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Welcome to a brand-spanking new
episode of I Know Jax.
The month of February is all
about love - it's Valentine's
Day and also Heart Health Month.
history is another focus for
February, but forget about all that.
here in Jacksonville, football is king.
Shout out to my Arena Bowl 24
Champion Sharks.
March is almost here!
Right now, it's Superbowl time.
Since football is the topic of
the day, we thought it would be
a perfect time to find out more
about a movie called "Blind
Faith" that's going to be
filmed right here in Jacksonville.
Blind Faith is inspired by a
true story about hope and success.
It's the story about Mike
Chastain who is the only blind
person to play football.
He was even honored by the NFL
players association.
The movie Blind Faith is the
story about his life.
I met Mike Chastain and actor
William Baldwin at Latitude 30
to talk about the movie.
Today I am with Billy Baldwin
and Mike Chastain to talk
about "Blind Faith" a new movie
that's being shot here in Jacksonville.
Billy, can you tell me about
the movie?
I think Mike is much better
suited simply because it's
based on his life story.
Let him start, I'll do some
color commentary.
Now this is a true life story
about you.
Tell me a little bit about it.
I always describe it...people say
what's the deal with the movie.
It's kind of like the movie
Rudy only more intense.
Rudy played football at Notre
Dame, a little bit under-sized,
and that was his problem.
My problem playing football was
that I'm totally blind.
Little bit more of a challenge there.
I was a very good athlete in
high school, good wrestler.
Worked out with weights constantly.
I was kind of a tough kid.
I always loved football.
It was the spring of my junior
year and I said I have one shot
to play football, it's next
year in my senior year, after
that it's done.
I'm crazy for doing this but
I'm going to ask football coach
if I can try out, thinking
there's no way he's going to
let a blind kid play football.
It's just crazy, it's such a
violent sport.
I went down there, brought it
up to him and he said you have a shot.
Fall rolls around and I'm out
there.
I've already figured out what
position I can play and it's
middle guard defense, where
there is just a bunch of
collisions in the middle of the line.
You're just plugging the holes!
That's all your doing.
I remember this, when I was
made an honorary member of the
National Football League Player
Association, Bill Cosby handed
me the plaque at the hotel in Chicago.
Alex Caris who used to play
defensive lineman for Detroit
was the MC.
This is really great that this
kid did this.
I played 14 years in the NFL
and I used to shut my eyes
during every play... That's what he said!
He played basically the same position.
I knew you didn't have to see
to play that position.
At least I could.
I'm not saying every blind kid
can, but I could.
Coach gave me an opportunity
and it was one heck of a
football season. That's for sure.
How did this get to the point
that it's going to be a movie now?
You got an hour?
And it's not done yet, so
that's another hour, right?
To sum it up - it was meant to be.
Met with the right people, at
the right time, the right
combination of things
happening, and here we are.
And if I understand it
correctly, this is a faith
based movie as well.
There's a trend towards more
faith-based movies.
That's where he's the expert!
There have been a lot of
groups, churches and families
who have been complaining about
the stuff coming out of
Hollywood.
I've been in those films.
I've been in films they like
and films they don't like.
I have no problem at all with
controversial films being made.
I was in a movie called
"Sliver" that was very
controversial.
There's a market for it,
audience and demand for it.
This is going to be a very
interesting test.
The economy contracted, the
housing market contracted and
so did production in Hollywood.
With less production there are
fewer opportunities for actors.
Even with a huge cut in pay
they are looking for great
parts and great scripts, but
they don't want to be away from
their families for 3-4 months.
Along comes this great
wholesome family movie.
Things selling in Hollywood
right now are horror-thriller
genre number one, comedy number
two, and wholesome family
films, whether there's a
biblical message or not.
Just real good wholesome family
entertainment.
It's very, very big right now,
very popular.
I think it's a wonderful
opportunity to get to make this
film there isn't stunts and car
chases, action sequences,
things blowing, SGI, special effects.
It's Mike's story.
It's the writer, the pen, the
word, the director, the actors.
