main page Charlie Ebersol Talks About Britney

[annalai23]

Charlie Ebersol may be receiving a lot of attention of late as the new boyfriend of Britney Spears, but Ebersol has quite a story of his own to tell. 

 

PEOPLE spoke with the 31-year-old writer, producer and entrepreneur – whose parents are Saturday Night Live co-creator and NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol and actress Susan Saint James – who co-founded The Company, an entertainment business that creates TV shows for cable and network channels. The Company also produced the heartwarming documentary NFL Characters Unite (airing Feb. 6, 2015 at 7 p.m. ET) on the USA Network. 

 

Ebersol's 4th annual NFL Characters Unite profiles NFL stars as they share deeply personal stories of overcoming prejudice, bullying and discrimination, with the goal of helping young people facing similar challenges. 

 

This year's documentary features Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (who struggled to cope without a father in his life), Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles (who battled to conquer a debilitating stutter), Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (whose career was nearly sidelined after losing a loved one in the war in Afghanistan) and 2014 Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl champion cornerback Richard Sherman (who fought to escape gang violence). 

 

 

 

 

Tell us about NFL Characters Unite

Four years ago, we set up a show with USA Network and the NFL, and the idea was simple: I was struck by the number of professional athletes who have overcome obstacles in their lives – be it bullying, discrimination, domestic abuse. I got close to a couple of NFL players, and I said to them, "You can connect with kids in your community. You can change lives." We pair NFL players with kids in their teams' hometowns who are going through the exact same obstacle as the players went through. 

 

How have you seen lives impacted and changed by this interaction?

This year, we really began to see the effects on kids who met their NFL counterparts four years ago. One of the players checks in with his mentee every single week. You never expect an NFL player – celebrity athletes who are millionaires – to have gone through these battles. That's why it works. When you meet someone who's very successful, they're usually all in on something. This has become a religion to the players. 

 

Why is this project so personally meaningful to you?

I was bullied very badly in high school. This is a story I've never shared with many people, but I was beaten unconscious with a shovel when I was a sophomore. I was a very successful kid. I sold my first company at a young age. There was a lot of misplaced rage in high school towards me. My brothers and sisters identified it as bullying, but I didn't at the time. What was amazing to me was I started feeling I wasn't worthy of being loved … I ended up blocking this from my memory. It wasn't until I was saying to my brother [Willie, who directed NFL Characters Unite], "I couldn't imagine ever being bullied," and he said, "You lived this!" It all came back in a flood. 

 

This is also meaningful to me because this is the 10-year anniversary of the Nov. 28, 2004, plane crash that claimed the lives of everyone but me and my father, who I pulled from the wreckage … My little brother was 14 when he died in the crash, and I remember [NBA legend] Bill Walton coming up to me at the funeral and saying, "You now carry the responsibility of two lives. How do you want that responsibility to live through you?" It was profound. In the face of things like this, I still had to remember I was blessed. The mission of my company is to bring three things to the world through entertainment: joy, happiness, and change. We must believe our precious time is being used to make a product worth more than anything else we could be doing. I had everything, but I had to work hard to find love. 

 

Which leads in to the obvious question: You have found love with Britney Spears. Can you share what you love most about her?

My personal life is my personal life, but I will say this: If I had not gone through what I've gone through, I would not have been prepared to be in a relationship of any kind, much less in one with someone like Britney, who has the enormous heart that she does. I can't imagine. Everybody deserves to be loved. My hope is that lesson shines forth in this documentary, and in life. 

 

 

http://www.people.com/article/charlie-ebersol-britney-spears-his-past?xid=socialflow_twitter_peoplemag

[killthelights]

OH MY GOD

he seems SO NICE I am so glad she's with someone like him - who seems to really like her for her and he has his own life not like her past leecher boyfriend 

[killthelights]

they both have been through so much too, he has really dealt with some shit in his life..i didn't know about that plane crash

[Maria Spears]

He is an amazin person!! Im so happy for brit

[Britney M. Carey]

Glad that he seems to be grateful having Britney in life

[JoshLee]

He is an amazin person!! Im so happy for brit

[ValetGirls]

He's literally the best I feel like somebody finally has connected with Britters on a level beyond money, fame, or sex appeal

[David]

He seems really sweet and his response was heart-warming. I really like him and I'm happy for both of them. 

[heather]

he seems incredibly sweet, caring and charming. britney deserves to have this happiness

[britneystanstan]

So sweet! Maybe he should do Britney's next documentary?

[Yatz]

Aww.. I like him more everyday

He is not a rich kid playing to be Britney Spears's boyfriend. Looks like he truly appreciates having her and all what he has life.

Im so happy for them

[MadDennis]

I'm so happy for Brit! Finally she has a boyfriend she really deserves

[Richie]

Wow they both have been trought some serious shit I'm hoping the relationship makes them both stronger

[Matilda]

IM IN LOVE WITH CHARLIE EBERSOL

 

this is so sweet, i watched his interview on katie couric about losing his brother & he seems so sweet & genuine & kind

 

and Britney is the epitome of sweet, genuine & kind - i hope he's really good to her & she's good to him too

 

I honestly wish them all the happiness in the world, i hope everything is as beautiful as it seems

 

Because Britney really does have an enormous heart & she deserves great love

[News]

People Magazine spoke with Charlie and he was asked how is relationship with Britney Spears was going. His response:

 

 

People: Which leads in to the obvious question: You have found love with Britney Spears. Can you share what you love most about her?

Charlie: My personal life is my personal life, but I will say this: If I had not gone through what I've gone through, I would not have been prepared to be in a relationship of any kind, much less in one with someone like Britney, who has the enormous heart that she does. I can't imagine. Everybody deserves to be loved. My hope is that lesson shines forth in this documentary, and in life.

AW!!!!!!! He seems like such a great fit for Britney! Click here to read the full interview

Read it on our mainsite!

[HolySpearit]

I SHIP HIM & BRIT SO HARD!!

 

I hope this convinces the army nonbelievers to change their mind about him, or at the very least stop saying mean and threatening things to him

 

he really does seem like such a genuinely kind person, and I hope he is the one Britney marries (just not before they've had enough time to really get to know each other)!

[Guest QueenJocasta]

yaaas keep that shit private Charlie

let Britney give you ha big heart in exchange for your big D, daddy

 

[Joanhs]

I hope he inspireres her to be more charityney

[javi_spears]

THIS GUY IS A MUST STAY 

[toxicxxkat]

He seems like such a sweetheart. I'm really glad Britney found someone she can connect with who understands all the hard times she goes through and isn't after her for her money. He seems really genuine about his love for her and that's what Britney deserves first and foremost in this world. I really hope they work out.

[It's Armin B!tch]

Woow he seems such a sweetheart! He is good for our queen!

[Jojo93220]

He's literally the best I feel like somebody finally has connected with Britters on a level beyond money, fame, or sex appeal

 

So damn true....