Some of the best-known sports movie villains aren’t really villainous at all, proving in the end to be far more likable than the real bad asses of their evil group.
Rocky IV's Ivan Drago, for example, is more misunderstood than malicious, only getting the chance to show his true humanity in the film's closing scene.
In the very same manner, Jean Girard of hilarious Talladega Nights fame is cast in a villainous light too, but over time, proves to be a fierce but virtuous competitor in search of nothing more than a true challenge.
Finally, Iceland's Gunnar Stahl also takes the form of villain throughout nearly all of D2: Mighty Ducks, yet upon escaping the shadow of his truly evil coach, he establishes himself as nothing more than a kind and charming teen at heart.