_{FAITH AND FOOTBALL. This true story shows how a spiritual awakening led to love and unity overcoming racism and hate in 1970s’ Alabama. Provident Films}

 

Woodlawn is based on the true story of a 1970s’ Birmingham, Ala., football team amid the desegregation of their high school. The film opens with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. — “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

This quote — along with video footage from that time, including an address from President John F. Kennedy — helps set the mood for the entire movie.

Directed by brothers Jon and Andrew Erwin (October Baby, Mom’s Night Out) based on their father’s role at the school, and executively produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (The Bible, Son of God), the cast performs the story beautifully, with grace, and the soundtrack, score and videography are superb. Woodlawn is an inspiring film with wonderful messages of faith, hope and love.

Woodlawn centers around Tony Nathan (played by Caleb Castille), a gifted African-American football player unsure of his talent. He is shy and lacks confidence, convinced the odds are against him because of his race. Coach Tandy Gerelds (played by Nic Bishop) does not want Nathan to play, despite his talent. He is convinced otherwise, after his grade-school-age son tells him that Nathan will help the team win. Afterward, Coach Gerelds is constantly ridiculed and persecuted for allowing a black player on the field.

In the meantime, the Erwin brothers’ father and evangelical chaplain, Hank Erwin (played by Sean Astin), convinces Coach Gerelds to allow him to speak to the football players about Jesus. As a result, Hank’s words of wisdom inspire the team to forgive one another and follow the Lord.

The chaplain’s inspirational words convince Gerelds, Nathan and the rest of the Woodlawn High School football team that they are all meant for greatness. They believe not only in themselves and their talents, but in the God who gave them those gifts. The team prays together on the football field before every practice and game, which inspires the entire community to be unified in Christ, rather than at odds with one another, amid the cultural tumult.

At one point in the movie, a man approaches Gerelds after a football game and says, “I don’t know what your players are playing with, but I’ve never seen a team play like that.” This powerful statement planted a seed for the faithless coach, helping him to realize that the players’ zeal for God gave them strength and confidence on and off the field. He eventually realizes he wants that zeal, too.

Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winner Jon Voight is also a central character in Woodlawn. He plays legendary University of Alabama Head Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Bryant works to recruit Nathan to his powerhouse team by watching him play and spending time with him and his family. Bryant successfully recruits him. Interestingly, the actor who portrays Nathan also played for the Crimson Tide, following in the footsteps of his father and brothers. Bryant’s persistence, sarcasm and colorful personality add an entertaining element viewers will definitely appreciate.

Woodlawn is not just a story about football. It goes much deeper than that. This film is about working as a team — and not just in sports, but in life. Even though it is never verbally stated in the movie, it certainly displays that we are all children of God, no matter where we come from. It shows that we should all be treated with dignity and respect.

This story is also about the importance of sharing one’s God-given gifts with the world. Nathan, who spent nine years as a valuable member of the Miami Dolphins (whose equally legendary coach, Don Shula, remains a committed Catholic), was not sure he would ever be accepted by his school or his team. However, through the influence of his chaplain, he realized God’s call: to share his talent and his faith with his community. These decisions had a positive impact on the rest of his life and the lives of those around him.

And this is a story about the love between fathers and sons. Nathan turns to his father not only in his time of need, but also as a training partner. In addition, Coach Gerelds “promotes” his little boy to assistant coach so they can spend more time together. Multiple scenes in the film display the special bond between fathers and sons, which is a message very needed in our world today.

Ultimately, this film is a story about loving and serving God in everything, even if the world says you can’t. Despite opposition from various groups, the team is able to move thousands of people to understand the love God offers his children. This film tells viewers to publicly display faith — and how important it is to be faith-filled witnesses — and that there is fulfillment in peace, love and unity, rather than in darkness, violence and adversity.

Jacqueline Burkepile writes from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.