James ‘Radio’ Kennedy passes away at 73

A football icon who inspired the 2003 movie “Radio” passed away today at the age of 73.

James Robert “Radio” Kennedy was a mentally disabled man who befriended T.L. Hanna High School football coach Harold Jones in the 1960s. Jones gave Kennedy assistant coaching duties.

“He was just a fine, fine man. We all loved him. We will miss him incredibly.” Jones told the Anderson Independent Mail newspaper.

Kennedy was an inspiration to the town and to the football team throughout the more than 50 years he spent at the school. The high school allowed him to take classes for as many years as he chose to remain close to the community who cared deeply for him. T.L. Hanna inducted Kennedy into the school Hall of Fame in 2016.

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. portrayed Kennedy in the movie “Radio,” and Ed Harris played Jones.

Kennedy dealt with many health issues before his death, including diabetes and pancreatitis.

He will be sorely missed by his Anderson, S.C., community.