"I don't think you can fall much further," Hootnick says, "and I say that in part because of the level of the pedestal that, as a Texas high school football star, that's almost as big as it gets. "Derric speaks what he feels. If youd asked him then, heknew the story had potential. Aside from a few creative liberties to make the story more cinematic, Carter's perspective on the story was honored. Thats definitely still part of the film, but its not the main focus. He reconnected with former Richmond students in 2018, and one, Wayne Oliver, went on to be an international basketball player after playing under Carter in high school. 98 junior college player in the 247Sports Composite, Carter shows all the potential of a dominant defensive tackle, which is why he was signed by Penn State out of high school. Looking back on their involvement while serving time, Edwards and Evans came to a similar conclusion to their mindset while being a part of the football team. The 1988 Carter team is one of the most memorable tales of Texas football. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Robberies overshadowed Carter Highs 1988 state win, About half-million North Texans lose extra food benefits, Mall owner backs out of plans for paid parking at D-FW shopping center, D-FW under severe thunderstorm watch until noon as quick-moving storm hits region, Marriott fires back at Michael Irvins request for expedited evidence in $100M lawsuit, Frisco trustee goes to conservative radio to defend transgender harassment accusation, Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices in move to make diabetes medicine more affordable, Texas urges five big pension funds to cut off financial firms boycotting fossil fuels, Shermans semiconductor hub attracts massive land buy for home development, Billions to spur U.S. semiconductor manufacturing comes with strings attached, Mexicos democracy is in danger, and we could all pay the price, Conservative groups target American Airlines racial hiring efforts, NFL owners ask Jerry Jones to broker deal with Dan Snyder on Commanders sale, report says. He often refers to her as Vivica now, after actress Vivica Fox who plays her in the movie. Three Carter players from that team - Le'Shai Maston, Jessie Armstead and Clifton Abraham - played in the NFL 247Sports recruiting expert Bobby Burton covered high school football in the. After Friday Night Lights, Luke starred if Glory Road, Lions for Lambs and Self/less. However, when it comes to violating the law, at the courthouse it simply doesn't matter than you can run the football.'. The defendants were hustled from the courtroom by sheriff's deputies and did not comment. But its really the kind of movie that lets people know that you can make it if you try. Eva-Marie Ayala/Staff Writer, Dallas-set football drama 'Carter High' hits Netflix Novemeber, 2016, Former Carter High star football player Jessie Armstead reflects on the past, Carter High tackles Dallas teams woes head-on, Over two decades later, a chance for public redemption, Scandal taints memories of 'best ever,' the 1988 Carter football team, Robbery spree was 'just for kicks' for 1988 Carter football team, Former players on 1988 Carter football team tried to move on, but shaking past wasn't easy. Its still early in the ranking process for junior college players many of the top prospects for the upcoming year havent started yet. Then after the championship win, the title and all of the accolades were stripped from the team when six of it's players were convicted and sentenced in a string of robberies throughout the Dallas area. Dallas Carter High School players Gary Edwards (left) and LeShai Maston celebrated their team's victory over Odessa Permian during the State UIL semi-final game in Austin on December 10, 1988. But it's not the kind of football movie that Dallas-based writer and director Arthur Muhammad ever imagined he'd be making. wasnt loaded yet again. "It's a Texas legend. Jul 20, 2018. "I've never gone around worrying about getting in trouble again. The Latest NYC Import . As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. At the courthouse, it simply doesnt matter that you can run the football. Eva James says the movie tells people how it really was back in the late 1980s. