All American is based on the true story of NFL linebacker Spencer Paysinger, who played football at Beverly Hills High as a teen. The show takes creative liberties with Paysinger's life, including changing his name to Spencer James and altering key events for drama.

What true story is All American based on?

All American is loosely based on the true story of football player Spencer Paysinger. Many of the actual details from his life has been have been tweaked with the show taking full creative control of the dramatization. For example, the main protagonists name has been changed from Spencer Paysinger to Spencer James.

Is Billy Baker based on a real person?

The character of Billy Baker in the show is loosely based on Carter Paysinger, who was Spencer Paysinger's uncle and football coach in real life. The real-life Carter Paysinger is still alive and has had a very different life from the fictional character Billy Baker on All American.

What does Spencer Paysinger do now?

Today, he is not only successful in Hollywood as a writer and producer but also an entrepreneur investing in new businesses, as well as sitting on several boards for inner-city schools in LA.

Is Jordan Baker a real person?

Many have pointed out similarities between the character Jordan Baker and the real-life professional golfer Edith Cummings. Edith Cummings was a close friend to Ginevra King, who was a friend of F. Scott Fitzgerald before he met his wife, Zelda.

The real story behind the new television series “All American”

Who is the real life Spencer James?

British actor Daniel Ezra is widely known for portraying Spencer James in The CW's sports drama series titled All American. Created by April Blair, the series is inspired by the life of NFL linebacker and Super Bowl Xlvi champion Spencer Paysinger.

Who are the real life characters in All American?

The series is inspired by the life of professional American football player Spencer Paysinger, with Daniel Ezra in the lead role.

Did Spencer Paysinger go to Beverly?

Early life and college

Spencer Paysinger grew up in South Los Angeles, and attended Beverly Hills High School. He then was made the captain of the football team as a linebacker. He played college football at Oregon. In his last year playing as a senior on the team, Paysinger was the captain and team leader.

Where is Carter Paysinger now?

Carter is currently the President of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section. The CIF is the governing body that oversees all of athletics in the State of California.

Who is Spencer James' dad?

<Corey> is the father of Spencer James and Dillon James; as well as the father figure of Darnell Hayes. <He> was the coach of the South Crenshaw High School football team -- the Chargers. <Corey> was the ex-husband of Grace James; as well as the ex-boyfriend of Renée Hayes before his death in 2019.

Why did Taye Diggs leave All American?

It was just a feeling that I got [that I was ready to leave], and I just honored that feeling,” he said, adding that he talked to showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll who was on board with his decision and the planning on his character leaving the show began.

Why was Billy killed off All American?

As for why the show killed him off, there was speculation that Billy's death happened because Diggs wanted to leave, but it seems that All American had been planning his death since the end of season 4.

How much of my All American is true?

To ensure that the 2015 film accurately adapted Steinmark's story as best as possible, some of his former Longhorns teammates, including Bobby Mitchell, consulted on the movie during production. Consequently, the football movie gets almost everything right regarding Steinmark's life, except for eight facts.

How did Spencer Paysinger meet his wife?

Blair Duckworth-Paysinger is the wife of Spencer Paysinger. She is a graphic designer by profession. According to sources, she attended Beverly Hills High School and that is where she and Spencer met. Blair studied at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where she majored in advertising and art direction.

Is Asher Adams a real person?

Asher Adams (Cody Christian) is a complex main character on the drama All American, and he discovers that he has a life-altering health condition in the season 3 finale. The series fictionalizes the high school years of football linebacker Spencer Paysinger (Daniel Ezra) as he becomes a student at Beverly Hills High.

Who is Coop based on in real life?

The character of Coop was originally based on Spencer's real-life best friend from South Central LA, but got gender-swapped for the show and re-written as a lesbian.

What happened to coach Baker on All American?

Taye Diggs' Billy Baker died at the end of the episode, marking the actor's exit from The CW series. In the episode, Coach Billy was commuting back home with his team when their bus blew a tire. The accident led to the bus careening to the edge of a cliff, but he and the players escaped the vehicle safely.

Did Spencer Paysinger graduate from Beverly Hills High School?

All American Changes Where Spencer Played Football

Even though he lived in South Central Los Angeles, he would travel to Beverly Hills every day for school. He graduated from Beverly in 2006 after playing at least two seasons as a Beverly Hills Norman.

Did Spencer Paysinger retire?

In 2011, Paysinger entered the NFL as a free agent and played on three teams, including the Super Bowl XLVI-winning New York Giants, before retiring in 2017. Actors Taye Diggs as coach Billy Baker and Daniel Ezra as Spencer James in the sports drama, “All American.”

Who is the real coop in All American?

Calesha "Bre-Z" Murray (born July 22, 1987) is an American actress and rapper, best known for her roles as Tamia "Coop" Cooper in the American drama series All American and as Freda Gatz in Empire. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Is Billy Baker Spencer James' dad?

Though the high schooler has come to view Coach Billy Baker (Taye Diggs) as a second father, the Beverly Hills High employee is not related to the athlete, despite the revelation that he had a one-night stand with Spencer's mom, Grace (Karimah Westbrook) — who also happens to be his former teenage sweetheart.

Does Spencer leave Beverly in All American?

At the ending of All American season 2, Spencer makes a life-changing decision once again by pledging to play his senior year of football at Crenshaw instead of Beverly Hills. Although he's had great success at Beverly Hills, Spencer makes the switch in an attempt to save his hometown high school.

Is Coop from All American a girl in real life?

Calesha Murray (born July 22, 1987), known professionally as Bre-Z, is an American rapper and actress. She portrays Tamia Cooper in a starring role in All American.

What is Billy Baker's secret?

But flaws and all they always loved each other. However everything came crashing down in Best Kept Secret when Billy told Laura that he had an affair with Grace. She was heartbroken and pretty much wanted nothing to do with Billy.

Is Coop from All American a girl?

Tamia "Coop" Cooper (Bre-Z) is a Main-Character in "All American". Coop is the daughter of Reggie Cooper and Janelle Cooper. She is a current student at South Crenshaw High School; formerly a gang affiliate currently pursuing music under For Monica Records. Coop is the girlfriend of Patience Roberts.