The Best That Never Was (2010)

He could outrun everything except expectations

The Best That Never Was (2010) poster

In 1981, college athletic recruiting changed forever as a dozen big-time football programs sat waiting for the decision by a physically powerful and lightning-quick high school running back named Marcus Dupree. On his way to eclipsing Herschel Walker’s record for the most touchdowns in high school history, Dupree attracted recruiters from schools in every major conference to his hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. More than a decade removed from being a flashpoint in the civil-rights struggle, Philadelphia was once again thrust back into the national spotlight. Dupree took the attention in stride, and committed to Oklahoma. What followed, though, was a forgettable college career littered with conflict, injury and oversized expectations. Eight-time Emmy Award winner Jonathan Hock will examine why this star burned out so young and how he ultimately used football to redeem himself.

Director: Jonathan Hock
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 102 min
Release Date:
Production: ESPN Films, ESPN
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en

Keywords

sports, american football, sports documentary, college sports, american football player

Trailer

The Best That Never Was Trailer
More Films by Director: Jonathan Hock
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Best That Never Was about?
In 1981, college athletic recruiting changed forever as a dozen big-time football programs sat waiting for the decision by a physically powerful and lightning-quick high school running back named Marcus Dupree. On his way to eclipsing Herschel Walker’s record for the most touchdowns in high school history, Dupree attracted recruiters from schools in every major conference to his hometown of Philadelphia, Miss. More than a decade removed from being a flashpoint in the civil-rights struggle, Philadelphia was once again thrust back into the national spotlight. Dupree took the attention in stride, and committed to Oklahoma. What followed, though, was a forgettable college career littered with conflict, injury and oversized expectations. Eight-time Emmy Award winner Jonathan Hock will examine why this star burned out so young and how he ultimately used football to redeem himself.
Who directed The Best That Never Was?
The Best That Never Was was directed by Jonathan Hock.
How long is The Best That Never Was?
The Best That Never Was has a runtime of 1h 42m (102 minutes).
What genre is The Best That Never Was?
The Best That Never Was is a Documentary film.
Where was The Best That Never Was produced?
The Best That Never Was was produced in United States of America.