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| Anderson Independent Mail
Just days before the debut, former Clemson football player Ray McElrathbey shared details about the Disney+ film that recreates his redshirt freshman year at Clemson when he eventually took custody of his younger brother, Fahmarr.
The movie, which releases Dec. 11, is the streaming platform’s first original sports film, some of which was filmed in front of fans during halftime of a Tigers football game last year. Fans in attendance during the September 2019 game may be able to spot themselves on the big screen, and most Clemson visitors will recognize the scenes shot on campus.
“You’ll see the campus, you’ll see things on campus that you’ll notice,” McElrathbey said during a news conference. “From all the stadium footage, it’s during a game in Death Valley. For me, it takes me back to the moment. It takes me back to the times that I spent at Clemson and I hope it does the same for (the audience).”
The preview: Disney drops trailer for ‘Safety,’ a movie about Clemson football star Ray Ray McElrathbey
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Spoiler alert: Movie based on the true Clemson story
The storyline in the movie follows the narrative Clemson fans remember from McElrathbey’s time in the area. Not much was changed from real life to movie that the public would notice, he said.
Fahmarr, who still lived in Atlanta, came to visit his brother during the summer of 2006 and asked not to go home. Fearful his brother would end up in foster care again due to their mother’s struggle with drug addiction, McElrathbey let him stay, according to a 2006 AP report.
In action: Camera crews film Disney movie during halftime at Clemson game
There wasn’t a steady love interest as depicted in the movie, he said, though he had plenty of support from people on campus, the surrounding community, his teammates and coaches.
Clemson representatives – effectively Clemson’s money – can’t provide the use of an automobile or transportation for enrolled athletes, according to the 2006-07 NCAA manual.
“The most difficult part about the first few months was, I guess, struggling the line of what I was able to do and what others were able to do, being that I was moving in silence and not necessarily telling a lot of people what I was doing early on,” he said of bringing Fahmarr on campus. “It was just being alone for the most part in my decision, that was the toughest part. Once everyone found out, life became a lot easier but then for a moment it was hard because no one could help.”
McElrathbey was granted an exception from the NCAA that permitted limited amounts of assistance from the community that wouldn’t put his eligibility status at risk.
‘Now it’s all coming together’: Ray Ray McElrathbey on family, Clemson football and film
“Eventually, everyone was allowed to help, and my teammates were always there, they were always guys I could count on and so, even through the tougher times, I had people I could lean on,” he said. “And that was God’s gift, I guess.”
McElrathbey graduated from Clemson in 2008 with an undergraduate degree before transferring to Howard University in Washington, D.C., to earn a communications degree. His football career ended just outside Asheville, N.C., at Mars Hill University in 2010.
Not just another sports movie
Director Reginald Hudlin and producer Mark Ciardi said “Safety” may sound similar in setting to other athletic movies, but this isn’t another feel-good football film. It’s a rich genre, Hudlin said, but “Safety” brings more to the table.
“The trick is, ‘What new do you have to say?’ It’s not about, ‘Oh let’s just do what they did,’” Hudlin said. “Fortunately, we had a true story. It was really valuable to have Ray involved in the entire process.
“Everyone who sees ‘Safety’ goes, ‘I like this movie.’ And yes, it’s part of a tradition, but I think Ray’s story is unique. It has something special to say and that resonates with everyone who sees it no matter who they are or where they’re from.”
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