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He is the subject of a major motion picture about a commitment to overcome racism on a team of high school football players in 1971.
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Now retired from coaching, Herman Boone has continued to motivate and inspire audiences with presentations on respect, teamwork, community involvement and importance of character.
Boone, whose story inspired the Disney film “Remember the Titans” starring Denzel Washington, transformed a group of Alexandria, Va., high school football players, divided by racial tension, into a cohesive championship team that became one of the best in Virginia, compiling a 13-0 record and a state championship.
According to Boone, all of his players have enjoyed successful, productive lives. Their story is chronicled on the Web site, http://www.71originaltitans.com.
Boone gave the address, “Unity in Diversity—Respect, Collaboration and Appreciation” as part of the Business and Finance 17th Annual MLK Convocation program at Rackham Auditorium Jan. 17.
The program, presented in collaboration with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Office of Institutional Diversity, also featured singing by the Business and Finance Diversity Choir.
Boone said although King’s legacy of unparalleled contributions to society are talked about all over the world, acts of violence continue to alert members of civilized society that evil has no boundaries.
“Martin Luther King gave us all hope and stability in the face of racial oppression and violence among nations,” Boone said. “Dr. King was willing to go to jail to focus attention on racial injustice and to speak out against the Vietnam War when it was unpopular to do so.”
Much of the time we live in our own comfort zones, Boone said.
“Different races usually can work and go to school together now, but not so when we eat. In school lunchrooms we see African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans sitting in separate groups,” he said. “We must look for opportunities to invite people not like ourselves into our comfort zones.
“The power of education to help us think critically and develop character is the key,” Boone said. “Without character, we have no legacy.”
A community that supported Black youngsters by the mentoring of adult men is all but gone, Boone said. It has been replaced by broken neighborhoods and the drug culture.
“Hard work is crucial to the growth of young people,” he said. “Working patiently toward larger goals, you will succeed if that’s important to you. It’s okay to rest, but never quit.”
It’s vital, Boone said, that people go out to the broken neighborhoods and take this message of hope to young people.
“Don’t be afraid to be that one person to represent diversity,” he said. “Challenge your friends, fraternities and sororities to get out there to help clean up the neighborhoods, act as mentors and tutors. Go and carry out the dream and legacy of Martin Luther King.”
