FORGOTTEN FOUR: THE INTEGRATION OF PRO FOOTBALL REVIEW

FORGOTTEN FOUR: THE INTEGRATION OF PRO FOOTBALL

by: Anthony Zangrillo

 

Last week, I attended the exclusive NYC premiere of FORGOTTEN FOUR: THE INTEGRATION OF PRO FOOTBALL, the new documentary about the brave, professional football players, who crossed race barriers.  This amazing event received a lot of strong support from New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, as well as many Jets alumni, reverent of their sport’s past.  While going into the movie, I can honestly admit that I had no idea what to expect.  I have enjoyed some of Epix’s previous sports documentaries, like A’MARE STOUDEMIRE: IN THE MOMENT, but that film covered a current day NBA star.  FORGOTTEN FOUR encompasses great direction; however the sixty minute run time rushes too much of the story to be impactful.  Most of the movie focuses on Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, who began their careers in UCLA with Jackie Robinson.

The documentary also concurrently follows Marion Motley and Bill Willis, who underwent more successful, yet still prejudiced careers on the Cleveland Browns.  While management in Cleveland did not discriminate based on their players’ skin, other teams still remained averse to the idea of the integration of African Americans into the sport.  Luckily, their teammates formed an unbreakable bond, ready to go to war for their brothers every night.  The legendary coach Paul Brown spearheaded this historic sports culture change, pushing all of his players to behave like a family.

Unfortunately, the movie bears a hinge of resentment towards the individualistic spirit of America.  The narration makes numerous references to Jackie Robinson’s professional baseball debut, as the “first” big shift in sports for African Americans.  This movie obviously dispels that misnomer, yet constantly repeating this historical error will not immediately re-write the past and actually detracts from the film’s incomplete ending.  The original pairing of Washington and Strode played for the Los Angeles Rams, yet retired at an early age due to the excessively physical contact they received during games because of the color of their skin.  Even their own team would leave them to fend for themselves, bearing no camaraderie, while on the field.  On the other hand, Motley and Willis eventually made it into the Hall of Fame, memorialized for their historic contribution to the sport.

Overall, director Johnson McKelvy has crafted a personal and engaging documentary that provides a thoroughly enriching and honest tale about the forgotten progenitors of a massive sport.  Many of the creative decisions reflect a focus on socio-political issues of the time, often leaving the football tapes to speak for themselves.  While the cultural coverage of this era is fascinating and beautifully pieced together, the actual “football” elements of the movie do not fully engross the viewer.  Since all of the members of the Forgotten Four have passed away, McKelvy honorably casts a spotlight on family members paying homage to their loved ones, evoking a sincere tone.  While this may not rival other documentaries of the genre, it is a short, yet informative diversion of a forgotten past in NFL history.  Motion Picture Club @ NYU gives FORGOTTEN FOUR: THE INTEGRATION OF PRO FOOTBALL a 6/10.

Score: 6/10