Blood Sport

Blood Sport

73 mins | Drama, TV Movie | Dec. 5, 1973

A searing commentary on the "win at all costs" mentality of American high school sports. David Lee Birdsong is the smalltown quarterback hoping to escape with a college scholarship and a pro career. David's father is the overbearing taskmaster vicariously living through his son. The third side of the triangle is Coach Marshall, a hypercritical and cruel man who sees David as the key to his future success. David's lockstep commitment to his father and coach is altered when he witnesses a teammate die after a grueling practice.

Blood Sport

73 mins | Drama, TV Movie | Dec. 5, 1973

Blood Sport
A searing commentary on the "win at all costs" mentality of American high school sports. David Lee Birdsong is the smalltown quarterback hoping to escape with a college scholarship and a pro career. David's father is the overbearing taskmaster vicariously living through his son. The third side of the triangle is Coach Marshall, a hypercritical and cruel man who sees David as the key to his future success. David's lockstep commitment to his father and coach is altered when he witnesses a teammate die after a grueling practice.
IMDb rating 6.7
Producers 20th Century Fox Television
Original title Blood Sport
Directors Bonnie Prendergast, Jerrold Freedman
Writers Jerrold Freedman

Cast

Ben Johnson

as Dwayne Birdsong

Gary Busey

as David Lee Birdsong

Larry Hagman

as Coach Marshall

William Lucking

as Dennis Birdsong

David Doyle

as Mr. Schmidt

Mimi Saffian

as Mary Louise Schmidt

Peggy Rea

as Mrs. Birdsong

Craig Richard Nelson

as Michael Braun

Michael Talbott

as Bubba Montgomery

Val Avery

as Frank Dorsdale

Jan Clayton

as Blanche Birdsong

Misty Rowe

as Holly

William Hansen

as Mr. Millsaps

Michael Lembeck

as Reuben

Asher Brauner

as C.C.

Lee Delano

as Besco