Film Report

The Miami Sharks, a once-great American football team, are now in turmoil and struggling to make the 2001 Associated Football Franchises of America (AFFA) playoffs. They are coached by thirty-year veteran Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino), who has fallen out of favor with young owner Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz), who inherited the team, and offensive coordinator Nick Crozier (Aaron Eckhart), who is expected to succeed D'Amato as head coach.

In the thirteenth game of the season against the Minnesota Americans, both the Sharks' starting quarterback, Jack "Cap" Rooney (Dennis Quaid), and the second-string quarterback, Tyler Cherubini, are injured and forced to leave the field. The desperate Sharks call upon third-string quarterback and former seventh-round draft pick Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx). Beamen is visibly nervous and makes a number of errors, illustrating his lack of knowledge regarding the team's playbook. He vomits in the huddle, which begins a ritual that he follows every game. While the Sharks lose this game by a small margin, Beamen, despite his initial struggles, plays well and gains confidence.

During the next game against the Chicago Rhinos, Beamen substitutes Cherubini and quickly learns the team's offense. Much to D'Amato's chagrin, Beamen disregards the team's conservative offense and changes the plays in the huddle, not realizing the disrespect this shows to his coaches. Beamen displays his raw athletic talent and starts to run and pass extremely successfully, leading the Sharks to the playoffs after winning three of the last four games of the season including a road win against the California Crusaders in Los Angeles. Beaman's new-found success results in growing narcissism and arrogance. He becomes "Steamin'" Willie Beamen, the new poster boy for the AFFA, and receives lucrative advertisement deals, including a music video.

Beamen's inability to handle his success leads to tension with players and coaches. D'Amato confronts Beamen to ask why...