This Is Your Life - Billy Mills (1984)

This video upload is a copy of the January 21, 1984 episode YLS114 of Ralph Edwards' "This Is Your Life," in honor of the legendary Olympic champion Billy Mills. The original VHS tape was given to Ernie Shelby as a gift by the producers of the show.
Ernie is a very close friend of mine whom I've known for years as a composer in the music industry. It wasn't until he asked me to make a digital version of this video that I became aware he had formerly been a world-class athlete.
Ernie had been invited to appear as a guest on the show because of his past team membership with Billy Mills. As it turned out, when track coach Bill Easton of Kansas University went to the Haskell Indian Institute to recruit Billy Mills out of high school, his goal was to assure the Native-American distance runner that coming to Kansas would not be a negative racial experience. Since Ernie was an African American, the #1 ranked Long Jumper in the world AND the KU track team captain, he was the obvious choice to accompany Coach Easton on that mission.
Billy did enter KU and eventually became close friends with Ernie Shelby, and remain friends to this day.
This particular This Is Your Life show also features a 1964 videotape of the original TV broadcast of the amazingly dramatic finish of Billy winning Olympic Gold in the 10,00 Meters. (If you search on KZbin you can probably find some other versions of that broadcast.) Many of Billy's close family members, Coach Easton and movie star Robbie Benson (who portrays Billy in the movie "Running Brave") were also guests on the show. This video records the first reunion between the Ernie, Billy and their former coach in almost 20 years. Enjoy!

[@Shodansixtyone]

I also had Olympic aspirations for the '64 O's, but t did not happen for me, like tens of thousands of others I watched Billy win the 10,000m - it was pretty exciting not only was Billy an American but he was a Lakota like me.

[@deborahwebb3736]

Twice as a runner in long distances races, I had the great pleasure of receiving age group and woman's division awards from Billy Mills. It is also my intent to leave an inheritance to the Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, KS some money in the form of a scholarship according to the needs of the college, and to be named after my late husband John Maynard Webb who was a Hopi by ceremony.

[@rajeshkaran7800]

Huge fan of MrMills 1984 was an awesome year Running Brave came out & I was so motivated to run my first marathon.

[@scootdaws25]

I still almost cry when hear "look at Mills, look at Mills" woohoohoo!!

[@pattysouza2954]

He is always smiling and he has a beautiful smile.

[@jimmyhawk23]

I get tears in my eyes every single time I watch this! This is the most incredible story I believe I have ever heard. I still get chills every time I hear those words, "Look at Mills, Look at Mills" !!!

[@pattysouza2954]

Has anyone noticed that many of the people in the audience are looking so unhappy. Wow, I would be so envious to see this man in person.

[@veronicasam2174]

They looked uncomfortable.

[@scootdaws25]

It started out that way but they seemed to warm to the occasion. Most of them were standing and cheering when they showed that clip of him winning the race.

[@robertlack6643]

I was so honored to be able to meet Billy when he was at the Marine Corps Marathon many years ago as the official starter. I had seen the movie Running Brave so many times and admired not just his performance in the Olympics but his character off the track in all that he does to help others. Semper Fi Billy.

[@achillesecuadornyrico5728]

Billy, You’re such inspiration for all the people around the world! Your humility, perseverance, dedication and everything you share with people make you an extraordinary human being! Thank you Bill!!!

[@pats14fann01]

Here's my running hero!!!! True American!!! Coming on the 50th anniversary of his great run in Tokyo!

[@FranciscoJMeza-pl7my]

My hero too!!!

[@elwoodblues6663]

bravo to a real champion

[@warrennewton6753]

That was so great a big underdog and no one gave him a chance ive watched running brave more than anyother movie i have tears running down my face

[@brya6894]

Now ready to watch one on one with actor that played bill mills

[@l.gabriellearboleda8495]

I can watch this video more times. It’s so special. I really like Robby Benson and his acting in Running Brave was fantastic. And then there is Billy Mills. He is a champion in sports and in life. My type of influencer.

[@goatfarmer98]

beautifully done, nearly brought to tears. I have admired Billy since his gold medal. Semper fi Billy.

[@bobpeterson4930]

Awesome!!!

[@stevesolis5770]

Great Man Billy Mills

[@Wheeloffortunefan999]

Great to see the voice of the beast (Robby Benson) in this

[@romangrayjr]

Fantastic! I have been inspired by Bill Mills all my life, beginning with my track career in 1986. I was never more than a high school standout, but I will never forget the impact that Billy's story had on my life. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@brya6894]

Oh my old school commercial I remember them now gas was 99 cents a gallon I was in San Pablo Cali

[@cbs70sfan49]

Stfidjnr: did you know that NBC fired the commentator who exclaimed: "LOOK AT MILLS! LOOK AT MILLS!" ? Now, people calling games get even more animated and the network head honchos don't bat an eyelash.

[@Ken4Pyro]

I love this segment, and while it's an amazing look at the family and friends of Mr. Mills, I couldn't help but wonder if the show would include sports announcer Dick Bank, who was the voice that screamed "Look at Mills!" in the broadcast. Still, that did not take anything away from an incredible tribute to an amazing man and his family.

[@iparent2148]

That was one of the reasons I had to watch this segment - if it included an appearance by Dick Bank! One of the most thrilling calls of all time, gives me shivers every time I see that old black-and-white telecast finish....

[@zachhoran]

1983-84 version of this show was done for weekly syndication

[@robertatasby6798]

Running brave

[@StFidjnr]

@ 17:41 LOOK AT MILLS LOOK AT MILLS

[@berniecebegay8190]

The natives are encouraged to run early mornings in their culture.

[@brya6894]

Wow dollar 69

[@omarfarcy6980]

Who are all that women came to him at the end ??

[@guillermocastro115]

His daughters

[@omarfarcy6980]

@@guillermocastro115 Are you sure ??

[@Shodansixtyone]

I think they were his daughters.