News > January 18, 2007

By Jae Haley

Managing editor

Though the Orange Bowl has been played and the season over, Wake Forest’s surprising football team is still garnering media attention with the news that a filmmaker has recently acquired the rights to the story of junior linebacker Jon Abbate and his brother, Luke.

Rick Bieber, producer of Flatliners and Made in America, bought the rights to the Abbate’s story for his own production company. 

Bieber said he hopes to start work on a script after his other film, Crazy, is released this year.

He first heard of the story through a mutual friend Doug Ames, who suggested that the Abbates consider turning their story into a movie.

“It’s a compelling story,” said Ron Wellman, director of athletics.  “It could be an interesting and impactful movie that shows a family with a great amount of faith and how it has strengthened them through the tragedy.”

Beiber said the Abbates liked the idea as it was yet another way to remember Luke and to bring attention to the 5foundation that the family has recently founded.

The 5foundation means to educate and raise awareness among young drivers and their parents regarding the importance of responsible driving, according to the foundation’s Web site.

Abbate’s younger brother, Luke, was killed in a car accident in February 2006 after another young driver lost control of his car which landed on the one in which Luke was riding.

To honor his late brother, Abbate changed his jersey number from 40 to 5, Luke’s number when he played football in high school.

Abbate was instrumental in the Demon Deacons first 11-win season and was named the MVP of the ACC Championship game against Georgia Tech after recording 15 tackles.

Abbate and his family also began the ritual of holding five fingers in the air before the fourth quarter to represent Luke.

Now Abbate’s teammates and Wake fans all wave five in the air to show support for the Abbate family.

“That’s the unique part about this story,” Wellman said.  “It’s the fact that so many people tried to wrap their arms around the Abbate family and try to comfort them.” 

Abbate has led the Deacs in tackles throughout his tenure with 120 this year alone. This year he also added in three sacks and an interception

If Jon and Luke’s story is made into a movie, it will be the second based on a Wake football player after the 1971 film Brian’s Song based on the life of Brian Piccolo.