James Robert "Radio" Kennedy (October 14, 1946 – December 15, 2019) was an American man with an intellectual disability who was known for his association with the T. L. Hanna High School football team in Anderson, South Carolina.[1] He first gained prominence in 1996 when Gary Smith wrote an article about Kennedy for Sports Illustrated titled "Someone to Lean On."[2][1][3] Kennedy's story was then made into a feature film in 2003 titled Radio in which he was portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr.[4][5][6][7]
Radio Kennedy | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Robert Kennedy October 14, 1946 Anderson, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | December 15, 2019 (aged 73) Anderson, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Known for | Association with the T. L. Hanna High School football team; Subject of Radio |
Biography
editJames Robert Kennedy was born on October 14, 1946, in Anderson to parents Bill Kennedy and Janie Mae Bolden Greenlee.[3][8] He had two brothers, George and Walter.[3]
According to Sheila Hilton, the former principal of T.L. Hanna High, Kennedy earned the nickname "Radio" in the mid-1960s when he began to show up at the school football field with a transistor radio.[9][10] In 1964, Kennedy befriended the high school's then football coach Harold Jones.[11] Their friendship served as the basis of the 2003 film Radio starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as Kennedy and Ed Harris as Jones.[4] In 1965, Kennedy became an unofficial 11th-grade student at T.L. Hanna High.[12] Kennedy was considered a permanent high school junior, meaning that he would never graduate or have to leave.[3]
Recognition
editIn 2006, a statue of Kennedy was unveiled at the football stadium of T.L. Hanna High School.[13] In 2016, Kennedy was inducted into the T.L. Hanna Athletic Hall of Fame.[12][14][15]
Later years
editAccording to Jones, Kennedy had been treated for pancreatitis as well as diabetes and kidney issues.[16] Kennedy died on December 15, 2019, in Anderson at the age of 73.[3] At the time of his death, Kennedy was living with his brother George and niece Jackie.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b Levenson, Eric (15 December 2019). "James 'Radio' Kennedy, football fixture who inspired a Hollywood movie, dies at 73". CNN. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Smith, Gary (December 16, 1996). "Someone to Lean On". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Ortiz, Aimee (15 December 2019). "James Kennedy, Who Inspired the Movie 'Radio,' Dies at 72". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ a b O'Kane, Caitlin (16 December 2019). "James "Radio" Kennedy, staple of South Carolina high school football team who inspired 2003 film, has died". CBS News. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Negley, Cassandra (16 December 2019). "James Kennedy, high school football fixture who inspired film 'Radio', dies at 73". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Butler, Karen (15 December 2019). "Film inspiration James 'Radio' Kennedy dead at 73". United Press International. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Peter, Josh (15 December 2019). "Reporter recalls the man and the story that became inspiration for the movie 'Radio'". The Ithaca Journal. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ WACH Staff (18 December 2019). "T.L. Hanna's icon 'Radio' obituary and public viewing". WACH. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Levenson, Eric (15 December 2019). "James 'Radio' Kennedy, football fixture who inspired a Hollywood movie, dies at 73". WBAL-TV. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "James 'Radio' Kennedy, football fixture who inspired a Hollywood movie, dies at 73". WHNT-TV. CNN Wire. 15 December 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Days and times the public can pay respects to T.L. Hanna legend James 'Radio' Kennedy". WYFF. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ a b Choiniere, Alyssa (16 December 2019). "James 'Radio' Kennedy Dies: T.L. Hanna High School Legend Was 73". Heavy.com. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Pickman, Ben (15 December 2019). "'Radio' Kennedy, Focus of SI 1996 Feature, Inspiration for 2003 Film, Dies At 73". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Stinson, Antonio (15 December 2019). "James 'Radio' Kennedy passes away, family says". KTSM-TV. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "James 'Radio' Kennedy passes away, family says". WFLA-TV. 15 December 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (15 December 2019). "James "Radio" Kennedy Dies: Inspiration For 2003 Cuba Gooding Jr. Film Was 73". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ Jacobo, Julia (15 December 2019). "James 'Radio' Kennedy, man who inspired award-winning movie starring Cuba Gooding Jr., dies at 73". ABC News. Retrieved 5 June 2020.