Jimmy “Dodge” Connelly (George Clooney) is the owner of a professional football days during its inception in the early 1920’s. Connelly, who also serves as the team’s coach and star player decides to recruit and hire a star collegiate football player named Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski). Carter is an immediate hit and becomes the team’s most influential mind and best player, completely revolutionizing the game of football. Carter has also taken a liking to the lovely Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger), who has had relations with Connelly in the past. In the spirit of competition, the two men duke it out on the field to gain the respect and admiration of their teammates and fans, and also off the field where they both seek the heart of Littleton.