Rattlers Play Roles on the Big Screen
Published on August 21, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX - Arizona Rattler wide receiver/linebacker Cosmo DeMatteo and offensive specialist Damien Groce will be a couple of the Arena Football League players who are featured in the movie "Invincible", which opens on Friday, August 25.
DeMatteo, who is a principal actor in the film, plays the part of Ed German, a lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles while Groce is an extra that acts as Butch Johnson, a Dallas Cowboys kick return man.
Both DeMatteo and Groce worked on scenes for a little over two months in Dallas, Tex. It was not a new experience for either player, as each spent time on the set of "The Longest Yard" remake a couple of years ago.
The big-budget motion picture tells the unlikely story of a down-on-his luck teacher and part-time bartender, Vince Papale, who earned a roster spot on the Philadelphia Eagles after an open tryout. Papale is played by Mark Wahlberg.
"Working with Mark (Wahlberg) was a great experience," said DeMatteo, "He was a real down-to-earth guy." The AFL veteran also noted his new-found respect for actors such as Wahlberg through his latest experience. "Acting is a lot harder than you expect," said DeMatteo, who has a speaking role in the picture. "You have to have a lot of respect for the really talented guys. It's not easy to become a character with all of those cameras in front of you."
When it was all said and done, each player agreed that acting as if you are playing football holds no comparison to actually playing.
"There is nothing like being in a live game," said Groce. "There are too many breaks in the action when you are acting it."
DeMatteo added "It's not quite as fast as when you are doing it in front of a bunch of directors. When your acting you know when someone is about to hit you, but in a real game you can't really plan what is going to happen next."
Although each player thought the off-season gig was worth it, they expressed that it was extremely demanding.
"We would be out there all day," said Groce. "It is crazy how much time would go into a couple of seconds of a scene."
When asked if he would hang up the cleats to pursue a movie career, DeMatteo simply stated, "No way. The hours are too long."
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 21, 2006
- Rattlers Play Roles on the Big Screen - Arizona Rattlers
- Brigade to host first open tryout of off-season - Kansas City Brigade
- AFL athletes hit the silver screen - AFL I
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