I grew up in VA and I remember competing against TC Williams at Track competitions. Whenever TC Williams had a runner cross the finish line, the announcers would always say “Remember the Titans!” lol.
To borrow what someone else said that sums up my thoughts quite well, Sunshine was a free-spirited young man with long hair, leaning towards the Hippie ethos, which espoused love and peace. Gerry made a reference towards him being a fruit cake, which was intended to be insulting. By Sunshine's kissing Gerry back, the insult was immediately diminished, and Gerry was made to look the fool.
Gerry died in another car accident. When driving back from a business trip, a drunk driver came into his lane and hit him head on. The man was charged with driving under the influence and manslaughter.
virginia fun fact! the reason our slogan is “VA is for Lovers” is because of the case of Love vs Virginia, where an interracial couple wanted to get married but it was illegal and they won the case! their last name was Love which is an amazing cherry on top ❤️
This classic movie holds a special place in my heart because I knew all the real people the movie depicts. I was a senior at T.C. when those events happened. Some old-timers don’t like the movie because it takes great liberties with the facts, but most of us love it because it is great drama with an important lesson. Julius died five years ago after spending many years traveling around the country, giving inspirational talks on race relations. Some truths and untruths: Alexandria was not a southern hick town but a cosmopolitan, metropolitan suburb of 110,000. T.C. had been integrated since 1965 and at the time of the events (1971) was 30% Black. Hammond (Yoast’s school) had just two Black students because it was in the rich end of town, and G.W., in the poor end, was 60% Black. Race was not the main issue at T.C.; school rivalry was the issue, due to the merging of the three schools. Boone was not new to the school. He had been assistant coach at T.C. for two years preceding the events, and he was my P.E. teacher in his first year, when I was a sophomore. I liked Boone a lot and had a good relationship with him even though I was not a football player (I was varsity cross-country and track). As most people know, Bertier’s first car accident was not as shown. It actually occurred after the season, but the movie changed it for dramatic purposes. T.C.’s hardest game was not in the State Championship, but in the regular season, 21-16 versus Marshall. T.C. had 9 shutouts in 13 games. I saw all the regular season games. Oddly, the team’s best star was not in the movie; he was a running back who led the state in yards and touchdowns. Yoast was one of the best coaches in the state at the time, and there was widespread resentment over Boone’s selection as head coach. It is true that the training camp at Gettysburg transformed the team, and students were marveling over it when they came back. Boone was a hard-driving coach as depicted, but he had a great heart for the game and for his athletes. Singing among the Black athletes (including some basketball players) was a longtime tradition at T.C, usually done in the locker room. The players were allowed to wear their jerseys in school at any time, and they actually acted as a calming influence as depicted briefly in the film. I witnessed an incident where a player used moral suasion and school spirit to stop a fight that was starting. My favorite true thing in the movie is an event I witnessed: Ron Bass’s arrival. It actually occurred at T.C. in the first week after training camp. I was with the cross-country team, warming up at the end of the track straightaway. At the other end, a fancy car drove up the ramp from the parking lot and onto the track. Everyone was amazed; cars weren’t supposed to do that. Ron (with very long hair) and a military officer in uniform (his father) got out of the car and talked to Boone, who had stopped practice and came over to them to see what was going on. Later we learned that he was a hippie quarterback from California. He was terrific, both a fine passer and a great runner. He played much more than was shown, and he always kept our opponents guessing. Bertier was a great success in the wheelchair Olympics in the shot put and discus throw. My brother met him once in the gym in those later years, and they played ping pong. Bertier won, because he was excellent my brother says.
28:50 if you or anyone else has done this for a child then you SHOULD feel special because these are the teachers that really make an impact on students lives and are real life heroes at the end of the day. There is no telling how many children’s futures have been impacted by teachers/coaches who care about their kids like this.
