"His story is amazing," Dawkins said. He will star in the upcoming film Irresistible, which will also feature Steve Carrell, Rose Byrne and Chris Cooper. Hanna coach raises money to buy a grave marker for Radio, EXPECTED TO VOTE COMING. She worked in the Belk department store annex in the early 1970s, when Kennedy would come by several times a week to talk high school sports with the store manager, Glenn New, who had kids in school. The passion he held and the love he inspired have often been cited. 4 What did coach Jones do to comfort Radio? T.L. He was a coach and worked as a title abstractor and insurance salesman. He punishes the team for their actions. Hanna football program for decades after showing up on the field as a teenager in 1964. T.L. "Him being a special-needs person, that really helped all kids with special needs, and I'm not just talking about Hanna but all over the world," he said. His successors have taken good care of Radio and considered him an integral part of the team. At that point, he could have been labeled a distraction and sent away. He got his nickname "Radio" because he always carried a transistor radio, said Carolyn Dawkins. Their efforts that day as hundreds stopped for photos with "Radio" and then donated to the kettle helped sustain the Salvation Army's work for weeks. They should be loved," Jones said. "Hilton added: "It was destiny that he arrived on that football field some fifty years ago. Kennedy wasa role model for students by his example, said Jan Burdette, a longtime nurse at Hanna. Hanna for over 50 years, and the impact he made in our community can't be overstated," Newton said in a statement. "You tell them you're from Anderson, South Carolina, this little lightbulb pops up, and they say: 'That's where Radio's from, right? He'd been a fixture on the sidelines of T.L. It has changed his, and, in return, he has changed ours. Hanna," said Jones. Radio/Awards. The school felt the same about him, saidKyle Newton, a spokesman for Anderson School District 5. During an emotional moment in the film, coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) told his daughter, Mary Helen, about a mentally handicapped young boy who was kept locked in an open area under a house. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. ANDERSON, S.C. It's been nearly a year since T.L. "He just has so much love to give. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Do you know Radio?' Radio died in December at the age of 73. intellectual disability T.L. Hanna High School legend James "Radio" Kennedy passes away - WYFF While coaches came and went, Kennedy was a constant. Radio died in December at the age of 73. James Kennedy, Who Inspired the Movie 'Radio,' Dies at 72 Cuba Gooding Jr. played Mr. Kennedy in the film, which chronicled his friendship with a high school football coach in South Carolina.. Along with his brother T.A.D. At that point, he could have been labeled a distraction and sent away. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Harold Jones of Dowagiac, Michigan, who passed away at the age of 85, on May 11, 2022. ", Amazon Has Uncanny Dupes of CB2's Popular Dining Chair for Hundreds Less. Find the obituary of Harold Jones (1937 - 2022) from Dowagiac, MI. Hanna High School, where Kennedy spent most of his life as an informal 11th-grader anda role modelfor generations of students. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Radio died in December at the age of 73. UNNOTICE AMID DIABETE KIDNEY FAILURE AND PANCREATITIS STILL SIGNING DOZENS OF AUTOGRAPHS SPENDING HIS FINAL HOURS SATURDAY IN HOSPICE. CHEERLEADER A GREATEST I TELL YOU WHAT HE LOVED. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. "Fun facts" about Radio listed on Anderson School District Five's website in an article written by former Hanna principal Sheila Hilton: More: Radio, Coach Jones ring bell for Salvation Army in Anderson, Friends celebrate 71st birthday with Radio. Hanna High School football games for more than 50 years. Hanna': Coach Jones remembers James 'Radio' Kennedy. By Charmaine Smith-Miles of the Independent Mail. Jones reflected recently with. AND S ONCE I WAS A PLAYING JV BASKETBALL AT HANNAH AND WE WERE GOING TO EASILY FOR A BASKETBALL GAME AND COACH FLOYD GOT ON TH BUS AND HE SAID WHERE IS RADIO? Sexton has been acting in TV and movies since 1998 and has been working non-stop since. AND HIS GRAVE STILL DOESNT HAVE A MARKER COACH HAROLD JONES AND THE TL HANNA FAMILY WANT TO FIX THAT AND THEYVE SELECTED A GRAVE MARKER. ", and say "We gonna win tonight!". 'He always will be T.L. