<P> After Bertier recuperated from his injuries, he once again became a competitive athlete . According to his sister, Becky Britt, "During Gerry's childhood he had mentioned being in the Olympics . His long - term goal was to receive a gold medal ." He decided to occupy himself in Wheelchair Track and Field, the Wheelchair Basketball League, and the United States Paralympics, setting state and national records . He was coached throughout his life by Bill Yoast, winning gold medals in both the discus throw and shot put . </P> <P> On March 20, 1981, Bertier was killed in a car accident while returning home from a business trip . Driving alone, his southbound 1980 Oldsmobile collided with a northbound car, which crossed over the center line on Route 20 in Charlottesville, Virginia . Bertier died nearly two hours later in the University of Virginia hospital . A man from Schulyer, Virginia was charged with manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with the accident . </P> <P> Gerry Bertier was portrayed in the Disney film Remember the Titans by actor Ryan Hurst . While most of the film is historically accurate, there are certain aspects of Bertier's portrayal that are not completely factual . The name of Bertier's girlfriend and Bertier and Campbell's relationship, for example, were misrepresented . Bertier's on - the - field portrayal in the film, however, is almost entirely correct . As the team's defensive captain, Bertier was a dominating force on the linebacking corps and received All - American honors following the team's championship season . Although heralded as an exceptional leader on and off the football field, Bertier's duties never included cutting fellow players from the team as he was shown doing in the film . </P> <P> After becoming paralyzed, Bertier became very active in assisting other victims of spinal cord injuries . Bertier frequented the spinal cord injury wards of local hospitals to help victims with their acceptance of the injury and eventually their rehabilitation . After Bertier died in 1981, his sister, Becky Britt, decided to continue his legacy . Her recent creation of the "Gerry Bertier #42 Foundation ." is meant to build upon Bertier's tradition of helping sufferers of spinal cord injuries . The foundation is dedicated to raising money for the research of spinal cord injuries and works with the Virginia Commonwealth University to host annual fundraising golf tournaments . These tournaments draw the support of many Virginia residents, including several members of the 1971 T.C. Williams championship team . The second annual tournament was held September 29, 2007, at the Cannon Ridge Golf Club of Fredericksburg, Virginia . Proceeds were donated to the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation and Research Center of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCUHS). The 2007 tournament raised approximately $20,000 for donation to the VCUHS . </P>

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