Jada Pinkett Smith to star in movie about former ASU LB Brandon Magee

The story of former Arizona State linebacker Brandon Magee’s best friend’s death and subsequent success will be made into a feature film called “Redd Zone”, according to Variety Magazine.

The film, which will star Jada Pinkett Smith as Tia Magee, Brandon’s mother, focuses on the death of Magee’s childhood best friend and high school teammate, Dominic Redd and the team’s ability to turn tragedy into triumph.

Tia is a single mother who winds up caring for 17 members of Brandon’s football team at Centennial High School in Southern California, affectionately known as “The Bros” after Redd’s death.

Eventually all 17 go on to college with four, including Brandon, playing in the NFL. Magee wound up playing in 17 NFL games with the Browns and Buccaneers between 2013 and 2014, in addition to being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 23rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft.

Magee made a mark during his tenure in Tempe from 2008-12, earning second-team All Pac-12 honors during his senior year.

He finished his five-year collegiate career with 231 tackles, 10 sacks and three interceptions and led the Sun Devils to an 8-5 campaign in 2012 that included a 62-28 victory over Navy in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

He also made an impact away from the gridiron, as he was nominated to the All State Good Hands Team for community service in 2012.

Magee will serve as an executive producer on the film, which has no release date yet, according to Variety.

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