Where were you during "The Annexation of Puerto Rico?"
Today marks the 25th anniversary of "Little Giants," the movie that intertwined sibling rivalry, small-town pee-wee football and a lovable of group of misfits led by the “Icebox.” Ed O'Neill and Rick Moranis were the stars of this timeless hit, directed by Duwayne Dunham.
It's been a quarter-century, but here are 25 things we still love about “Little Giants” today:
MORE: 30 things we love about 'Major League'
1. Kevin O'Shea
The pride of Urbania, Ohio, won the Heisman Trophy and returned home to build a pee-wee dynasty complete with Cowboys uniforms. He runs a car dealership and torments his younger brother, Danny, with his personal mantra. “I knew you'd see it my way." At the same time, he plays the role of the self-deprecating uncle and father. O'Neill is more known for Al Bundy and Jay Pritchett, but this might be his best work.
2. Danny O'Shea
Rick Moranis plays Danny O'Shea to perfection, too. He lives in his brother's shadow until his daughter is cut, and that prompts him to take a chance for the first time with a lovable group of kids who were told they can't play. Moranis' unconventional coaching techniques hit home for anybody who has ever tried to coach their kids.
3. Becky 'Icebox' O'Shea
It would not be an exaggeration to call O'Shea one of the best female sports movie characters of all time. She ditches the cheerleader outfit for a football uniform and leads the “Little Giants” to a second-half comeback.
4. The 'Little Giants'
Hot Hands. Rad Tad. Zoltek. The Toe. Junior. The scene where they put the team together is amazing.
5. Junior Floyd
Danny O'Shea might be a gas station owner, but he can still recruit a quarterback.
6. Orville and Wilbur
The old men bet on pee-wee football from the tavern. We would say that's pure fiction, but we've seen it done in real life.
7. 'Briggs, count it off'
O'Shea looks like every over-zealous youth coach ever in this scene.
8. Jake Berman
That's the kid with the snot bubble coming out of his nose who is comic relief for the whole movie. We had to look it up, too.
9. Nubie
He was Sean McVay in spectacles. He's the offensive mastermind behind the Little Giants. We will get to “The Annexation of Puerto Rico” here in a bit.
10. Spike Hammersmith
'He was bred for football glory.' The bidding war for the services of Spike takes the O'Shea rivalry. He runs a 6.5 40 and can carry a fridge on his back. Spike's dad Mike is just as intense.
11. 'Power-I'
“Spike's in hell. Spike's in pee-wee hell.” Is there a more-quotable villain?
12. John Madden and friends
The Madden Cruiser shows up with Emmitt Smith, Bruce Smith, Steve Emtman and Tim Brown. We learn that football is 80 percent mental and 40 percent physical. Seriously, how cool was the Madden Cruiser?
13. The bet
Kevin puts his car dealership up against Danny's gas station. Again, this isn't the craziest wager we've seen over a football game.
14. 'Death shrouds'
The Little Giants did not think they had a chance in the big game, and of course the Cowboys jump out to a big lead.
15. 'One time'
This isn't quite as good as Al Pacino in “Any Given Sunday,” but it's better for children:
16. 'That's my niece, and she's pissed.'
Putting Icebox in the No. 56 jersey puts this over the top.
17. The Giants' comeback
The Giants rally with some creative play-calling with trick plays the Cowboys aren't ready for. Danny O'Shea knows how to get the ball to his playmakers.
18. 'Hot Hands' TD
It's as easy as catching a roll of toilet paper.
19. Patty Floyd saves the game
When the Cowboys have a chance to put the game away, Patty lets Kevin know the pitch is coming. Great scouting. We, for one, appreciate the ego of Kevin O'Shea to call his own number with kids.
20. 'The Annexation of Puerto Rico'
The Carolina Panthers used this play a few years ago. The design is perfect, and Kevin O'Shea is the only one who sees it coming. Great call by Nubie.
21. 'No mercy!'
"No ball."
22. Danny wins!
This movie is for all the little brothers, underdogs and B teams out there that found a way to win that “one time.” How Kevin handles the loss with class, however, makes it even better.
23. Sportsmanship
The Cowboys show sportsmanship after the game, right down to Spike and Kevin O'Shea. That's why this movie holds up for young football players today. As far as children's sports movies go, this one ranks up there with the best.
24. The water tower
All Danny wanted was his name on the water tower next to his brother.
25. It didn't need a sequel
This was one that could have had a sequel with the teams playing together, but the choice not to make a sequel was the right move. It's the perfect ending.
