Disposable Heroes: The Other Side of Football
Originally shown on HBO
The documentary primarily focuses on two ex-players: Jim Otto and Roger Stillwell. Otto was a star center for the Oakland Raiders during the 1960s and 1970s. On the surface, his story seems to represent all that is right about pro football; after a long career he was elected to the NFL’s Hall of Fame and then enjoyed great business success as a restaurant franchise owner. Viewers learn, however, that Otto’s health is terrible, though was just 46 at the time of filming. The most-moving story in Disposable Heroes belongs to Roger Stillwell, a 6-foot-6 defensive lineman from Stanford University, who achieved a brief moment in the sun with the Chicago Bears. Stillwell’s career ended in an instant during a 1977 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Directed by Bill Couturié · Written by Jon Else
Cast
- Jim Otto Self
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Gene Upshaw Self - Kyle Stillwell Self
- Roger Stillwell Self
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John Madden Self - Tim Anderson Self
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O. J. Simpson Self
Make it a double feature
2h 14m together
Disposable Heroes: The Other Side of Football
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Both from Bill Couturié.
More from Bill CouturiéSee all →
Vietnam Requiem · 1982
30 for 30 · 2009
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam · 1987
Belushi · 2020
Last Letters Home · 2004
Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt · 1989
Earth and the American Dream · 1992
Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy · 2013
Twice Upon a Time · 1983
Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters · 2006
And the Band Played On · 1993
Guru of Go · 2010
The '60s · 1999
Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers · 1991
The Alzheimer's Project · 2009
Ed · 1996

