the ring, then travelled to Regency England where he rose through the ranks of prize fighters to challenge the champion and popular favourite, Tom Cribb. Molineaux barely lost an epic but controversial bout, then lost the rematch and faded into drunken obscurity, dying penniless at the age of 34. > > eta: [a fuller account of the fight. Pure cinema.](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1338673/200-years-ago-Black-Ajax-Thomas-Molineaux-cheated-British-heavyweight-title.html) Weird coincidence, I was just listening to a Robert E. Howard story about Tom Molineaux. I didn’t realize he had been a real person. I’ve seen shows on most of the names listed, not all, though. My choice would be the Assassin, Jack Tatum. He was not a nice man as I understand it. ---
**Author:** ![chicagowhitesox1173](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@chicagowhitesox1173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicagowhitesox1173)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/28 "2014-08-19T23:39:02Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > **Cobb** was an excellent movie. I think “Cobb” was one of the worst baseball movies of alltime. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/29 "2014-08-20T00:19:49Z")
> [@chicagowhitesox1173](#): > > I think “Cobb” was one of the worst baseball movies of alltime. That’s sort of like saying that Casablanca is one of the worst WWII movies of all time. Yes, if your goal is to learn about WWII, it’s a horrible film. Technically true, but it seems a bit arbitrary to choose to view it through that lense. ---
**Author:** ![XanderCrews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ee59a6/32.png) [@XanderCrews](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XanderCrews)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/30 "2014-08-20T00:21:13Z")
Lance Armstrong would be a good one. ---
**Author:** ![chicagowhitesox1173](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@chicagowhitesox1173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicagowhitesox1173)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/31 "2014-08-20T00:29:32Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > That’s sort of like saying that Casablanca is one of the worst WWII movies of all time. Yes, if your goal is to learn about WWII, it’s a horrible film. Technically true, but it seems a bit arbitrary to choose to view it through that lense. I remember when it came out and I think it lasted maybe 2 weeks at the most in theatres. The movie was filled with lies about Ty Cobb too. I’m kinda curious on why you thought Cobb was a good movie. The black guy in the movie, I’m guessing was suppose to be Cobb’s caretaker. In the movie it showed how the black guy hated Cobb but in reality, Cobbs real caretaker who was black, got along with Cobb greatly. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/32 "2014-08-20T00:49:12Z")
Perhaps the life of John Stephen Ahkwari hasn’t been overly dramatic, but I admire him as an athlete. Ahkwari was a marathon runner from Tanzania, who finished last in the 1968 Mexico City games. He was hurt but wouldn’t quit. > **[John Stephen Akhwari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stephen_Akhwari)** > > John Stephen Akhwari (born 1938 in Mbulu, Tanganyika) is a Tanzanian former marathon runner. He represented Tanzania in the marathon at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. > While competing in the marathon in Mexico City, Akhwari cramped up due to the high altitude of the city. He had not trained at such an altitude back in his country. At the 19 kilometer point during the 42 km race, there was jockeying for position between some runners and he was hit. He fell badly wounding his knee and ... Here was Bud Greenspan’s take on his determination to finish the race. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Hq3rOMnLGBk/hqdefault.jpg "Finish the Race ~ personal story of courage with John Stephen Akhwari") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq3rOMnLGBk) ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/33 "2014-08-20T02:05:26Z")
Speaking of 1968, I’d love to see an [Ernie Pickett](http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/article/george_ernie_pickett) movie. Or maybe I just really like Bill Starr’s writing. Weightlifting can be pretty boring to watch, but frankly so is running and Chariots of Fire got an Oscar. ---
**Author:** ![Krav\_Manga](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krav_manga/32/3153_2.png) [@Krav\_Manga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krav_Manga)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/34 "2014-08-20T02:20:17Z")
[Warnie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Warne) ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/35 "2014-08-20T04:02:28Z")
For me it would be Michael Jordan. He is one of the most widely recognized and beloved athletes who people know very little about personally. Most stories you hear are of him being a borderline sociopath and unrepentant/narcissistic asshole. I’ve read stories about him not leaving tips, punching teammates, and being viciously competitive. Surprisingly though, his public image throughout most of his career was great. He thrived before the internet and varied media landscape would have called him to task for his shortcomings. Back then, his PR team could control the narrative. Even though that is not the case now, we STILL don’t know much about the guy. By most accounts he seems to be a product of a bygone era of fiercely competitive and supremely talented people who want to succeed at the expense of everyone around them. Most athletes are not like that these days. They eschew competition and are generally don’t seem to take the win at all costs mentality Jordan seemed to have. He reminds me in a way of the guy from There Will Be Blood. Especially the, “I want no one else to succeed” [speech](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28BXqQWqYJU) from the movie. I think a movie that really gets at the heart of what motivates a guy like that would be interesting. Especially because the glimpses of his true character that have come out seem to inspire even more loyalty from the public. Even today, guys nearly as talented as Jordan (eg. Kobe, Lebron, Magic) are held in lower regard in part because of the humanity and decency on the basketball court that they seem to have; a trait that Jordan lacks. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/36 "2014-08-20T04:10:32Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] Joe Dimaggio would be an interesting one, between the streak and Marilyn and his notorious cheapness and his all around dickishness. [/QUOTE] > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The problem is it’s tough to make a good narrative out of an athlete who was successful and unpleasant. Where’s the hook? If an athlete is an asshole, you either want to see him humbled or redeemed. It’s not impossible. Case in point: **Raging Bull**. It’s arguably Scorsese’s best film but the main character, Jake LaMotta, is such a thoroughly unpleasant asshole he ends up alienating everyone around him. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/37 "2014-08-20T07:26:51Z")
You could make a good movie about Jack Dempsey - his rise from the hobo camps to become heavyweight champion in a controversial match against Jess Willard, and the end of his career in another controversial fight against Gene Tunney. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/38 "2014-08-20T08:03:35Z")
Aaron Hernandez has a life story which is rather unique among athletes. > **[Aaron Hernandez](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Hernandez)** > > Aaron Josef Hernandez\[a\] (November 6, 1989 – April 19, 2017) was an American football tight end. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons with the New England Patriots until his career came to an abrupt end after his arrest and conviction for the murder of Odin Lloyd. > An All-American at Florida, Hernandez was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Alongside teammate Rob Gronkowski, he formed one of the league's most dominant tight end duos... ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/39 "2014-08-20T08:57:49Z")
Ted Williams. Great ballplayer with a fascinating life story, who mastered many complex things from hitting a fastball to becoming a great fighter pilot and fisherman who spent his life terrified people would discover a secret he was, for a variety of reasons ashamed of. That he was of Mexican-American descent. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2014, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885/40 "2014-08-20T11:53:40Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Probably [Robin Friday](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Friday). It’d be different I reckon … They’re actually making a biopic of **Robin Friday** , I think they’ve just started to film it. I would like to see a biopic of **Alan Shearer** as I think their would be a nice juxtaposition of what a fantastic and exciting player he was to the fact he probably is the dullest and most uninteresting man alive off of the pitch. I could imagine the scene where he creosotes his fence to celebrate winning the Premiership. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-athlete-would-you-most-like-to-see-in-a-biopic/695885.md?page=3)