Member-only story

Woodlawn Giants: A Story of Hope and Reconciliation

W. Somerset Maugham

·6.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Woodlawn Giants Julie Knutson

5 min read · 4 weeks before

1k View Claps

53 Respond

Save

Listen

Woodlawn Giants

by Julie Knutson

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5375 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	131 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

In the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968, the Woodlawn High School football team in Birmingham, Alabama, was torn apart by racial tension. The team's star player, Tony Nathan, was black, and the team's head coach, Tandy Gerelds, was white. After King's death, Nathan and Gerelds led the team on a journey of reconciliation, which culminated in the team winning the state championship in 1973.

Woodlawn Giants is a story about hope and reconciliation. It is a story about how sports can be a powerful force for good in the world. The team's story is an inspiration to us all, and it shows us that anything is possible if we work together.

The Team

The Woodlawn Giants were a team of young men from all walks of life. They were black and white, rich and poor. But they all shared one thing in common: a love of football.

The team's star player was Tony Nathan. Nathan was a running back who was considered one of the best players in the country. He was also a leader on the team, both on and off the field.

The team's head coach was Tandy Gerelds. Gerelds was a white man who had grown up in the South. He was a tough coach, but he also cared deeply for his players.

The Journey

After Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, the Woodlawn Giants were torn apart by racial tension. The team's black players were angry and distrustful of the team's white players. The team's white players were afraid and unsure of what to do.

Nathan and Gerelds knew that they had to do something to heal the team. They started by talking to the players about what had happened. They then led the team on a series of team-building exercises that helped to break down the barriers between the players.

The team's journey was not easy. There were many setbacks along the way. But Nathan and Gerelds never gave up. They believed in their players, and they believed in the power of sports to bring people together.

The Championship

In 1973, the Woodlawn Giants won the state championship. It was a victory that was more than just a win on the field. It was a victory for hope and reconciliation.

The team's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows us that anything is possible if we work together. The Woodlawn Giants are a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

Julie Knutson

Julie Knutson is the author of Woodlawn Giants. Knutson is a former journalist who has written extensively about race and reconciliation. Her book about the Woodlawn Giants is a powerful and moving story that will inspire readers of all ages.

Knutson's book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of race relations in the United States. It is also a must-read for anyone who is interested in the power of sports to bring people together.

Woodlawn Giants is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a story that will inspire you to believe in the power of hope and reconciliation.

Woodlawn Giants

by Julie Knutson

5 out of 5