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Coach Jones is a leader, seasoned educator and sports coach at Hanna High. "The stories could fill the pages of a lengthy book, each showing the child-like innocence and loving heart that existed within him," Hilton's statement continued. It's been a year since James "Radio" Kennedy diedafter inspiring thousands of people in Andersonand millions more who saw the Hollywood movie based on his life. "Radio touched so many people," Jones said. And we are better people for having known him.". 2, Debuts Baby Bump at Met Gala, Vanessa Bryant Celebrates Late Daughter Gianna's 17th Birthday, Premier League: Case Dropped Against Player Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Charges, WWE's Carmella and Corey Graves Announce Pregnancy on 'GMA', 'Big George Foreman' Star Sonja Sohn on Playing 'Critical' Role in Boxing Film (Exclusive), Wrestler Suffers Broken Collarbone, Will Be Out of Action for Months, Watch: Tito Ortiz Passes out During Fighter Pilot Training. "As far as I'm concerned, he's probably the most-known person in South Carolina," Jones said. Hanna legend Radio died, and his grave still does not have a marker. Radio is a film released in 2003 that tells the story of a man named James 'Radio' Kennedy, who [], By Brian Jones He taught us all. Radio does have an older brother named Walter, and a younger brother, George. And he hopes that Kennedy's legacy will live on in the students he inspired for generations. Coach Jones returns Radio to his home, where he meets Radios mother. It's been nearly a year since T.L. Please Note: All American Speakers Bureau is a full-service talent booking agency providing information on booking Coach Harold Jones for speaking engagements, personal appearances and corporate events. OUR ALLEN DEVLIN IS LIVE AT T.L. We didn't teach him a thing. As long as his health permitted, Kennedy remained a fixturein the community. All rights reserved. If you would like to contribute, you can mail a check to:RadioC/O Commercial BankP.O. Hanna, and he always will be T.L. Merkerson is known more for her TV roles as she was on Law & Order from 1993-2010. James 'Radio' Kennedy Dies: T.L. Hanna High School Legend Was 73 December 16, 2019 / 3:03 PM The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. If you would like to contribute, you can mail a check to: The story of Radio's friendship with Jones was the subject of the film "Radio" in 2003. Hanna High School, Radio, Coach Jones ring bell for Salvation Army in Anderson, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Jones promised the boy's mother that he would help keep him out of trouble, so he arranged to have Radio attend Hanna High School as a junior. Kennedy also appeared regularly for other sports teams and at other school events, even at schools besidesHanna. Coach Harold Jones is a retired South Carolina high school football coach best known for embracing a developmentally challenged African American boy named James Robert "Radio" Kennedy back in 1964. He became very popular with the students and became an unofficial 11th-grade student at the school in 1965. Upon meeting Radio on the streets another day, Coach Jones asks Radio to visit and help at training. SOMETIME IN DECEMBER. Mary Ann Kennedy, or Pat as most knew her, was a caretaker all her life. It launched him and the city of Anderson into the spotlight. Hanna': Coach Jones remembers James 'Radio' Kennedy, A POPULAR PRESENCE AT TL HANNA THE KEY FIXTURE ON THIS SIDE LINE SINCE THE MID-1960S WHEN HE SHOWED UP WITH A RADIO TRANSISTOR. Gooding was also seen in the TV series American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. He was known to ask students before football games, "We gonna get that quarterback? IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR YEAR SINCE TL HANNA LEGEND RADIO DIED. MAKING FRIEN AT HIS ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT THE CHICK-FIL-A AND ANDERSON HIS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY. Amid diabetes, kidney failure and pancreatitis, he still signed dozens of autographs from his hospital room. Hanna Highfrom 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. >> JAMES "RADIO" KENNEDY PASSED AWAY SUNDAY MORNING AFTER AN ONGOING BATTLE WITH PANCREA-TITUS AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES. She didn't give it a second thought. Amazon Has Uncanny Dupes of CB2's Popular Dining Chair for Hundreds Less. "She would talk about making it to heaven to see God.". Hanna football coach Harold Jones befriended Radio.The story of Radio's friendship with Jones was the subject of the film "Radio" in 2003.Radio was previously hospitalized in early December, according to Jones. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. "He was without a Harvard degree or Pulitzer Prize or professional sports contract, but his fame surpassed all those accolades," Hilton wrote. The association between Radio and Coach Jones is further blamed for the team's inability to win. Here's how. The 2003 movie was based on astory that originated in the Independent Mail in 1993, and it was expanded for a Sports Illustrated story three years later. But he was not. The story of Radio's friendship with Jones was the subject of the film "Radio" in 2003. - June 11, 2020 03:23 pm EDT. