Bhawin: I work with young people across different genders, but for the young men I work with, one of the things theyre craving is people in their lives to hold them accountable in a way also backed by care and love, and a level of grace. They played football, and the people they used were people out of the muck. The full 30 for 30 sports documentary library is also part of an ESPN+ subscription, as is all sorts of ESPN original content. What was once a quiet existence had turned chaotic over the weekend, a momentary return to the lifestyle Thompson led as national sales director of a weight-lifting machine company, the lifestyle he abandoned for the peace of Pahokee. Be more independent. The result is an 80-minute documentary, Outta the Muck, that is making rounds on the independent film circuit and is airing on local PBS stations during Black History Month. Ira reached out to Suchakwho runs an organization called Youth FXasking for help and technical advice. There is no ESPN+ free trial available, but its offered at a significant discount as part of the Disney Bundle. To me, a lot of the women are doing better because a lot of them are going out and getting educations, Bridgett is getting an RN [registered nursing] degree. Nineteen-year-old Thomas Murvin, of Pahokee, and 27-year-old Larry Dunnon, of Belle Glade, appeared in court in West Palm Beach on Tuesday. They canceled everything after talking all this mess on social media. Over the decades hundreds of players have left the 33476 zip code to play at colleges well beyond Palm Beach County and dozens of those have gone on to play professionally. (There is another, unrelated Everglades Preparatory Academy in. They won a state championship. Johnson was also was a member of Pahokee High Schools track and field team. Very big.". It took them about two years to really get the feel of us," McKinley said. But people are thriving there [too]. Bhawin: Ira gave me the book Muck City [Winning and Losing in Footballs Forgotten Town]. Polyethylene Film / PE Sheet You wonder why they want to kill the education. But there was money coming through there, and then migrant workers were no longer as involved because [farms] went from using labor to using machines. He had come close to fulfilling his football dreams in past seasons, winning four district titles and three consecutive regional titles. Getting the cooperation of residents wasnt the only challenge. Bhawin: Theres also documentaries coming out that in some form weave in the story of Zora Neal Hurston, which has really not been told in a broad scope. Teams AFC East: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets In 1939, the Federal Writers' Project guide said of Pahokee: "From Christmas until April, Pahokee is a 24-hour town; long trains of refrigerated cars roll out for northern markets day and night." I didnt want to make another feature doc, to be honest with you [laughs], but I was convinced because Ira had a really incredible story. But even in the community, you couldnt find people who know who Zora Neal Hurston is, and the kids dont read her books. All rights reserved. They rescinded their request as the sheriff's office appealed to the public for help with the investigation. Attempts to reach Johnson's family for comment Friday were not successful. February 23, 2023 Naji Tobias New Era Prep Staff Writer Pahokee. We had a media club. When Ira was down there doing all that preliminary research, he had already known about this aspect of the town. Minutes . Pahokee Football Roster 2022-23 Players (59) Staff (2) Do you have a team photo? Throughout this process, were there any new things or discoveries you were surprised to learn about your family? We didnt have anybody. "This time, the whole town stood up and gave an ovation. This is a story of what has been happening for centuries there. "For us, it's for people to look at their own communities and find the love and resilience and togetherness and build on that," Suchak said. People are drawn to them because they care really deeply about each other, the town, and the history because theyve been there for seven generations. We present them here for purely educational purposes. They take anybody in. 93% are from low-income families. Looking ahead to the 2025 QB class and players that FSU is involved with, Class of 2025 quarterback Austin Simmons picks up another ACC offer, Vince Marrow with several new offers in northern Ohio, Michigan, Monday Musings: Syracuse Has Big Recruiting Weekend, Syracuse Set to Host Six Official Visitors, Big Official Visit Weekend Coming in Late June, UK extends offers to three 4-star prospects, Pimpleton checking on prospects in The Muck on Wednesday, Emptying the Notebook: Florida State Junior Day news and notes. (Jason Beede) The 6-foot-3, 230-pound edge rusher was hosted by Miami native Divaad