Fund the creation of A Good Man documentary
Donation protected
We need you to tell the important story of a forgotten Chief, his wife and surviving children! Whether it's $1, $5 or a major contribution — this is a story that needs to be told! Give, share, spread the word about the cinematic documentary production of A Good Man — The Jim Tyrer Story.
*******
In 1980, Kansas City Chiefs star Jim Tyrer was eulogized with an admonition, “We should be careful not to judge a life by its concluding events.” The words would prove to be prophetic.
Still, Tyrer, one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL, has largely been forgotten. The case for his induction into the Hall of Fame, once virtually guaranteed, hasn't been heard because of the concluding events of his life.
In the wake of Jim and Martha Tyrer's deaths, a remarkable thing happened — their four children were able to thrive with the help of a tight knit community, the Chiefs family and, most importantly, their grandparents who, too, had endured trauma in their youth.
In the early 2000's a clearer understanding began to emerge of what had led to Tyrer's demise. The answers, while validating, came long after his children had committed themselves to living productive lives regardless of whether understanding would ever come.
The family, and Tyrer himself, offer vivid examples of what it means to face adversity and move forward. Lessons learned from unspeakable suffering in 1930 played a critical role in overcoming a family tragedy in 1980 which now has created a foundation of stability for the Tyrer grandchildren in 2020. They're lessons that have the potential to impact greater society at a time when suicide rates are skyrocketing.
A Good Man is a cinematic documentary about trauma, resilience and the messy business of legacy.
Funds will be used for research, travel to backstory locations including Arizona and Indiana, professional camera crews, reenactment of key events, hiring of a professional editor and animator, cost of permissions for archive material and professional completion of this feature length documentary. The final product will be worthy of any theatre, network and/or streaming service.
About us:
Director/Producer Kevin Patrick Allen
Kevin is an accomplished reporter specializing in endurance, resilience and mental health. A Kansas native, he spent 20+ years reporting in San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Kansas City.
His 2018 documentary anthology What Comes Next explored resilience in the lives of characters ranging from a seriously injured X-Games athlete to two exonerated death row inmates. His 2015 short documentary, The Anna Westin Story, was cited as an integral part of the passage of federal legislation to treat and prevent eating disorders. He's the former owner of the popular podcast Endurance Planet which created a tight knit community of ultrarunners, triathletes and adventure racers.
The son of a jail chaplain who had a passion for running, he's continually sought to embrace endurance and empathy in his own life.
Cinematographer Steve Hebert
Steve is an award-winning photojournalist who has shifted his focus to making documentary films over the past decade. Steve recently co-produced an hour-long documentary, Give Me Sight, which was awarded Best Documentary Feature at the Oregon International Film Awards.
Steve grew up in Kansas and has reported on a wide range of issues ranging from farming to America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has spent over 20 years working professionally for newspapers and magazines including Pro Publica, Time, US News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He is one of the only photojournalists to be granted access to embed with the elite U.S. Army Green Berets in Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia, and the Philippines.
His work has always sought to lift the voices of those not heard and to bring viewers to places they may never go.
*******
In 1980, Kansas City Chiefs star Jim Tyrer was eulogized with an admonition, “We should be careful not to judge a life by its concluding events.” The words would prove to be prophetic.
Still, Tyrer, one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play in the NFL, has largely been forgotten. The case for his induction into the Hall of Fame, once virtually guaranteed, hasn't been heard because of the concluding events of his life.
In the wake of Jim and Martha Tyrer's deaths, a remarkable thing happened — their four children were able to thrive with the help of a tight knit community, the Chiefs family and, most importantly, their grandparents who, too, had endured trauma in their youth.
In the early 2000's a clearer understanding began to emerge of what had led to Tyrer's demise. The answers, while validating, came long after his children had committed themselves to living productive lives regardless of whether understanding would ever come.
The family, and Tyrer himself, offer vivid examples of what it means to face adversity and move forward. Lessons learned from unspeakable suffering in 1930 played a critical role in overcoming a family tragedy in 1980 which now has created a foundation of stability for the Tyrer grandchildren in 2020. They're lessons that have the potential to impact greater society at a time when suicide rates are skyrocketing.
A Good Man is a cinematic documentary about trauma, resilience and the messy business of legacy.
Funds will be used for research, travel to backstory locations including Arizona and Indiana, professional camera crews, reenactment of key events, hiring of a professional editor and animator, cost of permissions for archive material and professional completion of this feature length documentary. The final product will be worthy of any theatre, network and/or streaming service.
About us:
Director/Producer Kevin Patrick Allen
Kevin is an accomplished reporter specializing in endurance, resilience and mental health. A Kansas native, he spent 20+ years reporting in San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Kansas City.
His 2018 documentary anthology What Comes Next explored resilience in the lives of characters ranging from a seriously injured X-Games athlete to two exonerated death row inmates. His 2015 short documentary, The Anna Westin Story, was cited as an integral part of the passage of federal legislation to treat and prevent eating disorders. He's the former owner of the popular podcast Endurance Planet which created a tight knit community of ultrarunners, triathletes and adventure racers.
The son of a jail chaplain who had a passion for running, he's continually sought to embrace endurance and empathy in his own life.
Cinematographer Steve Hebert
Steve is an award-winning photojournalist who has shifted his focus to making documentary films over the past decade. Steve recently co-produced an hour-long documentary, Give Me Sight, which was awarded Best Documentary Feature at the Oregon International Film Awards.
Steve grew up in Kansas and has reported on a wide range of issues ranging from farming to America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has spent over 20 years working professionally for newspapers and magazines including Pro Publica, Time, US News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He is one of the only photojournalists to be granted access to embed with the elite U.S. Army Green Berets in Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia, and the Philippines.
His work has always sought to lift the voices of those not heard and to bring viewers to places they may never go.
Organizer
Kevin Patrick Allen
Organizer
Olathe, KS