Barry Sanders joining 'Touchback' cast

COOPERSVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - Hall of Fame running back and former Detroit Lion Barry Sanders is expected to join the cast of "Touchback" in the coming days, according to Laff at the Movies sources.

While the announcement has not yet been made official, the 42-year-old Sanders will be one of the other coaches in the movie.

Coopersville High School will serve as the main filming location. Sites around the city will also be used when production kicks into gear later this month.

Prospective football players began tryouts Wednesday at the school's football field.

Kurt Russell will play the role of head coach in the movie -- a fantastical story about getting a second chance at life. Brian Presley will take the lead role, Melanie Lynskey will play his wife, Mark Blucas will play a friend and teammate, and Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Christine Lahti will play the mother. Drew Powell, Sarah Wright, Sianoa Smit-McPhee, and Kevin Covais will also star.

Sanders played for 10 seasons with the Lions (1989-1998) after being selected in the first round of the draft out of Oklahoma State. He was inducted into the National Football League in 2004. He was the first player to rush for 1,000 yards his first 10 seasons, led the league in rushing four times and was the 1997 NFL MVP when he gained 2,053 yards including a record 14 straight 100-yard games. He finished his career with 15,269 yards, 99 touchdowns and 10 Pro Bowl selections.