By 1999, Jones was set to retire and Radio was still running strong with the team. James "Radio" Kennedy (October 14, 1946 – December 15, 2019) was an American man with an intellectual disability who was known for his association with the T. L. Hanna High School football team in Anderson, South Carolina. Meet Radio. He first gained prominence in 1996 when Gary Smith wrote an article about Kennedy for Sports Illustrated titled "Someone to Lean On." “Every year they take a group picture in the gym of all the seniors that’s graduating that year,” says Radio’s best friend, Coach Harold Jones. Radio is still a fixture at TL Hanna. At 72 years old he’s still in the 11th grade – and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Radio is a 2003 American semi-biographical sports drama film directed by Mike Tollin, and inspired by the 1996 Sports Illustrated article "Someone to Lean On" by Gary Smith. The Sports Illustrated story was turned into a Hollywood film, "Radio," in 2003. Hanna football coach Harold Jones, Radio was previously hospitalized in early December. However, according to former T.L. But even with that fame, Mary "Pat" Kennedy was a down-to-earth woman. Breaking down those barriers, Jones said, is the most important thing. Mary "Pat" Kennedy became part of the story published by Sports Illustrated in 1996 that detailed the relationship that Radio Kennedy had with T.L. A part of Radio's life in the 1970's in depicted in the major motion picture Radio, opening nationwide October 24, 2003. It is "my job," he says. He said while Radio has slowed down, he is still Hanna's biggest fan. #25, K. C. Jones, proudly represented the very best in Celtics history - as a tough, defensive-minded, team-oriented player and later on as their highly successful Head Coach in the 1980's. One coach, Harold Jones, took him under his wing, and their relationship served as the inspiration behind the 2003 film, "Radio." K. Jones retired from coaching football, but still drives Radio to events. James Robert Kennedy Cause of Death. His successors have taken good care of Radio and considered him an integral part of the team. The article and the movie are based on the true story of T. L. Hanna High School football coach Harold Jones and a mentally handicapped young man, James Robert "Radio" Kennedy (Cuba Gooding Jr.). Remembering Radio - Coach Harold Jones and others remember the longtime figure from the football field Posted Dec 16, 2019 Posted Dec 16, 2019 Hanna High Coach Harold Jones. "Things have changed a lot, definitely," he said. He helps in the lunch room keeping students from "cutting the line," cleaning off tables and taking out the trash. James "Radio" Kennedy-- the inspiration behind the movie, "Radio," starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. -- has died.. James, who was mentally challenged, was a … He still ... Coach Harold Jones. According to Jackie, Radio was taken to Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson County on the afternoon of Saturday, December 14, 2019. James Robert Kennedy’s cause of death was not revealed. He moves freely throughout the school handing out hugs and high fives. He’s a bit of a legend in the small town of Anderson, South Carolina. Cuba Gooding Jr. played a … Not much later, director Michael Tollin helped bring the story to life in the movie "Radio" starring Ed Harris as Coach Jones and Cuba Gooding Jr. as Radio.