The Big Ten Network continues its push into original documentaries on Saturday, this time premiering the tragic story of Brook Berringer.
BTN Originals kicks off Unbeaten: The Life of Brook Berringer on Oct. 18 at approximately 10:30 p.m. (ET), immediately following the Nebraska-Northwestern football game on the network and its BTN2GO app.
The hour-long documentary, presented by Physicians Mutual, relates the story of Berringer, who began the 1994 season as the Huskers’ backup quarterback but was thrust into the starting role when Heisman Trophy candidate Tommie Frazier was diagnosed with blood clots. Berringer helped lead the team to seven straight wins and a berth in the Orange Bowl against Miami. Although Frazier returned to start the game, Berringer entered in the second quarter and helped spark a comeback. that capped the undefeated season and gave legendary Nebraska head coach Tom Osborne his first national championship.
As the 1995 season dawned, Berringer and Frazier engaged in a spirited battle for the starting job – one that went to Frazier. Berringer accepted his backup role that season, as Frazier and the Huskers rolled to a second straight national title. The following spring, two days prior to the 1996 NFL Draft, Berringer lost control of the two-seater plane he was piloting and died when the plane crashed. He was 22 years old.
“Brook was way ahead of his time. He built a reputation for giving back, and he is beloved because so many think he represents what a Nebraskan should be," said BTN coordinating producer of original programming Bill Friedman. "His life is a great college football story that happens to take place in Nebraska.”
Unbeaten is directed by Matthew Engel and Kevin Shaw, who together also directed Tiebreaker, the story of the 1973 Ohio State-Michigan football game that ended in a 10-10 tie and its controversial aftermath.
The premiere of Unbeaten will have limited commercial interruptions.
