#The Fascinating True Story Behind All American

From 2011 to 2017, Spencer Paysinger played for the NFL, spending most of his time as part of the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. When it came time to leave football behind, Paysinger was ready. In an ESPN article, he said, “I remember sitting in my locker that day, packing all my stuff, smiling. I never wanted football to be my highest peak.” 

Indeed, Paysinger’s plan didn’t involve his future in football, but his past. Before retiring, he put his efforts into developing and pitching a show inspired by his time as a high school football player for Beverly Hills High School. Paysinger had a unique viewpoint to bring to the field; while he attended and played football for Beverly Hills, he was from the less affluent world of South Central Los Angeles. The show grapples with these two worlds combining, and a helmeted, padded-up “fish out of water” at its center.

Producer Robbie Rogers, (who also produced “Love, Simon,” so he knows his way around a high school drama) put it simply when speaking to ESPN in the same article: “It’s a real story, it’s inspired by a true story.”