It’s time to believe again. 

For anybody that is familiar with Ted Lasso, which returns today for a third season, you already know what I mean. And if you don’t know, then I’d really suggest you find out. 

Ted Lasso, the story of an American football coach who becomes a soccer manager in England, is absolutely must-see TV. It’s easily one of my favorite shows ever, particularly in terms of new releases. It ranks right up there with Game of Thrones, The OC, Peaky Blinders, Scrubs and How I Met Your Mother in my all-time favorites (Yellowstone was in there, but I lost a lot of interest this season). 

I’ll avoid revealing any spoilers for people who may want to watch it but haven’t started yet, but it did bring me to a larger thought: I can’t really think of a sports movie or TV show that I didn’t like. Granted, I haven’t seen any Air Buds, the second Sand Lot and I refuse to acknowledge Rocky V, but for the most part, if there is a sports movie coming out, I assume I’ll be entertained.

It doesn’t really matter what sport either. I may gravitate to the movies that are about the sports I enjoy the most (basketball and football), but that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy others. Ted Lasso’s a perfect example. Many people have accused me of not liking soccer over the years, but in reality I just don’t under the strategy (or the rules) well enough to carry on high-level conversations about the sport like I do others.

Ted Lasso does a perfect job of packaging the sport for me because I’m like the coach – wistfully clueless about soccer (His explanation of the offsides rule is one of my favorite moments of the show). It has made me appreciate the game more and opened me up to a few more conversations about soccer over the last two years too. I think that’s a clear win.

Now, if you’re looking for other sports entertainment suggestions, you’ve come to the right place. I have a few all-time favorites for sure.

For football, I love Varsity Blues. It’s a classic. It’s also not for kids, so maybe don’t watch it on a family movie night. If you want a football movie for the family, I’d go with Remember the Titans (another classic).

As for the diamond, I probably watch Major League a couple times a year. Again, maybe not the best movie for the kids, but it’s probably a big reason why I like Ted Lasso so much (there’s a running theme that Lasso stole directly from Major League – with full acknowledgement to its predecessor). I also really like Everybody Wants Some (one a lot of people won’t know), but it’s probably because the director of Dazed and Confused made it. 

If you’re looking for wholesome baseball, try the Sandlot, Benchwarmers (I watched it over the weekend for the 100th time) or Field of Dreams.

I could roll off dozens more suggestions for sports movies, but I only have so much room. So let’s end by rejoicing in the return of Ted Lasso. AFC Richmond is about to turn into my third-favorite soccer team again.

The Pioneers and Broncos, obviously, are still at the very top of the list.