In the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard, Burt Reynolds was supposed to have a stunt double for when he got hit by Brian Bosworth on a touchdown run, but Reynolds insisted on doing it himself, saying "I got one run left in me." Bosworth himself was honored by the whole situation, saying "Who else can say they got run over by Burt Reynolds?" Reynolds went through the hit in one take with no injuries, though he had to be helped off the field. The shots in the movie of him being helped off of the field were real, and not faked for the cameras.
Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) was supposed to have played college football for Florida State University and professional football for Pittsburgh. Burt Reynolds, who starred in both films, was an All-American running back at Florida State, and is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Adam Sandler is also a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.