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A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story is a 1991 CBS made-for-TV movie that recounts the life of Ricky Bell, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back sickened with dermatomyositis, and Ryan Blankenship, a physically impaired child. The movie takes place during the 1981 Buccaneers season, including actual gameplay footage and a dramatized role played by Mario Van Peebles. Bell finds himself befriending an impaired child who inspire each other to become better in their own ways.
Original Release
04/02/1991
US Release
04/02/1991
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Mario Van Peebles | Ricky Bell |
| Susan Ruttan | Carol |
| Lane R. Davis | Ryan Blankenship |
| Lynn Whitfield | Natala |
| Adam Faraizl | |
| Polly Holliday | Ruth |
| Jay Pennison | |
| John Schuhmacher | |
| James Zachery | |
| Dennis Letts | Ed |
Directors
Writers
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Mario Van Peebles | Ricky Bell |
| Susan Ruttan | Carol |
| Lane R. Davis | Ryan Blankenship |
| Lynn Whitfield | Natala |
| Adam Faraizl | |
| Polly Holliday | Ruth |
| Jay Pennison | |
| John Schuhmacher | |
| James Zachery | |
| Dennis Letts | Ed |
| Woody Watson | Larry |
| Marcus Allen | Self |
| Tony Davis | Self |
| Charles White | Self |
| Rob McKinnon | Doctor #1 |
| Rutherford Cravens | Doctor #2 |
| James Black | Special Ed Teacher |
| Robert Alan Beuth | PR Man |
| Steve Watterson | Assistant Coach #1 |
| Brady Coleman | Lawyer |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Howard Lipstone | Executive Producer |
| Kay Hoffman | Producer |
| Daniel Levy | Producer |
| David Permut | Producer |
