This year marks the 66th anniversary of one of the most momentous events in sports history—the 1956 Sugar Bowl. On that day, a small but courageous group of players and staff stood up to discrimination and injustice by playing in the game despite the segregation laws in place at the time.
The story is now being made into a film, Bowl Game Armageddon, which will tell this powerful story from the perspective of civil rights icon Bobby Grier. Let’s take a look at what happened on that fateful day of January 2nd, 1956 in New Orleans.
Background on Bobby Grier
Robert “Bobby” Grier was born in Pennsylvania in 1933 to a family dedicated to social justice. He attended Penn State University where he played football and was scouted by several professional teams due to his incredible athleticism. In 1955, Grier became the first African American player to ever be recruited for an integrated team when he was invited to play for Pittsburg’s Cotton Bowl team.
Despite pushback from some members of the team, Grier played valiantly against Rice University and was later accepted as an integral part of the team. The following year, he led Pittsburg’s football team to their second consecutive bowl game—the 1956 Sugar Bowl against Georgia Tech University.
The Battle Against Segregation Laws
The invitation for Pittsburg’s football team to play in the 1956 Sugar Bowl presented a unique challenge—segregation laws were still firmly in effect throughout much of America at that time, including New Orleans where the game would be held.
Many argued that it would be wrong for an integrated team like Pittsburg’s to participate in such an event since it would mean violating existing segregation laws. After much debate and deliberation, Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin did not allow Robert Grier or any other non-white players onto New Orleans soil until just hours before kick-off time when university president Blake Van Leer spoke out publicly against Griffin’s decision and demanded change.
In the end, courage won out—Grier took part in what is now considered one of the most significant games ever played due to its implications for civil rights progress.
Movie, Bowl Game Armageddon
Bowl Game Armageddon promises to bring this amazing story back into public consciousness with its unique take on these events from 66 years ago.
Through interviews with Robert Grier himself along with other influential figures like Blake Van Leer, producer Celeb Mr A Mackie hopes that this film will provide new insights into civil rights activism, both then and now, while also honoring those who risked everything so that others could live freely today.
This is sure to be an inspiring movie experience!
