It is kind of wild to think about, but Remember the Titans—or as many of us search for it, the story of the Titans—is over a quarter-century old. Released in late 2000, it didn't just give us a "based on a true story" sports flick; it served as a massive launching pad for a group of actors who would eventually run Hollywood. Honestly, looking back at the cast of we are the Titans, it’s like looking at a "Who’s Who" list of A-listers before they were famous.
You’ve got Denzel Washington at the height of his powers, sure. But then you blink and realize that the backup linebacker dancing in the back is a young Ryan Gosling. Or that the terrifying Beta from The Walking Dead was once the heart and soul of the Titans' defense. The chemistry on that screen wasn't just movie magic; it was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment for a group of young men who were basically living in each other's pockets during filming.
The Heavy Hitters: Coaches Boone and Yoast
Denzel Washington as Coach Herman Boone is the backbone of the whole thing. It’s hard to imagine anyone else delivering that Gettysburg speech. Washington already had an Oscar by then, but this role solidified him as the king of the "stern but loving" mentor archetype. He stayed in touch with the real Herman Boone until the coach passed away in 2019, which tells you something about how much this project meant to him.
Then you have Will Patton playing Bill Yoast. Patton is one of those "that guy" actors—you've seen him in everything from Armageddon to Yellowstone. In the movie, his character makes the ultimate sacrifice for the team's integrity. In real life, Patton brought a quiet, simmering dignity that balanced out Denzel’s fire. The dynamic between the two was the secret sauce that made the desegregation storyline feel grounded rather than preachy.
📖 Related: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
The Heart of the Defense: Gerry and Julius
If you want to talk about the cast of we are the Titans and not mention the bond between Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell, you’re missing the point of the movie. Ryan Hurst played Gerry. Back then, he was this blond powerhouse. If you fast-forward to today, he’s unrecognizable. He traded the clean-cut football look for a massive beard and a legendary run as Opie Winston on Sons of Anarchy. He even voiced Thor in the God of War Ragnarök video game. Talk about range.
Wood Harris, who played Julius "Big Ju" Campbell, went a completely different route. Not long after the Titans won that fictionalized state championship, Harris headed to Baltimore to play Avon Barksdale in The Wire. It’s a jarring transition if you watch them back-to-back. One minute he’s hugging Ryan Hurst on a football field, the next he’s running a drug empire.
The real Julius Campbell passed away in 2019, and the real Gerry Bertier died tragically in a second car accident in 1981, years after the one depicted in the film. The movie takes some liberties with the timeline of Gerry's accident—it actually happened after the season ended—but the emotional impact remains the same.
👉 See also: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
The Supporting Stars Who Blew Up
- Ryan Gosling (Alan Bosley): He was just the kid who loved country music and couldn't cover a deep route to save his life. This was one of his first big roles after the Mickey Mouse Club. He didn't have much to do, but his charisma was already leaking through the screen.
- Donald Faison (Petey Jones): Right after this, he jumped straight into Scrubs as Turk. Petey was the comic relief and the "diva" of the team, and Faison played it perfectly. He’s still a mainstay in television and hosts a massive rewatch podcast now.
- Ethan Suplee (Louie Lastik): You probably remember him as the guy who sang "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in the cafeteria. Suplee has had one of the most incredible physical transformations in Hollywood, losing over 200 pounds and becoming a literal bodybuilder. He was also a lead in My Name Is Earl.
- Hayden Panettiere (Sheryl Yoast): She was only 10 years old, playing a football-obsessed tomboy. She grew up to be the star of Heroes and Nashville. Recently, she even mentioned she’d love to go back and relive the experience because of how much fun that set was.
What the Movie Got Right (and Wrong)
Let’s be real: Disney "Disney-fied" some of this. The cast of we are the Titans portrayed a town on the brink of a race war, but the real Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass has said in interviews that Alexandria was actually a bit more progressive than the movie suggested. The "hippie" vibe he had? Total exaggeration. His hair wasn't even that long!
But the essence of the T.C. Williams High School integration was real. The team really did go to Gettysburg for camp. They really did go 13-0. And the friendship between the Black and white players actually did help bridge gaps in a community that was struggling with forced busing and school closures.
Legacy and Impact
Why do we still care about this specific group of actors? It's because they represented a shift in sports cinema. Before the year 2000, sports movies were often about the "big game." This one was about the people. The cast of we are the Titans made you care about the third-string quarterback and the assistant coach’s daughter just as much as the star linebacker.
✨ Don't miss: Why Love Island Season 7 Episode 23 Still Feels Like a Fever Dream
If you’re looking to revisit the film, it’s worth watching with a keen eye on the background. You’ll see Kate Bosworth as Gerry’s girlfriend, Emma. You’ll see Nicole Ari Parker. It’s a goldmine of talent that hasn't really been replicated in a sports movie since.
To truly appreciate the journey of these actors, you should check out their more recent work to see how far they've come. Watch Wood Harris in Creed or Ryan Hurst in The Abandons (his 2025 project). It’s the best way to see how the "Titans" grew up. You can also look up the 71 Titans Foundation, which was started by the real-life players to keep the legacy of their 1971 season alive through scholarships and community work.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the "Remember the Titans" 25th Anniversary retrospectives often found on streaming platforms to see the actors reunite.
- Compare the film to the 1971 Alexandria, VA archives at the local library or online historical databases to see the real photos of the team.
- Follow the "Fake Doctors, Real Friends" podcast if you want to hear Donald Faison share behind-the-scenes stories from his time on the set.