Anderson Independent
The original clay sculpture remnants from a bronze statue of local hero James “Radio” Kennedy were placed on e-Bay Tuesday night and the proceeds will benefit The Outdoor Dream Foundation.

Andy Davis of McDonough, Ga. created the sculpture three years ago and he will personally sell the original clay sculptures of Kennedy’s bust and transistor radio on e-Bay. It is the only remnants of the life-size bronze statue of Kennedy was moved from a local art center to the T.L. Hanna High School football stadium this fall.

Davis said that residents can place bids on the clay sculpture remnants until Oct. 17 at 8 p.m.

Sheila Hilton, the principal at T.L. Hanna, said she is happy to hear about the sale of the clay bust and transistor radio.

“I think it is a great idea and a way for that statue to continue to have a positive impact on other people,” Hilton said.

The legend of Kennedy, now 61, first began when he arrived at a junior varsity football practice at T.L. Hanna in 1964. The 18-year-old, who had special needs, could not read, write or speak but he always carried a transistor radio and loved football.

Harold Jones, who was an assistant junior varsity football coach, befriended Kennedy, who helped out with the team before he began going to the school in the 1970s. Kennedy, who helps the football coaches in the gym and sits in on classes, is still an 11th grader at the school.

Gary Smith wrote an article about Kennedy in the Sports Illustrated magazine in 1996 and Columbia Pictures released the movie “Radio” based on Kennedy’s story in 2003. Jones is the founder of The Outdoor Dream Foundation, a non-profit organization that gives outdoor adventures to children diagnosed with terminal or life threatening illnesses.

Davis said that he believes the clay sculpture remnants could bring in thousands of dollars and a significant portion of that money would be donated to The Outdoor Dream Foundation.

“This particular charity that Coach Jones heads up is something that I really believe in,” he said.

Davis began creating the bronze statue in the winter of 2004 and it took him eight months to complete. He started off by sculpting the life-sized image in clay and he completed the final stages with Kennedy in Anderson in February 2005. When the clay sculpture was completed, layers of rubber were added before a plaster mold is placed over that, which led to the creation of the bronze statue.

The original clay sculpture remnants are a rarity because the sculpture is usually completely destroyed in the bronze statue making process, Davis said. The winning bidder on eBay bid will also receive a letter of authenticity from the Andy Davis Studio and Gallery and a government certificate from the National Fine Arts Registry.

Davis said he has talked to Jones and he supports the sale of the clay sculpture.

“Radio and Coach Jones are the types of heroes that we have in many of our communities around the country,” he said. “They don’t slam-dunk a basketball ball and they are not movie stars. These are the everyday heroes around us, but we don’t recognize that.”