True Story of Freddie Steinmark Brought to Life in Football Drama ‘My All-American’

Sandra Miska

The inspiring true story of a college football player who led his team to victory despite all odds is told in “My All-American.”  This biographical sports drama tells the story of Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock), a college football player who was diagnosed with cancer two days after he led his team, the University of Texas Longhorns, to victory in what is remembered as the “Game of the Century” in 1969.

Although smaller than the average football player, hard work, determination and his father Fred’s (Michael Reilly Burke) training payoff when Freddie catches the eye of Longhorns coach Darrell Royal (Aaron Eckhart). Together with teammates Bobby Mitchell (Rett Terrell) and James Street (Juston Street), he labors to give the underdog Longhorns a championship season. During what should be the best time of his life, Freddie suffers a leg injury that leads to his devastating diagnosis.

The cast also includes Robin Tunney as Freddie’s mother Gloria, and Irish actress Sarah Bolger as his girlfriend Linda Wheeler.

“My All-American” is the directorial debut of Angelo Pizzo, writer of the memorable sports dramas “Hoosiers” and “Rudy.”

“This is a movie that will have an amazing emotional connection to an audience, if we do it right,” Pizzo told USA Today last year during production. “I just couldn’t figure out why this hadn’t been done before.”

Pizzo also said that his friends and colleagues got misty-eyed just from reading his screenplay for “My All-American,” so be advised to come to the theater prepared with a box of with tissues.

“My All-American” may have never been made had it not been for Ben “Bud” Brigham, an energy entrepreneur from Houston who signed on as an executive producer four years ago. The UT alum only had one stipulation – the script has to remain as close to the real story as possible.

“There’s so much texture and richness in this,” Brigham explained to USA Today last year. “This will not be ‘based on a true story’ – this will be a true story. That’s important to us.”

“My All-American” was filmed partially on the UT campus in Austin.

“My All-American” opens nationwide Nov. 13.