A native Memphian is behind a new film about the first fully-integrated college football team in the U.S.
TV and film trade publication Deadline reports that Ben Cory Jones’ “Black Spartans” is set to go into production this fall in Atlanta. Jones serves as both co-writer and director.
The film’s inspiration is the Michigan State University’s Spartans, while coached by Duffy Daugherty in the 1960s. Daughtery led the team to national titles in 1965 and 1966.
Michigan State became the first majority-Black team to win a title at a predominantly white institution, according to Fox Sports.
Daughtery recruited Black players from the South.
Jones announced news of the film on Instagram this week by posting a glimpse of the script’s title page.
The Morehouse College alumnus and former Wall Street speechwriter and communications executive served as a writer and producer on Issa Rae’s acclaimed HBO TV series “Insecure.”
Jones also served as co-creator and showrunner of “Boomerang” on BET and writer on WGN’s “Underground” TV series, among other roles.
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