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Gene Washington was a gridiron great on the historic football teams of the mid-1960s at Michigan State University. He also went on to play wide receiver in the pros. But it's his accomplishments off the field, including an instrumental role in the desegregation of college football.
His daughter, Maya, is a filmmaker who knew about his football glory days, but until only recently discovered the part her father and his teammates played in the evolution of football and pushing the civil rights movement forward through athletics.
Her film, "Through the Bank of the Red Cedar," made its world premier this weekend as part of the Detroit Free Press Film Festival. A screening followed by a panel discussion including the Washingtons begins at 1 p.m. today at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak.
Watch the video and click here to learn more about the film festival.