New ‘Yard’ boasts an all-star lineup

The reason the football sequences were so realistic in the original 1974 comedy “The Longest Yard” was the veteran pro gridiron players in the cast.

Even Burt Reynolds, who starred in the film as Paul Crewe -- a washed-up NFL quarterback-turned-con who trains a group of prisoners to take on the guards in a football game -- played halfback for Florida State.

Joining Reynolds in the Robert Aldrich-directed comedy were Green Bay Packer legend Ray Nitschke; Mike Henry, a veteran of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp and Pervis Atkins, who played for the Rams, Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders during his career.

The new version of “Longest Yard,” which stars Adam Sandler in Reynolds’ role -- and Reynolds in the role of the coach -- won’t disappoint pigskin fans. The film, which opens Friday, features quite literally a “heavyweight” supporting cast of star athletes from the worlds of football, wrestling and basketball.

“The Longest Yard” marks the acting debut of former Dallas Cowboy great Michael Irvin, who plays one of the inmates on Sandler’s team. During his playing days, Irvin participated in five Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowl rings as a wide receiver.

Another member of the inmate team is played by Bill Goldberg, who was on the roster of the Rams and Atlanta Falcons before an abdominal injury ended his pro career. (He turned his attentions to wrestling, dropped his first name and became World Championship Wrestling’s U.S. champion in 1998.)

Speaking of wrestlers, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin plays a sadistic guard who gets his comeuppance.

Also on the guard squad is former football star Brian Bosworth. Nicknamed “the Boz,” he played at the University of Oklahoma and gained notoriety not only for his gridiron skills but also for his mohawk haircut and outrageous antics. He signed the largest rookie contract in the history of the NFL when he joined the Seattle Seahawks in 1987, but a shoulder injury ended his career three years later.

-- Susan King