History is in your own household.
When people work together to improve their lives and the lives of others, that impact can last for generations…
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
The BOOK
A warm and invigorating memoir about a daughter’s love for her father and her appreciation for how he and others changed the game of football forever.
Gene Washington’s football career ended long before his daughter Maya was born. She never saw the legendary powerhouse as anything but her dad. She didn’t yet grasp the impact he’d had on the sport—and on America. To understand his historic role in the integration of college football, witness his influence on generations that followed, and fully appreciate his legacy, Maya had a lot of catching up to do.
Maya retraces her father’s journey from the segregated south to Michigan State during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement and his journey as an NFL pioneer after the 1967 draft. She reflects on how her father’s childhood—and the racism he faced—shaped her upbringing and influenced his expectations of her. She also discovers how unbreakable the emotional bond between teammates can be. But above all, Maya and her father get to know each other. As their own bond deepens, so does Maya’s connection to the sport that changed the trajectory of her father’s life…and hers.
Available in bookstores, e-book/Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover and Paperback.
The FILM
In 1963 Michigan State Head Coach Duffy Daugherty and 23 African American young men seized the opportunity of a lifetime. Maya Washington, the daughter of Minnesota Vikings football legend Gene Washington, deepens her connection to her father as she uncovers how the first fully integrated college football team in America changed the game forever.
Check local listings or request Through the Banks of the Red Cedar from your local PBS Station. Stream/Download on iTunes, and PBS Documentaries on Amazon Prime Video
A conversation can change everything.
Are you an educator or Facilitator?
We’ve created Discussion Guides tailored for the range of audiences excited about both the book and film, Through the Banks of the Red Cedar. Whether you’re part of a community group or an employee network, an educator with 4-12th grade students, a college student, or professor interested in exploring the themes of inclusion and racial cooperation, there’s a guide for your unique audience. For a limited time, we’re offering this resource to the community for free. As a bonus, we’re including author/filmmaker Maya Washington’s top interview questions to ask a family or community member who might have a pioneer story of their own that you’d like to document on film, audio, or through writing. It’s amazing what you can learn if you ask the right questions.
You can watch the film on PBS, stream it on PBS Documentaries on Amazon Prime, or watch it on Comcast and itunes. You can get the book on Amazon, and your favorite bookstores or libraries, in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and Kindle.
Watch the film, read the book, and download your free Discussion guide today!
Get The Free Discussion Guide Today
“From the poignant perspective of a daughter rediscovering her father's legacy to a daughter's fervor and passion to connect with her past. Its scenes and moments are so vivid, it's almost like you were there with her. Such a beautiful story of family and history. This book is necessary reading and clearly written with heart. A must read. (Be prepared to laugh, cry, and be filled with love).”
— Ross L
Reviews
“Through the Banks is kind of book that you want to read slowly to savor all the precious moments. This book was gut-wrenching and beautiful to witness. From the poignant perspective of a daughter rediscovering her father's legacy to a daughter's fervor and passion to connect with her past. Its scenes and moments are so vivid, it's almost like you were there with her. Such a beautiful story of family and history. This book is necessary reading and clearly written with heart. A must read. (Be prepared to laugh, cry, and be filled with love).”
- Ross L
“Great film... if you have a chance to see it I highly recommend it. Love the commentary afterwards too... the character and heart of these men was evident and inspirational...love their message.”
- Nancy Weddell Broyles
“This is an awesome story about how Gene Washington impacted a generation. Football was the initial vehicle, but it was Gene’s work ethic, his passion, his compassion that made a difference for diversity and inclusion. Maya did an awesome job telling his story.”
- Wade Kretman
A well-done documentary about how foreword thinking Michigan State University was in terms of its race-relations/integration, and the lives of those brave men who blazed the trail from MSU into the NFL.
-BRAD BAKER
A must watch for all sports fans. Such a great educational film. Maya Washington did an excellent job telling the stories of her dad Gene and the MSU 1964 to 1967 football team, Bubba Smith, Clint Jones, Jimmy Raye, just to name a few. I could not believe how incredibly humble these guys are, they paved the way for so many of us. Gene, Clint and Jimmy’s families were so nice and welcoming. Thank you all for making it a memorable weekend at MSU. Please watch this documentary you will be moved.
-PASTON COKE
The daily challenges were fascinating and frustrating to read about. Thankfully, we have come they but have much further to go.