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. "He was just a fine man. "He was just a. "I'm trying to stay warm," Kennedy said then, "and help folks if I can.". McDougald Funeral Home in Anderson announced Kennedy passed away surrounded by family on Sunday. Hanna Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.Cuba Gooding Jr., who portrayed Radio in the 2003 film, said: "Sometimes God sends us inspiration in the human form James Robert 'Radio' Kennedy was and will always be the wings to that inspiration. On Monday, Mary Kennedy died at the age of 63 at the home of Andrea Wideman, her daughter. >> I AM VERY PROUD OF RADIO. And I say, 'yes.'. South Carolina Man Who Inspired Movie 'Radio' Dead at 73 "Radio, the way I see it, is T.L. T.L. Former T.L. She just stepped right in.". >> HES TAUGHT US JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE MAY BE DIFFERENT THAT THEY STILL HAVE GIFTS FOR BRAD HAMMOND RADIO WAS MORE THAN A BEST FRIEND HE WAS AN INSPIRATION. It's very sad for us," former T.L. At 69 years old, Harris shows no signs of slowing down, starting in Top Gun: Maverick, which will be released later this year. He has a family consisting of a wife and teenage daughter. His father worked as a cook on merchant ships and abandoned the family when Belafonte was young. Kennedy earned the nickname "Radio" from Jones as he would always carry a radio wherever he went. Former T.L. "That helped at a lot of schools. Im not a morning person, Burdette said. Everyone who knew Kennedy at school has a story about him that will make you smile, formerHanna principal Sheila Hilton wrote on the Yellow Jackets Facebook page. The story of Radio's friendship with Jones was the subject of the film "Radio" in 2003. Even after his passing, Kennedy's spirit lives on in Anderson and among people nationwide who saw his story. HE IS TLM. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WYFF-TV. During one such session, the football falls out of bounds, allowing Radio to collect it and haul it away in his cart. Kennedy didn't talk muchunless you got him going about local sports, but his smile was infectious and he was always a kind man, Dawkins said. Howard Jones | American football coach | Britannica Coach Jones frees Radio and punishes the wrongdoers by making them run extra wind sprints after practice. More:Woman who raised James "Radio" Kennedydies. His role as Radio's mentor was immortalized in the Sony Pictures film, "Radio." Kennedy said Radio, 73, was taken to Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson County on Saturday afternoon. Copyright 2023 PopCulture.com. He is well respected in the community for his professional opinion and expertise in sports. And the story is simple: love and compassion can change lives. Contact an All American Speakers Bureau booking agent. It launched him and the city of Anderson into the spotlight. He was 73. The film ends with clips being shown of the real-life Radio and Coach Jones leading the football team. ", As for Kennedy, he was so proud of the movie, he would often greet people by saying,"Have you seen my movie? Radio is a film released in 2003 that tells the story of a man named James "Radio" Kennedy, who has an intellectual disability. Kennedy died on Dec. 15, 2019, of complications related to diabetes and kidney issues, Jonessaid. Jones said he and others have picked up a marker for Radio's grave that costs $4,700. Andeven facing health problems, Kennedy led the Hanna football team onto the field at least twice this season byriding in a golf cart. He kept coming back," said former T.L. He taught us all. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Kennedy loved sports and rooted for many teams. That same evening, Jones reveals to Mary Helen that his attachment to Radio and need to assist him stems from a childhood incident in which Jones, as a child making a living off delivering newspapers, did not help a mentally disabled boy his own age crying behind barbed wire. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Others talk about his ability to name the mascot of virtually every team in South Carolina. "He just showed up at practice, but he wouldn't come close, and we couldn't understand a word he said. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. He formed a bond with his community that reached far beyond Anderson. And the story is simple: love and compassion can change lives. "He was just a fine, fine man," former T.L. all described her as a "strong Christian woman. One of the football players who had previously tormented him tricks Radio into entering the girls' locker room. Now those family members are left to remember what they loved most about her. "He just showed up at practice, but he wouldn't come close, and we couldn't understand a word he said. 