The sudden boycott by the players of their own football game is part of the plan to get the players properly compensated for their role in this extremely lucrative industry.
James’ power-packed performance was augmented by renowned actors like J.K. Simmons, who commands the scenes he’s in. Simmons plays LeMarcus’ head coach and is understandably outraged at being ambushed by the players’ last-minute protest. Moreover, he has to answer to the NCAA suits who castigate him for not having control of his players.
You get the feeling the host hotel is on the verge of implosion from the pandemonium generated by LeMarcus’ decision. What the film National Champions does, James believes, is generate strong enough emotions to spark more meaningful dialogue on this timely topic.
“The people who watch this film are able to see these athletes differently. I hope the athletes are able to see themselves differently, their fellow brothers differently. I hope they start thinking about their futures and their well-being,” James said. “We can help add to the conversation that’s out there, to help amplify it, to encapsulate this moment that we’re living in — because it’s happening right now. I think that is really, really special.”
