BYU premieres documentary ‘The Black 14: Healing Hearts and Feeding Souls’

Sep 23, 2022, 9:45 AM | Updated: 11:43 am

Screenshot from the BYU documentary about the Black 14. 10 of the players are pictured next to a ne...

A screenshot from the trailer of “The Black 14: Healing Hearts and Feeding Souls.” (The Black 14: Healing Hearts and Feeding Souls.)

(The Black 14: Healing Hearts and Feeding Souls.)

PROVO, Utah — BYU takes on the University of Wyoming on the football field this weekend, but tonight, a new documentary about the two teams premieres. The documentary, “The Black 14″ Healing Hearts and Feeding Souls,” focuses on a 1969 football game between BYU and the University of Wyoming.

The Wyoming team dismissed 14 of its players for wanting to protest against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint’s racial policies of the time.

The church did not allow Black men to hold the priesthood at the time — a policy that changed in 1978.

The coach of the Wyoming team kicked off the 14 players after they showed him the black armbands they had planned to wear in protest.

They returned home after the incident, wanting to help their communities, and saw a need for easing food insecurity. The group created a non-profit, which provides food to those in need, creates scholarships for Black students and supports student-athletes.

Director of the Daily Universe at BYU, and one of the staff members who oversaw the project, Melissa Gibbs, said that in the 50 years since the incident, those players have worked with the church to bring food to those in need.

“They wanted to curb food insecurity and along the line, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints reached out to them and offered to help with that,” Gibbs said.

BYU journalism students made the documentary under the supervision of faculty. 

“The film is created, produced, shot, written, edited by students with the help of faculty and staff mentoring them,” Gibbs said.

The students created it over the summer, in a flurry, Gibbs said, “We took 5 students to 11 states in 10 days to create this documentary basically about forgiveness, healing, and coming together to help others.”

The creators of the documentary planned to have its premiere the same weekend BYU faces off against Wyoming, a callback to the event that started it all.

The premiere is at 7:00 p.m. at the Varsity Theater on the BYU campus in Provo, Utah. Two of the Black 14 will be at the premiere of the documentary tonight and will light the Y for the game tomorrow.

Samantha Herrera contributed to the reporting of this story.

Related: 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

FILE - A police vehicle flashes its lights. (Getty)...

Michael Houck

Pedestrian killed after being hit by a vehicle, Santa Clara-Ivins police say

A woman was fatally hit by a vehicle Friday evening, Santa Clara-Ivins police say.

6 hours ago

This photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, shows a small commuter plane t...

Associated Press

Missing commuter plane found crashed on Alaska sea ice and all 10 aboard died, authorities say

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A small commuter plane that crashed in western Alaska on its way to the hub community of Nome was located Friday on sea ice, and all 10 people on board died, authorities said. The crash appeared to be one of the deadliest in the state in the last 25 years. Mike […]

8 hours ago

FILE: An eared grebe taken May 18, 2008. at least 15 thousand birds have died at the Great Salt Lak...

Kennedy Camarena and Diana Jones

Thousands of birds dead due to avian influenza at the Great Salt Lake

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources have reported at least 15 thousand birds have died at the Great Salt Lake due to avian influenza.

9 hours ago

Ice Castles lit in pink and blue shades like cotton candy...

Michael Houck

Ice Castles close early due to warm weather

A popular winter attraction in Utah is ending early because of the shorter-than-expected winter season.

11 hours ago

Nineteen states sued President Donald Trump on Friday to stop Elon Musk’s DOGE from accessing ...

ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE, ASSOCIATED PRESS

19 states sue to stop DOGE from accessing Americans’ personal data

Nineteen states sued President Donald Trump on Friday to stop Elon Musk’s DOGE from accessing records that contain personal data for millions of Americans.

11 hours ago

Utah flag flying in the wind. A Utah bill known as SB204 could make it harder for judges to block c...

Adam Small

Utah bill could make it harder for judges to block laws that appear unconstitutional

A bill known as SB204 could make it harder for a judge to block laws that appear unconstitutional.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

BYU premieres documentary ‘The Black 14: Healing Hearts and Feeding Souls’