It was in the Spring of 2012. My wife and I were living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where we were working. When I saw that a baseball movie would be filming in Chattanooga, I asked for a leave from work to be an extra in the movie.
I love baseball. My parents and I are Atlanta Braves fans. I grew up in Georgia, and we went to see the Braves a few times each season. On one of those visits, Hank Aaron hit is 700th home run. I still remember that moment.
So, this movie about Jackie Robinson was coming to town, and I had to be a part of it. I did not know who Chadwick Boseman was. I had never seen his work, but I will not soon forget our one meeting.
We had just finished filming a scene at first base. The crew had started to move the equipment to a different angle, so everyone had a few minutes. The actors all headed into the dugouts for some relief from the heat. Chattanooga in May routinely endures 90 degree days. This was one of those days.
Chadwick was on his way to the dugout when another one of the extras–we were called “Background Talent”–stopped him and asked for a picture with him. He replied, “That’s against the production rules. However, if I happen to be passing by when someone is taking your picture, what can they say about that? Let me know when you’re ready.”
He then stepped back a few feet. I took advantage and told him that the story of Jackie Robinson is an important story and he was doing a great job in telling it. He looked down and simply said, “Thank you.”
I have met numerous celebrities because I volunteered for the Walk of Fame at Dragon*Con for ten years. Many, but not all, that I met were approachable and would speak a few words with fans. The context there was that these fans were potential customers who would purchase autographs and pictures, so it was in the best interest of the celebrity to be nice. Chadwick had no such obligation. He simply was nice.
After standing in his wool uniform for probably half a minute in the Chattanooga heat, the woman said that she was ready. Chadwick walked over to her, put his arm around her shoulder, and showed his brilliant smile to the camera. She thanked him, and he walked into the dugout.
That moment stands out to me. He gave of himself when he didn’t need to. He gave a wonderful memory to someone he would likely never see again and who could not help his career in any way. He simply was nice.
The story of Jackie Robinson is an important story. I am happy that I played a very small part in its telling. I think the story of Chadwick Boseman is also an important story that has been told by multiple people who knew him far better–from his principled approach to the roles he chose and how he should play them to his support of children with cancer even as he fought the disease himself. I am happy that I can play a very small part in its telling, too.
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