Actor-Inspired Element: Just like Burt Reynolds, Paul Crewe played college football for Florida State University. Crewe also played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers, of whom Reynolds was a fan.
Cast the Expert: A number of the actors had previously played professional football. Mike Henry played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams. Joe Kapp played quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. Ray Nitschke was a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, four years after release, and Pervis Atkins played for the Los Angeles Rams, the Washington Redskins and the Oakland Raiders. Also appearing as prisoners are Ernie Wheelwright, who played with the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints, and Ray Ogden, who played with the St. Louis Cardinals, the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons and the Chicago Bears. Sonny Sixkiller was a collegiate star as a quarterback for the University of Washington Huskies from 1970-1972, and briefly played pro in the defunct World Football League. Burt Reynolds himself had played college football for Florida State University and was slated to play professionally for the Baltimore Colts before injuries curtailed his career. There were a number of convicts used as players during filming.
Cast the Runner-Up: James Hampton said that he was originally supposed to play Unger, but wanted to play Caretaker instead. Charles Tyner was given the Unger role.
Harpo Does Something Funny: Michael Fox, who played the announcer, actually wrote his commentary himself.
Inspiration for the Work: Al Ruddy says that his inspiration for the film came from a friend of his who was a promising football player. After a career-ending injury, his life took a downward spiral. He was working a minimum-wage job at a sandwich shop and was being mistreated by his snobbish girlfriend. Ruddy took the scenario from there.
Real-Life Relative: Burt Reynolds' brother is the player wearing black jersey #65 seen running beside Reynolds in the final play of the game.
What Could Have Been: According to producer Albert S. Ruddy in the DVD Commentary, in the original script when Paul Crewe goes to recover the game ball at the end of the game, Captain Knauer was supposed to shoot Crewe in the back because Crewe really was attempting to escape. But when it came time to film the scene, it was decided that the audience would be devastated by the death of Crewe. So the ending was altered as shown to Crewe recovering the game ball and Knauer realizing he wasn't escaping at the last moment.
The remake
All-Star Cast: While not as grand as some examples, the film is loaded with professional wrestlers and hip-hop artists. And some former NFL players, including Terry Crews, who played 36 professional games with the Rams, Chargers, and Washington football team between between 1991-1995, and as a defensive end for Michigan State before that.
The Danza: According to the credits, guards Papajohn and Holland are respectively played by Michael Papajohn and Todd Holland.
No Stunt Double: Burt Reynolds was supposed to have a Stunt Double for when he got hit by Brian Bosworth on a touchdown run, but Reynolds insisted on doing it himself, saying "I got one run left in me." Bosworth himself was honored by the whole situation, saying "Who else can say they got run over by Burt Reynolds?" Reynolds went through the hit in one take with no injuries, though he had to be helped off the field. The shots in the movie of him being helped off of the field were real, and not faked for the cameras.
Throw It In!: Ed Lauter was cast after he happened to come across the set during filming. Adam Sandler met with him and quickly had a part written for him.
Uncredited Role: Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler's preferred screenwriter, was brought in to re-write some dialogue. He didn't receive any credit.
