Testimonials
What people are saying
Sheryl Capone and Patricia McDonald
Tommy McDonald’s Daughters
Boys to Fame is a timeless story that resonates on so many different levels-a boy with his hero, a father with his son, and a grandson with his grandparents. It showed just how a single conversation between a boy and his hero changed and shaped their lives in ways they never could have imagined. A truly remarkable and inspiring story reminding us all to play big in life no matter our size, our setbacks or where you start from.
Chris McDonald and Tom McDonald
Tommy McDonald’s Sons
Boys to Fame captures the “true meaning” of Ray Didinger’s joy as a sports journalist and my dad’s joy playing football. It demonstrates how two people affected each other's lives in an extraordinary way, coming full circle from their first meeting to their last. A storyline that brings to life the special relationship between two boys that spans decades of success and admiration for each other with their connection all the way until one’s passing. Nothing short of a wonderful and touching “feel-good” film and very inspiring to all audiences, football fans or not.
Ron Jaworski
Eagles Hall of Fame Quarterback, 10 seasons.
Led them to their first Super Bowl.
Boys to Fame is sensational. Tommy McDonald was my friend and Ray Didinger is simply the best sports journalism has to offer. The film's emotional power was a constant. What a heartwarming story about two people who shared an incredible journey. Get this film and watch it. You'll love it!
Dick Vermeil
Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach, 7 seasons.
Coached Eagles first Super Bowl appearance (1981).
I’m a very emotional guy. Boys to Fame brought tears to my eyes. You can’t watch it enough. Watch it once. You’ll want to watch it again and tell you family and friends. A great job telling a wonderful story about relationships and what they mean.
Michael Smerconish
CNN News Host
smerconish.com
Boys to Fame is a must see! The relationship between Ray Didinger and Tommy McDonald is a story that goes far beyond football. To travel on this journey and watch a young football fan reward his hero with such a powerful bond, one that turns the kid into the hero is a one of a kind. This film is loaded with emotional moments and paints a picture of what friendship, at its best, is all about.
Jim Gardner
6abc Action News Anchor, 47 years (retired)
Brilliant filmmaking. Clever, emotion provoking, heartwarming, a trifle sad, and in the end, smile producing. I loved how Ray’s play, Tommy and Me, was intertwined with real life events. Loved how you combined 1960 McDonald TD catch with the 2018 Philly Special. But, more fundamentally, this is a story about adoration that in one way or another, strikes a chord in all of our lives. And Ray Didinger was superb as a narrator of his own story.
Glen Macnow
Sports Broadcaster and Journalist
WIP Radio Personality, 31 years
In a documentary about so much more than football, Director Sam Katz brilliantly captures the themes of fandom, friendship and loyalty. Boys to Fame deftly intertwines interviews, re-creations and curated footage to tell the beautiful story of two men who, over decades, exchanged the role of who would be the other’s hero.
Mark Bowden
Award Winning Journalist/Author
Author of Black Hawk Down and many other books
What a moving story of two essential and beloved Philadelphia characters, Tommy McDonald, the pure and exuberant athlete, and Ray Didinger, the sincere and eloquent sportswriter. Their paths crossed when they were both young, Tommy the football hero who signs an autograph for a starstruck kid, a kid who grows up to return the favor a hundredfold, delivering the old player's fondest dream. Beautifully told and made, Boys to Fame is about enduring friendship, loyalty, and the deep love between a city and its football team.
Angelo Cataldi
Sports Journalist and Radio Personality
34 years hosting WIP Morning Show
Boys to Fame is one of those rare documentaries that takes a sweet, inspiring story about boys and their sports heroes and does honor not just to the memories of past glories, but also to the people who made them special. I know Ray Didinger personally, and he is the ultimate perfectionist. This film matches his commitment to excellence. It as a close to perfect as any documentary you will ever watch. It is truly a masterpiece.
Ernie Accorsi
NFL Executive
General Manager: Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, New York Giants
I grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania. I was 10 when the Eagles began their first training camp in my hometown in 1951. I was 26 when they had their last in 1967. I know this story from start to finish. I saw the play Tommy and Me twice. But nothing really prepared me for how compelling Boys to Fame would be. Obviously, I knew how it was going to turn out, yet I was on the edge of my seat for every minute. If this story was fiction, it would be a smash hit. But it’s not. It’s a true story about two great men, Tommy McDonald and Ray Didinger, and a huge part of their lives. Its authenticity takes this to a different level that puts it in a class of its own.
Chris Barlow
Emmy Award Winning producer, director and writer, NFL Films
A Football Life, Hard Knocks, Steve Young: A Football Life
Boys to Fame is a heartwarming, beautifully told story about a master storyteller and his childhood hero. It’s about the love between fathers and sons, brothers and little brothers. Audiences, no matter which NFL team they call their own, will be moved by the bond between Tommy McDonald and Ray Didinger—two Hall of Famers in their field of work and in life.
