In 1970, Marshall University was crippled when a plane carrying 75 members of its football team, family and fans crashed en route home from a game on the road. For the past 36 years the community of Huntington, West Virginia has worn the scars of this tragedy. 'We Are Marshall' celebrates the road to recovery for the entire town as they struggle to salvage MU's football program in memory of their fallen friends.

Now, I'm not one to cry in the theater but I definitely had a worst-case scenario going here -- 'Marshall' was a serious tearjerker, and all I had to wipe my face with was a stack of painfully stiff napkins -- so you can imagine the hot mess I looked emerging from a dark theater.

Acting was stellar all the way through (Matthew McConaughey in his usual charmingly goofy routine), but Anthony Mackie really stole the show. Mackie plays Nate Ruffin, MU's talented free safety and the team's co-captain. Previously a football player (coincidentally, Mackie was also a free safety in his glory days on the field), Mackie was right at home working his talent both on and off camera.

In preparation for his role, Mackie had a chance to connect face-to-face with the Ruffin family. Mackie and company ended up playing a game of Spades for hours as they shared their memories of the real Nate Ruffin. In an exclusive interview with Miki Turner, Mackie talks about his experience on the set of 'Marshall,' his connection with the Ruffin family, and his guilty pleasure in reliving the fashion of the 70's.

Sadly, though Nate Ruffin was one of only four MU players who narrowly missed the disastrous flight, he passed away in 2001 from cancer. In his will, Ruffin wrote a last wish to be buried alongside his old teammates -- six MU players who were burned so badly in the plane crash that they could not be identified.

If you don't want to be stuck in my predicament when you head out this weekend to check out 'Marshall,' take a hefty pack of Puffs with you. The good kind... with lotion.

Posted by celiaherrera12