Movie mirrors real life for Savannah family

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Danny and Stephanie Britt

By Melanie Ruberti - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - For Danny and Stephanie Britt watching the Blindside was like watching their life play out on the big screen. They remember the first time they spotted Demarcus Dobbs at the Bethesda Home for Boys.

"He was an amazing basketball player," said Stephanie. "He could jump, he could dunk, he was hanging from the rim, and cutting up with all the other kids," she laughed. "Something about him, I called my husband immediately and said, 'You've got to see this kid'.'"

Calvary Day School head coach Danny Britt was looking to recruit students to the school. Coach Britt gave Demarcus a shot on the football field, where he excelled. But he had no one to cheer him on from the stands.

"When everyone else had a mom and a dad cheering for them, I made sure that I did everything I could to help him fit right in and not feel any different," said Stephanie.

Demarcus played for Calvary, but still lived at Bethesda. When he turned 18, all that changed. Already considered family, Demarcus moved in with the Britt's. "We had a room that we made into an office," Danny explained. "We moved him in there, put a bed up, and moved all his stuff in there. From that point on, he stayed with us."

"But he hung off the bed," Stephanie laughed.

"Yeah, we had a small bed, a twin bed, for the girls and he hung off of the bed," Danny smiled.

Now, Demarcus has a bigger bed, and his own room, in the Britt's new home. A house he can come back to any time he wants, much to the delight of his younger sisters, 11-year-old Southern and nine-year-old, Saylor. "We just climb all over him when he comes," Saylor said.

"He's like a jungle gym," said Southern. "He just holds out his arm and we just swing on him."

Demarcus's talent on the football field carried him to Athens, Georgia, where he is currently a defensive end with the Georgia Bulldogs. "I am proud of him," said Danny. "Forget about the football. I told him very early, I didn't care whether he played football or not. I said, 'you go and get your education and you become the man you're supposed to be.' And he's done that. Ten times over." Danny smiled.

The Britt's say while they have given Demarcus a new outlook on life, it's they who have been blessed by his presence. "He always has a home where ever we're at," exclaimed Danny. "And he knows that. I mean, we are a family."

"We can't imagine life without him," Stephanie smiled. "Truly we can't."

The Bulldogs have a big game this weekend against Georgia Tech, so unfortunately, Demarcus couldn't make it home for Thanksgiving. But the Britt's plan to be in Atlanta this weekend to cheer him on.