The BEST episodes of A Football Life

Every episode of A Football Life ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of A Football Life!

A Football Life is a documentary series developed by NFL Films and aired on NFL Network that documents the lives of select National Football League players, coaches, owners, and teams. Friends, teammates, family members and other players and coaches associated with the subjects are interviewed.

Last Updated: 4/22/2025Network: NFL NetworkStatus: Continuing
Walter Payton
star
10.00
29 votes

#1 - Walter Payton

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/13/2011

A Football Life takes an in-depth look at the life of NFL running back great, Walter Payton, using unique on and off-the-field sights, sounds and stories.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bill Belichick - Part 1
star
9.00
29 votes

#2 - Bill Belichick - Part 1

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/15/2011

A Football Life takes an in-depth look at the life of one of the NFL's most intriguing coaches, Bill Belichick, using unique on and off-the-field sights, sounds and stories. Part 1 of 2.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bill Belichick - Part 2
star
9.00
29 votes

#3 - Bill Belichick - Part 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/22/2011

A Football Life takes an in-depth look at the life of one of the NFL's most intriguing coaches, Bill Belichick, using unique on and off-the-field sights, sounds and stories. Part 2 of 2.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Kurt Warner
star
9.00
29 votes

#4 - Kurt Warner

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/6/2011

A Football Life takes an in-depth look at the life of NFL quarterback, Kurt Warner, using unique on and off-the-field sights, sounds and stories.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mike Ditka
star
9.00
29 votes

#5 - Mike Ditka

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/27/2011

A Football Life takes an in-depth look at the life of NFL coach ,Mike Ditka, using unique on and off-the-field sights, sounds and stories.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Steve Sabol
star
9.00
29 votes

#6 - Steve Sabol

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/1/2013

A profile of former NFL Films president and co-founder Steve Sabol.

Watch Now:Amazon
Brandon Marshall
star
9.00
58 votes

#7 - Brandon Marshall

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/19/2014

The inspiring story of Brandon Marshall, who has become the national face of borderline personality disorder and one of the NFL's best wide receivers.

Watch Now:Amazon
Eric Dickerson
star
8.50
58 votes

#8 - Eric Dickerson

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/10/2014

The smooth, bespectacled Hall-of-Famer whose career was as distinctive as his running style.

Watch Now:Amazon
Barry Sanders
star
8.50
58 votes

#9 - Barry Sanders

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/5/2012

A Football Life examines Barry Sanders' incredible Hall of Fame career, his unexpected retirement and the reaction it garnered throughout both the NFL and the city of Detroit, and his relationship with his late father, William.

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Chris Spielman
star
8.50
58 votes

#10 - Chris Spielman

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/31/2012

The inspiring story of former linebacker Chris Spielman and the strength of his family.

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Cleveland '95
star
8.50
58 votes

#11 - Cleveland '95

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/3/2012

The untold story of Bill Belichick's Cleveland Browns and a talented staff who rose from the ashes of the 1995 season.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Ray Lewis
star
8.30
87 votes

#12 - Ray Lewis

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/19/2012

A look at Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, whose inspiration and leadership not only has a profound effect on his teammates, but also, his coaches.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Reggie White & Jerome Brown
star
8.00
29 votes

#13 - Reggie White & Jerome Brown

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/29/2011

A Football Life takes an in-depth look at the lives and relationship of NFL Defensive Linemen, Reggie White and Jerome Brown, using unique on and off-the-field sights, sounds and stories.

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Ed Sabol
star
8.00
29 votes

#14 - Ed Sabol

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/20/2011

A Football Life takes an in-depth look at the life of NFL filmmaker, Ed Sabol, using unique on and off-the-field sights, sounds and stories.

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Steve McNair
star
8.00
58 votes

#15 - Steve McNair

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/17/2012

A Football Life launches its sixth episode of the season, featuring the late, great Steve McNair.

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Jimmy Johnson
star
8.00
58 votes

#16 - Jimmy Johnson

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/7/2012

The career of Jimmy Johnson, best known for architecting the Dallas Cowboys’ success in 1992 and 1993.

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Houston '93
star
8.00
29 votes

#17 - Houston '93

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/10/2013

In 1993 the high-flying Houston Oilers fielded one of the most talented teams in football, expected by many to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. What ensued was one of the wildest, most controversial seasons any team has ever had, a season that may have changed the course of pro football in one of America's largest cities.

Watch Now:Amazon
Vince Lombardi (2)
star
8.00
29 votes

#18 - Vince Lombardi (2)

Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 12/31/2013

Part 2 of the Vince Lombardi story details the final years of his life, from his three-peat in Green Bay to his brief tenure as head coach in Washington and sudden, tragic death from cancer.

Watch Now:Amazon
Fearsome Foursome
star
7.50
58 votes

#19 - Fearsome Foursome

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/10/2012

A look at the life and times of the Los Angeles Rams’ stout defensive line – which included Rosey Grier, Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones. This “Fearsome Foursome” was arguably the best defensive line in NFL history.

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The Immaculate Reception
star
7.50
58 votes

#20 - The Immaculate Reception

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/19/2012

In the epic conclusion of this year’s season of “A Football Life,” the most famous play in NFL history gets further investigation 40 years after it occurred.

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Marcus Allen
star
7.50
58 votes

#21 - Marcus Allen

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/12/2012

A Football Life profiles the career of Marcus Allen, best known for his MVP performance against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII. His 74-yard touchdown run solidified a Super Bowl victory for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1984.

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Tom Coughlin
star
7.50
58 votes

#22 - Tom Coughlin

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/26/2012

Profile of Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin, who has brought two Super Bowl championships to the “Big Apple” in the past five years.

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Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.
star
7.50
58 votes

#23 - Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/24/2012

Known to everyone in the 49ers family as “Mr. D.”, the beloved Eddie DeBartolo won the hearts of many in the city of San Francisco during his tenure as team owner. Under DeBartolo, the 49ers became a dynasty that captured 13 division titles and 5 Super Bowl trophies.

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Ricky Williams
star
7.00
29 votes

#24 - Ricky Williams

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/31/2014

A look at the life and career of Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Ricky Williams, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1999 and played 11 seasons in the NFL.

Watch Now:Amazon
Tiki & Ronde Barber
star
7.00
29 votes

#25 - Tiki & Ronde Barber

Season 3 - Episode 19 - Aired 1/7/2014

A Football Life chronicles the identical twins who dominated the game but ended their careers in very different ways.

Watch Now:Amazon