When the Miami Hurricanes beat their in-state rivals FSU in 2000, wide receiver Santana Moss had a microphone in his face as Miami celebrated their victory. When asked about their win, Moss stated simply and clearly, "big-time players step up in big-time plays." He was actually quoting Rohan Marley, the former Canes' linebacker and son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, who first brought that sentiment to the masses.
And much like big-time players stepping up with big-time plays, big-time coaches also need to step up with big-time speeches before big-time games. This is exactly what Herb Brooks did at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
Herb Brooks' Miracle Speech is Gold Medal Standard for Inspirational Sports Speeches
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With the mighty Soviet Union hockey teams standing in the way of Olympic Gold for the U.S. Men's Hockey team, head coach Herb Brooks knew a simple "go out there and do your best" wouldn't cut it as a pregame speech. This was as close to a real-life David and Goliath matchup as anyone would see in an Olympic competition. The Soviets were a machine on the ice, having decades of development under their belts, effectively perfecting the game of hockey. The USA squad was a Pee-Wee hockey team compared to the USSR roster. Out-sized, out-matched and out of their depth, the U.S. seemed ready to take their beating and head home.
Instead, Brooks decided to put some fire in their hearts and give his boys the GOAT inspirational speech.
Full Text of Herb Brooks' Miracle Speech
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"Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game; if we played them ten times, they might win nine. But not this game, not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down because we can. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players — every one of you, and you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it!"
Kurt Russell Brings Brooks to Life on the Silver Screen
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Kurt Russell, a former minor league baseball player and Hollywood actor, took Brooks' words and delivered one of the best on-screen performances in a sports movie since Kevin Costner discovered baseball existed. While the movie itself can be a bit saccharine at times, making the U.S. team feel more like the District 5 Mighty Ducks than the top collegiate players the country has to offer. But, Disney uses a clever for the pregame speech scene: Herb Brooks' own words.
Every word said by Russell in the U.S. locker room is the same as the ones Brooks said to the U.S. Team in 1980. With that kind of pressure on his shoulders, Russell was almost set up to fail, but just like the team he's coaching, Kurt Russell pulls off an incredible performance. As the camera pans from player to player, from captain Mike Eruzione to goalie Jim Craig, there's an ease Russell has with each word and his cadence clearly defines each point of the motivational speech. He follows the punctuation road map closely and doesn't stray too far from the real-life Brooks.
There are some actors who take things to the extreme when playing a real notable figure and sometimes actors won't go far enough in a biopic. Russell finds the perfect middle ground and sticks the landing.
But then again, with a script like the one Herb Brooks gave him, it's impossible to lose. Don't believe me? Just watch that full U.S.-Soviet Olympic hockey game and tell me that Herb Brooks' speech didn't make a difference.
You can't.
