MovieChat Forums > The White Shadow (1978) Discussion > Jason McElwain's story similar to episod...

Jason McElwain's story similar to episode plot.

posted 19 years ago by dadoo4050
7 replies | jump to latest

Seeing the wonderful story about Jason McElwain this weekend made me remember a favorite episode of "The White Shadow."

Jason McElwain is a "high-level" autistic young man who serves as his team's manager. For the last game of the season, Jason was allowed to suit up and play in the final minutes of the game. Not only did he play, but he scored 20 points in 4 minutes!

A similar storyline was played out in an episode of WS.

While the young man in WS was more challenged by his autism than Jason McElwain, the story of his acceptance by teammates made me feel good about people.

Jason McElwain's story of acceptance and triumph is even better as it is real.

[–] Cooke_Fann 19 years ago

The White Shadow Like I said was years ahead of it's time ...

[–] falloutboy73 19 years ago

I live in the same town as Jason (Greece NY). I think the media is going way overboard with this story. The opposing team stood there and let him score. I have nothing against this kid but c'mon, it's not that amazing!

[–] KoolBlackKat 19 years ago

I agree with you, falloutboy. I live in Rochester too, and they need to let J-Mac rest. He's not an athelete, what he did was incredible, but they are making him to be this celebrity he's really not.

"Go To Hell, Devil!"

[–] falloutboy73 19 years ago

I'm glad someone else agrees. I expected to get attacked on here for that opinion. People automatically think I'm attacking the kid. I think he seems like a great person. But again, the other team just stood there and let him score out of pity. That's no way to accomplish something. If I was his father I would put an end to all this publicity. It's kind of embarassing really because it was all pre planned because he is retarded.

[–] KoolBlackKat 19 years ago

He will probably never knock down all those shots again. I think the ESP Award was wayyyy too much for him. What I can't believe, was that McDonalds on Long Pond Road had JMac posters all over the place and had a sale in his honor. LOL

"Go To Hell, Devil!"

[–] ohlou326 17 years ago

i remembered seeing this episode when i was around 10 yrs old and being really interested in the storyline. now almost 30 years later, my own 4 yr old son has autism. when most people are asked the first time they ever heard the term "autism", most automatically say "rain man". i always say "white shadow".
i never forgot it. the show was really cutting edge in alot of issues.

[–] jannghi 14 years ago

first time they ever heard the term "autism", most automatically say "rain man". i always say "white shadow".

Yes, "The White Shadow" was the firs time I'd heard about autism. I'd seen this rerun just a few months before "Rain Man" was released.