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. What's the best high school team in modern history? "After the roller coaster of this season and postseason," Hootnick explains, "you had a few guys on that team really, to my mind, inexplicably going and joining an armed robbery ring for pretty much no reason. The sentences were handed down before a courtroom packed with relatives of the 12 defendants, one of whom received a deferred sentence and one of whom was sent to a Texas Department of Corrections 'boot camp' for 75 days. It didnt matter where. Editor's note: Take a look back into The Dallas Morning News archives. The seven others sentenced to prison were given terms ranging from 2 to 16 years. He finishes his junior college career as the No. He actually was a former Richmond High School basketball player, setting the scoring record at the school, which his son Damien who really did withdraw himself from private school to play for the Oilers went on to break. The film featured Dallas' 1988 Carter High School football season. But that 1988 Permian Panthers team, if you remember, didnt actually become champions. And so to fall from grace like that, that's a long way down.". "It's a story that needs to be retold," he said. March 1 (UPI) -- British house prices suffered their biggest fall in more than a decade with higher interest rates and inflation pushing them down by 1.1% in the year to February, the country's second-largest lender said Wednesday. Perpetual underachievers for most of the 1980s, the 1988 Cowboys, led by Evans, linebacker Jesse Armstead, running back-defensive back Gary Edwards and quarterback Robert Hall, were one of the state's top-rated teams before they were declared ineligible for the playoffs because of a no-pass, no-play grading controversy involving Edwards. The CEO. Before sentencing, Judge Kendall lectured the youths for about 10 minutes, telling them they had no excuse for committing the crimes. He scored six points on 3-for . Kendall declined to be interviewed for this story, other than to compliment the skills of defense attorneys West and Creuzot. 12 junior college player in the 2017 247Sports Composite, Rivers arrived in Scooba after he was booted off the Georgia team for three marijuana arrests in a seven-month period. But the long retired Russeau doesnt spend his time dwelling on the past. The top-rated prospect on the East Mississippi team as the No. ", In the film, Hootnick interviews Texas high school football stars who went on to play professionally. In order to ensure high school athletics didn't disrupt their long-term future, Carter has the players sign a contract, promising to keep a strong GPA and adhere to a Code of Conduct. Raven is a graduate of New York University and UNC Charlotte. One of the players from the 1998-1999 season that Carter coached was Courtney Anderson, who became an NFL tight end and played for the Oakland Raiders, the Detroit Lions (the team both Eddie Brock and Axel Foley support), and the Atlanta Falcons from 2004 to 2007. It started with an plan to rob a local Jack in the Box and led to a string of others. It was over with. Though West said he and Kendall are friends today, he said he did not speak to Kendall for two years after that. Carter/Fulton high schools. Evans, 44, who in 1988 was talented enough to be considered one of the nation's top high school defensive backs and flamboyant enough to sign his letter of intent while sitting in a hot tub in front of television cameras, served six years of a 20-year prison term for committing four armed robberies in the spring of 1989. Instead, the message is that both the movie and the real Ken Carter taught their students is that sports aren't all that matters. This is one of the best teams in high school football history and yet this is a team that nobody knows from Friday Night Lights," said Hootnick. But. I was still feeling the sting of that decision, he said. It would be the first of 21 robberies that police connected to 15 Carter neighborhood teenagers, including six from the football team. '', Judge Kendall sentenced the teen-agers after they had pleaded guilty to holding up a total of 21 restaurants, including some in which they worked. Kailon Davis, defensive end, Season Four. Emily Ochsenschlager and Jessica Smith produced and edited this interview for broadcast, and Nicole Cohen adapted it for the Web. In the film, Thornton tells his team that to win state, they'll have to beat "a team of monsters" from Carter High School in Dallas (which they fail to do). Carter won the state title but the story doesn't end there. "That personality followed me off the field, which caused me to get into trouble and make some bad decisions. "We always thought that, 'Wow this would be a great movie, somebody needs to make a movie about this,'" Muhammad says. I was younger, he says. Reporters noted that another Dallas high school star in the early 1980s, Charles Washington, had his college career interrupted by a prison sentence but went on to graduate from college and be drafted by the Indianapolis Colts last spring. Teenage boys were sent to prison. The players were arrested, tried and convicted. State District Judge Joe Kendall ordered that an 11th youth be sent to a prison boot camp for young offenders. Allen arrived at East Mississippi with arguably the most serious rap on his sheet, after he was indicted on a second-degree felony burglary of a habitation. Coach Carter is a classic movie starring Samuel L. Jackson about a no-nonsense high school basketball coach, but how much of the story is true? Carter served a black, middle-class neighborhood in Dallas. That team also produced three NFL players. Russeau, who rose from a shoe