MOVIE MONDAY | Little Giants and Intimidation

Little Giants is a humorous family sports movie that was released in 1994, starring Rick Moranis and Ed O’Neill as brothers in Urbania, Ohio.

The two are opposites, with Moranis as the nonathletic younger brother, Danny O’Shea, and O’Neill playing the fictional Heisman Trophy winner, Kevin O’Shea.

Kevin coaches the local pee-wee football team and takes it very seriously. He also makes it clear that he doesn't want any girls on his team, as demonstrated by his willingness to cut his niece, Becky (“Icebox”), despite her being one of the best players.

She ends up convincing her dad to start another Pee-Wee football team for the small town and compete against her uncle’s team. Even though he isn’t a football guy, the younger brother is willing to make a point to his older brother and stand up to him by attempting to show what he can do as a coach. 

It turns out there is a rule limiting the town to having only one team, so the brothers agree to have one game against each other’s teams (Giants and Cowboys) to determine the lone team to represent the town.

Since Kevin already has an established team (the Cowboys) with most of the talent, Danny is left with the castoffs and kids who are cut. The movie centers on a ragtag group of kids who are misfits, small, and unathletic, as they prepare for a big game. The “Little Giants” have to learn the basics of football and find a way to overcome the odds.

One of the best parts of the movie happens when the legendary John Madden shows up in his famous “Madden Cruiser” with NFL stars after getting lost in the small town on their way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Madden and the players end up spending time with the Little Giants, helping them get ready for their big game.

One of the scenes includes Bruce Smith, former defensive end for the Buffalo Bills, where he squeezes the air out of a football and says, “You know what this is called? Intimidation…Now, tomorrow, when you go to the game...you don't want to be intimidated. So let me see your game faces. No, no. Come on, guys, you can do better than that. Let me see your game faces. Try this. You're getting it. That's it, guys. Now come and get me.”

In a similar scene, Steve Emtman, a former defensive tackle from the Colts, is also trying to motivate the young kids, and this is what he says: “Take a shot. Just block me. Come on. You can do it. Come on, don't be scared. Run through me. Run through me. Come on. Get the fear out of your eyes! Let's go! Come on! Yeah! All right. All right now. Good job. Just remember, football's 80% mental, 40% physical.”

The impact of the NFL players is evident, as the Little Giants can overcome their fear and move past being intimidated by the Cowboys, pulling out a dramatic upset that inspires a generation of kids and castoffs who watched this movie growing up!

There are many lessons and inspirational themes found in this movie, but today I want to focus on the concept of intimidation and how it parallels our own lives. I don’t think we need to necessarily be out there intimidating others, but I do know that for various reasons, we may find ourselves intimidated by people, circumstances, and challenges.

However, as followers of Jesus, we need to overcome our fear and move past feeling intimidated. We must remember the words of 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP): “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

There may be times we face opposition and persecution while nonbelievers try to intimidate us, but when we suffer for Christ’s sake, we can be encouraged by Philippians 1:28

(AMP): “And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God.”

We have peace in knowing God’s got us, and our eternal life is secure because of Christ.

Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 10:28 (NL), “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

We must also consider that there is a healthy fear of God, and in some proper or humble ways, we can even be intimidated by His power. However, we don’t have to be intimidated in a way that prevents us from seeking Him, knowing Him, and fellowshipping with Him.

When we are in Christ, we have access to the loving Father because we are His children. With reverence, we can approach Him boldly and confidently.

This reality also helps us not be intimidated by Satan. As followers of Jesus, we have the power and strength through Christ to overcome our enemy and his evil schemes.

We are told in Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV), “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Sometimes in life, we can feel like the “Little Giants” intimidated by our weaknesses, the obstacles in front of us, the temptations being thrown at us, or the opposition we’re up against. However, as Steve Emtman says in the movie, “Come on. You can do it. Come on, don't be scared. Come on. Get the fear out of your eyes! Let's go! Come on!”

Or as Paul reminds us in Romans 8:37 (AMP), “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].”

Today, let’s not be intimidated by anything because our trust is in the Lord, and our strength and victory come from Him.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I don’t want to live with fear or be intimidated by anything. Please help me realize that it’s Your strength, armor, and Spirit that allow me to live with courage as an overcomer and conqueror. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.