'Sweetwater' Movie an Inspiring Story of Seeking Racial Equality

When thinking about racial equality in sports, one immediately conjures up thoughts of young Jackie Robinson stepping between the lines to become the first African-American athlete in Major League Baseball in 1947.

But what about the other major sports? While we hear so much about Robinson suiting up for the Brooklyn Dodgers, less is known about the other three major sports. While Fritz Pollard is credited for being the first African-American professional football player in 1920, the NHL’s Willie O’Ree did not break the color barrier until 1958 as a member of the Boston Bruins.

Perhaps the most diverse league in professional sports today, the NBA, wasn’t always known for being a game for all ethnicities. As a tenet of proof, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who had spent many years toiling for the independent Harlem Globetrotters, did not step foot on an NBA court to become its first African-American player until signing a contract with the New York Knicks in 1950. Without Clifton, there would be no Michael Jordan or Lebron James to cheer for today.

Sweetwater, Clifton’s inspirational story of overcoming a lifetime of barriers and racial discrimination is the subject of a new movie streaming on the Angel Studios app. Starring relative newcomer Everett Osborne, the film also features an all-star cast including Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, Mr. Holland’s Opus), Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ), Jeremy Piven (Entourage), Kevin Pollak (A Few Good Men), and Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride).

I recently sat down with Osborne to discuss why Clifton should be seen as a pioneer for racial equality in sports, valuable lessons that can be learned from his life and witness, and how his life can be seen as hope for tomorrow as well as today.

For every actor, there always seems to be a trigger, a tipping point, a moment where you say to yourself, “I have to be a part of this movie!!” For Sweetwater, what was that moment for you?

Truly? When the opportunity came to me and I just saw the story about the first black NBA player to break barriers, I think that alone was so attractive. I didn't even think about who that person could be. It was so shocking to me that I knew who Jackie Robinson was but not Nat Clifton. That was the first thing. I wanted to know more about him before I wanted to do this movie or book anything. I'm like, who is this person? So for me, that was the hook, honestly. Just learning about him and gratefully, I ended up booking the role. Once I did book the role, my posture was more of a surrender type thing, kind of moving me out of the way and not having to get anything. I just really wanted to learn more about him and his journey. It was fruitful.

Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton has a fascinating story in that he was the first African-American to break the color barrier in the NBA. While we know a great deal about Jackie Robinson and his story, we know less about Clifton. From your perspective, what can you tell me about this man?

From my perspective, I would tell you that he's, as any great leader is, he has a heart for people and a heart for service. And outside of being an amazing athlete, he fought and served in war for our country. And I think there's something valuable when people put their life on the line for others, whether it be the same color or not. His fight was beyond just to be the first black (player in the NBA). His fight was for connection, for love, for humanity, and rights for his people as well. So I would tell you, for me, firstly, he had a heart of service and was a truly lovable guy. 

What is one thing you learned about Sweetwater Clifton as you were preparing for this role that really impressed you? 

What impressed me was how he gracefully moved through life. He wasn't wearing the trauma, the barriers, or boundaries that were placed around him. You can actually say he was in oppressed circumstances, which you couldn't tell. He always had a smile on his face. Even when he played, he had this smooth way of playing and this free element to his game that he was able to express. So for me, that was something huge. I was really impressed with how he was a fighter deep down. He would go into restaurants and it would say that coloreds have to go over here and eat. You can't go over there. And he was a tear down person, if you know what I'm saying. He was actually radical in that sense too, but in a quiet, honest way.

In the movie, Sweetwater Clifton’s mother tells him that he was born with a higher purpose. Ultimately, what do you believe that higher purpose was? Does it go beyond breaking the color barrier in the NBA?

Of course. I don't think having a higher purpose ever ends. I think it's a torch. And I think it's something you spark and it consistently passes down. This is why history is important because we stand on each other's shoulders. As Sweetwater says in the film, do not give things away. He says he's just a messenger. And I think part of his purpose was relaying a message, relaying a word, or inspiring people, bringing humanity together and uplifting one another. I would say that was part of his higher purpose. But you can't put a limit on it, which would be a Sweetwater thing to say. You can't put a limit to what that really means.

Do you think Sweetwater Clifton realized that he was changing the game of basketball forever when he crossed that racial divide? Or do you think it was just the next natural move for him in his career?

That’s a tough question to really give you a one-hundred percent answer, but I can give you my honest approach to it. I was listening to Michael Jordan speak, and he said that, of course he wants to be great, but his focus wasn't on being this iconic legend. His focus was on the day-to-day, doing the best he could with his craft. And then you look up and hear the results. To get results, you can't just be focused on results. You have to be focused on the day-to-day things. And I think Sweetwater was just dealing with life as he was going on. He maintained a sense of value, of purpose, of vision, of just wanting what was better for him and others around him. And I think that helped him break the barriers, to push through, and advocate for himself and other people. But man, for most of these heroes, we are still standing on the shoulders of the people that paved the way. They didn't really know they were just responding in a human way. But they created a beautiful path for us.

What are some valuable lessons that can be learned from the life and witness of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton?

I think the key word you just said was “valuable”. To understand you have a sense of value, and that's nothing that you even have to speak on, but it's just knowing that you're worthy, knowing you're good enough as you are, no matter what circumstances are around you. In his life, Sweetwater carried with him that he could have been on the worst team on a little, broken down bus, but he still felt valuable. He could have been in Madison Square Garden, amongst the high rollers, and he still felt valuable. So, I think a sense of God-given value is very important. And then also a sense of advocacy. Knowing what you stand for and knowing what you don't stand for.

And if you see other people around you being a certain type of way, then you have authority to speak up in that space and help each other. Sweetwater's story isn't just about him. For him to become a legend and break barriers, he had an insatiable will and grit. But when you see the film, it's so many things that come together, all the people that you name, there's families that come together to help push this boundary and help them climb over this wall. It's a story that inspires us to come together and to understand who we really are. It’s a story about life and having fun along the way.

After people have had the chance to see Sweetwater what would you like to see audiences take away from the viewing experience? What is your greatest hope for the film?

I would never want to limit people on what exactly to take away, because it might be a child watching. There's many different people that can come watch this movie. It's a family movie. You can come in by yourself, with friends, your wife, your grandmother, anybody. So, it's hard to say what I want them to take away. It would be great if they've all even learned one thing about Sweetwater's story. And I hope that one thing inspired their own personal life to some degree. Just to leave with a sense of inspiration, a hope for tomorrow, and a hope for today. 

WATCH A TRAILER FOR SWEETWATER: