Why I Love Pump Up Speeches. Part II

Welcome Back and I hope everyone had a good weekend. Here is part II of the Pump Up Speech Special. As we delve into the top 10, I just want to remind everyone to get in the right mindset and that this post only works if you spend the time watching the clips. The clips range from 0:40 to 5:00 so it won’t take too long. Enjoy!

#10- “Ducks Fly Together” (Mighty Ducks 2)
Gordon Bombay will go down as one of the greatest movie coaches of all time. The leader of the Mighty Ducks (which inspired an NHL team) was always good for some inspirational words to his crew of misfits. Without a doubt his best speech came at the end of the second film when the USA Junior Olympic Hockey team recognizes each other as a team of ducks and not individuals from different states. It was a great moment that will always win you over.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzJY_K0cX1c

#9- “I Guarantee You That” (Tim Tebow)
The legend that is Tim Tebow needs no explanation. The winner of all winners first established himself as a household name and a true leader back in his days at Florida University. Tebow was famous for doing anything that was needed to win and had the support of his team more than any other player in college sports. Some say he had the best college football career ever. The following clip occurred during the halftime of the 2008 BCS National Championship game against Oklahoma. The speech not only inspired his team to win the National Championship but it added to the legend that is Tim Tebow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-qodBTlMtA&feature=related

#8- “Echoes in Eternity” (Gladiator)
My favorite movie character of all time, in my favorite movie of all time, Maximus Decimus Meridius, brilliantly played by Russell Crowe is first introduced to us leading his soldiers into battle. Maximus inspires his troops as they head on the attack with a quick message. “What we do in life… echoes in eternity” can be found as both my yearbook quotes. Maximus is always good for war cry and this was perhaps his best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYtK0C-b0y4

#7- “Being Perfect” (Friday Night Lights-Film)
With one of my favorite soundtrack songs of all time (Your Hand in Mine- Explosion in the sky) in the background, the half time speech from FNL was one of the best speeches ever. The speech simply pulls at your heart and makes you think. It was a beautiful moment as the Coach, played by Billy Bob Thorton, delivers the speech about what being perfect means to you and those around you. This was a special speech and a special moment in cinema. The story of the small town Texas football team became an instant cult hit and inspired the successful TV series (See later on)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYN4jnA8fKs&feature=player_embedded

#6- “It’s Your Time” (Miracle)
Miracle, which may be the most inspirational sports film ever made, covers the most inspirational US moment in sports history. Miracle tells the true story of Herb Brooks (played by Kurt Russell), the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Russian squad. The Coach tells his young squad that the Russian time of dominance is over. It’s their time, their opportunity to shine. I highly recommend this movie and in context this speech was perfect. It suited the characters, the feel of the movie and the moment. Warning: after this one you may find yourself standing up chanting, “USA! USA! USA!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwpTj_Z9v-c&feature=player_embedded

*********************************MUST WATCH***********************************
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p5UBvCGYlU&feature=related
The following link is a video of 5 year old kid delivering this Herb Brooks speech to the fan filled Fenway Park. 5 year old Joshua Sacco gives his beloved Red Sox a morphed version of hockey coach Herb Brook's "Miracle Speech". The Red-Sox loving, Yankee hating delivers the speech with such confidence and conviction I could see him becoming President.

#5 “Freedom” (Braveheart)
Arguably the most famous and quoted movie speech of all time starts off the top 5. As William Wallace’s army stands there outnumbered before the mighty English Army, Wallace encourages his men by reminding them of the power of freedom. If you haven’t heard or no part of this by heart you are not a movie fan. Once again, I will let the video/speech speak for itself but here is just the last and most inspirational line.
“Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade all the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLrrBs8JBQo&feature=player_embedded

#4- “I Am A Champion” (High School Coach)
This is an amazing speech given by a HS Football Coach to his team. “I am a Champion” has become an instant classic and was viral all over the Internet. The speech is not a football pump up speech; it is a life pump up speech. “Defeat, Retreat are not in my vocabulary! I Am A Champion!” After hearing this speech you may just want to go tackle a lion. Let the video speak for itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX39J_YyKbs

#3- “Last Play” (Coach Burke)
Coach Ed Burke's speech to his Falcon football team prior to semi-final game is an intense and inspirational speech. It was such a real life approach for the coach to take to his team. “This is an emotional game” the coach yelled. It is an emotional game where every play can be your last, do you play like it’s your last, do you live your life likes its your last day. Wow, if you watch this and then say you didn’t get chills. That makes you a liar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InRA7I7YlvE&feature=related


#2- “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Cant Lose-Coach Taylor” (Friday Night Lights- TV)
The number 2 spot on the list is not a speech; it is a character who is the greatest speech giver in TV/Movie history. Coach Taylor of the Dillon Panthers from the hit TV show Friday Night Lights is known for his almost weekly speeches. Every time he addressed his team, a player, or his family in this film, inspirational gold spewed out. He was awarded an Emmy for his work but his writers should have won an Emmy for awesomeness. One clip alone could not possibly cover just how good his speeches were. Please watch all of these and then you will understand why this is not only one of my favorite TV shows of all time but why Coach Taylor may just be my favorite TV Character of all time.

“We Will Be Tested” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_2vWfLceuo
“Expectation” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNb675ACdKI&feature=related
“What Kind of Man Am I” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUL_-p4XLsA&feature=related

#1- “Game of Inches” (Any Given Sunday)
This is the greatest pump up speech of all-time. Period. In the underrated film, Any Given Sunday, Coach Tony D’Amato (Al Pacino) tells his boys what it means to be on a team. His message about life and football will move even the harshest critics. His words are so real and can relate to any person. Don’t regret life and don’t give up. “Fight for that inch! Because that’s what living is!” Despite the fact that the team immediately starts playing like crap before eventually coming back, this speech will in fact “echo in eternity.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myyWXKeBsNk&feature=related