Gerry Bertier: His Life, Death, 5 Shocking Facts

• Gerry Bertier born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia was a High School Football player and Paralympic gold medalist known for leading the T.C. Titans to the 1971 Virginia State Championship and winning a gold medal in the shot put.
• His incredible football career came to an in 1971 after a car crash paralyzed him from his chest downward
• Almost a decade after the first crash that ended his football career, his car was hit by a drunk driver in December 1981, resulting in his death at the age of 27

while still alive Gerry Bertier wrote his name in the sands of time that echoes today due to his achievement as a high school American football player and Paralympian. He was at the peak of his career as a high school footballer for  T.C. Titans before an automobile accident rendered him immobile.

However, his love for athletics pushed him to become a Paralympian, winning multiple accolades including a gold medal. Sadly, he died in 1981 after his car was hit by a drunk driver.

It’s been many decades since Bertier’s demise, but his legacies still live through his family, passion, and the people he lived for. Let’s dig in to find out who this great athlete was and all the fascinating details about him.

Gerry Bertier Was Born In 1953 And Died In 1981 At The Age of 27

1. He Was Part Of The T.C. Titans’ Team That Won The 1971 Virginia State Championship

On 20th August 1953, Gerry William Bertier was born in Alexandria, Alexandria City, Virginia to his parents. He grew up alongside his only known sister, Becky Britt.

Sadly, he didn’t grow up to enjoy the company of his parents. They were said to have divorced when he was just eight years old. Thus, his mother moved on with her life and got married to another man named Robert Agnew.

He had his education in Virginia where he attended T.C. Williams High School and later Northern Virginia Community College. His impactful but brief football career began at Francis C. Hammond High School, which was later merged with George Washington High School and Parker-Gray High School to become known as T.C. Williams High School. Moreso, in July 2021, it was renamed  Alexandria City High School.

The late Paralympian established himself as one of the finest linebackers in the school’s defense system, thus winning many accolades. Interestingly when the school was merged with two others as mentioned above, he reportedly didn’t get much playing time as a result of the racial tension occasioned by the merger. After issues that threatened the foundation of the school were gradually subsiding, he alongside other members of T.C. Titans’ won the Virginia State  Championship in 1971 after going 13-0 and nine shutouts.

It was during this season that he had the most impact base on his stats which included 142 tackles and 42 sacks. His stellar performances earned him a spot on the team Defensive Most Valuable Player, National Prep School Football Player of the Year, First Team All-Region, All-State, and All-American accolades.

Consequently, he ignited interest from top schools such as Notre Dame and the University of Alabama who offered him football scholarships.

2. The Same Year T.C. Titans Won The Championship Became His Last Year As A Footballer

Who would have taught that 1971 would the year Bertier’s promising football career would come to an end. He had an accident on 11th December 1971 on his way from a banquet in honor of the 1971 T.C. Titans for not only winning the State Championship but also fishing the season undefeated. According to reports, he was driving in his mother’s Chevrolet Camaro, and it developed a mechanical fault resulting in the crash.

He was paralyzed due to the severe injuries he sustained. It was said that doctors made efforts to relieve the pressure on his spine but to no avail.

His career went down the drain.

Also See-The Life And Death Of Dallas Mccarver- 7 Interesting Facts

3. His Dream Was To Win Gold On An Olympic Stage

Bertier is an example of a ‘dogged fighter’ who fights all obstacles on his path to achieve his dreams and desires. The dream to compete and win an accolade on an Olympic stage has always been his desire since he was tender.

Despite his physical disability, he didn’t relinquish his passion for sports and athletics. Since an auto crash ended his career, he moved his focus to another by becoming a Paralympian. At least, he would get to achieve his childhood dreams.

He participated in events like wheelchair basketball, wheelchair track, and field, and the United State Paralympics. He went to a gold medal in the shot put, thus fulfilling his dreams.

4. The Accident That Snifed Life Out Of Him

Ten years after the accident that paralyzed him, Bertier was involved in another one that took his life on 20th March 1981. Reports say he was returning home from a business trip when his car collided with another going in the opposite direction that crossed the center line.

Moreover, he passed away barely two hours after the accident at the University of Virginia hospital. The man that hit his car was a drunk driver who was charged with manslaughter.

His remains were buried at Mount Comfort Cemetery, Fairfax County, Virginia.

Check Out These Incredible Facts About Him

1. He Didn’t Become A Liability After His Accident In 1971

unlike most people with his condition, the late Paralympian didn’t succumb to his own condition. In fact, it pushed him to keep living life as any able human being would. To support himself, he worked for Abbey Medical as a sales manager. His work there gave him the opportunity to pursue his athletic career in Wheelchair events.

He also worked with other disabled people by organizing and giving talks. Gerry organized many schools in Virginia to participate in the Walk For Mankind event. He also helped in establishing the Northern Virginia Recreation Association for the Disabled in 1980.

2. His Life Inspired the Movie Remember the Titans

Almost two decades after the Titans won the Virginia State Championship in 1971, the lives of the key players inspired a movie that outlived Gerry and others. The film titled, Remember The Titans follows the life of the late Paralympian and other members of his team.

The film was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Boaz Yakin in 2000. Even though it was a commercial success after capturing the challenges of racism and integration in American history, it was criticized heavily for giving inaccurate accounts of the real-life events that took at that time.

3. Gerry and Julius’s Friendship lasted their Lifetime

The Titan’s Captain, Gerry could not have motivated his teammates to give their best performance without the cooperation of Julius  Campbell, a black player on the team. Having moved beyond the initial setbacks, Gerry and Julius remained lifelong friends even outside High school football.

4. Gerry Bertier Has Left Many Legacies

The Paralympian died at a young age in 1981, yet, his life remains a lesson to many. His many legacies are still felt. His sister continued Gerry’s work with the paralyzed by founding the Bertier #42 Foundation in 2006.

Interestingly, the foundation raises funds for research on spinal cord injuries. Proceeds from their various fundraisers were channeled to the Spinal Cord InjuryRehabilitation and Research Center of Virginia  Commonwealth University Health System.

At the moment, funds are raised through golf tournaments like that of 2007 held at Cannon Ridge Golf Club in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

5. His Accolades

Apart from his High school career, the former titan was a force in the Paralympics. These are some of his honors and records:

• He won a Paralympic Gold Medal in the Shot put
• Gerry was named National Prep School Football Player of the Year
• Received First Team All-Region
• Named for All-State
• Was Given an All-American Title
• He set a Record for Longest Distance at the World’s Wheelchair Marathon

Complete profile of Gerry Bertier