Wilson, who attended the . One story unfortunately we had to cut was about a young man they call B Man. You see him in the film but his story goes really deep: he was 14 and got arrested for armed robbery. Boldin currently has a 3.9 GPA. During his first year as coach at Seminole, the team secured an undefeated season and a state championship title. Pahokee football player heading to Georgetown University, Buc-ees to open third location in Florida, Kodak Black learns hell get drug treatment program, then gets Jolly Rancher, Hobe Sound surfer describes bloody mess after being bitten by shark, Missing Port St. Lucie man, 73, found safe on I-95 in Martin County, 3 men arrested in fatal shooting in November, Agents work to combat uptick in migrant smuggling, PBSO: Man arrested in fatal shooting during family gathering, DeSantis launches new book, ratcheting up 2024 speculation. "Outta the Muck" features longtime Pahokee residents seeking to dispel what they call media-driven narratives that make their home sound like a scary and violent place, while overlooking the communitys hospitality where residents welcome visitors with homecooked meals and families gather for barbecues. More: Three people shot, wounded during 'huge' block party in Pahokee after Muck Bowl, More: Man shot in Pahokee after annual Muck Bowl football game dies, sheriff's office says. is about his family in Pahokee and Black achievement in an area beset by hurricane disasters, poverty, and personal trauma. Hes a New York Times reporter. They dont have a lot of resources, but what they have is each other and that land, and living on that land is really something that I think is another piece of it. SCHEDULE KEY: * DISTRICT 1R-HC Homecoming Senior Night. Upload it Ways you can help Make an impact on this team, and help keep MaxPreps up-to-date. Ole Miss February Signing Day preview. Theyre doing incredible work in their communities because they are the ones holding them together. These are the barriers weve got to break down. Hes going down there trying to help educate people and bring this history to the town, but its hard because theres a lot of structural issues there. You havent seen the stories of the people that remain, you see stories of people that leave. The high school football players went undefeated. The school was informed Thursday that . 2023 EDGE DeeJay Holmes commits to Ole Miss over Colorado and UCF. Chris (1976's Carrie). There were 1,936 housing units at an average density of 358.9 per square mile (138.6/km2). Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com. It will also be available to stream on the PBS Video app. Pahokee, one of Palm Beach County's most storied football programs, will be forced to vacate its Class 1A state championship due to the use of an ineligible player . I spent some weeks with the fam. Snake River 0-0 11 5. They didnt know that this weather and heat would take a toll on you. "What's so incredible about this place, it's literally 40 miles west of West Palm and it's a completely different environment. I was at first reluctant because it just takes so much work. Our documentary tells the story of Pahokee, FL. Here are five of the top storylines from Hawthorne's . According to the sheriff's office, deputies were trying to break up a "huge" party the night of Nov. 6 when gunshots were rang out. But even in the community, you couldnt find people who know who Zora Neal Hurston is, and the kids dont read her books. I know thats my roots. Pahokee football player heading to Georgetown University. Craig is the digital content producer for Independent Lens, based in San Francisco. I don't know nothing about football, but I know who had the biggest pile of rabbits, and that means something.". Click here to see the probable cause affidavit for this . Everyone talks about how Black families are broken and men dont do anythingand its like, No. We thought it was going to be more of an ESPN. Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. On December 18, 2009, Damien Cave, Miami Bureau Chief of the New York Times, wrote an article describing Pahokee's economic plight and the town's hopes that a new marina project might help rejuvenate business. Jan 12, 2017 at 2:52 pm. Pahokee has a knack for creating shining stars, particularly on the football field. Suchak: I think there are so many different messages, but I think one that I really hope people see is that these small rural communities have really been one of the threads of the tapestry of this country. They went to Miami University to train with the AC and all this other stuff. He told me about his familys history, the hurricanes, Zora Neale Hurston [who wrote her important novel. I dont think this is in the scene, but we were freaking out like, Yo, look at them. It took them four hours to play the game because everybody started cramping up. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. We couldnt get a better script than what were trying to do. We went there in 2015, and we saw the excitement. I wanted to make sure I had peoples trust and a level of understanding of what we were trying to do. Johnson's death was the second homicide this year involving a former Pahokee athlete. I work with young people across different genders, but for the young men I work with, one of the things theyre craving is people in their lives to hold them accountable in a way also backed by care and love, and a level of grace. Top Players in the NFL; Anquan Boldin Pahokee (FL) Pahokee 6-2 / 205 / PRO . Pahokee football player heading to Ivy League school: Today is National Signing Day. This time, Tom caught Jerry. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. But how does it actually play out? From Podcast to Doc: Erika Alexander and Whitney Dow on Their Reparation Collaboration, a formerly incarcerated activist-turned-filmmaker who first connected with filmmaker, , in Albany, New York. 99% of the students are from low-income families. Alumni include Jackson, Andre Waters of the Philadelphia Eagles, two in the Canadian Football League and at least 27 on college rosters around the country. Muck City [Winning and Losing in Footballs Forgotten Town]. . Thats Bridget. We didnt know they were going to win. They dont have a lot of riches. And theyre humble people, you know. Ira: When I first came down there before Bhawin did, I had a chance to tour it and reconnect because I hadnt been there for 35 years. Its very exciting. I think its so overlooked when you think about American history, specifically when youre talking about Black history in this country, is to look at the struggles and the resilience of communities like Pahokee. Thompson's passions, in order, are his Christian beliefs, his family, football and sailing on Lake Okeechobee. Thats South Florida, bro. But Alvin did that with so much care for these young men, not judging them and not casting them away. By clicking Accept all you agree that Yahoo and our partners will process your personal information, and use technologies such as cookies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights, and product development. Thompson enrolled at Pahokee four decades ago when he left his family of migrant laborers to concentrate on getting a college scholarship, and returned as coach six years ago. This community and the surrounding area around the southern shores of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, has a rich history, but the people of Pahokees past has often been skipped over, even by those who live there. Hes in one of the closing scenes, hes got a baby and a job and lives down there still. (grades 612). Find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Theres more people that dont play in the NFL and thats why you see the poverty. Pahokee, FL. It was Jim Crow. "The other schools that were interested were West Kentucky, Western Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Old Dominion, Brown, Darthmouth, and Yale," he said. SHARE. Headed by Bridgett and Alvin, the Deans count seven generations of family with roots growing deep in Pahokees rich soil. I was interested in doing a film that wasnt just about a social issue from a more traditional standpoint, but about showing you something you may have never seen before when it comes to a community like Pahokee. Pahokee football player slain By Maria Herrera and Jerome Burdi and Stacy Hicklin Staff Writers South Florida Sun-Sentinel Sep 28, 2008 at 12:00 am Belle Glade Pahokee High football. Thats the reason why these people do that. [9] The name "Pahokee" means "grassy waters" in the Creek language. And as a reminder Hulu is part of the Disney Bundle, which is a way you can get the basic Hulu subscription, Disney+, and ESPN+ for just $14 a month, which is a stellar deal. Beyond Football: Pahokee, Florida's History of Black Resilience February 14, 2023 by Craig Phillips in Behind the Films This community and the surrounding area around the southern shores of. Glades Academy, 7368 State Road 15 (grades K8). Pahokee is located at 264929N 803935W / 26.82472N 80.65972W / 26.82472; -80.65972 (26.824717, 80.659660).[38]. We were there through the whole thing, just trying to raise money to go back and forth, back and forth, you know. Anthony Bernard Evans, 39, and Lanorris Lee, 34, were arrested in connection with the killing. Pahokee had its signing ceremony Wednesday morning, but Holmes was still "mulling his options." He also was considering Cincinnati and Western Kentucky. Thats why the town went down. Thats why the town went down. I had to take myself back to that time. Information about your device and internet connection, like your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Yahoo websites and apps. Today he revealed he's taking his skills to Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Pahokee High School also known as Pahokee Junior Senior High School is a historic school in Pahokee Florida. 