Welcome to Wrexham
2022 • Series
We Are: The Brooklyn Saints
“Anything and everything is possible.”
2021
1 Season • 4 Episodes
Director: Rudy Valdez
Overview
A Brooklyn youth football program and its selfless coaches provide a safe haven for kids to compete and learn lessons that will take them far in life.
Reviews
4 min read AI-generated editorial review
The Saints Among Us
I keep thinking about the way the camera lingers on the boys’ faces—not when they’re celebrating a touchdown or even when they’re mid-play, but in the quiet moments between. A kid adjusts his helmet, his fingers fumbling with the strap, his eyes darting toward the sidelines where his coach stands, arms crossed but not unkind. There’s something almost sacred in that hesitation, the way childhood and responsibility collide in a single frame. We Are: The Brooklyn Saints isn’t just a sports documentary; it’s a portrait of what happens when a community decides to hold space for its children, not as future stars or cautionary tales, but as people who are allowed to be messy, hopeful, and still figuring it out.
Rudy Valdez, the director, has a knack for finding the poetry in everyday resilience. If you’ve seen his previous work, like The Sentence, you’ll recognize his signature approach: intimate, unhurried, and deeply human. Here, he turns his lens on the Brooklyn Saints, a youth football program that doubles as a lifeline. The series doesn’t traffic in the usual sports-doc tropes—no underdog triumphs telegraphed from the first frame, no villainous opponents to vanquish. Instead, it’s a quieter story about the weight of expectation, the way adults project their own dreams onto children, and the rare, radical act of simply seeing kids for who they are, not who they might become.
What’s striking is how little the series relies on narrative contrivance. There are no manufactured rivalries, no last-minute Hail Mary passes to tie everything up neatly. The drama unfolds in the small, unguarded moments: a coach kneeling in front of a player, speaking softly but firmly; a parent pacing the sidelines, their face a mask of pride and fear; a group of boys laughing in the locker room, their voices high and unselfconscious. Valdez lets these scenes breathe, resisting the urge to over-explain or sentimentalize. The result is a documentary that feels less like a story being told and more like a window being cracked open.
I keep thinking about the way the camera lingers on the boys’ faces—not when they’re celebrating a touchdown or even when they’re mid-play, but in the quiet moments between. A kid adjusts his helmet, his fingers fumbling with the strap, his eyes darting toward the sidelines where his coach stands, arms crossed but not unkind. There’s something almost sacred in that hesitation, the way childhood and responsibility collide in a single frame. We Are: The Brooklyn Saints isn’t just a sports documentary; it’s a portrait of what happens when a community decides to hold space for its children, not as future stars or cautionary tales, but as people who are allowed to be messy, hopeful, and still figuring it out.
Rudy Valdez, the director, has a knack for finding the poetry in everyday resilience. If you’ve seen his previous work, like The Sentence, you’ll recognize his signature approach: intimate, unhurried, and deeply human. Here, he turns his lens on the Brooklyn Saints, a youth football program that doubles as a lifeline. The series doesn’t traffic in the usual sports-doc tropes—no underdog triumphs telegraphed from the first frame, no villainous opponents to vanquish. Instead, it’s a quieter story about the weight of expectation, the way adults project their own dreams onto children, and the rare, radical act of simply seeing kids for who they are, not who they might become.
What’s striking is how little the series relies on narrative contrivance. There are no manufactured rivalries, no last-minute Hail Mary passes to tie everything up neatly. The drama unfolds in the small, unguarded moments: a coach kneeling in front of a player, speaking softly but firmly; a parent pacing the sidelines, their face a mask of pride and fear; a group of boys laughing in the locker room, their voices high and unselfconscious. Valdez lets these scenes breathe, resisting the urge to over-explain or sentimentalize. The result is a documentary that feels less like a story being told and more like a window being cracked open.
Audience Opinions
AI summary of viewer review patterns
Limited evidence Audience 6.0/10 AI
"A well-intentioned but uneven documentary series that shines a light on youth football in Brooklyn but struggles to stand out."
The series offers an intimate look at the lives of young football players in Brooklyn, capturing their struggles and aspirations. However, some find it lacking in depth and originality, with a narrative that feels familiar compared to other sports documentaries. The emotional moments resonate, but the execution doesn’t always match the ambition.
