Remembering Radio on 90th birthday of Coach Jones

Sports Editor’s note: Back in 2003, I can still remember getting to watch the famous movie called Radio. Then in 2004, I got to cover The Masters and I met the real-life Radio (the late James Robert Kennedy) and the real-life Coach (Harold Jones) from the movie. It was an honor getting to reunite with Coach Jones this past weekend on his birthday and to meet his family. Some great people!

Just 30 miles away, a special 90th birthday took place on Sunday afternoon in Anderson.

Harold Jones, the former football coach of T.L. Hanna High School, celebrated No. 90 with family andclose friends. Several of the die-hard football fans in the area quickly connect Jones with the 2003 movie called Radio - actor Ed Harris played Coach Jones in the famous movie and Cuba Gooding Jr. played the role of Radio (the late James Robert Kennedy).

There were balloons everywhere in honor of his birthday on Sunday and a classy buffet-style brunch for everyone in attendance. One special guest for the birthday party was Radio’s brother George Kennedy (referred to as Coolrock), who was with his niece (Jacqueline Kennedy).

“I really miss Radio,” said Coach Jones. “Coolrock - his brother - is here. Radio was just like family and everybody loved him. Once the movie came out, we traveled and spoke. He loved that. Radio would always go with me as long as we didn’t fly.”

Added Coach Jones, about his 90th birthday party, “I appreciate everything. My wife (Glenda) and I take care of each other, and she loved Radio too.”

When asked if he’s watched the movie over 100 times, Jones said, “Oh, yeah. I used to watch it all the time.”

Harold’s son, Brad, took some time to talk about his dad and what he’s learned from him.

“He’s awesome,” Brad said. “He’s done a lot of stuff for a lot of people, and we watched that for a lot of years. It’s rubbed off on us.”

Beyond the movie: Coach Jones reflected back on his early days with Radio at Hanna High School.

“At first, they kind of picked on him,” Coach Jones said. “In the movie, they had him locked up in that shed. He was actually locked up in the football locker and we heard him holler. Then, I ran them (the players) for a week and they didn’t do that again. Someone got his billfold one time and the boys took care of that. I’ll tell you what - everybody loved him (Radio). He helped a lot, too.”

Giving back: The Jones family started a non-profit organization called The Dream Foundation, which was started close to 20 years ago shortly after the movie was released.

Harold’s son, Brad, has played a key role in the development of it.

“We are 100 percent volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) organization,” Brad said. “We don’t have a staff and we make sure all the dollars go towards the children. We are dedicated to providing world-class hunting and fishing adventures for children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses. We started the foundation the spring after the movie. We watched dad take care of Radio all those years and he showed us that it’s important to take care of other people. Radio was part of the family and he was just awesome.”

Mark your calendar: Brad Jones said that they will be having their annual run/walk fundraiser on July 4 in Anderson at Grady’s Great Outdoors.