Jane- you didn’t steal anything. Coach Herman Boone taught so many not only how to unite a team, and a community but how to build a better future for a student WITH the student. He also had many in depth conversations with Denzel, that is how he brought this picture to life. Coach Boone would be proud of anyone that does what you do. As for the two of you, you let me know anyone that ever says anything about either of you or your girls. Love is love, it knows no color, no race, no distance and no bounds. I am proud to follow you, and anyone who is not can lick salt.
man it was refreshing to watch yalls reactiion, as someone in an interracial relationship myself, seeing people realize that it really doesnt matter and it being immortalized in a movie is so good. This movie actually helped shape my views on people as a kid and ive carried it into adulthood proudly. Im glad yall enjoyed this so much, i can tell it really struck a chord.
I forgot how emotional that movie was and RU-vid recommended you guys, and I went through those tears again with you.😢 Thanks. I'm 62 years old and my junior high school starting busing the first year I joined. It was about 25% bussed in and handled fairly well, despite I'm sure they're upset they had to wake up earlier and couldn't walk to school. They had to be bussed away from some of their friends; fortunately, we didn't have much hatred in Missouri, Webster Groves (St. Louis)
He's also the voice of Thor in God of War: Ragnarok, he was also in Saving Private Ryan, among others. He's severely underrated, in my opinion! I love Ryan Hurst.
I'd assume that the Alexandria that this movie took place in was also the same Alexandria that they lived in the walking dead. Both are in Virginia so I'm sure it's the same
This movie is one of Denzel's best and often doesn't get the recognition of so many of his other films, but for those who have seen it, there's no doubt how great it is. And everyone here gave great performances and helped to elevate the film and made it all the more enjoyable. The best I can guess on why this film isn't talked about as much is maybe the race angle, but for me, that's why it is so great and should be mentioned discussed more often. It shows how far we have come, and how much further we still have to go, but at the end of the day, it shows how much more we all have in common, than things that we don't.
I just LOVE THIS MOVIE!! Reminds me of my 1 and only year of being a coach... I ended up coaching youth basketball for 1 season back in 1998 at only 17 years old ( Ended up with no time to keep going ) but anyways.. I coached 1 season.. went undefeated and won the Championship that season! The only tie in when it comes to Football... I coached a player that year by the name of Everson Griffen .. who ended up drafted to the NFL and played 10 seasons for the Vikings and then Played for the Cowboys. I was so proud of him!! Anyways... So yeah.. 1 season.. and just like coach Boone and the Titans... we went undefeated and won the championship... just wish I could have kept going!! Btw Jane.. Thank you for everything you do as a teacher and a coach... not enough respect for people like you! People like you matter in this world!! Your Awesome!!❤
It's crazy looking at this cast and knowing what great films/series roles they were in from then to now like Ryan Hurst (Bertier) playing (Opie) in my favorite all time series Sons of Anarchy, Beta in The Walking Dead, Wood Harris (Big Ju) The Wire, Creed 1, 2 and 3, etc and etc cast members roles
People resorting to weapons to resolve disputes is more of a modern thing. As a person who played HS sports, and has always been competitive in all things sports-related, it was wonderful seeing reactors with sporting backgrounds chiming into this film. The added experience and understanding was a plus to the reaction. Great work on a great film. I hope you consider other sports films for the future (like Miracle, Secretariat, 42, 61*, Race, Invincible, Field of Dreams, For Love of the Game, etc).
