Cast
Keanu Reeves as Shane Falco #16 (QB) — A left-handed former All-America quarterback for Ohio State who fell off the grid after choking in the 1996 Sugar Bowl and washing out of the pros after one season, giving him a derogatory nickname of "Footsteps", because of his impulse to scramble prematurely when he thinks a sack is coming.
Gene Hackman as Coach Jimmy McGinty — Former head coach of the Washington Sentinels. Once fired by O'Neil, he is asked back to coach the replacement players. Seeing this as an opportunity to put together his personal fantasy football team, McGinty offers his recruits a chance at glory and truly believes in his players. He's old school in his belief that players should earn their keep, rather than expect things to be given to them.
Brooke Langton as Annabelle Farrell — Head cheerleader for the Washington Sentinels and owner of a bar on 8th Street in Washington.
Orlando Jones as Clifford Franklin #81 (WR) — A stockboy in a minimart who is fast but struggles catching the ball.
Faizon Love as Jamal Abdul Jackson #72 (G) and Michael Taliferro as Andre Jackson #73 (G), the Jackson Brothers — Former offensive guards turned bodyguards for rapper ODB, who seem to excel only when they play on the same team. Both would have remained in the pros had they not fallen apart after one got traded.
Rhys Ifans as Nigel Gruff #3 (K) — A Welsh soccer player and pub owner, nicknamed "The Leg" because he can kick a football the entire length of the playing field. He smokes on the field and has a gambling addiction.
Jon Favreau as Daniel "Danny" Bateman #56 (MLB) — A reserved, almost reticent man during normal interaction with people, who goes completely berserk when placed in an adversarial situation. Linebacker and defensive captain. He was a walk on player at Michigan State and is a Gulf War veteran who received a Purple Heart. Member of the Washington D.C. Police SWAT team.
Ace Yonamine as "Jumbo" Fumiko #68 (OT) — A Japanese sumo wrestler turned offensive tackle whose battle cry, "Nan desu ka" ("What is this") becomes the team's own.
Troy Winbush as Walter Cochran #34 (RB) — An ordained minister who played one game in the pros and blew out his knee. He repeats this injury during his final game with the Sentinels after diving into the end zone for a touchdown.
David Denman as Brian Murphy #86 (TE) — A tight end from Gallaudet University; according to McGinty, he would have been a first-round pick had he not been born deaf. He plays a major role in the team both on the field and off, scoring the game-winning touchdown and sparking the conversation that leads to a bar fight.
Michael Jace as Earl Wilkinson / "Ray Smith" #42 (CB) — A former star cornerback and kick returner from Minnesota, serving a prison sentence for assaulting a police officer. He's allowed to play with the permission of the governor of Maryland under an alias.
Gailard Sartain & Art LaFleur as Coach Pilachowski and Coach Banes, respectively — McGinty's coaching staff. Skeptical about the replacement players, they nevertheless follow McGinty's recommendations and find ways to work with them.
Brett Cullen as Eddie Martel #7 — Regular starting quarterback for the Washington Sentinels, two-time Super Bowl winner.
Archie L. Harris Jr. as Wilson Carr (DE) – Regular starting defensive end for the Washington Sentinels, and the "muscle" of Martel's clique of teammates. He joins Martel in crossing the picket line, and plays in the last game, with seemingly no more ill will towards the replacement players.
Evan Parke as Malcolm LaMont (RB) – Regular starting running back for the Washington Sentinels, part of Martel's clique of teammates.
John Madden and Pat Summerall portray themselves, offering play-by-play and color commentary on the games.
Jack Warden as Edward O'Neil — Owner of the Washington Sentinels. O'Neil is the epitome of the double-talking, manipulative businessman interested only in accolades and doesn't think twice about reneging on a deal if it will earn him a more desirable result.
Sarah Ann Morris as Heather - exotic dancer who attends Sentinels cheerleader tryouts during the strike.
Caroline Keenan as Dawn — exotic dancer who attends Sentinels cheerleader tryouts during the strike.
