Spurrierismyhomeboy
02-08-2006, 03:08 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Tim Frisby's story of a 40-year-old Gulf War veteran who walked on to South Carolina's football team is moving closer to the big screen.
Frisby, nicknamed "Pops" by his much younger teammates, played two seasons with the Gamecocks, one for coach Lou Holtz and the other for Steve Spurrier. A representative for Frisby said Wednesday a deal to option his life story to a producer is in advanced negotiations.
"All we're really waiting on is the paperwork," said Michael Schaffer of International Creative Management, who Frisby signed with last month.
Schaffer couldn't say much more about the pending agreement, although Frisby said it was a with a producer affiliated with Warner Bros.
"It's unbelievable to think it's gotten to this level," Frisby told The Associated Press by phone Wednesday. "Playing for two Hall of Fame coaches, making a major Division I team, I guess it struck a nerve with people.
Because of NCAA rules, Frisby couldn't sign with an agent until after South Carolina's loss to Missouri in the Independence Bowl in December. Frisby said last fall that his second season as a reserve receiver would be his last.
He's not sure how much he'd make in the movie deal. But he's seen documents where it could "be six or seven figures," said Frisby, who has six children. "We have to wait and see."
For now, Frisby will continue working on his broadcast journalism degree, which he expects to finish by spring 2007.
He hasn't been to Hollywood, yet. But he's been briefed that once a writer is assigned the story, Frisby may have to go West for meetings and consultations.
There's certainly a rich tale to tell.
He served with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne and took part in Desert Storm and the conflict in Kosovo. Two years ago, Frisby was stationed at Fort Jackson near South Carolina's campus and thought, even at 39, he still had the football skills he last used more than 20 years before as a high school player in Allentown, Pa.
So he approached South Carolina coaches and took part in offseason workouts. He was invited back by Holtz before the 2004 season, although he played sparingly as a receiver and on special teams.
Frisby became one of the more heartwarming stories in college football. Along with profiles by ESPN and CBS Sports, Frisby traded jokes with late night giants Jay Leno and David Letterman.
In 2005, Frisby stayed with the team after Holtz retired and was replaced by Spurrier. The Gamecocks' head ball coach helped Frisby fulfill a lifelong dream and catch a pass in a win over Troy.
"It would've been great to make some more catches, but I understood my place in the program. It didn't disappoint me," Frisby said.
Conversely, Frisby says he didn't play football to land a movie contract. "I knew what I set off to accomplish," he said. "I'm happy with my time."
Schaffer, Frisby's representative, says it could take a number of years before the movie makes theaters. But the story's appeal isn't as much about Frisby's playing days at South Carolina but what made him want to take on the challenge of making the Gamecocks.
"The football part is almost secondary," Schaffer said. "It's more about a family man who decided to follow his dreams after serving his country. There's so much drive in him."
Frisby doesn't appear overwhelmed by the attention. Without winter football workouts at Williams-Brice Stadium or military drills, he says he spends more time with his family and his studies. Still, "you miss getting out there with your teammates," said Frisby, who'll turn 41 Monday. "It's a little shock to your system."
Rarely a day goes by without someone joking about who'll play Holtz or Spurrier in the movie, Frisby says. As for himself on screen? "I don't know, maybe Will Smith or Cuba Gooding Junior," Frisby said, laughing.
Cant wait hopefully they'll use Williams-Brice like they did in "The Program", I would be shocked if Terrence Murphy didnt play Tim Frisby. James Caan would make a good Steve Spurrier, and maybe we can get Granny Clampett to play Lou Holtz(If I didnt tell that joke somebody would have!!! :D )
Frisby, nicknamed "Pops" by his much younger teammates, played two seasons with the Gamecocks, one for coach Lou Holtz and the other for Steve Spurrier. A representative for Frisby said Wednesday a deal to option his life story to a producer is in advanced negotiations.
"All we're really waiting on is the paperwork," said Michael Schaffer of International Creative Management, who Frisby signed with last month.
Schaffer couldn't say much more about the pending agreement, although Frisby said it was a with a producer affiliated with Warner Bros.
"It's unbelievable to think it's gotten to this level," Frisby told The Associated Press by phone Wednesday. "Playing for two Hall of Fame coaches, making a major Division I team, I guess it struck a nerve with people.
Because of NCAA rules, Frisby couldn't sign with an agent until after South Carolina's loss to Missouri in the Independence Bowl in December. Frisby said last fall that his second season as a reserve receiver would be his last.
He's not sure how much he'd make in the movie deal. But he's seen documents where it could "be six or seven figures," said Frisby, who has six children. "We have to wait and see."
For now, Frisby will continue working on his broadcast journalism degree, which he expects to finish by spring 2007.
He hasn't been to Hollywood, yet. But he's been briefed that once a writer is assigned the story, Frisby may have to go West for meetings and consultations.
There's certainly a rich tale to tell.
He served with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne and took part in Desert Storm and the conflict in Kosovo. Two years ago, Frisby was stationed at Fort Jackson near South Carolina's campus and thought, even at 39, he still had the football skills he last used more than 20 years before as a high school player in Allentown, Pa.
So he approached South Carolina coaches and took part in offseason workouts. He was invited back by Holtz before the 2004 season, although he played sparingly as a receiver and on special teams.
Frisby became one of the more heartwarming stories in college football. Along with profiles by ESPN and CBS Sports, Frisby traded jokes with late night giants Jay Leno and David Letterman.
In 2005, Frisby stayed with the team after Holtz retired and was replaced by Spurrier. The Gamecocks' head ball coach helped Frisby fulfill a lifelong dream and catch a pass in a win over Troy.
"It would've been great to make some more catches, but I understood my place in the program. It didn't disappoint me," Frisby said.
Conversely, Frisby says he didn't play football to land a movie contract. "I knew what I set off to accomplish," he said. "I'm happy with my time."
Schaffer, Frisby's representative, says it could take a number of years before the movie makes theaters. But the story's appeal isn't as much about Frisby's playing days at South Carolina but what made him want to take on the challenge of making the Gamecocks.
"The football part is almost secondary," Schaffer said. "It's more about a family man who decided to follow his dreams after serving his country. There's so much drive in him."
Frisby doesn't appear overwhelmed by the attention. Without winter football workouts at Williams-Brice Stadium or military drills, he says he spends more time with his family and his studies. Still, "you miss getting out there with your teammates," said Frisby, who'll turn 41 Monday. "It's a little shock to your system."
Rarely a day goes by without someone joking about who'll play Holtz or Spurrier in the movie, Frisby says. As for himself on screen? "I don't know, maybe Will Smith or Cuba Gooding Junior," Frisby said, laughing.
Cant wait hopefully they'll use Williams-Brice like they did in "The Program", I would be shocked if Terrence Murphy didnt play Tim Frisby. James Caan would make a good Steve Spurrier, and maybe we can get Granny Clampett to play Lou Holtz(If I didnt tell that joke somebody would have!!! :D )