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The Best That Never Was poster
6.9 / 10(17 votes)IMDb20101h 42mUnited States of America

The Best That Never Was

“He could outrun everything except expectations”

Synopsis

In 1981, college athletic recruiting changed forever as a dozen big-time football programs sat waiting for the decision by a physically powerful and lightning-quick high school running back named Marcus Dupree. On his way to eclipsing Herschel Walker’s record for the most touchdowns in high school history, Dupree attracted recruiters from schools in every major conference to his hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. More than a decade removed from being a flashpoint in the civil-rights struggle, Philadelphia was once again thrust back into the national spotlight. Dupree took the attention in stride, and committed to Oklahoma. What followed, though, was a forgettable college career littered with conflict, injury and oversized expectations. Eight-time Emmy Award winner Jonathan Hock will examine why this star burned out so young and how he ultimately used football to redeem himself.

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Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes

Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.

THE BEST THAT NEVER WAS - Trailer

Type: Trailer • Published 2011-03-28

Release History & Theatrical Window

Theatrical Premiere

November 9, 2010

Wide Cinema Exhibition

Key Information & Fast Facts

Director
Jonathan Hock
Original Title
The Best That Never Was
Country of Origin
United States of America
Spoken Languages
English
Runtime
1h 42m
Production Studios
ESPN Films, ESPN

Creative Leadership & Key Crew

Director

Jonathan Hock

Department Leadership Roster

Jonathan Hock

Jonathan Hock

Director

Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Best That Never Was.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Best That Never Was

Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.

What is The Best That Never Was about?

In 1981, college athletic recruiting changed forever as a dozen big-time football programs sat waiting for the decision by a physically powerful and lightning-quick high school running back named Marcus Dupree. On his way to eclipsing Herschel Walker’s record for the most touchdowns in high school history, Dupree attracted recruiters from schools in every major conference to his hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. More than a decade removed from being a flashpoint in the civil-rights struggle, Philadelphia was once again thrust back into the national spotlight. Dupree took the attention in stride, and committed to Oklahoma. What followed, though, was a forgettable college career littered with conflict, injury and oversized expectations. Eight-time Emmy Award winner Jonathan Hock will examine why this star burned out so young and how he ultimately used football to redeem himself.

Who directed The Best That Never Was?

The Best That Never Was was directed by Jonathan Hock.

Who stars in The Best That Never Was?

The principal cast of The Best That Never Was includes Marcus Dupree, Barry Switzer, Peter Jennings, Bryant Gumbel.

When was The Best That Never Was released and how long is it?

The Best That Never Was was released in 2010 with a total runtime of 1h 42m.