There is something about post World War II film noir that we admit that we can’t get enough of. In “The Set-Up”, we meet a washed up boxer named “Stoker” Thompson who has so far on the downswing of his career that his manager accepts payment for his client to take a dive, without telling his boxer! During the fight, Thompson learns of it, but fights his heart out and manages to win the match, despite learning that the mob is involved.   Interesting how the desire to win takes over!



The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
The Set-Up (1949)

Actor:
Robert Ryan

Role Portrayed:
Boxer

Why You Should Vote For Him:
He picked his dignity and had the best win of his boxing career.

Why You Should Not Vote For Him:
Wasn’t exactly a triumph like Rocky Balboa was it?

The Champ (1931)

Boxer

Many of you asked us why we did not include Fictional Athletes prior to 1970.  We listened and created a special Veteran’s Category, which featured fictional athletes from movies prior to 1970 and we awaited to see who all of you would pick to be the first Fictitious Athlete “Veteran” for our Hall of Fame.  Loud and clear, you all told us: It was the original “Champ”.

The original 1931 film saw it portrayed by veteran actor, Wallace Berry, who played the down on his luck alcoholic boxer to perfection, earning an Academy Award in the process.  Boxing, especially back then, was a dirty business, and this was one of the best reflections of that.  

The Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame is proud to induct Andy “The Champ” Purcell as the first Veteran of the Hall!

Long before the Waterboy, we had Amos Dodd, a simple man from Texas who could throw a watermelon farther than anyone else had ever seen? Does that translate into College Football? Why of course it does, and through a strange turn of events (boy do we say that a lot), he is recruited to play for small Texas State against the powerhouse of Yale, which in 1935 was actually true. Stuart Erwin, who played Amos Dodd, was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance.



The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
Pigskin Parade (1935)

Actor:
Stuart Erwin

Role Portrayed:
Texas State University Quarterback

Why You Should Vote For Him:
If you go by what you saw on the field, this was the guy that led the team to a huge win over Yale (when beating Yale mattered).

Why You Should Not Vote For Him:
The Coach’s daughter calling the winning play? Come one, man!

None of us here at Notinhalloffame understood the Glee phenomenon, nor do any of us subscribe that cheerleading is a sport. Saying all of that we do recognize that many people liked that show, and that some feel that cheerleading is a sport. If that is true, than why not a cheerleading coach, and one who was arguably one of the stars of the show? With that we present Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) as a nominee for the Fictitious Athlete Hall, and whether you think she belongs or not, you have to admit that Lynch is one funny actress.



The Bullet Points:
TV Show Appeared:
Glee (2009-)

Actor:
Jane Lynch

Role Portrayed:
Cheerleading Coach

Why You Should Vote For Her:
Many have argued that this was the best character on the show.

Why You Should Not Vote For Her:
It’s a cheerleading coach! That is all that we need to say.

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