23 Explosion is a football film that claims to be based on a true story that leaves some viewers curious about how much of it is true, what happened to characters like Ashley (Alexa Vega) and whether she is real. Football films never seem to go out of style, and every year or two a new one comes along to celebrate the virtues of hard work, sportsmanship and unity. These sports movies are also often based on true stories, adding a lot more sincerity, and occasionally shmaltz, to the already serious proceedings.
23 Explosion combines a true story with strong performances from a talented cast that includes Stephen Lang, Alexa Vega, Dylan Baker and Isiah Whitlock Jr. The film follows Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka), a Kentucky high school football player who suffers from pain head and a bacterial infection. The resulting life-saving surgery removes his vision, and the young man must adapt to blindness. Despite the setback, Freeman adapts to his new life, thanks to the help of family and friendssome of which are real people and others who were created for the film.
23 Blast is based on a true story
Travis Freeman lost his vision after a bacterial infection
23 Explosion is actually based on the true story of Travis Freeman, who also lost his vision after a bacterial infection (via FoxNews). Freeman was 12 years old when he experienced an excruciating migraine that lasted nine days. When the migraine thankfully ended, he was faced with a new problem: his left eye began to hurt. He was rushed to the emergency room, where doctors identified a serious sinus infection called cavernous sinus thrombosis, which is a clot in the main veins at the base of the brain.
TSC is rare and is usually caused by an infection. The surgery to save Freeman cost him his sight, but he never bore a grudge against the doctors or the infection, telling his parents:
“I turned to them [his parents] and said, 'I guess I'll see it again, but if I don't, I can't wait to see what God does with it.' And that's been my attitude from the beginning.”
His Kentucky high school football team is also no fictional movie creation, and Freeman eventually returned to the field. He became the team's pivot, a position in the middle of the forward line. It is the position that snaps the ball when the quarterback shouts: “Walk!“A guard stands on either side of the center so Travis' teammates can easily get him into position. A center doesn't need to see to hear the QB yell for the ball, making it the perfect position for someone like Freeman
The defensive linemen lined up just in front of the center, meaning that after releasing the ball, Freeman was free to simply step forward and tackle whoever was in his path. The film was shot on location in Corbin, Kentucky, and Freeman and his family often stopped by the set to provide insider guidance.. 23 Explosion It even includes some funny moments that Freeman managed to share, like accidentally running over a referee while on the field and going to the wrong place mid-game.
Did Travis Freeman and Ashley end up together?
Ashley was a fictional character created for 23 Blast
All over 23 Explosionsome of Freeman's friends turned out to be disappointments, while others turned out to be loyal and encouraging. After his longtime girlfriend breaks up with him, he falls further into depression. It takes his true friends and family to pull him out of this situation, and that includes his childhood friend, Ashley. Although they have never had romantic feelings for each other previously, love blossoms between the two as she helps Travis rediscover his love of football and life after surgery.
23 Explosion ends with Freeman helping his team advance to the state playoffs, so Ashley's future and their relationship is never revealed, but it is implied that they will continue dating. So, in 23 ExplosionAshley and Freeman are prepared to spend their future together, but that's not the truth. In truth, Ashley isn't even a real person. It's certainly possible that Freeman had a high school girlfriend, but if he did, her identity has not been disclosed. The only information about his romantic life comes after his college years.
Freeman is married to Stephanie Freeman, whom he met during a homecoming weekend at the University of the Cumberlands, where they both worked, according to a post on Facebook. In the caption, Stephanie, who graduated from the University of the Cumberlands, says:
“Travis and I met on campus during homecoming weekend in 2014 and were married 10 months later at Gatliff Chapel on July 25, 2015. I have been an administrative assistant in alumni services at UC since May 2011. Travis became an adjunct professor in the Missions and Ministry Department at UC in January 2013. He is also a motivational speaker and CEO of the Freeman Foundation. We live in our hometown. Corbin, Kentucky.”
The couple is still together and has a daughter (via TheDirect). While Travis works as a motivational speaker and CEO of his own foundationStephanie runs a bakery and her delicious creations can be found on her Pinterest profile, @mrsstephfreeman.
The true meaning of the ending of 23 Blast
23 Explosion follows Travis Freeman's journey from a sighted high school student to someone who loses the use of his vision, following the highs and lows along the way. There are many low points, especially at the beginning of your journey, but Your willingness to move forward is what is at the heart of 23 Explosion. Just as important is the support Freeman receives from his community. It's possible he wouldn't be where he is now if his parents, friends, and school weren't so willing to help someone they cared about.
When Freeman feels down, it's those around him who lift him up.
Playing football blindly is not an easy task, and there may be some high schools that would dissuade a student from playing for fear of getting hurt. Freeman's trainer, played by Stephen Lang in 23 Explosion; his friend and then-girlfriend Ashley; his parents, Larry (Dylan Baker) and Mary (Kim Zimmer); and the rest of his community are admirable in their full support of Freeman's dreams. When Freeman feels down, it's those around him who lift him up.
It's the combined efforts of Freeman, Ashley and everyone else that brings Freeman back to the field. 23 Explosion ends with Freeman leading his struggling team to the state playoff, but the success on the field is only secondary, the real victory is that Freeman has regained the confidence to return to the field.