AFL athletes hit silver screen
Courtesy: Arena Football League
Release: 09/24/2007
NEW YORK – When the movie “The Game Plan” opens on Friday, September 28, moviegoers will see approximately 25 Arena Football players (who held AFL roster positions this past season) in theaters nationwide. The movie, a fictional story about a professional football player who suddenly realizes he has an eight-year-old daughter when she shows up on his doorstep, stars DWAYNE “The Rock” Johnson, Kyra Sedgwick and Disney Channel star Madison Pettis.
For many years AFL players have participated in the filming of Hollywood blockbusters such as “Invincible,” “The Longest Yard,” “The Waterboy” and “Any Given Sunday” as extras, teammates or the star’s body-doubles. This movie is no different. Philadelphia Soul QB LEON MURRAY and Los Angeles Avengers DL SILAS DEMARY took the hits for actors Johnson and Eric Ogbogu, respectively.
“One of the benefits of being in “The Game Plan” was getting to work with the Arena Football League players,” said Johnson. “They brought a special dedication and energy to the film, but more importantly, they brought a great reality to our movie. All of the AFL guys in the movie are great players in their league. They’re the top guys at what they do.”
The football scenes were filmed over 10 days last October at the College of Holy Cross and at the home of the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium.
“I really had a great time working with them,” continues Johnson. “They were all very patient with me, and I want to thank them for that. When we filmed, it was just two months after I had ruptured my Achilles, and I will be forever grateful to the AFL guys who were so patient in dealing with the football limitations that my injury caused. All of the AFL players really worked their butts off every single day. Mark Ellis and (Tampa Bay Storm offensive coordinator) Pat O’Hara were fantastic in coordinating the football scenes and working with our Arena League players.”
Other AFL veterans who contributed to the movie were Dallas Desperados FB/LB DUKE PETTIJOHN and Philadelphia Soul LB IDRIS PRICE, both 2007 All-Ironman honorees, and Tampa Bay Storm DL MARCUS OWEN, a 2005 All-Ironman selection. AFL legend and current Nashville Kats assistant general manager DARRYL HAMMOND will also appear in the movie.
“I have nothing but glowing things to say about my experience in working with these guys,” added Johnson. “I especially enjoyed working with my center, Marcus “Snowball” Owen...he was great.”
O’Hara devotes his offseasons working for The Sports Studio, a company started by Ellis, based in South Carolina that recruits athletes, provides choreography and consulting services on sports movies. O’Hara has played an integral role in placing AFL players in many football-related movies including “Any Given Sunday,” “Invincible” and “The Game Plan.”
A complete list of AFL players who’ll be seen on the silver screen is below:
Boston Rebels Offense
Player
2007 AFL Team
Dwayne Johnson Double
Leon Murray*
Philadelphia/New York
Brian White Double
Kevin Ingram*
Los Angeles
Left Guard
Steve Mascorro
Arizona
Center
Marcus Owen
Tampa Bay
Right Guard
Kelvin Ingram
Nashville/Arizona
Right Tackle
Geir Gudmundsen
Tampa Bay
Tight End
Chris Anthony
New York
New York Dukes Defense
Player
2007 AFL Team
Middle Linebacker
Idris Price*
Philadelphia
Strongside Linebacker
Silas Demary*
Los Angeles
Cornerback
Talib Wise
New Orleans
Strong Safety
Terrance Joseph*
Los Angeles/Arizona/Utah
Free Safety
Jonathon Ordway
Chicago
Defensive End
Duke Pettijohn
Dallas
Defensive End
Nyle Wiren*
Tampa Bay
Defensive Tackle
Ricky Hall*
New York
Kicker
Bill Gramatica*
Tampa Bay
Boston/Denver/New York Utility
Player
2007 AFL Team
Running Back
Willis Marshall*
Dallas
Wide Receiver
Mike Brown
Philadelphia
Left Guard
Ernest Grant*
Utah
Center
Charlie Morris*
Nashville
Right Guard
Ben Nowland
Grand Rapids
Defensive Line
Gillis Wilson*
Grand Rapids
Defensive Line
Doug Miller*
Orlando
* Denotes current free agent
