… He was the best motivator,” said Kovic, who wrestled for Bevilacqua before becoming paralyzed in the Vietnam War and becoming the subject of the Academy Award-winning movie by the same name. “I’m still here because he taught me to never give up, and I think that was instilled in me and instilled in all the boys he coached … I’m sure when he did pass away, he was fighting until the end.” When the film’s director, Oliver Stone, and star, Tom Cruise, came to the Bevilacqua home to do research for their film adaptation of “Born on the Fourth of July,” Al wasn’t afraid to go a few weight classes above his belt, either.
Author: Alex Mitchell
Published at: 2025-08-12 22:56:04
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