You can make a really good
movie with this on a fairly low budget.
I don't know what the budget is
going to come in on this.
But you can make this movie
for 5 or 6 million dollars.
You're going to stimulate the
local economy, create jobs and
we're going to make a wonderful movie.
My problem isn't are we going
to make the movie or make a
great movie.
My issue is and challenge is
that people are out there
complaining that there's not
enough of this out there.
All of a sudden we're going to
provide this opportunity and
it's all based on supply and demand.
People watch keeping up with
the Kardashians for a reason.
And they keep making it for
that reason, people watch it.
If you want more stuff like
this, when this movie opens...
The only way you'll see a lot
more of it is if it makes 10-12
million dollars on the opening weekend.
You make this movie for 4-6
million dollars and it opens to
10-12 million opening weekend
watch Warner Bros, Paramount,
Universal, Disney - they're all
going to put half a dozen of
these into development.
That has to be part of the plan?
Disney makes great family
movies, but they're all
animated.
I have an 11, 10 and
7-year-old, out of the last 12
movies I've seen, eleven are
animated kids movies.
I want to go to a movie with
my kids where there is
something for them, but
something for me too.
There is this trend of doing
movies based on true-life
stories that's coming back
again, like Dolphin Tales and
those type of movies.
Do you think this fits within that?
I think it's like Soul Surfer.
That story, that message of
overcoming adversity in your life.
I was at the NCA wrestling
championship this year in
Philadelphia and the kid who
won the national championship
at 125 was born with one leg.
A kid from Arizona State.
That's similar to Mike's story.
Similar to the girl in Soul Surfer.
One minute she's in the water
paddling away, next minute
she's attacked by a shark.
What does she do?
Does she lay down? No.
I just saw on the news about
the girl who walk into the prop
of a plane, got her arm hacked
off and lost her left eye.
Guess what? They're going after the rights
to that one.
If this girl gets on her feet
and moves forward with her life
and becomes a productive,
contributing member in her community.
What a beautiful story for her
to come back from something like that.
Mike, when you were playing
football did you ever in your
wildest dreams think they were
going to make a movie about you?
Absolutely not.
I was just worried about next
day's practice.
I'll tell you what the craziest
thing was.
None of us succeed at
everything in life.
But I'll go out and try it and
give it all the effort I can.
I never quit, didn't always
win, but I never quit.
One of the scariest times of my
life when I almost had to quit
was on that football field.
Caught me out on the left
field.
I use my hearing like a bat
uses his hearing.
That's how I get around.
That's how I adjusted as I was
going blind between the age 5
and 14.
I was very good at it, but you
know when I wasn't .
The first day I put on that
football helmet.
It complete distorted my
hearing and freaked me out!
How about when you had the
headgear on in a wrestling
match?
All you hear is....
The coach is yelling, the
audience screaming, you can't
hear a word anyone is saying.
At that point I've been
wrestling for so many years
I've adapted to the headgear.
But I had to adapt real quick
to the football helmet.
Like within five minutes.
Could I really walk up to the
coach who gave me the
opportunity and say: "Look, I
can't do it"?
I just couldn't.
But I don't forget the feeling
of almost having to quit before
I start.
This is a great message for my
son who is 10.
He plays football and
basketball and baseball.
He sees this movie and I talk
to him about Mike.
He has a basketball game today
at six o'clock.
I'm going to talk to him before
the game out in Santa Barbara.
The message is work hard and
leave it on the court.
If you win by 10, great.
If you loose by 15, if you left
it on the court who has a
problem with that.
I'll say good luck to you
guys on the movie.
I hope it becomes the success
you want it to be and I really
appreciate you guys being on
the show.
In the coastal companion
segment of our show we take a
quick peek at what's happening
in the coastal area - and this
time I wanted to talk to you
about Valentine's Day in
particular....
For some reason guys always
turn to me for advice when it
comes to women.
I know It's surprising to me to
- after all I Know JAX but I
would NEVER ever claim to
understand women.
Maybe it has something to do
with the fact that I've been
married FOREVER, as if that
would give you some sort of
expert status.
