With high school football already started around the country and college and professional leagues about to follow suit, we’re officially in football season. Squeeze even more football into your life this fall with these four ESPN+ football documentaries.
The Best That Never Was
To celebrate ESPN’s 30th anniversary, the network aired a special documentary series called 30 for 30. The episodes of the series analyzed and documented significant moments, people, games, and more in sports history, one of which was Marcus Dupree, a former running back who had a short stint in the NFL. “The Best That Never Was” dives into Dupree’s unbelievable high school career, the disappointing career that followed, and his recovery from what ended up being insurmountable expectations.
O.J.: Made in America
One of the most notorious true crime stories in American history, the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and the subsequent acquittal of O.J. Simpson hasn’t stopped being discussed since 1995. If you’re a true crime fan, you’ve undoubtedly watched at least one documentary (and probably multiple) about O.J. What sets O.J.: Made in America apart is its focus on the man rather than the murder.
Made in America follows O.J.’s life and football career, giving more context than other documentaries as to why his accusal was such a shock to the nation. Part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, O.J.: Made in America won an Oscar and was nominated for multiple Emmys. So yeah, it’s pretty good.
Man in the Arena: Tom Brady
No matter your personal opinions on Tom Brady, he’s undeniably one of the greatest football players of all time, and he’ll go down in history as such. Man in the Arena: Tom Brady shows exactly why Brady retains GOAT status, and it all comes from his own perspective. We regularly see sports legends defined by others, but it’s a much rarer treat to have the legends themselves share what makes them special, and that’s why Man in the Arena stands out.
Deion’s Double Play
Another 30 for 30 installment, “Deion’s Double Play” is the incredible story of Deion Sanders, a man who played a game of baseball for the Atlanta Braves, a game of football for the Atlanta Falcons, and another game of baseball for the Atlanta Braves all within 24 hours. It sounds too unbelievable for words, but it’s not, and the details are far more surprising than the synopsis.
Each of these football documentaries is streaming now on ESPN+.