At the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, it was one of that season's 30 for 30 films nominated for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

The name originated from a t-shirt slogan created by Notre Dame students Joe Frederick and Michael Caponigro.

[5][6][7][8] The documentary is partially based on director Patrick Creadon's experience as a Notre Dame undergraduate at the time.

[10] The film also features interviews with head coaches Lou Holtz and Jimmy Johnson; Notre Dame defensive coordinator Barry Alvarez; Notre Dame players Chris Zorich, Pat Eilers, Pat Terrell, and Todd Lyght, and Miami players Steve Walsh, Cleveland Gary, and Leon Searcy, and others.

[10][11] Writing for The Wall Street Journal, John Anderson called Catholics vs. Convicts a "gripping gridiron drama.