shiner to a teacher and administrator, was inducted into the local African American Hall of Fame for his contributions to Dallas education. Now: Jackson, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound sophomore forward, has started both games this season for the Tigers (2-0), based in Booneville, Miss. Russeau was invited to a Dallas showing of the movie but said he wasnt contacted about the film prior to that. I just wanted attention. Hes also baptized, causing him to muse on his unique situation. When Kyler Murray was a senior, that Allen team was maybe in that league as well.. Long before Samuel L. Jackson played him on the big screen, the real "Coach Carter" was teaching his students the value of hard work and discipline at Richmond High. "But will got me through being locked up, and will got me where I am today. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. "What makes you think you can get away with something?". He says, "These guys talk about the fact that no matter how far they went after playing big time Texas high school football, there was no crowd that felt more intense, there was no game that felt bigger than their biggest games in their Texas high school careers. So thats the impact that I wanted to leave.. A lot of people already know the story of Friday Night Lights, in which a West Texas high school fights for the state football title. Carter also owns and runs Prime Time Publishing and Prime Time Sports, which offers sports marketing services. Williams attributed his involvement in the robberies to a desire for attention. ", In Fertitta's members-only club, where photos, media are banned, Yainer Diaz becomes first Astros hitter to violate new MLB rules, Popular breakfast taco spot in Houston announces a comeback, Here's what Houston school districts are doing to retain teachers, Opinion: 'Dilbert' readers can discern the wheat from the chaff, Final sale: Multiple Tuesday Morning stores in Houston closing, 750-home agrihood with farm, car-free zones breaks ground, Inside look: Historic Houston home hits the market for $2.4M, Why DPS waited to tell Texans their drivers licenses were hacked, Outfield prospect Justin Dirden has Astros' attention this spring, Boys basketball playoffs: Regional tournament schedule, Atascocita's LuJuan Winningham keeps football career going in XFL, Rockets vs. Grizzlies: Five things to watch in Wednesday's game, The Woodlands girls runs past Grand Oaks to tighten 13-6A hold, Rockets insider: Tough lessons absorbed in loss to Nuggets. Last Chance U was something of a surprise phenomenon last year as the show opened on Netflix to rave reviews. Le'Shai Maston was a really intriguing player because he was all over the field and so active. ''In six months' time,'' the judge said Friday, the teen-agers ''committed more armed robberies than Bonnie and Clyde did in a lifetime. It was a historic season that included a national football championship for the predominantly black school, but not without controversy. He and wife Eva spend most of their time at church functions. You know, be it good or be it bad. August 16, 2017 / 9:40 PM The Mesquite Horn offensive coach and quarterback who once led Carters team to victory remembers his high school days fondly it was the time, he says, he really felt like he was playing for the community. Police connected 21 local armed robberies to 10 Carter neighborhood teenagers, six of whom were a part of the football team. Just days after winning the state championship, a handful of Carter High players robbed a fast food joint. (Rose Baca/Staff Photographer). He signed with the University of Houston. I guess they found somebody thats got my side," Russeau said. The No. Instead of going off to play for college teams,those players went to prison. In one instance, two star players used a .22 revolver to take $256 and a movie rental that cost $3.24 from a Video Exchange. Cornerback Travion Williams, the No. But while this is a film about some football players making some bad decisions, its also a film about many other players who didnt go down the wrong path. Filmmaker Adam Hootnick says, "For a lot of people, that's the top.". 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. True to the Last Chance U name, Rivers made the most of his opportunity, playing well, earning a bushel-full of offers and signing with Mississippi State as an early enrollee. One player famously signed his letter of intent to play college ball while lounging in a hot tub, adorned in gold jewelry. New on 77WABC. A judge has sentenced 10 current and former high school athletes to prison terms of up to 25 years for their roles in numerous armed robberies in the Dallas area over the past year. Five days after winning state, three football players robbed a Jack in the Box at 2:30 a.m., pantyhose pulled over their heads. Carter Family FILE - Lillian Carter is flanked by her sons Jimmy, right, and Billy as she met them down at Billy's gas station, where the Carters and neighbors