10 Documentaries That Will Change The Way You Think About Sports

This pick documents an insider war you may not even know existed: sports doc veteran Mike Tollin vs current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The USFL (United States Football League) was a league that existed from 1983 to 1985 that played when the NFL was in its off season. The doc explores how opposing viewpoints for the league’s future ultimately led to its destruction, and, as can be expected, Trump’s ambition and attempts to make it into the “big league” make him a great villain.

[Stream 30 for 30: Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL? on Netflix]

Few college football tragedies have been as shocking and as horrific as the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, for which former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was charged and convicted. This documentary focuses on one member of the scandal who didn’t get as much media attention: the university itself. Professors, students, fans, and coaching staff discuss the university’s betrayal and anger over the scandal, the media’s coverage of it, and the firing of longtime head coach, Joe Paterno. With the exception of one student who represents a disturbingly extremist view of the university’s focus on football, the documentary offers compelling if sad insight into how a team and a fan base recovers once their king falls.

[Where to stream Happy Valley]

If the end of Fargo has left you craving more 1970’s crime, look no further than Boston College’s real-life point shaving scandal, which was orchestrated by Henry Hill. If that name sounds familiar, your true crime senses must be tingling. The New York City mobster was played by Ray Liotta in crime-drama, Goodfellas, which also featured a fictionalized Jimmy Burke, played by Robert De Niro. Basically, Hill and his buddies recruited and threatened BC basketball players to win games by less than the betting margin, allowing the mob to swoop in and collect the cash. As educational and interesting as the film is, it’s often surprisingly funny.

[Stream 30 for 30: Playing for the Mob on Netflix]

This film follows boxing legends Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Bernard Hopkins as they discuss their roots and poverty, ascent to success, and what makes a great boxer. However, perhaps the most interesting insight from this doc is how the history of boxing relates to certain groups “making it” out of poverty, starting with the Irish. This film intelligently criticizes and praises a sport that its subjects are so passionate about and will make you want to rewatch Rocky.

[Where to stream Champs]

Last year, you saw the Steve Carell and Channing Tatum drama, Foxcatcher. This year, learn the real story with this ESPN 30 for 30 special. This doc paints in excruciating detail the events that led to wrestling champion Dave Schultz’s murder, from Schultz’s poverty to the odd community his eventual murderer, John du Pont, constructed. The wealthy du Pont makes for an equally fascinating, disturbing, and confusing central figure, as the doc explores his obsession with success and what possibly contributed to his borderline-inhuman standards.

[Stream 30 for 30: The Prince of Pennsylvania on Netflix]

You knew the steroid exploration was coming. Though this doc starts off with the argument you would expect — steroids are bad, steroids are cheating, blah blah blah — it later explores a more interesting side of the roid issue. The film explores how these drugs are a way for desperate and broken people (mostly men) to become extraordinary before pointing the finger at us, the audience. One of the most interesting points is how America’s desire to see more incredible feats of athleticism has increased the steroid problem. If you want a watch that multi-layered without being too preachy, this is it.

[Where to stream Bigger, Stronger, Faster*]

If you’re struggling to come down from your Narcos high, this film may help. Though on the surface Pablo Escobar, the notorious drug kingpin, and Andrés Escobar, the Columbian national soccer player, have no relationship and no connection to one another, this doc argues that the country’s cocaine connects everyone in less-than-legal ways. Powered by Pablo Escobar’s incredible wealth, Columbia’s formerly-quiet soccer scene became an international force. It’s an interesting look into the shady dealings that occur high and above the stadium.

[Stream 30 for 30: The Two Escobars on Netflix]

As Decider’s own Meghan O’Keefe has proven, you don’t have to like basketball or sports to enjoy this ESPN doc. Christian Laettner is a retired Duke basketball player and wall-of-famer who is, you guessed it, hated. The documentary breaks the Laettner hate down into five categories and strategically examines where each claim stems from and comparing it to Laettner’s reality. It’s less of a smear film and more of a thorough study into what makes a sporting monster, but be warned. This doc may change your alliances a bit. After watching, I’m reconsidering my own irrational Tim Tebow hatred.

[Stream 30 for 30: I Hate Christian Laettner on Netflix]

“They’re being pay millions just to throw a ball around.” If you’ve ever been to any sort of pro league game, you’ve likely hear some variation of that sentence, probably after your team has made some crucial mistake. However, this ESPN special will have you thinking twice about those words. Broke explores the hidden side of those multi-million contract deals, discussing how players are often manipulated, the likelihood that they’ll leave the sport permanently injured at a young age, and the systems’ lack of financial education for players. Hearing so many stories about players going from first string to losing everything will make you happy to be safely in your cramped stadium seat.

[Stream 30 for 30: Broke on Netflix]

This PBS documentary takes the NFL to the field, and it doesn’t hold back. The film doesn’t cover how football causes concussions and permanent brain damage; it’s touched on, but the film expects viewers to already know. Rather, this investigation explores exactly what the league officials knew about the safety of their players, when they knew it, and how they covered up this information. If you’re tempted to write off the upcoming Concussion as Hollywood dramatics, be sure to check this real-life investigation. If things are as bad as the doc claims, the NFL should be sweating.

[Stream Frontline: League of Denial: The NFL’s Concussion Crisis on Netflix or on PBS’s site]