Jerry Baker, the character from the movie “23 Blast,” is fictional, but he is inspired by the real-life story of Travis Freeman. In the film, Jerry loses his sight but overcomes his disability to play football for his high school team.
In the 2013 film “23 Blast,” Jerry Baker is a central character based on Travis Freeman, who was a high school football player from Corbin, Kentucky. The movie dramatizes Freeman’s life and his adjustment to blindness after contracting an infection that led to the loss of his sight at the age of 12. Despite his disability, with the support of his community, friends, and family, Freeman returned to play football for Corbin High School as a blind player. The title “23 Blast” refers to a play used during the games where Freeman, playing as a center, would snap the ball and then be guided by his teammates’ voices to block the opposing players. The story is a testament to Freeman’s determination and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.