Presenter: Christopher Michael Martin
Faculty Sponsor: Prof. Teresa Fava Thomas, Ph.D.
School: Fitchburg State University
Research Area: History
Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, 163, C16
ABSTRACT
Mark Moseley, the former professional placekicker who played for 4 teams over 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), certainly fits the mold of a story tailor-made for a Hollywood film. The purpose of this project is to examine the historical background of Moseley’s playing career to produce a screenplay for a biographical film focused upon the dramatic events of the 1982 NFL season. Utilizing archival research through newspaper and magazine articles, documentary and game footage, as well as sports record books, the research conducted will be converted into a screenplay that intends to depict both the highs and lows of Moseley’s career, while highlighting the 1982 season, which is similarly very intriguing. In this season, the NFL saw a player-strike, which shortened the year, helping to pave the way for Moseley to be named the League’s Most Valuable Player, helping his team, the Washington Redskins on their journey to become Super Bowl Champions. Never before in the history of the league had a placekicker been named Most Valuable Player, and it is more likely than not that it will never happen again, further proving that Moseley’s story as one befitting of historical research and a biographic film that will further exemplify his legacy entirely.