'He always will be T.L. JOHANNA LOST ITS BIGGEST CHEERLEADER, BUT THE MEMORIES HE TO STAY RADIO WAY. Can we communicate through the other respondent has disability? He's from Anderson, South Carolina, and was able to associate himself with T.L. The local icon died early Sunday morning at the age of 73. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But even with that fame, Mary "Pat" Kennedy was a down-to-earth woman. Former T.L. Hanna coach raises money to buy a grave marker for Radio - WYFF In 2006, a statue of Kennedy was unveiled at the high school, and he was inducted into the T.L. He has continued to work consistently over the last 17 years, with his last film being Bayou Caviar, which was released in 2018. / CBS News, James "Radio" Kennedy, known as a bright light in Anderson, South Carolina, died Sunday at the age of 73, CBS affiliateWSPA-TV reports. Hollywood writers go on strike over fair pay in streaming era, Missing teens likely among 7 people found dead in Oklahoma, authorities say, Fish contaminated with "forever chemicals" found in nearly every state, Gordon Lightfoot, "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" singer, dies at 84, CBS News Poll: How GOP primary race could be Trump v. Trump fatigue, Oklahoma governor signs gender-affirming care ban for kids, American climber dies on Mount Everest, expedition organizer says, Bob Lee died from three stab wounds, medical examiner says, At least 6 dead after dust storm causes massive pile-up on Illinois highway, James "Radio" Kennedy, inspiration behind 2003 film, dead at 73. Mr. Jones was a member of First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. Hanna High Principal Sheila Hilton. Hanna High Principal Sheila Hilton wrote a few years ago, At that time, he was a teenager, with a transistor radio seemingly attached to his ear, who could barely speak and had never learned to read or write. Now Jones is continuing their charitable work with the Outdoor Dream Foundation, an Anderson group that provides outdoor wishes to kids facing challenges. Remembering Radio - Coach Harold Jones and others remember the longtime "She would always say she loved us kids so much that she'd love to buy a big house so we could all move back in. He became a fixture at football practices, standing passively and watching, until one day when he began to mimic the coaches' signals and tried his hand at yelling out commands.". Joe Coviello, a highly respected and legendary football coach who spent more than six decades serving Hudson County in athletics and education, died Tuesday in Beth Israel Hospital in Passaic. Winger gained popularity in her 20s as she is known for starring in the 1980s films An Officer and a Gentleman and Terms of Endearment. "Him being a special-needs person, that really helped all kids with special needs, and I'm not just talking about Hanna but all over the world," he said. What did coach Jones do to comfort Radio? He had been associated with the high school's football program since 1964 when he befriended Coach Harold Jones. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Hanna, and he always will be T.L. His message of acceptancehas reached around the world, said Harold Jones, who was the football coach at T.L. She worked for 22 years at the Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital and was well-known in town for stepping in to raise her brothers-in-law. ", Lawyer: Oconee County should prove Dollar General decision, Anderson officials say art will enhance new downtown park, One arrested after student shot near Clemson, Plaintiff must produce medical records in Seneca lawsuit, Coroner: Overdoses are Anderson Countys No. Each year, he shared his birthday with the community at the Anderson Chick-fil-A. Hanna legend Radio died, and his grave still does not have a marker. Radio begins assisting Coach Jones on the football team, and inspires the team before each game as a mascot-type figure. "Grandma asked Mama if she would take care of Radio and Cool Rock and again, Mama did not hesitate," Jacqueline said. And I say, 'yes. The death of a true legend Coviello, long-time grid coach and He has been associated with the T.L. Caitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift. "The community, they just love Radio," Coach Jonestold WSPAin 2016, during Kennedy's 70th birthday celebration. Radio spends much of his day roaming the town and pushing a shopping cart, which he uses to collect anything interesting he finds. He has been associated with the T.L. The