Woody Hayes: Beyond The Gridiron

High school educator, Ohio State football coach, and political confidante, Woody Hayes led an outstandingly accomplished life. This TV documentary shows the complexity of one of sports most colorful and controversial characters. The man that led OSU to win five national titles and four Rose Bowls never seemed content with what other would consider an outstanding track record. In addition to exploring the nature of what motivates this incredible motivator, this documentary places him amidst important moments in world history, such as World War II, Vietnam, and the Civil Rights Movement. Hayes might be best known for getting fired from for punching a Clemson University player during a game, and yet this profile shares stories of kindness that show him to be a remarkably sensitive and thoughtful individual. For example, Hayes had an ongoing friendship with a cancer patient he met in the hospital while visiting an injured OSU team member. Or offering the clothes off his back to some impoverished children he met during a game.

This wonderfully objective look at the life of Woody Hayes includes interviews with Buckeye player Archie Griffin, niece Anne Hayes Hoyt, and OSU quarterback Rex Kern, among others who knew him well. It is a balanced portrait of a man who fought personal demons and yet was able to realize far more in a year than most do in a lifetime.