Everyone collects something.

We all have that one thing that we just have way too many of.

For my father it’s flashlights, he has dozens of them.

I can’t think of a safer place to be when the power goes out than at my parents’ house.

For Thadd it’s owls.

I admit it’s a little odd and I’m not quite sure where it came from but it’s definitely original.

My boss Coy collects music, he has the greatest collection of blues I have ever seen.

As for me, my roommates Adam and Erika will both tell you it is movies.

I have been a movie buff for as long as I can remember.

My family moved here to open Fast Track Videos, a video rental store that has since closed down.

I used to spend hours upon hours watching movies behind the counter (man I miss that place).

Since then I have started a collection of my own and it has gotten quite large.

Rarely does a week go by that I am not bringing home a new DVD.

For this column I have decided to mix my two passions, movies and sports to give you what I feel are the ten greatest sports movies of all time.

Let’s start with number ten….

10.

Days Of Thunder – Forget Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall made this movie work. I’m not a big NASCAR fan but I love this flick.

I loved the line Duvall’s character Harry gave to Cole after Cole was &uot;hit&uot; by another car from behind, &uot;No, no, he didn’t slam into you, he didn’t bump you, he didn’t nudge you… he RUBBED you. And rubbin, son, is racin’.&uot;

9.

Tin Cup – Now this movie still keeps me in tears.

Once again, not a big golf fan but loved this movie. This may be a 135-minute collection of some of the best one liners ever.

Most could never be quoted in this paper but they are funny nonetheless.

8.

Rocky – Possibly the greatest David versus Goliath storylines ever in a movie.

Is there anyone alive that doesn’t get a little pumped up when they hear that theme music start as he trains?

7.

Hoosiers – Great character movie.

I consider this to be Gene Hackman’s best performance.

This is also a great movie whether you’re a fan of basketball or not.

6.

Rudy – Another inspirational movie.

The fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the better.

It made me think I might have a shot.

I came to my senses shortly there after, but it was great all the same.

5.

Field Of Dreams – This is the movie that made me a Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones fan.

This is another great movie regardless of whether you’re a fan of baseball.

4.

Brian’s Song – My mother made me watch this and I cried like a little girl.

I thought maybe I would be better the second time I watched it but I cried again.

Now I get a Kleenex before I even start it.

I haven’t seen the remake in fear that it won’t do the original justice.

Another movie based on a true story.

3.

Bull Durham – OK, I take back my award for best one liners.

My favorite belongs to Kevin Costner’s character Crash Davis, &uot;Man that ball got outta here in a hurry. I mean anything travels that far oughta have a darn stewardess on it, don’t you think?&uot;

I had to slightly alter the quote for inclusion in the column.

2.

Stealing Home – This is one of those movies most people have never heard of but it is in my top five lists of best movie ever.

It stars Mark Harmon and Jodie Foster and if you haven’t seen it I recommend going to rent or buy it immediately after you finish reading my column.

1.

Remember The Titans – Alright I’ll admit it, I cried watching this one too.

Not only is the movie based on a true story, but the main character Herman Boone is a native of Rocky Mount.

He attended what is now North Carolina Central University and coached at E.J. Hayes High School in Williamston.

If you have not seen this one don’t even read the rest of this….go get it now!

Before I get a bunch of e-mails of people wondering why I didn’t include certain movies let me give my reasons for a few.

Although Martial Arts can be a sport I didn’t include any of them on my list.

It would have opened up the doors to too many other movies to consider.

Although it used to be one of my favorites, I have been forced to watch A League Of Their Own too many times and can no longer recommend it to anyone with a clear conscience.

I have not seen Seabiscuit, someone told me how it ended already. I have begun to watch it about 3 or 4 times but due to distractions have yet to see all of Radio.

Think I should have added another movie or just want to comment in general?

Send me an e-mail, my address is dave@gate811.net