What viewers praise
- Authentic portrayal Provides a genuine and heartfelt look at the challenges and dreams of young athletes in Brooklyn.
- Emotional moments Some scenes effectively capture the personal and communal stakes of youth sports.
Common complaints
- Lacks depth Feels shallow in places, with some viewers wishing for more exploration of the broader social context.
- Familiar storytelling The narrative structure and themes echo other sports documentaries, making it feel unoriginal to some.
Recommended for
Youth sports enthusiasts Documentary fans seeking real-life stories Those interested in Brooklyn communities
Buzz & Rumors
Public reports AI-researched entertainment notes
Inside the Making of We Are: The Brooklyn Saints—Netflix’s Gritty Youth Football Docuseries
Netflix’s We Are: The Brooklyn Saints (2021) drops viewers into the high-stakes world of youth football in Brooklyn, where dreams of college scholarships and NFL futures collide with the harsh realities of urban life. Directed by Rudy Valdez, the docuseries follows a group of young athletes as they navigate the pressures of competition, family expectations, and personal growth. But what went on behind the scenes to capture this raw, unfiltered look at the sport and its players?
A Director’s Vision: Rudy Valdez’s Approach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irmtF6xUs38
Rudy Valdez, known for his emotionally charged documentaries, brought his signature style to We Are: The Brooklyn Saints. While the evidence doesn’t detail his exact creative process, the series’ trailers suggest a focus on authenticity—no glossy reenactments, just unscripted moments of triumph and struggle. The trailer [1] teases intense on-field action and intimate off-field conversations, hinting that Valdez prioritized access to the players’ lives beyond the gridiron. This aligns with his past work, where he often embeds himself in communities to tell deeply personal stories.
The Players: Who Are the Brooklyn Saints?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81hV7ap_pyY
The series centers on the Brooklyn Saints, a youth football program that serves as both a training ground and a lifeline for its players. While the evidence doesn’t name specific athletes, the trailers [1][3] showcase their physicality, determination, and the emotional weight of their journeys. The docuseries appears to explore how football acts as a microcosm for larger issues—race, class, and the pressure to succeed in a system that often stacks the odds against young Black and brown athletes.
One snippet from a trailer [3] includes a voiceover of a coach or player discussing the stakes: "This isn’t just about football. It’s about life." This suggests the series doesn’t shy away from the darker side of youth sports, including the financial and emotional toll on families chasing athletic glory.
Reception: Mixed Reviews and Limited Buzz
Despite its compelling premise, We Are: The Brooklyn Saints hasn’t generated the same cultural footprint as other sports docs like Last Chance U or Cheer. On SensCritique, the series holds a modest 6/10 rating based on 11 votes 
, indicating lukewarm reception. The lack of widespread discussion or critical deep dives suggests it may have flown under the radar for many viewers.
That said, the trailers [1][3] position the series as a gripping, character-driven narrative. If the final product delivers on that promise, it could still find an audience among fans of underdog stories and social-issue documentaries.
Why the Series Matters
Youth sports documentaries have surged in popularity, but few focus on the unique pressures of urban football programs. We Are: The Brooklyn Saints appears to fill that gap, offering a platform for voices often overlooked in mainstream sports media. The series’ existence alone raises questions about who gets to tell these stories—and who benefits from them. Is it a tool for empowerment, or does it risk exploiting young athletes for entertainment? The evidence doesn’t provide answers, but it’s a conversation worth having.
The Bottom Line
We Are: The Brooklyn Saints is a niche but ambitious project that blends sports, drama, and social commentary. While it hasn’t become a breakout hit, its focus on authenticity and real-life stakes could resonate with viewers who crave more than just highlight reels. For now, the series remains a quiet entry in Netflix’s docuseries catalog—one that might reward those who seek it out.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
Series
Similar Series
Related series ranked by rating and popularity.
Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist
2022 • Series
Club América vs. Club América
2022 • Series
The Dynasty: New England Patriots
2024 • Series
Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League
2009 • Series
Why Not Us
2021 • Series
Wisconsin Foodie
2010 • Series
America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions
2006 • Series
Naomi Osaka
2021 • Series
Saudi Pro League: Kickoff
2024 • Series
Scugnizzi forever
2023 • Series
When Eagles Dare: Crystal Palace F.C.
2021 • Series