Good things come to those who play hard. The Grambling State University football team and band will be premiered in an original docu-drama on BET. The series according to BET officials is a chance to highlight the passion, commitments and challenges of the small southern school with a big legacy.
The Grambling State Tigers are the 12-time Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champions, led by Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson and later by Super Bowl MVP XXII quarterback Doug Williams. The Tigers hold the most wins in a football program in HBCU history, Blacknews.com reported.
“Grambling is famous for its band and [have] been featured everywhere: [the movie] Drumline, Tampax Commercials, Japan, and they also performed for the president,” said Ceand Walter, a senior majoring in English at Grambling State.
BET officials assure audiences that the series itself, and the cast members aim to the dispel stereotypes that portray urban youth as money hungry, materialistic and lazy. Reginald Hudlin, BET President of Entertainment shared with Blacknews.com that in this show the cast tries to measure up to the exacting standards of the two great Black institutions (the football team and band).
The cast includes Shunnie- the female master drill sergeant of the band, Eva- a freshman and only female on the drumline, Mancel- a white saxophone player who has been kicked out of school for a possession bust, Bruce- the star quarterback, and Blue- a junior walk-on running back.
“I think viewers will really get to see the dedication of some of Grambling’s finest students and the give them a peek inside of a tigers life,” Walter added
The show is being compared to the movies “Drumline” and “Friday Night Lights,” because, according to Blacknews.com, none of the characters come from idyllic backgrounds but they are all driven.
Season of the Tiger, is scheduled to air on April 27 at 9:30 p.m. on BET. Over the course of six half-hour episodes this show will follow the journey of the Grambling State University marching band and football team beginning with the school’s homecoming.
“I think B.E.T made a wonderful choice this time and I’m not just saying this because I attend Grambling State University,” Walter admits
