Longhorn Legend Freddie Steinmark To Be Subject of Movie

By Jordan Schraeder in Blog on June 6, 2012 at 1:29 pm | 8 Comments

On Dec. 6, 1969, junior starting safety Freddie Steinmark was on top of the world: the Longhorns had just claimed a national championship victory over Arkansas in “The Big Shootout” game in Fayetteville.

Six days later, the 20-year-old was diagnosed with bone sarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor, and was forced to undergo a leg amputation.

Today, on the 41st anniversary of his death, Steinmark’s family announced that the story of the player whose dedication captivated the Longhorn nation will be immortalized in a feature-length film.

Set to be produced by LA-based Nine Layer Productions, the film will feature University footage of Steinmark during a post-game playing of “The Eyes of Texas.”

The Austin Business Journal reports that the screenplay will be written by Bower Yousee, a high school friend and football teammate of Steinmark’s.

Rendered a Longhorn icon thanks to his determination and strength of spirit, Steinmark was a constant presence on the sidelines as assistant coach his senior year, despite his illness and leg amputation. In 1972, the new scoreboard in remodeled Memorial Stadium was dedicated in his honor.

Photo courtesy UT Athletics.

Tags: Bower Yousee, Freddie Steinmark, Nine Layer Productions, The Big Shootout