Breaking: On July 4th, Netflix will release “The Underdog,” a much-anticipated documentary on Chicago Bears legend Mike Singletary.

Netflix has officially announced the release of The Underdog, a highly anticipated sports documentary chronicling the life, career, and lasting legacy of Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary. The feature-length film is set to premiere globally on July 4th, a symbolic date for a man who became an emblem of discipline, leadership, and heart in America’s most rugged sport.

For fans of the Chicago Bears, football historians, and documentary lovers alike, The Underdog promises an unflinching look at the man behind the iconic #50 jersey. Known for his intense eyes, relentless work ethic, and cerebral understanding of the game, Singletary helped shape the identity of one of the most ferocious defenses in NFL history — the legendary 1985 Bears. But this film goes far beyond the gridiron.

Directed by Emmy Award-winner Ezra Edelman (O.J.: Made in America), The Underdog spans over five decades of Singletary’s life. From humble beginnings in Houston, Texas, to the pinnacle of NFL glory and beyond, the film traces a journey marked by tragedy, faith, grit, and resilience.

“Mike Singletary’s life is the quintessential underdog story,” Edelman said in a press release. “It’s about more than football. It’s about pain, purpose, leadership, and ultimately transformation. We wanted to show how a man built like a linebacker can carry the weight of far more than just a defensive scheme — he carried his family, his team, and even the expectations of a city.”

The documentary features never-before-seen family footage, game-day sideline audio, and exclusive interviews with teammates, rivals, coaches, and Singletary himself. It also includes commentary from sports journalists, spiritual leaders, and even former U.S. presidents who admired his contributions on and off the field.

The Underdog begins where most great American stories do — in hardship. Raised in a tightly-knit yet financially-strapped household in Houston, Mike was the youngest of ten children. The film covers the formative years of Singletary’s life, including the tragic death of his brother Dale in a car accident — a loss that would shape his outlook on life and competition.

Viewers will witness how Singletary channeled that emotional pain into his time at Baylor University. Despite being considered undersized for a linebacker at just under six feet tall, his work ethic and intelligence allowed him to break school records and earn All-American honors.

The film spares no detail in capturing his training rituals, his near-maniacal focus on film study, and his transformation from an overlooked recruit into a feared collegiate force. “He wasn’t the biggest,” recalls Grant Teaff, Singletary’s college coach, “but he had the biggest heart and the sharpest mind.”

Drafted in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Singletary wasted no time making his presence felt. The Underdog paints a vivid picture of the early 1980s Bears franchise — a team in transition, desperately searching for an identity. That identity would soon take shape under the imposing leadership of Mike Ditka and the disruptive genius of defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan.

Singletary was the keystone of the iconic 46 Defense, a punishing scheme that terrorized quarterbacks and stifled running backs. The documentary brings viewers onto the battlefield — the frozen tundra of Soldier Field, the chaos of training camp fights, and the locker room confrontations that molded the ‘85 Bears into champions.

“Mike didn’t just play middle linebacker,” Ditka says in the film. “He was the heartbeat of that defense. The fire in the middle. Everyone fed off his intensity.”

Archival footage of Singletary’s legendary “eyes” — those wide, unblinking orbs that stared through quarterbacks — is juxtaposed with poetic narration about fear, focus, and football as war.

Much of The Underdog’s second act is devoted to the 1985 Chicago Bears, arguably the most dominant single-season team in NFL history. The documentary explores not just their 15-1 regular season and Super Bowl XX demolition of the New England Patriots, but the personalities, power struggles, and wild antics behind the scenes.

Viewers will get deeper insight into Singletary’s role as the moral compass of the team — a deeply religious man navigating a locker room of outsized egos and combustible characters like Jim McMahon, William “The Refrigerator” Perry, and Buddy Ryan.

“We were rock stars,” says McMahon. “But Mike kept us grounded. He kept us focused. Without him, we don’t win the Super Bowl.”

Yet The Underdog doesn’t shy away from the internal friction. The film delves into Singletary’s tensions with Ryan and Ditka, his struggle with the team’s hard-partying culture, and his solitary nights spent studying film while others reveled in fame. It’s a powerful contrast that underlines the discipline behind the highlight reels.

The documentary’s final third is perhaps its most surprising and emotionally resonant. After retiring in 1992, Singletary embarked on a complex journey — one that saw him become a motivational speaker, best-selling author, and eventually, an NFL coach.

He served as linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers before being promoted to head coach of the latter. His infamous locker room speech after benching quarterback Troy Smith — “I want winners!” — is revisited in The Underdog with context and reflection.

Singletary’s coaching career was mixed, and the documentary doesn’t gloss over the criticism he faced for his old-school methods in a new-school league. However, it frames those challenges as part of a larger narrative — one of a man constantly evolving, constantly searching for purpose beyond fame.

Faith becomes a central theme in this portion of the film. Singletary’s belief in Christianity, his marriage to his wife Kim, and his efforts to mentor young men both inside and outside football take center stage.

“We all change uniforms eventually,” Singletary says in a moving scene. “But character — that’s what you carry forever.”

The Underdog goes beyond Singletary’s personal and professional achievements. It examines how he inspired a generation of young Black athletes in the 1980s, challenged stereotypes about leadership and emotional intelligence in sports, and set a template for what it means to lead with integrity.

The documentary also weaves in broader themes of race, religion, and responsibility. Singletary, often described as “preacher-like,” represents a rare figure in sports — one whose convictions were never compromised for endorsements or public relations. His commitment to character, especially in an era of me-first branding, feels both nostalgic and aspirational.

Contributors to the film include:

• Mike Ditka – Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster
• Tony Dungy – Super Bowl-winning coach and fellow man of faith
• Ray Lewis – Hall of Fame linebacker who idolized Singletary
• Condoleezza Rice – Former U.S. Secretary of State and sports enthusiast
• Barack Obama – 44th President and lifelong Bears fan
• Walter Payton’s family – Offering emotional tributes and rare stories

In addition to football insiders, the documentary features sportswriters from the Chicago Tribune, Sports Illustrated, and The Athletic, helping frame Singletary’s legacy in the context of evolving NFL culture.

Netflix’s decision to release The Underdog on Independence Day is no accident. The holiday symbolizes freedom, sacrifice, and the American dream — values that align with Singletary’s journey.

“The Fourth of July is about honoring heroes,” said Netflix executive Jessica Kaplan. “And Mike Singletary is one of the quietest, fiercest heroes America has ever known. His story deserves to be told — and not just for Bears fans, but for anyone who believes in grit and grace.”

The film is expected to be a centerpiece of Netflix’s summer programming and may even garner award-season buzz given its storytelling, production value, and cultural depth.

In an age when athletes are often commodified for their highlights and social media presence, The Underdog stands as a timely reminder that greatness is forged through humility, heartbreak, and hard work. Mike Singletary wasn’t the flashiest player of his era. But he was its soul.

As the NFL undergoes seismic changes in the post-Brady era — with new stars, new controversies, and a heightened awareness of player safety — The Underdog reconnects fans with an era where toughness came with accountability and leadership meant more than stats.

For the city of Chicago, the film is a love letter to one of its most enduring legends. For football fans, it’s a history lesson. And for everyone else, it’s a story of what it means to fight — not for the spotlight, but for something greater.