My All American and the True Meaning of Hero

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles” – Christopher Reeves

What is it that separates the great from the ordinary? It is something we all ponder at one point in our lives as we strive for something seemingly beyond our reach. That fire deep within each of us is what fuels greatness, but it must be stoked to reach those unobtainable goals. That means pain, hard work, struggle, and a lot of trial and error. Many of us can’t stomach that kind of exhausting work and the humbling failures. However, that is exactly what makes a hero. They find a way to push through every obstacle, refusing to quit.  

My All American captures the true story of a remarkable young man that rises above the odds to pursue his dreams. Freddie Steinmark is a football player growing up in Colorado in the sixties, and his only dream is to become a professional football player. His large family has instilled in him a strong sense of faith as well as an incredible drive, and Freddie gives it his all in everything in his life. Freddie’s “never give up” attitude makes him a star on his football team and his genuine kindness makes him the most popular kid in school. 

This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and My All American blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.

When it comes time to be recruited for college football, Freddie finds himself struggling to capture the attention of major universities. His small stature deters many recruiters, but when a coach from the University of Texas sees film of Freddie playing, he gives Freddie a chance. Coach Darrell Royal sees the remarkable motivation in the young man and becomes his number one advocate. Upon entering the University of Texas, Freddie is as determined as ever. He devotes himself to be the best he can be both on and off the field. Freddie’s motivation is never selfish, and even as he exhausts himself trying to succeed, he always tries to carry others forward with him. 

During senior year, Freddie leads his football team to a championship, but a new obstacle arises that will change him forever. For the first time in his life, Freddie falters in the face of adversity, and he must find himself once again, even if it means redefining the person he has always been. Freddie embodies the true essence of a hero and showcases the resilience of the human spirit.

In theaters nationwide on November 13th, My All American was written by Angelo Pizzo, the writer of Rudy and Hoosiers. It is a film that promotes a deep sense of self reflection and the true meaning of the word hero. Most of us want to leave behind some kind of legacy that will encompass the good within ourselves. We want to show the world our true selves full of inspiration and perseverance, but it is easy to fall short of our goals. Our lives are an array of responsibilities and commitments. We make compromises and lose sight of the large picture as we focus on the day to day. Then, stories like Freddie Steinmark remind us that greatness is a never ending road. There are no shortcuts, there is no stopping. To be heroes we must shed the unnecessary, we must give all of our time and energy to only the important things in life, purging all distractions. Most importantly, every obstacle must be a lesson teaching us to be better and stronger.

My All American is a movie to share with the family. It is a reminder of the glory of the original American Dream. It revives the passion our nation once had for hard work and resilience. Above all, it reminds audiences that the true heroes of the world are not born into greatness nor do they stumble into it with dumb luck. Our heroes of the world make sacrifices, endure pain and devote their entire beings to a higher purpose. It is a path few of us can follow, but those that dare to dream may just make it.

[infobox]You can enter for a chance to win a trip to the Hollywood Premiere of My All American in November. Visit My All American Nominee and nominate your own #MyAllAmerican hero that embodies the goodness of Freddie Steinmark.[/infobox]

I nominate Kathrine Switzer as my All American. She was the first woman to officially enter the Boston Marathon which had been an all male event for 70 years. As a marathon runner, women like Kathrine Switzer have paved the way for me. My running is a passion, a discipline, an addiction that has taught me about my own strength more so than anything else in my life. If it weren’t for women like Kathrine, I may not have had the same opportunities. Kathrine entered the Boston Marathon in 1967, using her initials K.V. as not to draw attention to the fact that she was a woman. On race day, many seemed to welcome her as she started, but four miles in, the race manager drove up and jumped from the press truck. He lunged at Kathrine as she tried to keep racing. He tried to tear her race numbers off while screaming obscenities and telling her to get out of his race. Her boyfriend managed to push the man away from her, and she found the resolve to keep going. She ran all 26.2 miles with bloody feet and all. It is women like her that have helped bring females to a level playing field giving me the chance to pursue my own goals.

Head to theaters November 13th to see My All American and be inspired to follow your own dreams.

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This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and My All American blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.