In any case, over the years
I've learned one thing about
women - birthdays,
anniversaries and things of
that nature are stupid
important.
You are not allowed to hint at
the fact you have forgoten
anything .
And Valentine's Day - need I
say more.
By now, you should be shaking
in your boots at the mere
thought of coming up with a the
best idea for what to do with
your special someone for
Valentine's Day weekend.
Good!
Now are You all ears and
finally ready for my sage
advice.
Here it is.
One of the most romantic
cities on the coast is
Savannah, so I suggest taking a
road trip.
The old city has lots of charm
with its many beautiful
squares, live oaks with hanging
moss and a bustling river front.
Speaking of which, there is a
special Valentine's Day Brunch
Cruise with the Savannah River
Boat Company - and they also
have Valentine's Day Dinner Cruises.
But if you want more than your
ordinary hum-drum Dinner and a
Movie kind of Valentine, I have
found the perfect adventure.
how about a trip to the
cemetery before the dinner?
This is not something TV's
infamous murderer Dexter cooked
up in his twisted brain.
No, it is actually a special
tour where you get to see
Bonaventure Cemetery after dark.
Another thing I've learned
about women is, keeping them
slightly scared and off
balance, can be a good thing.
After a tour of the cemetery,
it's time for dinner, and this
is not your ordinary dinner either.
This meal is served at a soul
food joint, Sister's of The New
South Kitchen.
Your guide will serve up more
interesting tales about
Savannah's history while you
feast.
Granted, this tour is perfect
for a couple who needs a little
bit more excitement for
Valentine's Day or maybe a guy
who really wants to surprise
his girlfriend with something
unexpected.
I'm telling you, this is
something she won't see coming.
For more information about
what to do in Savannah for
Valentine's Day or other places
on the coast make sure to visit
Coastalcompanion.com
CoastalCompanion.com is your
guide to fun things to do on
the coast!
Find out about where to go,
what to see and what to do in
coastal South Carolina, Georgia
or Northeast Florida.
Just visit
www.coastalcompanion.com I
went to City Hall pub to talk
with a Giant.
No I'm not talking some big
green dude pushing veggies in a can.
I'm talking Jacksonvilles own
Basketball Giants and player
Nick Wallery Today in
I Know Jax Sports segment I
have Nick Wallery from the
Jacksonville Giants.
How are you doing?
Doing fine.
Last year you guys had an
undefeated season, everything
was good.
This year, early in the season,
you got a defeat.
How did that work for the time?
Did it help or hurt?
I think it was a good loss,
you live and you learn.
If there is such a thing.
And it's early.
What's the use to go 25-0 and
not finishing at the end of the season.
I really think we learned and
built from that loss.
So you think you're going to
peak at the right time?
Yes.
That's what coach has been
trying to get into our heads
that we need to peak at the
end, when the time is right.
What are you guys doing
differently this year to get to
that point?
Last year we were more of a
running team.
This year were trying to use
more structure, run the offense
and get everyone on the same
page.
Looks like your guys are
playing a lot scrappier defense
this year.
Is that planned or just
happening that way?
A little bit of both.
The kind of players we have now.
They buy into the defense with
the new addition of players.
They're bringing it.
There trying - not like me
though!
Just kidding!
What's new for you this year?
Your numbers are pretty good
compared to last year.
I know you had an injure at the
beginning of the season, tell
me about that.
My achilles was kind of
bothering me, but I got that
fixed.
You got some torture I heard.
Yes, I got tortured by Sabrina.
I'm not going to say a
name..but Sabrina.
She was great.
Other than that, the team is
different and I'm feeling better.
Whatever the team needs, I'm
trying to do.
I'm just playing good
basketball, that's all.
It looks like you're taking on
more of a leadership role, is
that consciously or is it just
happening that way?
I'm just doing whatever is
best for the team, to win and
to peak at the end.
If I have to push myself for us
to win and push everyone on,
that's what I'll do.
Last year you guys went
overseas after the ABA season
to China.
