Ex-Washington players Jerry Smith, Brig Owens to be focus of new film

The story of the friendship between former Washington Football Team players Jerry Smith and Brig Owens will be told in an upcoming movie.

Actor Joel Kinnaman, known for roles in "RoboCop" and "Suicide Squad," will portray Smith and also executive produce the currently untitled film, according to a press release from Fandomodo Films. The script is based on a story by Owens and Kevin Vance.

Set during the height of the civil rights movement, the film will focus on the close bond between Smith and Owens, who were teammates in Washington from 1966 to1977.

"NFL owners were fighting the formation of the players' association to maintain their grip over a culture of secrecy and oppression - all against the backdrop of growing violence against black communities, civil unrest against a war raging in Vietnam, and a Super Bowl," the press release reads. "Brig faced constant challenges and bigotry as a Black man - pulling double duty as he practiced during the day and attended law school at night. Smith was secretly gay - a fact he kept hidden all his life. Through it all, the men formed an unwritten covenant to always be there for each other regardless of differences or obstacles."

Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL for most career touchdowns by a tight end when he retired in 1977. He died of AIDS in 1986 at the age of 43.

Owens started 123 games at safety over his 12 seasons with Washington and ranks second on the team's career interceptions list with 36.