So the Oscars are in the rear view mirror until next February, and judging from the lack of attention they got at this year’s gala, 2012 wasn’t a great year for sports movies.

That hasn’t always been the case. Since 1976, 11 sports movies have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Three of them — Rocky, Chariots of Fire and Million Dollar Baby — won the award.

But for every critically-acclaimed sports movie, there are dozens of underrated and under-appreciated sports flicks.

Here’s my personal list of the five most underrated sports movies. (Click on the titles to view trailers).

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