Are you doing that this year?
That's funny.
Dwayne Jackson asks me that
question every day.
I don't know.
Hopefully we get a chance to go
back to China and win some
games.
We lost all three games by
three points.
Three points?
But we didn't have our full
team.
But was it those little
chinese guys - or bigger ones? No.
They were big.
I saw some photos on Facebook,
all those little guys... Those
were not the guys you were
playing?
No... We weren't playing those guys.
They were just looking at us
like this.
What did you come back from
China with?
I know you got a little sick
over there, but besides that.
Just being thankful.
America is pretty cool, right?
Yes... You have played a lot
overseas.
I've been to a lot of
countries, but nothing like China.
China was a wake up call for me.
So what was so different?
The living. The food of course.
The people.
They were so small and had
never seen large people. It was great.
You know how we interact with the fans.
That was cool.
It was a big experience for me.
Now you're back here in
Jacksonville.
When you're not playing
basketball, what do you do?
Actually, I go to L.A.
Fitness and I play volleyball
on Thursdays and I did flag
football, I was a quarterback,
in the Summer.
They call me Cam Newton.
So that's what I did.
What about community service?
Are you involved with any
charities?
Not really, I just help out
with my church.
We do a vacation bible school
for three weeks in the Summer.
My mother does that, so I help out.
Do you work with the Books
for Baskets with the Giants?
I do a little bit.
We haven't done like last year,
go and read for the kids and such.
Not as much this year.
What's your favorite thing to
do in your off time?
Is there a club you like to go to?
You're not a club guy, I know.
Yes, I go out, but I'm kind of
into cars.
I don't know anything about
them, but I like looking at
them.
So tell me about your car then?
I have a Dodge Charger.
What year? It's an 07.
It's nice, and I got an 85' Monte Carlo.
That's the car I'm working on.
What are you doing to it - how
are you pimping it?
You have to wait and see.
I have to get some pictures to
show the fans.
You can do that?
I don't let anyone drive it.
Come on, man.
Hook me up with a ride.
Maybe I can get a ride to one
of the games.
We'll work something out.
Just give me the glasses, and
we'll see what I can do.
I appreciate you being on the show.
Thank you.
Many business owners I talk to
are having a hard time getting
their story out to a new
audience.
We want to help.
I know Jax has a targeted
audience interested in the
greater Jacksonville area.
If this is your target market I
have news for you.
We are launching a brand new
video directory on our website.
That means you have an easy way
to tap into our audience by
using video to show what you do.
For more go to iknowjax.com or
call 904.345.0755.
I am highlighting several cool
events the first of which is
near and dear to my heart and
that is the breast cancer
marathon.
Beside the run, there's a
Health Expo and lots of other
event going on.
I know many of you are touched
in some way by cancer and I
myself have 2 younger sisters
struggling with breast cancer
and hope that a cure can be
found soon.
With every ones participation I
know this can happen.
For all the details on how you
can help go to
breastcancermarathon.com Now
on a lighter note Valentines
day is coming and if you
haven't made plans yet let me
suggest a couple cool and
sophisticated ideas.
And let me tell you it is all
about being suave and
sophisticated.
So straight from me also know
as Mister sophistication here
are my tips.
Treat your sweetheart to the
Museum of Science & History's
annual Valentine's event, Bella
Luna: Dessert Under the Stars
on Saturday Feb 11th 7-10pm The
event will treat guests to
decadent desserts, hors
d'oeuvres from some of the
area's top restaurants, wine
and beer from local wineries
and brewers; rooftop
stargazing; a special
love-themed Cosmic Concert in
the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium;
and full museum access.
Another cool event sure to
prove you are a refined
gentleman of incredible culture
is the Valentines Day Dinner at
The Museum of Contemporary Arts
Cafe Nola where the have a
special prix fixe menu that is
sure to impress any date.
For more details on these and
other events go to
www.iknowjax.com Please make
sure you friend me on facebook
follow me on twitter and
subcribe on youtube.
Thats it for this weeks show I
will see you here again next
week and until then I will see