SB Nation’s Origins Video SeriesPresented by StateFarm
After leading the Belle Glade, Florida, field crew for the Muck City project, Vox Media asked me back to help with two episodes of the Origins video series. This time I was brought on at an earlier stage which allowed me to contribute more significantly to preproduction, which helped the management of all itinerary and logistics for each production shoot go smoothly, despite spanning numerous locations through several cities.
Origins: Melvin Gordon III Became a Football Star
Production Locations: Minneapolis, MN & Kenosha and Madison, WI
Long before Melvin Gordon III became a Pro Bowl running back in the NFL, he was just a kid from Kenosha, WI determined to accomplish his dream.
Melvin Gordon III has reached remarkable levels of success in the game of football. Currently a Pro Bowl running back for the Los Angeles Chargers, he previously terrorized Big Ten defenses at the University of Wisconsin, where he broke the
FBS single-game rushing record previously held by some guy named LaDainian Tomlinson, and finished up his senior year in Madison with more rushing yards than anyone not named Barry Sanders has ever had in a season.
Growing up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Gordon had a relentless work ethic instilled in him by his parents. From a young age, when he wasn’t pretending to be a Power Ranger or playing PlayStation, he was constantly using that work ethic to improve his game on the football field. And having watched a ton of Barry Sanders and Walter Payton highlights as a youngster, Gordon was always inspired to play running back. This is the story of Gordon’s life on and off the gridiron that led to him becoming the man and player he is today.
Origins: Broncos Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders
Production Locations: Denver, CO & Bellville, TX
Growing up in Bellville, TX, Emmanuel Sanders relied on family and sports to propel himself to where he is today. Emmanuel Sanders holds every career receiving record at SMU.
He was the leading pass catcher in Denver’s Super Bowl 50 victory, and Sanders is one of eight active players with at least 1000 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons. His speed and willingness to go after any ball make him a big-play threat at all times on the field. But what if his real calling is … rodeo cowboy?
Ok, that’s a little much. Rodeo was a big part of his youth in Bellville, Texas, however, as it showed Sanders how far people would go for the love of competition. That love propelled him t
hrough youth football, his career as a high school standout, and four successful years with the Mustangs all the way to the NFL. This is the story of that journey, and the people along it who helped Sanders become the incredible athlete he is today.