As part of Sportsnet magazine’s upcoming sports movie package we’re seeking to determine the greatest fictional athlete in film history. And we need your help to do it.
“Greatness” is open to interpretation. Some of the names appearing in the bracket overcame extreme adversity, others single-handedly took their team from laughing-stock to champion, while a select few were flat-out dominant in their respective sports.
Each day this week on Sportsnet.ca we’ll be asking you to cast your vote, with the final results appearing in the next issue of Sportsnet. With a seemingly endless list of worthy candidates and a rule that only one athlete from a movie can be represented, on Monday we asked you to help whittle the list down to 16 names that will make up the bracket. Tuesday and Wednesday we cut through the eight first-round showdowns.
Now it’s on to the second round.
Vote on the following matchups: Dottie Hinson vs. Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez; Happy Gilmore vs. Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn
Here’s a second-round matchup that provides the ultimate study in contrasts:
Adam Banks, F, Mighty Ducks
A loophole in the Minnesota city zoning sent Banks from the Hawks to the rival Ducks, and while neither side was happy with the move, Banks proved to be the do-it-all wunderkind forward that the hapless Ducks needed to turn them into contenders. Put it this way: You don’t wear No. 99 unless you deserve it.
Robert “Rocky” Balboa, 57-23-1 (54 KOs)
For such a decorated champ Rocky sure did spend a lot of time during fights getting beaten up, but always found a way to dig deep and come through when it mattered most. They say the ability to take a punch is crucial to make it in boxing, and Balboa is living proof. Plus, nobody holds together a montage quite like Rocky.