Necessary Roughness is not exactly a great football film. It isn’t terrible either, and much of that is because of Scott Bakula whose earnest demeanor just made everything believable….even in a film with as many gridiron related plot holes as this.

It was Ned Dowd’s minor league hockey career that apparently inspired his sister, Nancy to pen what would be an instant sports classic, Slap Shot. Ned was cast as Ogie Oglethorpe, the goon that scared goons. It wasn’t a huge role, but we just couldn’t leave a character named Ogie Oglethorpe off our ballot.



The Bullet Points:
Movie(s) Appeared:
Slap Shot (1977)

Actor:
Ned Dowd

Position Portrayed:
Enforcer

Played for:
Syracuse Bulldogs

Why you should vote for him:
In a movie about goons, he was the one that was feared the most.

Why you should not vote for him:
It was not a large role…or even a small one.

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His role was not a big one, but O.W. Shaddock makes the ballot for having one of the best lines ever in a sports film when talking angrily to his coach:

“Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. And every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

Trust us, it sounds better when it comes from the angry lips of John Matuszak.



The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
North Dallas Forty (1979)

Actor:
John Matuszak

Position Portrayed:
Offensive Lineman

Played for:
North Dallas Bulls

Why you should vote for him:
How about for bonus points as the antagonist in “Caveman” and for being “Sloth” in the Goonies?

Why you should not vote for him:
There were more memorable characters in this movie.

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The Replacements was not a great film, though it has received a solid audience through sports fans. Generally, multiple characters are developed in these ensemble sports films, but realistically the Keanu Reeves vehicle had little other players worth remembering. That is with the exception of the Welsh soccer player, Nigel “The Leg” Gruff.

His was the only one given anything remotely interesting to do (other than Falco) and we are sure many people who watched Gruff kick, wanted to break out into the well-known soccer chant of “Ole”. Still, we have a problem indicting someone into the Hall whose gambling issues made the Sentinels have to forego the Field Goal for the win. Not exactly a heroic athlete is it?



The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
The Replacements (2000)

Actor:
Rhys Ifans

Position Portrayed:
Place Kicker

Played for:
Washington Sentinels

Why you should vote for him:
His character was (to us) the most interesting in the movie.

Why you should not vote for him:
Kickers? In a Hall of Fame? If Canton won’t do it, why should we?

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