Interview:
Jeremy Sadowski,
director,
"Breaking Down Barriers:
The C.R. Roberts Story"
Director Jeremy Sadowski’s documentary Breaking Down Barriers: The C.R. Roberts Story chronicles the collision between the standout University of South California running back and Texas’ Jim Crow laws in advance of and during USC’s 1956 football game against the University of Texas in Austin. USC’s coaching staff and football players stood united with Roberts and the other African-American members of the team by demanding to stay at the same hotel in Austin. Despite facing a hostile home crowd at Texas Memorial Stadium, Roberts led the Trojans to a 44-20 win over the Longhorns. In the stands to witness USC’s win were some of the first African-American students to attend UT, which began desegregating that fall. The game also marked the first time African-American spectators to attend the stadium. After scoring his civil rights victory in Texas, Roberts would eventually turn professional and play for the San Francisco 49ers. Breaking Down Barriers: The C.R. Roberts Story will screen 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Austin Convention Center during the Capital City Black Film Festival with director Jeremy Sadowski (left, pictured with C.R. Roberts) in attendance. The screening is in advance of the Trojans-Longhorns football game on Sept. 15 at the Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium. A sports videographer and an alumnus of USC, Jeremy Sadowski has covered high school, college and professional sports for more than 15 years.
Aired: Aug. 23, 2016 Web sites: http://www.capcitybff.com/ https://www.facebook.com/C.R.Roberts1956/ |
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