Racial barriers were everywhere in James Owens' life growing up, but instead of accepting them, he decided to break them down.
Owens broke the college football color barrier in the state of Alabama when he enrolled at Auburn University in 1969, becoming Auburn's first African-American scholarship player.
"God chose me as the one that could overcome," Owens said.
The movie "Quiet Courage" tells Owens' story of struggle, athletic accomplishment and courage.
"It was a great, wonderful journey," Owens said. "It didn't start off like you would have wanted, but God, being God, allowed us to get through it. There were some lonely days and scary days, but we are just thankful."
Owens was a highly recruited player out of high school, with up to 63 schools wanting him to come play for them.
He not only excelled in football, but was All State in basketball and track and field as well.
Being the first African-American football player in not only Alabama, but Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina.
The nation watched to see how both Auburn and Owens would handle the situation.
Owens played running back for the Tigers from 1970-72, playing alongside Auburn legends Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley.
Drafted by the New Orleans Saints, Owens was injured before the season and never played a game in the NFL.
The Fairfield, Alabama native returned home and to his job at U.S. Steel.
Thom Gossom Jr., Owens' roommate and author of "Walk On," a book about Owens' journey to integration at Auburn, is the producer of "Quiet Courage."
"The story basically speaks for itself," Gossom said. "It's a story of his courage, but courage is exhibited in a lot of different ways. The University definitely exhibited courage in signing James because they were first and they could have done like a lot of the other schools did and waited until someone else took that step."
The film features Owens' teammates and friends telling stories of his courage and kindness.
His doctor, who is also in the film, speaks of his failing heart.
In 2012, it was announced that Owens needed a new heart. He spent weeks at the University of Alabama-Birmingham hospital, but because of medical conditions, he was taken off of the heart transplant list.
Owens said he is a deeply religious man and served as a pastor for 11 years at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Dadeville. He said his faith has helped him during rough times.
"The first thing is to put your trust in God," Owens said. "We need to get back to serving. We need to appreciate what he has given us."
In 2012, Auburn honored Owens by awarding him the first James Owens Courage Award.
According to Auburn's website, the award will be presented annually to a current or former Auburn football player who has displayed courage in the face of adversity, distinguishing himself while contributing to the betterment of Auburn University.
Gossom said Owens is a happy person despite facing adversity.
Athletic director Jay Jacobs spoke about the award in 2012.
"James Owens is an Auburn icon and one of the most important figures in the storied history of Auburn football," Jacobs said. "It is only fitting that he is the first recipient of this new award named in his honor."
"At 18 years old, to carry that weight around, I think you are very lucky to end up whole and a person that doesn't harbor bitterness, which James doesn't," Gossom said.
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