The Best That Never Was (2010)

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... See full summary »

Director:

Jonathan Hock

Writer:

Jonathan Hock

Stars:

Fred Akers, Mick Cornett, Marcus Dupree

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Fred Akers	...	Himself
Mick Cornett	...	Himself
Marcus Dupree	...	Himself
Anthony Mackie	...	Narrator
Barry Switzer	...	Himself
Randy Vataha	...	Himself

Storyline

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 examined why this star burned out so young and how he ultimately used football to redeem himself.

---

Genres:

Sport

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2010 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ESPN Films, Hock Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References Through the Fire (2005)

User Reviews

What Could Have Been

30 for 30: The Best That Never Was (2010)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

A rather depressing look at Marcus Dupree, a teenager who was growing up in the small town of Philadelphia, Mississippi who quickly became one of the highest recruited football players in history. After a swarm of recruiters, Dupree finally went to Oklahoma where he had an amazing Freshman year but things took a turn the following year and soon this once untouchable figure had a future that no one was certain about. I'm sure we've all seen countless films or documentaries that discussed great talent that would eventually find the top only to fall and then have to rebuild and make their way to the top again. This film is pretty much different because Dupree was looked at as one of the greatest high school players ever and then his career would pretty much be over in a few years and no one ever really got to see how great he could have been. The fact that Dupree never made it to the top is the main focus of this film and I don't see how anyone could watch this and not feel horrible for the man. There's a bit of redemption where Dupree was finally able to fulfill a dream and that I won't ruin for those unfamiliar with his story. I think director Jon Hock did a very good job at telling us the story and telling it from as many different point of views as possible. We hear from Dupree but we also hear from those who recruited him, friends of his and even from the man who probably stole a lot of money from him. I think the film did a very good job at explaining everything that was going on in this kids life and how he was pretty much thrown away before the age of 24. I'm sure many people will probably remember Dupree but I was way too young to know anything about him and I was certainly too young to see him play. While watching the film it really played out as a mystery how someone with his talent wouldn't eventually find the top of the mountain but I thought Dupree came off very respectable here and you can't help but wonder what he thought about what could have been.