We are Marshall: What Was True and What Was Not?

Introduction

The tragic Marshall University plane crash of November 14, 1970, remains one of the darkest days in American sports history. Seventy-five lives were lost, including 37 Marshall football players, five coaches, and several members of the Huntington community. More than three decades later, Hollywood attempted to tell this story in the 2006 film We Are Marshall.

While the movie carried emotional weight and introduced a new generation to this tragedy, it also blurred the line between fact and fiction. Like many sports movies based on true stories, dramatic liberties were taken to heighten the impact. Some moments were inspired by truth, while others were fabricated or exaggerated.

This article takes a closer look at the We Are Marshall true story, separating fact from fiction and explaining why the real events remain more powerful than the Hollywood version.

We Are Marshall – Original Theatrical Trailer

Jack Lengyel: Fact vs. Fiction

• Movie portrayal: Matthew McConaughey’s Coach Jack Lengyel is shown as eccentric, loud, and flamboyant.

• Reality: In truth, Lengyel was calm, low-key, and rarely raised his deep voice. His quiet leadership style and ability to connect with people made him the perfect fit. This inaccurate portrayal is one of the film’s biggest flaws.

The “Dramatic Meeting” with Nate Ruffin

• Movie version: Nate Ruffin storms into a meeting and points outside to thousands of chanting students, convincing the administration to save the football program.

• Reality: This never happened. The Marshall football program was never in jeopardy of being eliminated. From the very beginning, players and administrators worked behind the scenes to make sure the program survived.

Discovery of the Plane Crash Victims

• Movie version: The victims’ identities are revealed through a drawn-out cinematic sequence.

• Reality: Veteran reporter Jack Hardin discovered a wallet belonging to one of the players, which confirmed who was on board. By the time this happened, the Marshall plane crash had already been reported for nearly 30 minutes.

“The Funerals End Today”

• Movie version: Lengyel gives a passionate speech declaring, “The funerals end today.”

• Reality: While not word-for-word, this is about 80–90% accurate. Lengyel did bring his teams to Spring Hill Cemetery before each season to explain what happened and honor the lives lost.

The “We Are…Marshall” Chant

• Movie version: The chant is shown beginning in 1970.

• Reality: The iconic “We Are…Marshall” chant didn’t actually start until the early 1980s.

We Are Marshall (1/5) Movie CLIP – We Are Marshall! (2006) HD

Red Dawson’s Role in the Crash Aftermath

• Movie version: Assistant coach Red Dawson is depicted as having given up his seat on the doomed plane.

• Reality: Dawson had always planned to drive back. He and Deke Brackett had been on a recruiting trip in Virginia. Brackett only ended up on the plane because graduate assistant Gale Parker gave up his seat. The movie unfairly shifted this act of fate onto Dawson.

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Tributes from West Virginia and Bobby Bowden

• Fact: This was accurate. West Virginia University wore green crosses on their helmets in tribute to Marshall. Bobby Bowden and his staff also helped Marshall coaches install the veer offense.

Did Marshall Really Lack an Athletic Director?

• Movie version: The university appears without direction, lacking an athletic director.

• Reality: Joe McMullen became athletic director in February 1971. He had connections to Jack Lengyel and was instrumental in hiring him. In fact, Dick Bestwick was hired first, but resigned just days later before Lengyel took over.

Hollywood Composite Characters

Two characters were completely fictional:

• Paul Griffen (Ian McShane), the grieving mill worker father.

• Annie Cantrell (Kate Mara), the cheerleader fiancée.

These Hollywood composite characters were created to symbolize broader grief but never existed in real life.

Nate Ruffin’s Lasting Legacy

• Fact: Nate Ruffin, one of the survivors of the 1970 tragedy, passed away in 2001 at age 51. He is buried at Spring Hill Cemetery alongside six unidentified teammates.

ESPN Marshall Tribute 11/14/15

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Conclusion

The Marshall University plane crash was one of the greatest tragedies in sports history, and its legacy deserved a film that was both moving and accurate. We Are Marshall succeeded in raising awareness but leaned too heavily on Hollywood clichés and fictionalized drama.

The truth—that Marshall rebuilt its program through quiet strength, loyalty, and resilience—was already remarkable. Coach Jack Lengyel’s real leadership didn’t need embellishment, and the community’s perseverance spoke louder than any scripted speech.

We Are Marshall remains an emotional film, but the real story of Marshall football is even more powerful, and it continues to inspire generations who honor the 75 lives lost.