Thanks for the reactions! Love this movie! In real life they threw a toilet through his window and Sheryl wasn't there. A toilet is crazy though!! Also, the games were blowouts… The Titans were beasts! T.C. Williams High School was desegregated in 1965, six years before the Titans won state. By that point, racial tensions were still high, but they were said to not be as violent as depicted in the movie and I read that some players said they were fighting more amongst each other about their positions than race .. and alot of teams were already integrated at that point..not to say they weren't facing racisms in their every day lives! I’m SURE they were. A woman who was a teacher at the time said that the adults were worse than the kids. Gerry got paralyzed after the final game in a motorcycle accident Coach had 4 daughters and he wasn’t happy that the movie only wanted to depict one of them but the other siblings gave the OK… Perhaps as a tribute to their late sister as Sheryl passed from a heart condition... but none of them were as into football as depicted.. not even Sheryl Gerry’s girlfriend in the movie and his racist bestie were fictional. Gerry did have a real girlfriend at the time who was his neighbor..The Gettysburg scene was beautiful but fictional. They did take a trip to Gettysburg Pennsylvania for a training camp though. They just didn’t have a 3 AM runs where they ended up on the battlefield.
My high school football coach's dad coached at a school in Virginia that played TC Williams and he said TCW beat the hell out of everyone bc they had combined a 4A state champion team with a 2A state champion team when they integrated and never came close to losing a game. Hollywood dramatized it but it's still an amazing story of respect and brotherhood but they never came close to losing a game. Wonderful movie, love it
Yeah recently in real life it’s the only high school in the city of Alexandria with two middle schools in the district. They even have a freshmen team with 8 graders on the team as well.
If you guys love this HIGHLY suggest the movies “Radio” and “Rudy” - both UNBELIEVABLE football movies both based on true stories. ❤loved your reactions!
You guys need to do Glory… it stars one of Denzel’s best performances and it’s about the first black regimen, the 54th Massachusetts, during the American Civil War… it’s debatably one of the greatest films ever made. The Gettysburg scene was very fitting.
I was gonna say there's probably a profound sadness and guilt and hope and determination that the Gettysburg scene brings out that might be hard to appreciate if you haven't had a childhood of history and literature classes and enculturation from a US school system... but then again, there's a lot of profound things about this movie I probably don't fully appreciate not being in an interracial couple :) Anyway that scene is always striking. I always wonder if he picked that training camp site for that reason.
I grew up in the 70's and my older brothers were in high school (in the mid-Hudson Valley area of NY) and there was always racial unrest in the fall..... It was called Octoberfest, by the time I got to high school, we did not have that big a problem in the early 80s.
I was just like the girl in this movie when I was her age. Both of my older brothers played all the sports and I was their crazy supportive little sister who would argue with grown men about the games 😂
I live in “almost Canada NY” born in the early 80s. I never experienced this in real life. I am an army brat and signed up at 18 right out of high school. Basic training was my first real interaction with black men/woman, my drill sergeant said ‘these are your brothers and sisters. We (the 6 drill staff). Are your momma and daddy”. This movie was my honest to goodness introduction to racial segregation. It is beautiful and masterfully written. ❤ first time watching you guys, love the reaction!
I played football from 4th grade through college and all that locker room stuff is real. We had a guy that use to get in the shower, get covered in suds and chase all the freshmen around giving them hugs. All just fun and games.
It’s kind of funny. So many people give Ronny “Sunshine” Bass a pass, because he “didn’t know”. But Petey, who had lived there all his life, TOLD HIM. He didn’t listen, because he knew better. Yes, he meant well, but so frustrating.
LOVED you guys reactions,such raw,true emotions,I was crying-TOO. LOL. Such a-GREAT-film,you can't help but to get emotionally involved and invested in these characters.
"he was the local hero" Because he was breaking racial barriers, not just because he was the football coach. It was not that long ago. My dad just turned 70 last month. He didn't attend an integrated school until his senior year of high school. It amazes me sometimes that I'm the first generation in my family BORN with the right to vote.
This may seem kind of random but the water thing in football practice, I've seen people react to this movie and feel shocked at him refusing to let the players have water, but my dad played football for his school in the late 60s, early 70s and he told me about how back then they didn't know about heat stroke and that their coaches would make you run harder if you asked for water because it was a sign of weakness. Until one year a boy on the team died during practice from heat stroke and dehydration. After that they were required to provide water breaks. I can't imagine running around in padding in the Louisiana heat and humidity for HOURS with nothing to drink and how awful that would have felt as that poor kid died.