film takes somedramatic licenseand compresses decades of time into a single football season, but it's regarded as truthfully telling the story of friendship and a town's acceptanceof a man with intellectual disabilities and a warm smile. He said Radio was treated for pancreatitis, along with ongoing diabetes and kidney issues. "The other 80%that people who never met him didn't see, they'd have loved that, too," Allen said. Hanna High School legend James "Radio" Kennedy passes away, family confirms, WYFF NEWS 4. Who is coach Harold Jones in chasing thefrog? The two spent much of their time together for half a century. "Everyone has a story to tell, some of them priceless his eating a cooler full of sandwiches that had been made for the team and stored safely on the bus; his pass-kick-and-throw half-time shows; his permanent status as a junior, with no threat of graduation; and his astounding ability to name the mascot of any team in the state.". Who was the football coach in the movie Radio? They will hear stories from those who knew her as people stop by to visit at the Unity Mortuary in Anderson from 11 a.m. Thursday until 12:30 p.m. Friday. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. He became a fixture at football practices, standing passively and watching, until one day when he began to mimic the coaches signals and tried his hand at yelling out commands. It was filmed primarily in Walterboro, South Carolina because its buildings and downtown core still fit the look of the era the film was trying to depict. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not much later, director Michael Tollin helped bring the story to life in the movie "Radio" starring Ed Harris as Coach Jones and Cuba Gooding Jr. as Radio. LIFE IN ANDE, T.L. Until recently, the pair had kept up a regular schedule of volunteer work. James "Radio" Kennedy died surrounded by his family early Sunday morning, T.L. "Pat actually became just like their mother. He was nicknamed Radio by the coaches and players. Great Jones Cookware Review: Is It Worth Buying? Andrea Wideman said she will miss hearing her mother talk about God. A year since James "Radio" Kennedy died, a look back at his legacy He has been associated with the T.L . Following the death of Radio's mother, pressure from the school board to have Radio put in a specialized institution strengthens. She has made appearances on various shows over the years and can be currently seen on the NBC series Chicago Med, playing the role of Sharon Goodwin. Is coach Harold Jones from Radio still alive? - TeachersCollegesj Great Jones Cookware Review: Is It Worth Buying? He was invited to attend practices for the Carolina Panthers and made a bond with Clemson University's football team, but his true love was Hanna and the students there,said Allen and Jackie Kennedy, the niece who cared for Radio since 2011. He kept coming back," said former T.L. All American Entertainment Named to Inc. Best Workplaces in 2022. Hanna coach Harold Jones. "Jones said he and others have picked up a marker for Radio's grave that costs $4,700.They have started collecting donations to make the purchase. IF YOUD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE YOU CAN MAIL A CHECK TO RADIO CARE OF COMMERCIAL BANK PO BOX 1. Kelly Clarkson's Home Collection Is Up to 74% Off During Way Day Deals, The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 Starting at $30. 2023 www.independentmail.com. ", "And if they hadn't," Jones said, "he'd say, 'You should go to Walmart and get it.'". How old is Harold Jones? "In my travels, both across the country and even sometimes when I get a chance to travel internationally, I meet people who are not from this country," said Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts. 'Radio never met a stranger. His nickname, Radio, was given to him by townspeople because Kennedy grew up fascinated by radios and because of the radio he carried everywhere he went. We will miss him incredibly.". At a Christmas mass, Radio receives several gifts from the townspeople, and Mary Helen confides to her father that while she does not blame him for neglecting her, she cannot understand the reason for his interest in Radio. Gooding was already an established actor in Hollywood, winning an Academy Award for his performance in Jerry Maguire in 1996. His role as Radio's mentor was immortalized in the Sony Pictures film, "Radio.". Hanna High School legend James "Radio" Kennedy has passed away, according to his niece and caregiver Jackie Kennedy. Kennedy was a staple on the T.L. "He was just a fine, fine man," said former Hannafootball coach Harold Jones. James Robert "Radio" Kennedy hugs T.L. Moriah Baptist Church in Starr. Oncequiet and overlooked, he became one of Anderson's most famous residents. HE IS VERY PROUD.