While growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, a racially torn state in the 1960s, the parents of former Miami Dolphins running back Tony Nathan taught him to never express anger over the injustices blacks experienced during the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Instead, Nathan channeled his frustration into success on the gridiron as a young kid, and in the 1970s, he was one of the top high-school running backs in the nation that earned him the moniker “Touchdown Tony.”
Nathan, 58, said his Woodlawn High School team’s spiritual awakening kept his teammates and head coach Tandy Geralds focused on football amid the racial tension that helped him become an All-American running back at the University of Alabama, where he won a national championship and played in two Super Bowls with the Dolphins.
Nathan’s poignant story will be brought to life on the big screen, as the movie “Woodlawn,” an Erwin Brothers Film, is set to premier across the country on Friday, October 16.
A book written by Tandy Gerald’s son, Todd, entitled “Woodlawn” based on his father’s life as a coach, and Nathan’s book, “Touchdown Tony: Running with a Purpose,” inspired the new movie.
In a interview with The Miami Laker, Nathan said he is nervous but excited about the movie premier.
“I am a little nervous and also happy about the movie,” said Nathan, a longtime Miami Lakes resident.
Nathan said the movie focuses on his childhood based on his new book, subtitled “The Making of a Man and Healing of the City.”
The team’s bond was created through their faith in God and became a source of strength for Nathan during a tumultuous period, while melding the squad into one of the best teams in the country.
Despite the odds, they won the state championship which commenced to bring the city together, as people had something good to root for instead of creating tension that caused a schism in America’s culture.
“The majority of the team became Christians,” Nathan said. “We gave our lives to Christ and it helped ease a lot of tension. We played like a football family instead of people didn’t like you because of the color of your skin.”
In scenes from the movie’s trailer, a young Nathan, played by a young actor, is watching incredulous as buildings, churches and cars are engulfed in flames during the racial crisis, and his No. 22 jersey was set on fire while nailed to a wooden make-shift cross.
Nathan said his parents taught him to rise above hate and love people despite their disturbing actions against blacks.
“The tension was there,” Nathan said. “My parents and my family saw it on TV. My parents taught me to first respect myself and to respect other people and be kind to one another. And that same kindness will come back to you.”
At Woodlawn High, Nathan’s coach took a stand against racism and encouraged his players and the city of Birmingham to unite as Christians to help alleviate the tension and support their football team.
And it worked.
Woodlawn’s winning streaks and state championship were the impetus for repairing the incendiary relationship between blacks and whites, and even prompted change at the University of Alabama.
Crimson Tide legendary coach Bear Bryant recruited Nathan and even paid him a visit at his home, indicating it’s time for a change that more black players played for him.
In four seasons with the Crimson Tide, Nathan rushed for 1,997 yards with 29 touchdowns and a 6.4 yards per carry average.
Nathan said Bryant was a “great” coach who rooted out racism on the team. “He didn’t tolerate it.”
While more than 78,000 fans cheered for Nathan at Legion Field in Tuscaloosa and at the Orange Bowl in Miami, his biggest cheerleader is his wife, Johnnie.
“I thank God for her,” Nathan said. “She had been patient doing all that time. God bless her soul.”
After winning a national title at Alabama, Nathan was drafted by the Miami Dolphins and played in two Super Bowls under Don Shula, the NFL’s all-time winningest coach.
In his nine NFL seasons, all with Miami, Nathan rushed for 3,542 yards, caught 383 receptions for 3,592 yards, and scored 32 touchdowns.
Following his retirement from football, Nathan was the running backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers.
He is currently a court bailiff and was the bailiff for former Dolphins’ teammate and County Court Judge Edward Newman, who retired last year.
Nathan was inducted into the Miami Dolphins’ Ring of Honor last year at Sun Life Stadium.
Nathan said he hopes his former high school, college and Dolphins teammates go see the movie.
“They might come,” he said.