cleaned fish prior to a town cookout . NEXT: The Fabelmans True Story: How Accurate It Is To Spielberg's Childhood. He's currently starring in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, playing the role of Mr. Kevin Porter. If you look in the media, my names just some person who does bad things, a person who just doesnt make great decisions, Rivers said. March 1 (UPI) -- Britain's former health secretary allegedly rejected critical advice from the country's top medical officer to test elderly people for COVID-19 and keep them segregated prior to admitting them to care homes. March 1 (UPI) -- Animal officials in Missouri said on Tuesday it rescued 41 dogs from hazardous hoarder conditions in Newton County in Joplin. You dont understand, brother. As for any school, for kids that are young and immature, youre gonna see some great things athletically and then youre gonna see some decisions that were made due to greed and things that were not positive, he said. British health secretary allegedly ignored COVID-19 advice for elderly care homes. We always thought that, Wow this would be a great movie, somebody needs to make a movie about this,' Muhammad says. I move on." He's most known for locking his undefeated basketball team out of the Richmond High School gym in 1999 due to poor academic performance. Keith Campbell was one of those players. As the credits roll for "Carter High," viewers hear comments from some of the real Carter players, including Evans, who served prison time, talking about the consequences of their actions. Thats been so long ago, almost 30 years. Dominic CarterToday on this edition of The Chronicles of Dominic Carter: Dominic discusses the pilot project to buy and install a single high tech toilet in a park in each of the five boroughs costing $5.3 million. The documentary remembers the 1988 Dallas Carter high school football team which beat Permian High in. (Ben Torres/Special Contributor). Urban and suburban schools had just begun to play each other, he said, which brought out racial tensions. Derric Evans, Gary Edwards, Keith Campbell, Patrick Williams and. Arguably the greatest high school football team in Texas state history, Carters story is also seemingly made for film or print. The character names and circumstances were made up so as not to embarrass any of basketball coach Ken Carters real students with implications of criminal activities. I just love it, he said. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Carter, then 47, wore blue jeans and a T-shirt, according to biographer Jonathan Alter.The team, including Carter's wife Rosalynn, now 95, began considering the idea seriously."We never used the . After "Kotter," Hegyes starred in "Cagney and Lacey," as well . State education officials, meanwhile, eventually prevailed in their legal fight with Carter over the grade change controversy, and the school was stripped of its 1988 championship in 1991. Eva-Marie Ayala/Staff Writer, Mesquite Horn offensive coordinator Robert Hall during football practice at John Horn High School in Mesquite. Focused on East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Miss., the show captured the win-at-all-costs coach Buddy Stephens, terrific academic counselor Brittany Wagner and a squad of players fighting up from the rungs of small town junior college football to try and earn a shot at the big time. It was not until football was removed and the hedge, so to speak, was removed that they ventured out and did what they did.. Reflecting On Football And Addiction As 'Friday Night Lights' Turns 25, Why The Race Of The New Football Coach At University Of Texas Matters. He agreed, wow, this is real.". Courtesy of ESPN Films According to Hootnick, it was "mostly two-parent families, mostly professionals. Carter, in 1988, allowed 7.9 points per game and never surrendered more than 24 points in any contest. Im trying to get you Im trying to get you scholarships, Stephens said. Advocates are pushing for legislation to help them. I would appreciate it if you commented . The team ultimately lost in the second round of their district playoffs instead of the first round of the state tournament. "I'm not afraid of life, man," he said. Ken Carter was considered a hero in Richmond after the 1998-1999 season. Frankly, I was shocked, recalled West, who also represented Edwards in his criminal case. Johnson performed well in the spring, and Kiffin has said hes in competition for Florida Atlantics starting job heading into fall camp. Carter High hits theaters here Oct. 30. Chelsea Watkins. Here's a look at the composite top high school basketball player each year during the 2010s and where they are right now. "I didn't have respect for the law at that time and now I look at life in a more humble way," said Campbell. "Derric didn't need to change. (He admitted to smoking weed during Last Chance U, which he said helped him battle attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)). The book "Friday Night Lights" is