PHILADELPHIA -- On Nov. 21, 1976, audiences met Rocky Balboa, the southpaw boxer from south Philadelphia. Four decades later, Sylvester Stallones lovable character resonates with fans drawn to his underdog tale of determination, grit and sleepy-eyed charm.The reach of Rocky is international, and the film serves as a slice of Americana. It is shorthand for Philadelphia as much as the Liberty Bell or Benjamin Franklin.Anytime we are speaking to overseas visitors ... the conversation always turns, at some point, to `Rocky, said Julie Coker Graham, president of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. They ask, `Have you met Rocky? A lot of them think its an actual, real-life person.On the films 40th anniversary, a few reasons for its enduring legacy:---LOVABLE UNDERDOGWritten by Stallone in three days, fans fell hard for the ballad of Rocky Balboa. For the uninitiated (SPOILER ALERT): The small-time boxer from the heavily Italian neighborhood of South Philly stumbles into a bout with the heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed, fighting in the city to celebrate Americas bicentennial. To get him into fighting shape, Rocky (played by Stallone) is trained by the peppery Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), whose many one-liners make him a frequent scene stealer. Rocky also finds love in the film with sheepish neighborhood pet store clerk, Adrian (Talia Shire). Though he ultimately loses the fight, Rocky proves himself and wins Adrians heart, making him the winner of much more than a title.The film itself was a long shot, made on a budget of only $1 million and shot in 28 days, with a largely unknown cast, including Stallone himself. And it was shot in working-class Philadelphia, a city that -- despite its roots as the crucible of freedom -- had long had a chip on its shoulder as second-tier as compared to more cultured East Coast metropolises like New York and Boston. (It is worth noting that the film had its premiere in New York.)---CHEERS FOR ROCKYWhat the movie lacked in beauty, it made up for in heart, something that resonated with audiences worldwide. The film was the highest-grossing of the year, earning $117 million at the North American box office and another $107 million overseas. Rocky received 10 Oscar nominations in nine categories at the Academy Awards, winning three: best picture, best director (John G. Avildsen) and best film editing. Stallone, Burgess and Shire were all nominated in acting categories, and Stallone was nominated for his screenplay.Rocky is preserved in the Library of Congress National Film Registry as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. It was also ranked one of the greatest sports films ever made and is the second-best film about boxing behind Raging Bull, according to the American Film Institute.---GONNA FLY NOWThe score for Rocky, which was also nominated for an Oscar, was penned by Bill Conti. The main song, Gonna Fly Now, was originally intended as filler for the training sequence marking Rockys journey from amateur to contender. The opening fanfare is among the most recognizable in American culture, and the soaring melody that plays on the melancholic theme woven throughout the movie is the backdrop to Rocky doing impressive one-armed pushups, punching meat in his girlfriends brothers butcher shop and running through Philadelphias Italian Market, along the Schuylkill River and past the shipyards.Conti went on to win an Oscar for his score to 1983s The Right Stuff and made music recognizable to millions in theme songs to Dynasty and Falcon Crest.---THE ROCKY STEPS AND STATUEThe montage climaxes in one of the films most memorable scenes, as Rocky bounds up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, raising his arms in triumph. Four decades later, the run and pose atop the steps are re-created daily in Philadelphia, mostly by tourists. In 1982, a statue of Rocky commissioned by Stallone for Rocky III was placed in the spot where he stood in the original film. Its current home is just to the right of the steps and is a selfie stop for visitors.---ROCKYS NEXT CHAPTERThe original movie was followed by six sequels. In 2015, Rocky was reborn in Creed, the story of Adonis Creed, the son of his nemesis-turned-best friend, Apollo. An aging and dying Rocky trains Adonis for a brawl not unlike the grizzled boxers first fight nearly two generations earlier. The New York Times reviewed it as a dandy piece of entertainment, soothingly old-fashioned and bracingly up-to-date. Site Air Max Pas Cher Chine . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Air Max Pas Cher Chine Livraison Gratuite . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. http://www.airmaxchinepascher.fr/ . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. Chaussure Air Max Pas Cher Chine . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Air Max Pas Cher Livraison Rapide . The 17-year-old native of Marystown, N.L., pulled out of Skate Canada International last month in Saint John, N.B., with the same problem. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Ryan Fitzpatrick thinks hell be back under center Sunday.The New York Jets quarterback just needs his sprained left knee to heal in a hurry.Im definitely optimistic that Ill be able to go out there and play, he said Wednesday. And I am going to do everything I can from now until then to make sure that happens.Fitzpatrick was injured Sunday at Miami in the third quarter of New Yorks 27-23 loss , but returned to finish the game while wearing a brace on the knee. He said Wednesday that he would again wear a brace on Sunday against Los Angeles if he plays.I mean, its a knee sprain, Fitzpatrick said. Its not something that Im happy is there or feels great. But I think Ill be OK.He was limited at practice Wednesday, and coach Todd Bowles said the team will monitor him throughout the week.He threw the ball around, Bowles said. He didnt run around as much, so we have to get a better gauge. Hes still getting treatment, but hes getting better. Just have to see how much he can tolerate.Bryce Petty, who went 2 of 2 for 19 yards in relief of Fitzpatrick, would get his first NFL start if the veteran cant play. Petty was a fourth-round draft pick last year out of Baylor who hurt his right shoulder in the preseason and was unavailable early in the regular season.He was the No. 3 quarterback behind both Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith, but has moved up to the backup role after Smiths season-ending knee injury two weeks ago.I think hes capable of starting, Bowles said of Petty. Its just a matter of Ryan is ahead of him right now. As Bryce gets more reps, hell get comforrtable with them.dddddddddddd. Bryce has things he can do in games if we have to play him or if he has to start that Im very comfortable with.Petty said he thinks about the past summer, when he was on the bubble to make the Jets roster, and cherishes the opportunity he has now -- whether it remains as the backup or he has to make an emergency start. He credits Fitzpatrick with helping him prepare and make marked improvements from his rookie season to now.How much time you got? Petty said when asked about Fitzpatricks influence. Ryans been great. Since the moment I stepped in here, hes been the big brother I never wanted or had. No, Ive learned a lot about the game of football from him and constantly being in the film room with him and at practice. Hes always open to questions and willing to put the time in with me, which is huge.Game notes C Nick Mangold (ankle), DE Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle), LB Bruce Carter (knee), CB Nick Marshall (illness), LB Darron Lee (ankle), CB Marcus Williams (ankle), LB Josh Martin (concussion) and TE Kellen Davis (elbow) all did not practice. Mangold has missed two games and remains in a walking boot. ... OTs Brandon Shell and Breno Giacomini were both limited with shoulder ailments, while CB Buster Skrine and RB Matt Forte were also limited with knee issues -- although Forte has been regularly getting Wednesdays off as rest days.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Adidas Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Nike Baseball Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys Authentic Cheap NHL Jerseys Canada Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China NCAA Jerseys Cheap Nike NHL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Store Cheap Football Jerseys Store Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Jerseys NCAA China Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys ' ' '