One of the top football minds in history reflects on his career and life in the NFL Films-produced documentary
Emmy Award-winning actor Donald Sutherland narrates
"Bill Parcells is a life changer" -- Curtis Martin
Much has been written and said about the legendary Bill Parcells, but now NFL Network delivers Parcells in his own words as he reflects on important moments in his career and life.
NFL Films-produced "Bill Parcells: Reflections on a Life in Football" debuts on NFL Network Friday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ET following the Chicago Bears vs. Miami Dolphins Thursday Night Football game on Nov. 18. The 90-minute documentary features sit down interviews with Parcells, a visit to his house and rare footage from practices, meetings, games and time away from the football field.
"Bill Parcells is the Jock Whisperer," said Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films. "He can wound a player with one word then rebuild his image with the next. NFL Films wired Coach Parcells 18 times during his career in games, meetings and practices. We captured many of those intimate moments between Bill and his players."
Legendary actor Donald Sutherland, who has appeared in almost 150 different shows and movies, is the narrator for "Bill Parcells: Reflections on a Life in Football." The documentary offers extraordinary insight into the coach who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, took the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl and was the architect who built the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins into playoff contenders during his tenure.
In addition to hearing directly from Parcells, other people in his life, including his former high school basketball coach, former players Phil Simms and Curtis Martin, NFL executives, as well as a unique story about a homeless man who Parcells' befriended and helped get off the streets, all tell stories about the coach.
NFL Films was given unique access to Parcells as they were able to visit his home office and talk to him about some of the mementos he has kept from his career. Viewers will see the unique gifts he has been given by people whom he has worked with and players who played for him.
Parcells also reflects on memorable moments and gives viewers an inside perspective on his thoughts and the poem that helps guide his life.
Below is a sampling of quotes from "Bill Parcells: Reflections on a Life in Football":
» "Bill Parcells is a life changer" - Curtis Martin
» "When I first met Bill Parcells his father said to me, 'Coach sometimes Duane (Bill) needs a kick in the butt. Take care of business.'" -- Bill Parcell's high school basketball coach and long-time friend Mickey Corcoran - Duane is Bill's real first name
» "It doesn't get any better than that." -- Parcells about standing in the tunnel prior to a Super Bowl before the game starts
» "Those who follow, that's important!" - Parcells on his former assistants who have gone on to win Super Bowls
» "I didn't think he was always right, but I respected what he said and I respected the fact that he had the right to make the final decision." -- Bill Belichick, Parcells' former assistant
» "You don't get any medal for trying something, you get medals for results." -- Parcells
» "Highly, highly competitive." -- former assistant coach and friend Dan Henning on Parcells
» "If I survived this… I'm going to do it my way." -- Parcells following his first year coaching the New York Giants in 1983 which resulted in a losing record
» "This is not a game for the most well-adjusted people." -- Parcells
» "Creating the turmoil gets the attention where you want to get it." -- Parcells
» "He was always on all us so much because he cared and wanted us to win. When things weren't good and you think he is going to kill us - he would do the opposite, because he understood that's when you needed a lift. As much as you didn't like the things he would do, that's what would make you love him as a coach." -- Sean Landeta, former New York Giants punter
» "When you get to the field, you were held accountable." -- Parcells on his coaching style
» "They want you to cook the dinner at least they should let you shop for the groceries." - Parcells during a press conference with the Patriots
» "I wasn't as understanding as I could have been." -- Parcells on leaving the Patriots
» "Coach, all jokes aside, I don't remember telling this to any other man in my life. 'Man, I really love you.'" - Martin after beating Parcells' Jets as a Patriot. The next year he was signed by the Jets
» "I hate to have my relationship with him defined by our confrontations because it was so much more. But I do know that after some of those battles, my status went up with the other players..." - Phil Simms, former Giants quarterback
» "These jobs can eat you alive." -- Parcells on coaching
» "He and Brett Favre need to have a conversation." -- Simms on Parcells retirements and comebacks
» "If I have affected someone in a positive way, that means a lot to me." - Parcells on doing things for others
» "If you like action, if you like competition, Sunday at one o'clock; That is where it is at." -- Parcells on the allure of NFL football
» "He is a little less than perfect, but he is doing better." - Parcells reflecting on himself
