How Lance Armstrong’s cameo taints Dodgeball forever

Who’s the biggest victim of Lance Armstrong’s drug-fuelled shenanigans?

Apart from his millions of devoted followers, oh, and cycle enthusiasts… and cancer sufferers… and sponsors… teammates… and all the people he sued… then surely it’s fans of ‘Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story’.

Yes, who could forgot his inspirational cameo in the superb Ben Stiller/Vince Vaughn comedy. A scene that - since Armstrong’s sour-faced “apology” on ‘Oprah’ - frankly makes us feel a little bit dirty.

Let’s recap. Vaughn’s Pete LaFleur has quit his dodgeball team, the Average Joes, before a chance encounter with the disgraced cycling star changes his mind.

Lance tells him: “Once I was thinkin’ about quitting, when I was diagnosed with brain, lung and testicular cancer – all at the same time. But with the love and support of my friends and family I got back on the bike and won the Tour de France five times in a row. But I’m sure you have a good reason to quit. So what are you dying of?”

Armstrong’s not the greatest actor, but it was still a great line that amusingly and inspirationally set up the finale. Now it taints the whole film and made a little bit of sick sneak up our throat. Empire mag voted it their 'ninth best celebrity cameo'.

Indeed, we never thought we’d say this, but if there was any film in need of a George Lucas-style, ‘Greedo-shot-first’ re-edit, then surely it’s ‘Dodgeball’.

Do you agree? Let us know below.