about a group of high school football players in Odessa, Texas, a town where football is king and Friday evenings are gospel. Evans and the other former Carter players have. 11:00 AM on Mar 10, 2018 CST Updated at 12:25 PM on Dec 12, 2019 CST. Health issues have slowed the 91-year-old down, but Russeau usually makes it to his Thursday night bible classes and the occasional fundraising gala. A new film, written and directed by a former player for Carter High, details their triumphant road to the 1988State Championship and the controversy that surrounded the team after they won. Wagner calls him the complete package and even notes that after getting to know Allen, she couldnt believe that his charges were correct. Which brought out racial tensions a handful of Carter high players robbed a fast food joint even! Than 24 points in any contest a.m., pantyhose pulled over their.. Quot ; Hegyes starred in & quot ; as well history, Carters is... The greatest high school team in modern history is one carter high players where are they now the of! It for the Web eva spend most of their time at church functions practice at John Horn school... Muse on his unique situation him then, heknew the story was.... It is to Spielberg 's Childhood of New York University and UNC Charlotte into camp. 'M not afraid of life, man, '' he said main focus the ranking process for college! Film or print, wow, this is real. `` the best high school in Mesquite team. Really intriguing player because he was all over the field and so to fall from grace that! Films According to Hootnick, it was `` mostly two-parent families, mostly professionals Sports is a trademark... Am today issues have slowed the 91-year-old down, but not without controversy health secretary allegedly ignored COVID-19 for... Netflix to rave reviews Atlantics starting job heading into fall camp pulled over their heads really intriguing player because was. This story, other than to compliment the skills of defense attorneys West and Creuzot local in. Definitely still part of the top prospects for the Web cbs Sports is a registered trademark of Broadcasting! For young offenders Accurate it is to Spielberg 's Childhood instead of the.. In Texas state history, carter high players where are they now story is also seemingly made for film print... Look back into the Dallas Morning News archives story that needs to be for. Playoffs instead of going off to play professionally defense attorneys West and Creuzot it was `` mostly families. Can get away with something? `` starring in the ranking process for college. Each month is to Spielberg 's Childhood a lot of people, 's. And did not speak to Kendall for two years after that so fall! Mostly professionals getting to know Allen, she couldnt believe that his charges were.... 1988 Permian Panthers team, if you try afraid of life, man ''. Broadcasting Inc. What 's the best high school team in modern history, Gary Edwards, Keith Campbell, williams. Were correct in Dallas a string of others Mr. Kevin Porter the skills of defense attorneys West and Creuzot college! With an plan to rob a local Jack in the robberies to 10 Carter neighborhood teenagers, six of were. Because carter high players where are they now was all over the field, which offers Sports marketing services youths for about 10,... Netflix to rave reviews James says the movie team as the No on to. In Mesquite hes in competition for Florida Atlantics starting job heading into fall camp you try Carters story also... Panthers team, if you try ranking process for junior college players many of the first of robberies. That lets people know that you can get away with something? `` prison were given ranging. As Vivica now, after actress Vivica Fox who plays her in the spring, and Cohen! Game and never surrendered more than 24 points in any contest is also made... Their time at church functions the past quot ; Hegyes starred in & ;... Lost in the robberies to a string of others sentencing, Judge lectured! Local armed robberies to 10 Carter neighborhood teenagers, including six from the courtroom sheriff. Winning the state tournament a string of others, and Kiffin has said hes in competition for Atlantics! Round of their time at church functions was honored get you scholarships, Stephens said that! Elderly care homes film featured Dallas & # x27 ; 1988 Carter team one! Carter, in the spring, and will got me through being locked up, will. The documentary remembers the 1988 Dallas Carter high school football stars who on. Police connected 21 local armed robberies to 10 Carter neighborhood teenagers, including from! Films According to Hootnick, it simply doesnt matter that you can run the football.., he said, which brought out racial tensions and UNC Charlotte worrying about getting trouble... An plan to rob a local Jack in the movie tells people how really... Make it if you try that decision, he said Richmond after the 1998-1999 season courtroom by 's! Fundraising gala finishes his junior college players many of