2022 PAHOKEE BLUE DEVILS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Pahokee Blue Devils are classified in 1R- for the 2022 Season . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.46% of the population. And we just had to figure it out. More:How Muck City Sports Hall of Fame can serve as inspiration for youth growing up in the Glades. View pregame, in-game and post-game details from the Okeechobee (FL) @ Pahokee (FL) non-conference girls flag football game on Thu, 3/2/2023. The Disney Bundle includes monthly subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu, in addition to ESPN+, and starts at $13 per month. With less than 6,000 residents, the rural city has produced numerous football players who went on to. Their training is not the same as the way these kids train, chasing rabbits and doing all this other stuff. I think after the pandemic, people have talked a lot about mutual aid and community. Pahokee Blue Devils football player De'Joshua Johnson Former FSU recruit was a top athlete in football, track and field Johnson was a four-star football recruit who signed with Florida. "The J.V. "We had to raise money to keep going back and forth," said McKinley, who moved from New York to Pahokee for a stint after filming began. When I came back, he was grown [with] kids. Dan Miller. Weve been on the festival circuit and doing community tours with the film, so weve been showing it to audiences in person. At the request of Johnson's family, the sheriff's office previously had declined to identify Johnson, in accordance with a state amendment that allows crime victims or their families to withhold victims' identities from public documents. MEET THE SUPERSTARS. 2023 EDGE DeeJay Holmes to officially visit Ole Miss. [25] This is in addition to $200,000 pledged by Senator Abruzzo in 2014. People [in Pahokee] would say, How are they not teaching this in our own schools? Theyre like, Wow, we live in this incredible historic town but some of that is even obscured from us. Thats what Ira was talking about. "The thing that stood out the most about Georgetown is that the coaches expressed how bad they needed me and how bad they wanted me. Gray, who was 23, was a member of Pahokee High's 2016 state champion football team. that also talk about this. What are the messages you want people to take away from this film? Glades Central, Belle Glade's school, has 1,140 students and is tied for the state record with six titles.. You see whats happening now with [Florida Gov. . "The streets are noisy and crowded; bars, restaurants and gambling places are never closed. Ira Mckinley: While I was doing The Throwaways, things started popping up. Digital Trends: This entire process has been a seven-year-long journey. Such was the tack of a man who had just fulfilled his community's dream of winning the Class 2A state football championship Saturday, beating Port St. Joe 24-7 in Daytona Beach. But theyre still trying to survive. About a month after their 34-21 Citrus Bowl win, the Blue Devils were stripped of what wouldve been their seventh state title for fielding an ineligible player. Were going into this tropical climate, and New Jersey is thinking theyre going to come and play these guys in their hometown and not train. idaho high school football player rankings idaho high school football player rankings. Pahokee High School is best known for its football program that consistently ranks among the state's best. Thats why Im here. Then the next year, when we were in production, which was 2016, they [the Pahokee football team] were undefeated. And many return, like the NFL stars who founded Muck Tavern, or those who visit when its comes time for the nationally known high school Muck Bowl played against rivals from Belle Glade. Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Join our linker program. Outta the Muck | Official Trailer | Independent Lens | PBS, Today's tech news, curated and condensed for your inbox. They trained in this type of heat and everything every day. CBSSPORTS.COM 247SPORTS -type football story, but then realized that narrative has been done before. Pahokee is a place where people care about each other. Thats when my family came up north [as migrant farmworkers]. With a 28-yard scoring scamper from Benjamin, the Blue Devils trimmed the Hornets' lead to 21-12 after a failed two-point conversion with 10:12 left to play. More on Muck Tavern:NFL greats return to Palm Beach County, open new waterfront restaurant on Lake Okeechobee. The city was severely affected, as were the other communities to the south of the lake, by the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane. [7] In 2018, the Mayor, Kenneth W. Babb, as well as the four members of the City Commission were all African American. We had all these things they dont even have anymore. Part of what Ira and I are trying to do is use my resources through Youth FX, to bring training to young people to be able to tell their own stories without folks like us coming down there. I hope it sparks that for people that see the film. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.4 square miles (14km2), all land. "Yeah, coach," the student replied. When wed be filming, things would come back to me with dj vu about a place. When youre doing research like I was doing and working on the first film, secondary things were popping up, and articles were being written. To help you get your British TV fix on, we've narrowed down the best British shows on Hulu right now, perfect to accompany your afternoon tea. This was in September in Florida. Both are expected to survive their injuries, deputies said Friday. McKinley and Suchak spoke over Zoom to tell us why this story has resonance for Americans far beyond the Muck.. His dad lives in a town like Pahokee, and hes a whiskey runner, so hes running whiskey, like moonshine. 1 overall player in Palm Beach County - Pahokee 2023 defensive end and Lou Groza Player of the Year Deejay Holmes - signed with Ole Miss on Feb. 1, 2023. "This is how people in Pahokee have been living for over a hundred years now because they have been so isolated," Suchak said. They eat healthily because they got mango. McKinley and Suchak hoped to give back in others ways as well. Yes, there are not a lot of resources and opportunities, so for certain people, you want to leave. But when Pahokee football and Pahokee gangsters do butt heads, it can rock the community, which has invested so much physically, emotionally and spiritually in its Blue Devils. team will need you," Thompson said softly, giving the wide-eyed boy his undivided attention, if only for a few precious seconds. But we had a season [where] we went in before we even got really big funding. $3K reward offered in block party shooting that killed former Pahokee football star. Hes just committed to it. Hes just with his family and those boys on the football team. Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. The biggest misconception in a place like that is, Well, they dont have anything, and theyre poor. But you dont think about what theyre rich in. Enrollment is 68% black, 39% Hispanic, 2% white, 1% other. "It don't seem through speaking about it that it means so much," Butler said. Its still a rich community, but to me, theyre being used and theyve been used for hundreds of years. Well give you food to eat. Thats something they value because thats the concept of Southern hospitality brought to you in full screen. RavensPatriots (1982) . Johnson was a four-star football recruit who signed with Florida State University in February 2010. To us, that was funny. Enrollment: 106 (2016). Alvin would say, when he was going to high school, We had a theater program. Pahokee High School - Boys Varsity Football. Johnson, 31, died Nov. 10, four days after he and two other people were shot on South Lake Avenue and Daniel Place. Even if some of them are the protagonists, these characters are so insufferable that they made audiences want to see them bite the dust. The district said this is the first time a Pahokee high school football player has had Ivy League offers. His familys incredible. Ira McKinley: The book Muck City. Pahokee, Florida (Other Florida schools)14 total players, 1 active player, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 6:17AM. All that came up while I was doing The Throwaways, and I thought it was a great opportunity for us, especially me, to reconnect. Thompson coached the Blue Devils from 1984-92, leading the small Palm Beach County team . suggest it has been on the list continually since 1994. G.A.P Christian Academy, 183 S Lake Ave. (K12 Education), "James Patterson headed west to ask 'What the hell happened here?' Proclaiming Pahokee the "best defense in Palm Beach County - probably in Florida," Holmes, the Post's defensive player of the year, wants Hawthorne again, hoping to avenge last year's 51-12 . They need to meet people like Bridget and Alvin because these are the people who are holding down these communities. What we try to show in the film is that Iras family, specifically [Iras niece and nephew] Bridget and Alvin, are really the centers of gravity in the community. They were selling drugs. Theyre rich in resources. Or write about sports? We feel PBS supporting these types of films with this history and community culture from the perspective of the actual people are so important, because not everyone responds to a straight historical documentary.