Stan Rapp
Government Affairs Consultant (retired)
Las Vegas, Nevada
I am not a die-hard Eagles fan but after watching Boys to Fame I was blown away. The story of Tommy and Ray hit my soul and my emotions with the truth and reality of two lives lived to the fullest. The honesty and compassion of this film is the truth about life that we hunger for. Not to be missed!
Larry Magid
Concert Promoter
Electric Factory Concerts
WOW! This a must see! Boys to Fame is much more than a sports story. It’s a five star reflection of friendship and the magic that binds us together with storytelling at its best. Ray Didinger and Sam Katz have sprinkled a little stardust our way. Whenever you need a lift, watch this! I know I will!!!
Allan Domb
Philadelphia Civic Leader
Allan Domb Real Estate
Boys to Fame is a beautiful story brilliantly told through documentary film. Ray Didinger is one of America’s best storytellers. His relationship over 60 years with football phenom, Tommy McDonald, incisively captures a story close to all of our hearts, how our childhood heroes impact our own lives. You’ll love this film even if your favorite NFL team is not the Philadelphia Eagles. I can’t recommend watching this movie more highly! Bravo, History Making Productions!
Rich Gannon
NFL Quarterback, 17 Seasons
NFL MVP 2002
I was blessed to know both Tommy McDonald and Ray Didinger and was moved by their heartwarming journey together towards the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as the hurdles along the way. The documentary film, Boys to Fame, is such an incredible story that’s not just for football fans. I was amazed at how their relationship evolved from a young fan to eventually presenting Tommy at his induction ceremony in Canton in 1998. The presentation, storytelling, interviews and highlights brought back so many wonderful memories. A must see film for the entire family!
Carol Sirianni (No Relation to Coach)
Finance Manager, Law Firm
Lafayette Hill, PA
Boys to Fame brought two characters to life in the most captivating way, weaving a magical story of a little boy and his sports hero. This was not a story about football. It is a beautifully spun tale of two men whose lives are intertwined through their love of football and each other. Funny, extraordinary, and real. This film captures a piece of Philadelphia that, if you know, you know.
Howard Eskin
Sports Journalist, Radio, TV and Podcast
HowardEskin.com
Ray Didinger’s 40-year friendship with Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer Tommy McDonald that began when he was a boy, is beautifully captured in Boys to Fame. If, like me, you had the privilege of seeing McDonald play at the height of his career, or if you’re a younger fan who is unaware of one of the most colorful players to ever wear an Eagles jersey, you’re sure to enjoy this story of one of the greatest player-fan relationships. Watch this movie. You will be captivated and moved!
Michael Barkann
TV Sports Journalist
NBC Sports Philadelphia
I loved “Boys to Fame.” I literally laughed and cried. A true love story about Tommy and Ray and the bond they first formed in Hershey that lasted a lifetime and beyond. And what formed that bond? The E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles, of course! Great job by Sam Katz and his team - really- just phenomenal!
Michael Bamberger
Journalist and Author
Website
Boys to Fame is Rudy meets Rocky. It's more than that, really--because it's true. What Sam Katz has captured in in this extraordinary film is the story of an unlikely friendship, the binding power of sports--and the evolving nature of relationship that goes on for decades. Bird fans be warned: this is a love story.
Brad Ingelsby
TV and Film Producer and Scriptwriter
Mare of Eastown, The Way Back
Filmmaking is a complicated and challenging process. Believe me. I know. Boys to Fame is documentary filmmaking at its best. The storytelling is superb. The use of scenes from Ray Didinger's play, Tommy and Me, is unique and thoroughly creative. The archival materials are presented artfully. The music is beautiful and just right. You don't have to be a football fan to love this movie. It's a story about friendship and love. I can't wait to watch it again.
Jon McCann
The Philly Captain Youtuber
This beautiful and inspiring film captures the incredible true story of the lifelong bond between legendary wide receiver Tommy McDonald and renowned sports journalist Ray Didinger. It movingly portrays how a childhood meeting blossomed into an enduring friendship, culminating in their historic and joyful journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. By highlighting the heartfelt campaign to honor a hero’s legacy, the movie reveals a deeply human side of sports that is rarely seen on screen. This glowing tribute serves as a powerful reminder that when you finally meet your hero, the resulting connection can change both of your lives forever. Go Birds!
Joe Horrigan
Researcher, Curator & Executive Director (retired)
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Boys to Fame is a heartwarming story of true friendship. The uniting of a hero-felt-forgotten and his longtime silent admirer is a tale that needs told. It’s about heart and compassion, perseverance and reward. But mostly it’s about the love and appreciation between two casual-turned lifelong-friends who sought to fulfill their life’s dream, only to realize they needed each other to do so. A great story.