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In a movie about Alex Smith, who plays him? ‘I get the Ryan Gosling thing’

By Ryan Homler

In a movie about Alex Smith, who plays him? ‘I get the Ryan Gosling thing’ originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Often in sports, an incredible moment gets the tag that it could be a “Hollywood script.” Some deserve it, others maybe a little bit of a stretch.

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith’s nearly two-year journey back to the football field is deserving of being given that title, as the story is straight out of a movie.

From being traded to Washington after leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2017, to the severe leg injury that risked his health and career to the grueling recovery and eventual appearance back in an NFL game, his life since 2018 truly has it all. The ups and downs, conflicts, struggles and triumphs all centered around a hero character that everyone can get behind. 

Smith himself has heard that it should be a movie, and he understands some think it’s a real possibility. Yet, there is one major question that comes with the script: Who would portray Smith in the biopic?

The quarterback isn’t quite sure, but he has heard one name floated around.

“I got no idea, I get the Ryan Gosling thing occasionally, but I don’t know,” Smith said on Washington Football Today with Julie Donaldson, which airs weekdays on NBC Sports Washington at 5:30 p.m.

Well hold on there Alex, you may have just done something there. Realistically, this may be the absolute perfect choice. The first thing you want out of an actor is some on-screen resemblance of the person they are playing. When put side-by-side, Gosling and Smith have some similar traits.

The next characteristic you need is some experience in a similar role. Gosling has that as well. The actor is well-known for his role as Alan Bosely in “Remember the Titans.” Though his character was viewed as a liability on defense, Gosling still has the football-acting background that will help in this role. Those traits make this a perfect match.

So, Ryan Gosling starring in a movie about Alex Smith’s incredible recovery? One ticket and one extra large bucket of popcorn with extra butter, please. 

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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