Former Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault’s journey from prison to one of most prolific passers in school history would probably have made for a good movie.
Well, Sony Pictures recently announced it is developing a biopic centered around Therriault’s life.
“Lord of the Rings” producer Mark Ordesky is developing with DeVon Franklin and Sony Pictures a biopic revolving around embattled football player Casey Therriault.
Ordesky disclosed the project Thursday during a panel session at Variety‘s Purpose Summit focusing on family and faith-based entertainment. Ordesky said the pic is tentatively tiled “The White Tiger.” Ben Younger (“The Boiler Room”) has written the script and will direct.
Project tells the story of the promising collegiate football prospect whose life was shattered after a bar fight landed him in prison in 2008. After serving a six-month sentence, a historically African-American college, Jackson State, in Mississippi gave the quarterback, who is white, a second chance at football and at life.
While at Jackson State, Therriault threw for 7,227 yards, 58 touchdowns and completed 59 percent of his passes during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He also won SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
