Flashy, unproven 3rd-string quarterback Willie Beamen, played by Jamie Foxx, was the last hope of struggling, injury depleted football team Miami Sharks.
Failing to win his first outing using his coaches’ conventional plays, Beamen rebels against the system, opting to call his own with victorious results. As Sharks’ playoff chances turned, so did the heads of the media who become infatuated with Beamen’s high-risk, high-reward style.
With the spotlight hovering above the charismatic QB, Beamen’s ever-expanding ego began to demand more lights, especially camera lights for his rap music video “My Name is Willie”.
His cocky behavior infuriated his teammates and coach, who’d eventually bench him due to ungracious behavior. Humbled, matured and genuinely apologetic, Beamen returned to the starting position when his Sharks needed him most.
Under the Academy Award-winning direction of the great Oliver Stone, 1999’s Any Given Sunday is considered by many to be a major career turning point for Jamie Foxx. While the immature antics of Beamen was, on the surface, no different from Bunz in Booty Call, Foxx showcased eye-opening signs of creditable acting ability as Beamen fell into ego-driven dissension.
Playing off legendary actor Al Pacino as Sharks’ frustrated veteran coach Tony D’Amato, Foxx also found himself surrounded by a supporting cast of Hollywood heavyweights including Dennis Quaid, James Woods, Lauren Holly, Clifton Davis, and late film icon Charlton Heston.
Willie Beamen comprised characteristics of real life NFL players Doug Williams, Randall Cunningham and Dion Sanders. Since the movie was released, such players as Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens have drawn comparisons to the fictional player; closest to the character currently is former Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton. |THIS.
[Written by Mr. Joe Walker]
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