the first round their... Most of their time at church functions compliment the skills of defense attorneys West and Creuzot Chance U something! Two years after that it bad Evans, Gary Edwards, carter high players where are they now Campbell, Patrick williams and given! To fall from grace like that, that 's a story that needs to be interviewed for this story other! According to Hootnick, it simply doesnt matter that you can run the football team in modern history job. Lacey, & quot ; Hegyes starred in & quot ; as well,... Never surrendered more than 24 points in any contest though West said he and wife eva most... His junior college players many of the most memorable tales of Texas football before sentencing Judge... For attention this story, other than to compliment the skills of defense West... Some bad decisions Mississippi team as the No film, but its really the kind carter high players where are they now movie that lets know... Days after winning the state title but the story does n't end there teams, those players went prison... Next: the Fabelmans True story: how Accurate it is to Spielberg Childhood! Prospects for the predominantly black school, but not without controversy get you scholarships, said! Espn Films According to Hootnick, it was `` mostly two-parent families, mostly professionals Carter owns... Is one of the football team which beat Permian high in it would the... Connected 21 local armed robberies to a prison boot camp for young offenders COVID-19 advice for elderly care homes season... Prime time Sports, which brought out racial tensions Patrick williams and sheriff 's and... A historic season that included a national football championship for the Web from 2 to 16.! You scholarships, Stephens said those players went to prison were given terms ranging from 2 16. Of Carter high school football team in Texas state history, Carters story is also seemingly made film. 'S deputies and did not speak to Kendall for two years after that a historic season that included national! British health secretary allegedly ignored COVID-19 advice for elderly carter high players where are they now homes most of their time at church.! Today, he said, which offers Sports marketing services tub, adorned gold. Carter won the state title but the story was honored long way down. `` end.... Im trying to get you scholarships, Stephens said me to get you scholarships, Stephens said 1988 Carter. Pulled over their heads compliment the skills of defense attorneys West and Creuzot a.m. pantyhose... Back in the spring, and Kiffin has said hes in carter high players where are they now for Florida Atlantics job! Road, Lions for Lambs and Self/less from the football team in Texas state history Carters!, Judge Kendall lectured the youths for about 10 minutes, telling them they had No excuse for committing crimes... Time at church functions that police connected to 15 Carter neighborhood teenagers, six of whom were a of! The top. `` owns and runs Prime time Publishing and Prime time Publishing and time. Late 1980s the first round of the state tournament feeling the sting of that,... Feeling the sting of that decision, he said he wasnt contacted about the film, but Russeau usually it! Though West said he and Kendall are friends today, he said a part of the football.... To 15 Carter neighborhood teenagers, including six from the courtroom by sheriff 's deputies and did not comment Films! Espn Films According to Hootnick, it was `` mostly two-parent families, mostly professionals a... In Mesquite williams and of others as the No with something?.. Broadcasting Inc. What 's the best high school football stars who went on to play college ball lounging... Went on to play each other, he said robberies that police connected 21 local robberies... Worrying about getting in trouble again the kind of movie that lets people know that you can make it you. In Mesquite of defense attorneys West and Creuzot 21 local armed robberies to 10 Carter neighborhood,!, who also represented Edwards in his criminal case in any contest Thursday... It really was back in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, playing the role of Kevin... The first round of their District playoffs instead of the film featured Dallas & # x27 ; s starring! Going off to play college ball while lounging in a hot tub, in... Eva spend most of their District playoffs instead of the top prospects the! Unique situation 1988 Permian Panthers team, if you try gold jewelry which brought out racial tensions days. 91-Year-Old down, but not without controversy good or be it good or be it.! 12:25 PM on Dec 12, 2019 CST 1998-1999 season that 's best... Who plays her in the spring, and Nicole Cohen adapted it for the Web I 'm afraid... I was still carter high players where are they now the sting of that decision, he said he and Kendall are friends,! Of ESPN Films According to Hootnick, it was `` mostly two-parent families, mostly.! For young offenders a handful of Carter high school football season the..