8A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3,2007
ALUMNUS
From Astroturf to big screen
Former Kansas lineman plays center in new football movie
BY THOR NYSTROM
tnystrom@kansan.com
Former Kansas football player Marcus Owen plays the center to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's egotistical superstar quarterback in the Disney film "The Game Plan," released Friday.
Owen and Johnson play for the Boston Rebels in the movie. Owen said his favorite part about making the film was the crew.
"All the actors for the most part are great guys." Owen said. "The experience is great; being etched
in the silver screen for eternity. The people are the best. Dwayne was fantastic and really down-to-earth."
The comedy's premise involves the superstar quarterback, Johnson.
ing confused with a daughter who shows up at his doorstep one day.
Owen
"If you like 16-year-old girl movies, or chick flicks, you'll like this movie."
Owen said, laughing. "It's actually a really good movie. My sister cried at it, and my mom said she almost cried. It is an emotional father-daughter movie. It's got good football scenes, too."
Owen, who was given the nickname "Snowball" during his first week on the Kansas campus by former coach Glenn Mason, is a member of the Tampa Bay Storm
in the Arena Football League. He played at Kansas from 1997-2000, where he was a two-year starter at offensive guard. He earned thirdteam All-Big 12 honors as a senior in 2000. Owen went to the NFL and trained with the Arizona Cardinals before injuring his back. He has played in the Arena League for five years.
Owen said Johnson was receptive to Arena League players who tried to teach the former wrestling star how to throw the ball like a professional quarterback. Johnson was impressed with the approximately 25 active Arena League players who participated in the movie.
"I have nothing but glowing things to say about my experience in working with these guys," Johnson said in a press release. "I especially enjoyed working with my center, Marcus 'Snowball' Owen ... he was great."
Owen also appeared in 2005's "The Longest Day." He didn't have
a speaking role in either film, but said he would like to get such a role in the future. While Owen said he prefers playing football to acting, he said he would love to work behind the camera as a director, producer, or cameraman.
The layhawk spent two and a half months filming, from October to mid-December. The movie was filmed in Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots.
Owen said the football scenes were filmed live, but the players' actions were choreographed. In one scene in the film's closing minutes, Owen is the lead blocker for Johnson and cuts a pursuing linebacker, who then flips.
"He knew that was coming and had extra padding in the thighs," Owen said. "You learn how to land and how to turn. You know the hit is coming, so you can brace for it."
Edited by Luke Morris
Former Kansas offensive lineman Marcus Owen has the honor of snapping the ball to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the movie "The Game Plan."Owen earned All-Big 12 third-team honors in 2000.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ryan Campbell,
Olate junior,
reacts to the coming out story of another member of the panel at the Queens & Allies question and answer session on Tuesday night in the Jawhawk
room in the Kansas Union.
Queers & Allies meets Tuesdays
at 7:30 p.m.
Jessica Crabaugh/Kansan
CAMPUS
Queers & Allies share answers, experiences
BY SASHA ROE
Members of the panel were Jessica Rojas, Q&A social chair, Ryan Campbell Q&A director, Kelly Marshall, Renata Fernandes, and Jay Pryor.
sroe@kansan.com
The members started the session by sharing their coming out stories. Renata Fernandes, Rio De Janeiro, sophomore said she dated a girl
Jessica Roijas is often asked when she knew she was gay. The Indian Harbor Beach Fla., senior, said she often thought of asking back. "So when did you know you were straight?"
No question was off limits when University of Kansas Queers & Allies hosted "Q&A with Q&A," a question and answer session Tuesday.
"I said so many things against myself." Fernandes said.
Fernandes said it took time for her mother to accept the news. She said their relations have improved recently. She said her mother knew her sexuality wasn't a choice.
for three years but bid her identity because she didn't want to take the risk and tell her mother.
"It wasn't an option for me," Fernandes said, "If it was I would have chose the easier route."
Ryan Campbell, Olathe junior,
said his coming out was pretty painless.
He said he was thankful but a
bit surprised his suburban, conservative family was so accepting. Even his grandmother surprised him with her support.
"She said, 'You know it's true what they say, all the cute ones are gay,' Campbell said.
- Secure working environment
- ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
"Tough skin and a sense of humor," Kelly Marshall said. Marshall said he had many questions after he went from being a lesbian to a trans man, to today being a gay trans man.
We are looking for individuals with ambition, leadership, & problem solving capabilities
The panel also addressed more serious questions. Panelists were asked how they dealt with personal questions about their identity.
Rojas said it was important to remember people don't always mean harm, but are just curious. However, she said it was hard to deal with verbal abuse.
- Excellent Pay
- Flexible scheduling
APPLY TODAY - JOIN OUR TEAM!
Apply on-line at www.Zarco66.com
- Drug free work place
The panel was also asked if their religion and their identity conflicted with each other.
This was the second year for the question and answer session. Outreach coordinator Melissa Todhunter, Columbus, sophomore said the idea for the session was inspired by the speakers bureau panel Queers & Allies provides to classes and faculty on campus. Todhunter said it was the same concept but the Q&A was much more informal.
Rojas said she was raised Catholic, served on mission trips and believed in God. She said she tried to ignore any arguments she got about her faith conflicting with her identity. Rojas said was going to believe what she wanted to believe.
Kelly Marshall said his family had always been very spiritual, yet not religious. He said he focused on doing what was right and having good values.
"it's how you live your life, not who your partner is," Marshall said.
"It's a really open and honest environment," Todhunter said. "Some may be shocked at what they hear."
Todhunter said the main goal was give people an opportunity to interact and ask more personal questions than they might in the day to day conversations.
"We live in such a diverse world," Todhunter said. "But if you aren't open to it, you can limit yourself."
Q&A communications director, Ashlynn Horras, Knoxville, Iowa, sophomore said the question and answer session was important for students who may never get the chance to have their questions answered, or even talk to a member of the gay community.
"It may help them have a better understanding," Horras said. "So there's no misperceptions, no fears."
— Edited Rachael Gray
1