The 1987 National Football League players' strike inspired this quirky sports comedy starring Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman, when one of the top teams, The Washington Sentinels in pro football go on strike due to contract negotiations breaking down.
Owner Edward O'Neil (Jack Warden) recruits a misfit band of players, to be whipped into shape by the retired scrappy coach Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman). First to be hired is quarterback Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves), a promising athlete until a devastating defeat destroyed his confidence. Included on the team are Clifford Franklin (Orlando Jones), a hopeless receiver; Nigel Gruff (Rhys Ifans), a chain-smoking Welsh soccer player; Bateman (Jon Favreau), an ex cop with anger management problems and an ex-con.
Will the useless band of shabby replacements even come close to victory?
