De La Salle personalities make story compelling
An edited transcript of the conversation between Neil Hayes, whose book “When the Game Stands Tall” about the De La Salle High football program has been made into a movie that opens nationally Aug. 22, and KNBR’s Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey.
Murphy: The book was excellent and the work was done well, and those guys deserve it, too. A lot of people from the 925 area code might know who you mean when you say (coach Bob Ladouceur) and (defensive coordinator) Terry (Eidson), but how would you explain those two characters to everybody else? Hayes: Well, they’re complete opposites and I think that’s what makes them such an effective duo that accomplished all they accomplished. Terry is a huge extrovert — a big heavy metal and rock ’n’ roll fan; his idea of a great night is to go see a Tool concert. Lad is a total introvert — you have to absolutely drag him out. We couldn’t even get him to come down to the movie set, guys. The studio was offering all expenses paid, with top-class accommodations, for a movie being made about his life, and Lad’s like, “Jeez, I don’t like to fly. … Hotels, I don’t enjoy that …” They’re like the odd couple, and I think them being so different is one of the things that made them so effective. Murphy: I wanted to ask about the connection to Peter Guber, the Warriors’ co-owner. He was one of the main producers of this, right? Is there a Bay Area connection there between Guber and De La Salle? Hayes: Well, Guber owns Mandalay, and it was a producer named David Zelon from Mandalay who first approached me about acquiring the movie rights to the book. McCaffrey: Here in the Bay Area, I think there’s a certain level of interest already, because we all know the story and want to see the movie about De La Salle. On a national level, is there a lot of buzz? What are you hearing about how this movie might be received or what the appetite for it might be on the national level? Hayes: Well, I’ll tell you what — the No. 1 rule in Hollywood is nobody knows anything. Richard Dreyfuss refused to do any media leading up to “Jaws” because he thought it was going to be a bomb, and Hollywood is filled with stories like that. So everybody is very cautious, and everyone is walking on eggshells. That said, guys, at screenings, it’s been incredibly well received. Murphy: The other question, just from a pure gossipy standpoint: Was there a celebrity on the red carpet at the premiere that you got a thrill out of seeing?
Hayes: Alexander Ludwig is the star of this thing — a great casting decision. He was in “The Hunger Games” and played Kato, and he was in “Lone Survivor” and is now starring in the (History Channel series) “Vikings.” He’s a huge teen heartthrob. I know him very well, and he’s a great dude, but it was great seeing him and watching the heads turn. Also, what a guy — whether you have a daughter who wants to meet him or something, he’ll come over and say, “Hey, would you mind if I took a picture with you?” He’s just been terrific from start to finish. Murphy: I think we’re going to have Guber on the week of the release, and we’ll continue to talk about the film on the show. Enjoy the ride, OK? Hayes: I’m trying to, that’s for sure!