Luv Ya Bum is not simply a celebration of American football and everything it embodies. For audiences going into this cold, it soon becomes clear that writer Andrew Alden Miller has another agenda in mind. This snapshot of Americana captures all the passion and persistence of a country where anything seems possible, and honest people can rise through the ranks and make a difference. Nowhere does that possibility feel more pertinent than in the pursuit of sporting excellence, personified in this case through iconic Houston Oilers head coach Bum Phillips, who finally gets his own landmark documentary.
Luv Ya Bum charts his eponymous rise through the ranks using stock footage and talking heads, not only celebrating a distinctive coaching style and larger than life personality but exploring his long-lasting impact on the game. Giving audiences access to the vibrant hub that was Houston in the ’70s, where industry and enterprise collided, turning this Texas town into a thriving mecca of endless opportunity. Elevating the lone star state and turning Houston into a powerhouse of prosperity with everything apart from a successful football team.
The ability of directors Sam Wainwright Douglas and David Hartstein to entwine Houston’s evolution alongside that of Bum Phillips makes this documentary matter. Not only does it shine a light on the integral role he played in the rejuvenation of Houston, but it also taps into that working class ethos upon which America was built. In under 90-minutes this everyman quality, that made him a father figure to many NFL players, allows audiences to understand why his name demands such reverence. However, that adulation was no isolated incident, extending beyond Phillips to focus on his son Wade.
Courtesy of Lucky Eight Productions
This is when Luv Ya Bum becomes more about legacy as audiences begin to understand that coaching is a family business. Wade Phillips quickly became a true chip off the old block, turning this father and son tag team into a coaching phenomenon. One lauded by NFL heavyweights and industry insiders, tapping into universal themes of adversity in the face of insurmountable obstacles, as well as highlighting light-hearted rivalry.
What continues to come through from an outside perspective is how genuine Bum Phillips was up close. That natural curiosity combined with a no-nonsense approach to coaching made those around him unendingly loyal. To be welcomed under the wing of Phillips was clearly the making of many players, who had been used to a more traditional approach. The Houston Oilers under Bum Phillips is still considered a golden era of American football among NFL historians, and one still revered by players past and present, making this documentary even more important.
For fans of the NFL this is a no-brainer, giving them curated clips, and endless reams of trivia to satisfy their passion for American football. Not only celebrating an icon in his industry, but someone who could connect with a person irrespective of their individuality. With the inclusion of Luv Ya Bum into the NFL archive, American football will always remember Bum Phillips and the impact he continues to have on the game.
Luv Ya Bum is available on demand now.