I absolutely love this movie, but my biggest issue is that Sheryl Yoast actually passed away (undetected heart condition) in 1996, four years before this movie came out. I suppose it makes sense that she'd be the narrator, since the opening and ending scenes are at Gerry's funeral, but it doesn't quite sit right with me that it wasn't acknowledged by the film. Then again, it already had something of a bittersweet ending, so that probably would've been too much of a downer.
A wonderful reaction to a great movie. Thanks for sharing this y'all. This is definitely one of my goated movies. I hope you guys react to the more sports movies. There are so many good ones!
It WAS like that in California. Don't let that movie tell you otherwise. My sister was in the first class of an integrated school in the Valley (Granada Hills) in the early 80s... and they protested (with signs, N*&&@$ go home, etc. ) and threw eggs at the bus (from Los Angeles)
Playing for the titans we literally did Titan Jacks instead of jumping jacks spelling out TITANS, Petey was even still working at the school still 12 years ago now
Just started my reaction channel and needed some great reactors to subscribe to! I have been in pure heaven since discovering your channel! Thanks for the entertaining content 😂!
My favorite movie of all time!!! I quote this to my parents all the time, even remixed it for a basketball game we were watching together last week and made my mama cry she laughed so hard 🥰
And another add on, As a kid i loved this movie because of the comedy and it was about football! As I rewatch it as an adult now I see the meanings behind every special moment in this movie. The truth in the speeches hits so much harder now. Never judge, Love and respect everyone. 🫶🏾
Takes place in Alexandria, VA. Gosling's character was not a real person, but there were definitely people like his father in the movie. Gosling and Kate Bosworth were the only actual teenagers that were in the movie that are named. The guy playing Julius was 31 and the one playing Bertier was 25. Gosling is actually a bit better at football in "The Slaughter Rule" in 2001.
grew up overseas but family always in virginia. so i'm from there now. and i live real close to where this took place. it's not crazy that this hate was here. it really was. have to do everything i can to ensure it isn't that way anymore.
Love to see you replenishing your fluids when it’s a sad movie. I hope that has been working to fend off the headaches! I’ve always loved this movie. My dad is a high school band director in Georgia and it’s always fun to go and enjoy a game or 2 during the season. It just has a great atmophere and every time I see this movie it reminds me of how fun it is.
If want more football movies should check out "friday night lights". Its not about prejudice but does show a crazy side of how fanatical football can be in states and what it means to them.
You guys should react to Sons of Anarchy! Ryan Hurst who plays the team captain in this movie plays a great character named Opie. He looks so different now that a lot of people didn't know it was the same actor at first. He also played Thor in the video game God of War Ragnarok
I went to high school from 1960 to 64 in Spokane Washington. The school had the poorest and richest in town and most of the black kids were in my school. Never saw a segregated bus, white and black drinking fountains and my school was integrated decades before I got there. My wife lived in an integrated neighborhood of white, black and Japanese. It was a major shock watching the southern schools forced integration. Didn't even know this stuff existed. I have a heavy heart seeing integration has gone backward from those days.
Dead Presidents - (Larenz Tate & Chris Tucker, Keith David) Higher Learning - (Omar Epps, Ice Cube and Michael Rapaport) A Bronx Tale - (Robert De Niro & Chazz Palminteri) Fresh - (Samuel L Jackson) Carlito's Way - (Al Pacino & Sean Penn) Good Fellas - (Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro & Joe Pesci) Casino - (Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci & Sharon Stone) These are a few of my personal favorites I tried to pick films that are (Hood Classics) but also have good writing and interesting storylines also great cinematography with noticeable actors hope to see you guys reactions
Also, shoutout to Jane for remembering my fave (JC Chasez)! Ryan Gosling's MMC days really paid off during that debut We are the Titans intro, he was so smooth
