Issues in the Story Line: Acceptance, Tolerance, and Understanding

Several themes are introduced throughout the storyline. Coach Jones is shown as an authoritarian type teacher / coach who is revered by his students and many people in the community. He is well respected. This general consensus carries through to the sports field and relative games as a result. Historically, people of the town have not questioned Coach Jones' authority or ability as a coach because of his proven track record of being successful for producing a winning team. This element is challenged as Coach Jones develops a relationship with Radio, a mentally challenged teenager. Many of the townsfolk have little understanding or acceptance of individuals with special needs in everyday life, or in the school setting. When Coach Jones brings Radio to the football practices, games, school, and into the community, the community reacts in a variety of ways. Some people immediately question his motives and actions. Other people talk about his decision making ability behind his back, and attempt to take action to fix the problem themselves.

The fact that Coach Jones befriended Radio in a day and age that was facing desegregation, little acceptance of blacks, and heightened fears about people with disabilities, it was a risk-ay thing to take on. Coach Jones' actions invited inspection and criticism from the world around him. The Coach spent some time being introspective about his actions, and explained himself to his wife, Radio's mother, Principal Daniels, and daughter Mary Helen.

The issue of dispelling differences is raised in the movie. On many accounts, the idea that 'we are all God's children' is brought up. Even though Radio experiences bullying, teasing, hazing, and dismissal from many people, he trusts in the relationship he has built with Coach Jones.

Coach Jones struggled in the movie with maintaining his sense of priorities. He wanted to support Radio's development entirely, but was forced on many occasions to push his convictions aside until he could build a community of acceptance in Anderson. Coach Jones used his influence as a community leader to do so.

The issue of maintaining integrity was a central theme in the movie. Coach Jones was a well known and respected individual in the town. On several occasions, Coach Jones stands up to the people who question him, including his wife, Principal, colleagues, and townsfolk. He makes it very clear that he has the right motives in mind. A quote from Mrs. Jones in the movie reinforces this idea when she says, "It's never wrong to care about someone."

The development of the relationship that Coach Jones had with Radio changed his life. Coach Jones was able to make up for a mistake he made in his past, when he left a boy under a porch who needed help. The Coach felt bad for this and tried to make up for it as an adult. He had felt very guilty about leaving the boy under the porch many years before. This sense of guilt helped to motivate the Coach to continue to assist Radio to have a better life.

This helping behaviour that the Coach shared with Radio helped him get over his feelings of guilt. It also allowed him to develop some feelings of adequacy as a careprovider, even though his relationship with his daughter did not improve much throughout the movie. When the Coach shared his feelings with his daughter about the guilt he had harboured, there was a small bridge built to commence the father daughter relationship that previously was non-existent.

These struggles throughout the movie helped to foster an attitude of acceptance in the community for Radio, in his presence at Hanna High and in Anderson. Coach Jones facilitated understanding of differences, and the overall acceptance of Radio. These issues were a pretty tall order for anyone to take on.