You Throw Like a Girl

Synopsis

Former Syracuse University quarterback and NFL veteran Don McPherson examines how narrow definitions of masculinity adversely affect women and create "blind spots" that hinder the healthy development of men. Dissecting the strict set of beliefs and behaviors that underpin our understanding of masculinity, he contends that we don't raise boys to be men, we raise them not to be women, and argues that viewing violence against women as a "women's issue" not only ignores men's culpability but also conflates the toxicity of men's violence with being male. Using examples from his own life, including his storied football career, McPherson leads us beyond the blind spots of traditional masculinity and toward solutions that engage men in dialogue.

Includes two versions: the original version, and an abridged version edited for language and sexual content (intended for younger audiences).

(Viewer discretion advised.)

Release Date:2020

Duration:36 min

ISBN:978-1-932869-16-3

Subtitles:English

Trailers

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Filmmaker Credits

An Eat the Moon Production

In association with Naked City Films

A Media Education Foundation Presentation

Directed and Produced by

Peter Hutchison

Directed and Produced by

Lucas Sabean

Edited by

Lucas Sabean

Filmmaker Biographies

Don McPherson

Contributor

Don McPherson is the 2021 recipient of the William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning, presented by Syracuse University's School of Education, and the 2020 National Football Foundation's Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football. These honors signify a lifelong mission to use a unique social position to serve the greater good.

In 2019 McPherson published You Throw Like a Girl: The Blind Spot of Masculinity, which chronicles 36 years of harnessing the power and appeal of sport to address complex social issues and focuses on a quarter century of work on gender-based violence prevention.

McPherson was an All-America quarterback at Syracuse University and is a veteran of the NFL and Canadian Football League. As captain of the undefeated 1987 Syracuse football team, McPherson set 22 school records, led the nation in passing and won more than 18 national "player of the year" awards, including the Maxwell Award as the nation's best player, the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the inaugural Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He was second in the Heisman Trophy voting. In 2008 McPherson was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2013 Syracuse University retired his #9 jersey.

Since 1984 McPherson has delivered school and community-based programs addressing issues such as drunk driving, alcohol and substance abuse, bullying, youth leadership and mentoring. Upon retiring from pro football in 1994, he joined Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society as national director of Athletes in Service to America. In 2002 he founded the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University, for which he served as executive director until 2007.

In 1995 McPherson turned his focus to the issue of "men's violence against women," as director of Sport in Society’s Mentors in Violence Prevention Program, taking over for the program's founder, Jackson Katz. McPherson emerged as a national leader and advocate for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence. He has conducted workshops and lectures for more than 375 college campuses, community organizations and national sports and violence prevention organizations. His programs and lectures have reached millions.

Don has twice testified before the United States Congress and has worked closely with the U.S. Departments of Education and Defense on issues of sexual violence in education and the military, respectively. He has provided commentary on numerous national news programs and was featured in O Magazine and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Don also created and hosted "Training for Life" on MSG Varsity, a life-skills TV show that examined a myriad of social issues and sports. In 2012, Training for Life's episode on "Sports Parenting" was nominated for an Emmy Award.

McPherson has worked as a college football analyst for ESPN, BET and NBC and spent six seasons as the lead studio analyst for Sportsnet New York's coverage of Big East and American Athletic Conference football. In 2000, while a board member of the Nassau County Sports Commission, McPherson created the John Mackey Award, which recognizes college football's outstanding tight end.

Don McPherson has received several honors in recognition of his service, including the Frederick Douglas Men of Strength Award, given by Men Can Stop Rape, Champions for Change, presented by Lifetime Television, The Creative Vision for Women's Justice, presented by the Pace University Women's Justice Center, and a Leadership Award from the National Center for Victims of Crime. Most recently Don received the George Arents Award, Syracuse University's highest alumni honor and "Letter Winner of Distinction," the highest honor bestowed a former student-athlete.

Don McPherson has served as a board member, consultant and advisor for several national organizations including the Ms Foundation for Women, the US National Committee for UN Women and the National Football Foundation. McPherson was a member of the NCAA Task Force on Sexual Violence and the NCAA Board of Governors Commission to Combat Sexual Violence. Currently he serves on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, NYC Chapter of the National Football Foundation and is a member of the advisory board of the Center for Ethical Leadership in Media and the Solidarity Council of Vital Voices.

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Praise

“Poignantly reveals the mental and physical harms of traditional American masculinity, [and] illustrates what becomes possible when boys and men are able to fully realize their humanity beyond rigid masculinity norms.”

Joseph Derrick Nelson
Author of Unjust Resilience: Black Boyhood, Academic Success, and the Middle School Years

“Compelling … powerful … thoughtful and inspiring.”

Marianne Schnall
Author of What Will It Take to Make a Woman President?

"Don McPherson directly engages with young men and with a culture of violence, empathizing with and meeting young people where they are. A wonderful addition to courses on sex and gender, violence, culture and sports."

Dr. Heather Hlavka
Associate Professor of Social and Cultural Sciences at Marquette University

“Don McPherson challenges men to join the fight for gender equality by being ever-growing allies to women.”

Richard Lapchick
Director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport

“Challenges [us] to think critically about masculinities and gender, and, in doing so, asks us to be brave in envisioning a better future."

Dr. Russell Luyt
Head of School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich

"This film will force vital conversations in classrooms, with sports teams, at workplaces, and more about how masculinity harms people other than men and how, in the process, it harms boys and men too."

Dr. Tristan Bridges
Associate Professor of Sociology at University of California, Santa Barbara and co-editor of Men and Masculinities journal

"As a young man, Don McPherson was a highly accomplished leader on the field. In You Throw Like a Girl, he demonstrates that his shining athletic career was mere prelude to his most impressive act of leadership — his life’s work in helping men and boys find the courage and skills to become healthier and more well-rounded human beings. This incredible, groundbreaking video goes far beyond tired cliches about 'toxic masculinity' and provides educators with a powerful resource for engaging young people — especially men — in potentially life-changing dialogue about the complex interplay between ideas about 'manhood,' sexual assault, and men's emotional, physical, and mental health."

Jackson Katz
Ph.D. Creator of the award-winning Tough Guise video series and author of The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help

"Perfect for classroom use to inspire critical thinking and spirited discussion about gender relations generally and masculinity in particular. I highly recommend it!"

James W. Messerschmidt
Distinguished University Professor of Sociology at the University of Southern Maine and Author of Hegemonic Masculinity: Formulation, Reformulation, and Amplification

"Demands that now more than ever we begin asking questions –- of each other, our definitions of ‘masculinity’, and ourselves."

Frank Karioris
Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, University of Pittsburgh

"Today more than ever, young men hunger for new models of masculinity. Don McPherson, long a national leader in expanding public discussions of gender, violence, relationships and intimacy, illuminates a pathway for boys and men toward a healthy, life-enhancing and egalitarian future. You Throw Like a Girl will quickly become a foundational educational resource for high school and colleges courses, sports teams, and other organizations."

Michael Messner
University of Southern California
Co-author, Some Men: Feminist Allies and the Movement to End Violence Against Women