Sheryl's Loyalty In Remember The Titans '

Set in the racially charged South, “Remember the Titans” is the story of 22 players, 16 games, two coaches, and one interracial team. One particularly important member of the team is 9-year-old Sheryl, the steadfast daughter of Coach Yoast. Her loyalty keeps Yoast in check, reminding him that football matters more than race ever will. Sheryl’s dedication is shown through her interactions with Herman Boone, the black coach who usurped her father’s position as head coach; her exchanges with her father; and her dedication to football.

At first, Sheryl’s loyalty to her father makes her wary of Coach Boone. However, once she sees Boone’s talent, she respects him as a leader and as a person. During football camp, Sheryl tells Coach Boone “You did a good job up here” (pg. 35), a stark contrast to the coldness she met him with when Boone went to the Yoast residence (pg. 6). This scene shows that she bases her trust not on race, but rather on skill. By the end of the movie, she has bonded with Boone’s family and extended her loyalty from just her father to them. …show more content…
After “he worked so hard, mama left him” (pg. 1), Sheryl was all Yoast had. She helps him not only on the field, but also with his emotions: when he feels conflicted about leaving T.C. Williams and coaching at Loudon, Sheryl comforts him, saying “We’ll be alright, Coach” (pg. 9). They care so much about each other because all they have is football and each