American Underdog 2021

A young Kurt Warner is inspired while watching Super Bowl XIX, making a resolute vow to become an MVP quarterback in the future. Out of a million kids who play high school football, only 5% move on to college ball, and a mere 1% get drafted into the NFL. Fast forward several years, and Kurt (played by Zachary Levi) is in his fifth year at the University of Northern Iowa under the guidance of coach Terry Allen (Adam Baldwin). Despite spending four years warming the bench, he finally gets his chance to shine. However, his mentor threatens to bench him again after failing to adhere to the fundamentals during a crucial game.

Through perseverance and a grueling practice regimen, Kurt solidifies his role as the starting quarterback, improving his stats and inching closer to a potential NFL draft opportunity. Meanwhile, he encounters Brenda (Anna Paquin) at a country bar, which sets the stage for a budding romance. Intrigued by her dancing, Kurt decides to learn moves to impress her, unaware of the challenges she faces as a single mother of two and a nursing student. Despite her initial doubts about their relationship, Kurt doggedly pursues her, even making a three-mile trek to her home to obtain her phone number.

As they grow closer, Brenda reveals her turbulent past, including her service in the Marines and the challenges surrounding her disabled son, Zach. She shares about her tumultuous marriage to a fellow Marine, Brad, who causes a tragic accident that leaves Zach blind and ultimately leads to their divorce due to infidelity.

After finishing his college football career, Kurt anxiously awaits the NFL draft results but is left heartbroken when he goes undrafted. He struggles to comprehend why his dreams appear unattainable when he learns there might still be a spot for him with the Green Bay Packers. After a disastrous tryout, he returns home to find himself homeless and living in Brenda’s basement as he juggles a job stocking shelves at a Hy-Vee grocery store.

As they navigate financial hardships, the coldest winter in 25 years presents additional challenges, culminating in Kurt trekking through a blizzard for fuel after their vehicle runs dry. In a pivotal moment, Jim Foster (Bruce McGill) offers Kurt the chance to play quarterback for the Iowa Barnstormers in Arena football. Despite skepticism, he accepts this opportunity after realizing the NFL isn’t interested in him.

This fast-paced version of football presents new hurdles. Following an initial loss, Kurt bounces back, yet the pressures begin to strain his relationship with Brenda. In a turn of fate, after the tragic loss of Brenda’s parents in a tornado, they reunite and eventually tie the knot, though Kurt faces yet another setback in his season finale—a heartbreaking loss where he fails to score from a yard out at the end of the game.

Things take a turn for the better when Kurt gets invited to a tryout for the St. Louis Rams, where negative reinforcement comes from the ruthless offensive coordinator, Mike Martz (Chance Kelly). However, he finds an ally in head coach Dick Vermeil (Dennis Quaid), who believes in him. When starting quarterback Trent Green succumbs to an injury, Kurt rises to the occasion, becoming the team’s starter.

In his debut game, he faces a formidable Baltimore Ravens defense led by linebacker Ray Lewis. After a rocky start, he quickly adjusts and leads the Rams to a decisive victory. As he takes the knee to conclude the game, Kurt expresses gratitude to God, sharing a blissful moment with Brenda in the stands.

That season, the Rams establish a remarkable 13-3 record, known as The Greatest Show on Turf. They ultimately triumph over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, with Kurt achieving a record-breaking passing performance and securing both Super Bowl MVP and League MVP honors, making history as the first undrafted player to achieve this feat.

As the film concludes, viewers learn that Kurt would go on to participate in two more Super Bowls, be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, and continue his journey with Brenda, raising their seven children in harmony.