Once upon a time, as the story goes, when ridiculously well-paid football players went on strike, the management of a professional club Washington Sentinels decided to hire replacement players, some of which have played football in different levels, others with more experience in soccer (chain smoking Welsh kicker) or sumo-wrestling. The leader of this patchwork team assembled on a moment's notice is Shane Falco (Reeves), whose only accomplishment in football was being severely beaten in a Sugar Bowl game. The new team is coached by a players' coach, Jim McGinty, played by Gene Hackman, no stranger to that role (Hoosiers). The new Sentinels start off with a disaster, but as the movie goes along, they rack up a few points, and win over the hearts of their fans. Falco also wins the heart of a cheerleading squad leader, leggy Annabelle (Brooke Langton), in a witty make-out scene, with off-screen play-by-play by John Madden and Pat Summerall culminating with "Falco scores!" The reality of that tandem is a refreshing change compared to other recent football movies (in Any Given Sunday, broadcasters were Oliver Stone and Barry Switzer). Madden's role fits him perfectly, and he makes almost all deliveries in his distinctive style, even referring to The All-Madden Team.