Gerry Bertier

Gerry Bertier (* 20th August 1953 in Alexandria , Virginia ; † 20th March 1981 in Charlottesville , Virginia) was an American High School - American football poker players. He was the captain of the TC Williams High School football team that won the Virginia Championship in 1971. During the 1971 season he was involved in a car accident that paralyzed him from the pelvis down. Bertier then won gold medals in the shot put and discus throwing at the Paralympics . A part of his life was portrayed in the film Against Any Rule .

football

Bertier joined the football team at Hammond High School and became a key player in defense . In his sophomore year he played as a linebacker . After the third season, Hammond High School was merged with two other high schools to form TC Williams High School. This restructuring meant that the team and coaching staff were newly appointed. Bertier supported his teammates who had to fight against racial prejudice. In the successful 1971 season, the "Titans" won all 13 games. Bertier was named Team Defensive Most Valuable Player and National Prep School Football Player of the Year .

Accident and Paralympics

After a banquet in honor of the Titans, Bertier drove home in his mother's car on December 11, 1971. On the way there he lost control of his car and collided with a van . The cause of the accident was a mechanical defect in his car. Bertier used a wheelchair from then on. He took a job selling medical supplies to the disabled. So he could take part in wheelchair sports nationwide. After his accident he was active again as a competitive athlete. He won a gold medal in the shot put and another in discus throwing at the Paralympics .

death

On March 20, 1981, Bertier was involved in a second serious car accident. An intoxicated driver collided with his car. Bertier died two hours later at the University of Virginia Hospital .

filming

Part of Gerry Bertier's life was filmed by Boaz Yakin in 2000 . The Titans' 1971 season is told in Against Any Rule . He was played in the film by Ryan Hurst .

Individual evidence

1. ^ Gerry's Life & Legacy. (No longer available online.) Gerry Bertier Foundation, archived from the original on March 10, 2013 ; accessed on February 5, 2013 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
2. ↑ ^{a b} Kym Cooper: Athlete Killed in Crash Dealth With Paralysis By Helping Disabled. Washington Star, March 1981, archived from the original on August 31, 2010 ; accessed on February 5, 2013 .