“I’d be lying if I said it isn’t cool to have an NFL player and future Hall of Famer track a piece you’ve written”
Reporter Jen Lada previews "The Brotherhood," her Postseason NFL Countdown feature narrated by Drew Brees that centers upon a prep QB's traumatic injury
On Super Bowl Sunday, ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown (10 a.m. ET) will air a special feature entitled “The Brotherhood,” written by reporter Jen Lada and produced by Sharon Matthews.
Lada and Matthews also got some help from Super Bowl winning-quarterback Drew Brees, who played a few roles in the story, including being a narrator.
Features producer Sharon Matthews has two projects premiering Super Bowl Sunday. Read about her work regarding The Undefeated’s Black History Month music video starring singer Aloe Blacc here.
“I’d be lying if I said it isn’t cool to have an NFL player and future Hall of Famer track a piece you’ve written,” Lada said. “Our crews met with Drew twice in New Orleans during the season. He was incredibly cooperative, accommodating and – no surprise – coachable as I walked him through our vision.”
Centered around a young quarterback named Alex Ruiz, who suffered an unimaginable loss and was unable to play the sport he loves, the story focuses on the support and the camaraderie Ruiz received from friends, teammates and coaches who propelled him through his recovery.
Beyond the support of high school teammates, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller played a large role in helping Ruiz get back to the field.
“The most challenging part of telling this story was that Sharon and I were tasked with blending the incredible bonds that Alex had with his teammates and coaches alongside the new, but powerful, connections he made with Brees and Miller,” said Lada.
"I just remember telling the doc, 'Save my leg, please.'"
Zach Miller shares his emotional story, daily motivation and inspirational outlook. pic.twitter.com/CVbd5BvAeb
— Chicago Polar Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 8, 2017
“We needed to devote enough time in the piece to reflect those relationships authentically. It wasn’t just one linear story but three intersecting journeys and that posed challenges in the writing and execution.”
Lada hopes this story reminds viewers that NFL players are just like them – people who love the game and have a great appreciation for those who play it.
Lada added: “Drew and Zach saw their younger selves in Alex. They just wanted to help him through his lowest points any way they could.”
Emily Archacki and Jen Lada produced the Drew Brees in-studio video.
"Sala made the rounds. He loved Carquefou, loved the quiet and the quaintness and the charm." Don't miss this powerful account of Emiliano Sala's last days in France, by @samborden https://t.co/X4qPFSn3fk
— Benoît Morenne (@benmorenne) January 31, 2019
From the writer, Sam Borden: “This is such a tragic, but important story, it makes me proud that ESPN still invests resources in doing these kinds of stories and this kind of storytelling. Even during a week when attention is focused on Atlanta and the Super Bowl, we’re still aware enough to look beyond our borders for compelling storytelling.”
However big of a BOBAN fan you are—and I’m already at a 10—this feature will delight you even further: https://t.co/freY1vD1xK
— Adam Jacobi (@Adam_Jacobi) January 31, 2019
Your must-read of the day. https://t.co/e3R2zEXejt
— Abe Khan (@khan_abe) January 31, 2019
A crooked nose and a hand-me-down Lexus that had a broken seat that caused for a “gangster lean” — Sean McVay’s friends and former teammates share some fun tales on the Rams coach. https://t.co/XldAG0Xcu5
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Amazing detail here as @billbarnwell previews Super Bowl LIII – the piece includes info on the match-ups, the numbers, the players and the schemes which are likely to influence the contest between the Patriots and the Rams on Sunday for @espn https://t.co/AFcnWyEbYo
— brian mcdonnell (@sixtwofourtwo) January 31, 2019
Congratulations to @ESPNMcGee of ESPN the Magazine on his 6th George Cunningham Writer of the Year award presented by @NMPA last night #NASCAR
— Andy Hall (@AndyHallESPN) January 27, 2019
– Molly Mita
