Semi-Tough (1977)

Burt Reynolds played football for Florida State alongside legendary ESPN commentator Lee Corso, so it's not all that surprising he made a few flicks centered around the gridiron. While The Longest Yard (1974) might get all the hype, the Seminole sexy football film of Burt's career was undoubtedly Semi-Tough (1977). In this one, Burt stars as Billy Clyde Puckett, a professional football player who shares a luxury apartment with his teammate Marvin "Shake" Tiller (Kris Kristofferson), and Barbara Jane Bookman (Jill Clayburgh) the beautiful daughter of their team's owner (Robert Preston). But when Barbara Jane and Shake become involved, the three-way friendship is tested just as training begins. That might sound like a pretty typical rom-com, but there's all sorts of stuff in here mocking 70's self-help gurus and New Agey religions, including a group called B.E.A.T. that parodies an old self-help class called Rolfing. That might confuse more contemporary viewers, but there's plenty to beat off too! Mr. Man couldn't help himself from getting more than semi-hard whenever Burt took his shirt off!  Burt and his mustache are in classic seventies sexy mode, stripping for his BVDs in a long scene that showcases his hairy chest and sculpted arms. "Keep your underwear on," barks the no-nonsense nurse. Pity. See that body? We'd sure like to Puckett! The bearded Kris Kristofferson also goes sans shirt and shows off his smooth buff bod, first in bed as an endorsement model for a deodorant which he cheekily holds up under his silk sheets, miming a boner. Later he meditates bare chested on a balcony at their Malibu apartment before his lady interrupts. Shake it baby! But it's Brian Dennehy who gets the MVP here, baring his beefy bum in a jockstrap as the sweaty teammates holler in the locker room over the opening credits. Unfortunately, no other sacks or tight ends on display here. That's some good stuff in Semi-Tough!