Through the Banks of the Red Cedar

In 1963 Michigan State Head Coach Duffy Daugherty and 23 African American young men seized the opportunity of a lifetime. Now, the daughter of Minnesota Vikings football legend Gene Washington deepens her connection to her father as she uncovers how the first fully integrated college football team in America changed the game forever.

Maya explores her father’s old stomping grounds. Jack Ebling, Alan Page, Pat Gallinagh and Don Weatherspoon describe the magic of the 1965 and 1966 MSU football teams, whose tremendous talent and chemistry led to a national championship.

Maya tries to understand the language of football as she pieces together her father’s life. Current college athletes reflect on how the legacy of Gene Washington and his teammates affects their lives today. Though he may not fully get it, Gene supports Maya’s love of the arts, only falling asleep once during her poetry performance.

In 1963 Michigan State Head Coach Duffy Daugherty and 23 African American young men seized the opportunity of a lifetime. Now, the daughter of Minnesota Vikings football legend Gene Washington deepens her connection to her father as she uncovers how the first fully integrated college football team in America changed the game forever.

Gene Washington describes the coaching clinics Duffy held for black coaches. In turn, they would show him talented black athletes to consider recruiting. Dr. Johnny Smith explains the advantage Duffy had by recruiting Black athletes from an untapped pool of talent. Duffy’s son reflects on his father’s respect for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.