Clooney plays Dodge Connolly, captain of the struggling football team, the Duluth Bulldogs. Dodge is determined to save both his team and football in general when the players lose their sponsor and the league is on the brink of collapse. He convinces a college football star, Carter "the Bullet" Rutherford, to join the Bulldogs, hoping to capitalize on Carter's fame as a war hero.

In addition to his legendary tales of war heroism, Carter has dashing good looks and unparalleled speed and skill on the field. As a result of his presence, both the Bulldogs and football in general prosper.

Zellweger provides romantic interest as reporter Lexie Littleton, who becomes the object of the affections of both Carter and Dodge. Unknown to Carter, Lexie has been assigned to find proof that Carter's war stories are bogus.

Meanwhile, Dodge's attempts to legitimize football start to backfire, as rules are formalized, taking away much of the improvisational antics that made the game fun for many of its players.