In an exciting development for sports fans and documentary lovers alike, Netflix has officially announced the release of its newest original documentary, “The Underdog,” which chronicles the remarkable journey of college football icon and NFL All-Pro, Ndamukong Suh. The documentary is scheduled to premiere globally on April 25, 2025, and is already generating buzz as one of the streaming giant’s most compelling sports features of the year.
“The Underdog” offers an intimate and powerful look into Suh’s rise from a quiet, determined kid in Portland, Oregon, to becoming one of the most dominant defensive players in college football history with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The film delves into his early years, the challenges he faced, and the unrelenting drive that pushed him to greatness, both on and off the field.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ava Robertson, whose previous work includes award-winning sports documentaries for ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, “The Underdog” promises to go beyond stats and highlight reels. Instead, it aims to capture the raw emotion and personal growth behind Suh’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
“People think they know Ndamukong Suh just from the headlines or the way he played on Sundays,” Robertson said in a statement. “But there’s a deeper story—a story about perseverance, family, identity, and resilience. This film is about a young man who wasn’t expected to be the star but became a legend.”
The documentary includes never-before-seen footage from Suh’s college days at Nebraska, exclusive interviews with former coaches, teammates, and family members, as well as Suh himself. The narrative centers on his iconic 2009 season with the Cornhuskers—a year in which he redefined the role of a defensive tackle and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, a rare feat for a defensive player.
Suh’s dominance during his time in Lincoln made him a household name, culminating in him being selected second overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. But “The Underdog” isn’t just about his athletic achievements—it also explores the pressures of fame, the public scrutiny he faced during his NFL career, and how he used those challenges as fuel for personal growth.
The film also highlights Suh’s commitment to philanthropy and education, including his significant donations to the University of Nebraska and his support for youth programs in underserved communities. The documentary seeks to paint a full portrait of a man whose legacy goes far beyond football.
Netflix’s announcement was accompanied by a powerful trailer that has already gone viral, showing clips of Suh training in the weight room, dominating on the field, and reflecting in quiet moments of introspection. The trailer ends with Suh saying, “I never asked to be the villain. I just wanted to win.”
Fans and critics alike are praising the trailer’s emotional depth and cinematography, and anticipation for the release is reaching a fever pitch. Sports pundits are calling it a “must-watch” and predicting that it will stand alongside recent hits like The Last Dance and Quarterback as one of the defining sports documentaries of the decade.
As the April 25 release date approaches, “The Underdog” is already shaping up to be more than just a documentary—it’s a celebration of grit, legacy, and the power of believing in yourself when no one else does.
For Nebraska fans, football enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a true underdog story, this is one documentary that can’t be missed.