Al Pacino's final rallying speech for the team before the playoff game is based on a rallying speech real-life NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer gave the Cleveland Browns during the 1989 AFC Championship game.
Al Pacino particularly relished his role as he found it a refreshing change from the usual cops and gangsters he often plays.
When Willie Beamen enters Tony D'Amato's house, the movie that is on television is Ben-Hur (1959), starring Charlton Heston, who also appears in Any Given Sunday as the Commissioner. Oliver Stone says on the commentary that the meta connection was deliberate, and meant to show that yesterday's rebels become the establishment. Charlton Heston agreed to appear in the film and granted permission for his image in Ben-Hur to be used.
A Warner Brothers favorite, Clint Eastwood was sought after for Al Pacino's role early on. However, he also wanted to direct the picture, so the studio declined. Pacino was the second choice, who enthusiastically signed on. The character was changed to an Italian-American to suit him.
Barry Switzer: former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys as a television commentator for the game between the Miami Sharks and the Dallas Knights (supposedly set in Texas Stadium, where Switzer once coached).