Jim Caviezel has put down his CIA badge and embarked on a new journey with his role as Coach Bob Ladouceur in the major motion picture When the Game Stands Tall. The movie focuses on Coach Ladouceur and the De La Salle High School’s 151 winning game streak – which is the longest sports winning streak in history.
“I knew about the streak and was very familiar with it. But I wasn’t as familiar with Ladouceur both as a person and a coach. I knew that he had to be something special to be able to pull something like that off,” said Caviezel who plays Coach Ladouceur in the film.
Unlike other football films like Remember the Titans and Friday Night Lights, this sports film is not centered on winning. “It’s not a typical movie where the movie ends with a second shot,” said Caviezel. Coach Ladouceur focuses on the individual and embodiment of a team. The members of the team genuinely love each other and their Coach implements love as a building block.
“The goal at the end of the day is winning at any sport. Winning is fun but he’s not focused on that and he’s focused on their character. He mentioned that the reason they do win is because of their brotherhood and the love that they have. They win because they love each other and they’re not afraid to say it,” said Caviezel.
“He demands these boys to be men. Their victory is that they become great husbands and great leaders in their communities - people that you can depend on.”
Coach Ladouceur has coached football greats like Maurice Jones-Drew and Amani Toomer. His coaching style is recognized both on and off the field. “Winning 151 games you can see that the guy is doing something different and the question is why isn’t anyone else doing it,” said Caviezel.
Not only has Coach Ladouceur touched hundreds of lives with his teachings but now he can touch others, who may not have otherwise heard of him, through the film The Game Stands Tall.
“Egos are a big thing, people cherish them too much and for the good of the team people aren’t willing to make their sacrifice. And you see it a lot and you see that a lot in society. So when you see a guy like this and he could have made millions, it’s amazing. He wanted to build these kids from the school and he became that force that they needed.”
The Game Stands Tall hits theaters nationwide on August 22, 2014.