‘A firework on the field’: Utah releases first of four-part documentary 22 Forever
The first episode in a four-part documentary called “22 Forever” from the Utah football program released Tuesday (on 2/22/22 at 2:22 p.m. MT). The documentary promises to give fans a chance to relive the tumultuous but ultimately rewarding 2021 calendar year for the program through the eyes of its players and the debut episode lived up to its billing.
The documentary was produced by the Utah football creative team—led by creative director Maddie Hansen along with Cooper Ferrario and Max Tevino of Atmos Creative Group. Together, they’ll look to tell the story of a team that endures heartbreak—the loss of two teammates.
The debut episode, 22 minutes long, opened with the team preparing for the program’s first-ever Rose Bowl appearance. We’re treated to behind-the-scenes interviews with players like Clark Phillips III and Devin Lloyd, as well as a look into head coach Kyle Whittingham’s pregame message to his team.
But then the tape hits rewind, all the way back to Dec. 19, 2020, to showcase Ty Jordan’s coming out party.
A 19-year-old freshman running back, Jordan helped the Utes overcome a 28-7 halftime deficit to Washington State to win 45-28. Jordan ran for 154 yards and three touchdowns that day, completely changing the complexion of the affair and running through and around the Cougar defense time and again.
For those unfamiliar with the Utah story, Jordan passed away late Christmas night in 2020 of a gunshot wound. The first episode of “22 Forever” sees players and coaches for the Utes recount the days that followed Jordan’s passing and how they learned of what had happened.
It’s beautifully told and emotionally gripping. When we hear cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah’s recount how he heard the news, it’s particularly poignant.
But the first episode also featured some wonderful quotes from Jordan’s teammates.
“That dude, he was a firework on the field,” said Phillips of Jordan’s performance against Washington State. “At any moment he could pop. And (in the second half against WSU) he did. When we needed him most, he just made splash plays.”
Wideout Britain Covey also shared a memory from talking with his parents about Jordan’s talent ahead of the 2020 season.
“I still remember fall camp 2020 I went to dinner with my dad and mom and I told my dad, ‘Ty Jordan is the best football player that I’ve ever played with,’” Covey said. “You could have put him at any position on the field and he would have done it. We put him at receiver a couple times and he was a better receiver than I was. You could have put him at tight end and he was strong enough to block someone.”
The second episode of the docuseries drops on Tuesday, March 8 on the Utah Football YouTube channel and the program’s Instagram page. It’ll also air again on Thursday, March 10 at 5:30 p.m. PT on the Pac-12 Network/Pac-12 Insider.
The full schedule is below:
- Episode 2:
- On YouTube: Tuesday, March 8, 1:22 p.m. PT (2:22 p.m. local time in Utah)
- On Pac-12 Network: Thursday, March 10, 5:30 p.m.
- Episode 3:
- On YouTube: Tuesday, March 22, 1:22 p.m.
- On Pac-12 Network: Thursday, March 24, 5:30 p.m.
- Episode 4:
- On YouTube: Tuesday, April 5, 1:22 p.m.
- On Pac-12 Network: Thursday, April 7, 5:30 p.m.