Documentarian Sam Katz has brought to film the heartwarming story about the friendship between Hall of Fame sports writer Ray Didinger, a Delaware County native, and Eagles wide receiver Tommy McDonald, writes Olivia Kram for Philadelphia Magazine.
Boys to Fame is based on Tommy and Me, a play written by Didinger.
The story reveals the relationship that unfolded, covering ground from 10-year-old Didinger’s first encounter with McDonald at an Eagles training camp in Hershey to their growing friendship through the years.
They stayed connected even as Didinger entered journalism and McDonald became an NFL journeyman. In fact, when McDonald told Didinger he regretted not being named to the Hall of Fame, Didinger led a campaign to help make it happen.
It was the likability of both men that drew Katz to the story.
“These are the kind of people you want your children and grandchildren to grow up to be,” Katz said.
The documentary is also a love story to a past era of the Eagles.
There’s archival footage from McDonald’s glory days and scenes of Didinger as he grows in his career, as well as home videos of McDonald and moments from a live recording of Tommy and Me.
Read more about this touching documentary in Philadelphia Magazine.
Interview with Ray Didinger starts at 13:10.
