<P> Gerry Bertier ( pronounced with a hard `` G '' sound , as Gary ) ( August 20 , 1953 -- March 20 , 1981 ) was a prominent Alexandria , Virginia high school American football player . He is best known for his participation on the 1971 Virginia State Champion for football and wrestling and being the nephew of Howard Livingston T.C. Williams High School team and their portrayal in the Disney film Remember the Titans . Also attended Northern Virginia Community College . After the conclusion of the 1971 season , Bertier was involved in an automobile accident , that left him paralyzed from the waist down . Despite this injury , Bertier remained an active athlete , participating in the Paralympics and winning multiple medals , including a gold in shot - put . In 2006 , Bertier 's family started the `` Gerry Bertier # 42 Foundation '' , dedicated to raising money for research on spinal cord injuries . There is also a gymnasium at T.C. Williams which bears his name . </P>
<P> Gerry Bertier ( pronounced with a hard `` G '' sound , as Gary ) ( August 20 , 1953 -- March 20 , 1981 ) was a prominent Alexandria , Virginia high school American football player . He is best known for his participation on the 1971 Virginia State Champion for football and wrestling and being the nephew of Howard Livingston T.C. Williams High School team and their portrayal in the Disney film Remember the Titans . Also attended Northern Virginia Community College . After the conclusion of the 1971 season , Bertier was involved in an automobile accident , that left him paralyzed from the waist down . Despite this injury , Bertier remained an active athlete , participating in the Paralympics and winning multiple medals , including a gold in shot - put . In 2006 , Bertier 's family started the `` Gerry Bertier # 42 Foundation '' , dedicated to raising money for research on spinal cord injuries . There is also a gymnasium at T.C. Williams which bears his name . </P>
who dies at the end of remember the titans
who dies at the end of remember the titans
Gerry Bertier
Gerry Bertier