The newest ESPN “30 for 30” airs tonight (December 8, 8 C.T. on ESPN) after the Heisman Trophy announcement and features a winner of the Heisman – one Bo Jackson. Bo’s story is one that always has sports fans saying…what if? What if his football injury had not happened?
While the injury was devastating, the film has a lot of humor as it traces Bo’s story from Bessemer, Alabama to the current day. We’ll leave most of the details a surprise and just say that this is a MUST SEE for any Royals fan (or sports fan or…anyone, for that matter).
You’ll see interview clips with: George Brett, Mark Gubicza, Royals beat writer Dick Kaegel, Royals Hall of Fame Director Curt Nelson and Royals Senior Advisor Art Stewart.
Below are details on my perspective as to how the “30 for 30” unfolded.
In May, I received a call from Kelsey Field, associate producer of “You Don’t Know Bo” for Radical Media. I helped her with background information and photos. She wanted to get in contact with people who knew Bo during his time in Kansas City. Jackson signed with the Royals in 1986 and many of the people who knew him have moved on. He was signed by Ken Gonzales, who sadly passed away in 1994. I checked with former scouting director and current senior advisor Art Stewart, who is a great baseball storyteller. He knows Bo well and was more than happy to speak with Kelsey by phone.
Fellow media relations staffer Dina Blevins arranged a time for Hall of Famer George Brett to talk with the production staff by phone (so they could get more information for the eventual on-site interview). Kelsey worked with our media relations boss, Mike Swanson, to arrange a date for production in Kansas City. Radical’s staff had several other stops to make – including Jackson’s hometown in Alabama, Auburn, L.A., Chicago and Nike’s headquarters in Oregon. Radical had to match up their schedule with interviewee availability of George Brett, Art Stewart and Dick Kaegel. And don’t forget…we had to work around our own busy schedule with the All-Star Game on July 10!
Radical’s team visited Kansas City on July 17 and 18. They took exterior shots of The K on July 17. The next morning, they interviewed George Brett and spent time with him on the field. Members of the staff had a few minutes between interview segments with Art Stewart and Dick Kaegel. I suggested a trip to the Royals Hall of Fame to get b-roll of Bo Jackson items that were in storage. They met with Royals Hall of Fame director Curt Nelson. Film director Michael Bonfiglio was so impressed with Curt that he asked him to interview for the piece!
When you wake up each day, you never know what may happen. Curt knew that the “30 for 30” crew was coming to Kansas City, but he had no idea that he was going to be interviewed. As you watch the story unfold, you’ll see Curt’s comments were in several parts of the film. Curt hired me in the marketing department nearly seven years ago. He is a good friend and I am happy that he got the opportunity to share his views of Bo’s story.
Enjoy the show!
