We have no problem saying that we are a fan of Kenny Rogers; although we qualify that by saying we are referring to the early 80’s Country Pop dynamo with the rugged good looks who knew how to “hold em”, and not the one who became the poster boy for awfulplasticsurgery.com, with his Liberace like makeover. Rogers starred as Brewster Baker in the racing film “Six Pack”, where he is trying to get back to the big leagues, AKA: the NASCAR circuit. Along the way, he encounters a group of orphans who had stolen parts from his car, and rescued them after their van goes into a river. Naturally, he takes in the kids and of course helps them escape a corrupt Sheriff (Of course it is a corrupt Sherriff!) and hilarity ensues. Actually hilarity didn’t happen, and really the film is an attempt at a Hallmark moment with a Kenny Rogers soundtrack, on an oval track. For our Fictitious Athlete HOF purposes, the film does give an authentic feel with the use of actual NASCAR footage and other scenes around racetracks. That probably isn’t enough to get the “Gambler” into our Hall.
Billy Hoyle didn’t look like he could shoot hoops, but that was the point wasn’t it? With his goofy attire, and country look, Hoyle was able to hustle on the street courts, though you have to question just how good he was at it. Sure, he hustled Sidney Dean, but for what; $64 dollars? He had to escape to L.A. to avoid collections from bookees, he was hustled by Dean for a lot more than he got him for, and he lost Gloria Clemente (Rosie Perez) at the end. However, he did prove that white men can in fact jump. We’ll let you decide what that is worth, though we will say that we were entertained. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: White Men Can’t Jump (1992) Actor: Woody Harrelson Position Portrayed: N/A Played for: N/A Why you should vote for him: Harrelson is a major part of sports cinema, and this was one of his best roles. Why you should not vote for him: He lost Gloria at the end. Sure he could jump, but he gave up Rosie Perez in her prime. How could any man do that?
There just seems something right for a movie about Texas High School Football to have a super fat Lineman named Billy Bob. Played by Ron Lester (who looked considerably older than the 28 he was at the time of filming), Billy Bob was the 300 plus pound country bumpkin who had a pig, a pickup truck and a shotgun. Basically, he was the morbidly obese fat guy that every football film has; only this one wore a cowboy hat. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Varsity Blues (1999) Actor: Ron Lester Position Portrayed: Offensive Lineman Played for: West Canaan HS Why you should vote for him: There is something right about a bloated Texan O-lineman in this Hall. Why you should not vote for him: This was a caricature more than a character.
Appearing at the beginning and end of “Kingpin”, Ernie McCracken may be our favorite sports villain ever. With the most awesome comb over of all-time, the slimy, womanizing was easily the king of obnoxious behavior and though we developed sympathy for Roy Munson, we could not help but cheer when “Big Ern” won the bowling tournament at the end. There are times we think that Bill Murray can do no wrong. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Kingpin (1996) Actor: Bill Murray Why you should vote for him: He was obnoxious, but a winner. Why you should not vote for him:His role was a supporting one.
