SEC Storied: Rowdy

Featuring one of the greatest comeback stories in swimming history, "Rowdy" chronicles Rowdy Gaines' career in and out of the pool, including overcoming the adversity of the 1980 Olympic boycott and his battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

The film, directed by SportsCenter anchor and "Shaq & Dale" director Hannah Storm, delves into the historic and inspiring story of Gaines's life. Some of the sport's biggest names appear in the film such as Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz and John Naber, as well as Auburn's Pat Dye and Charles Barkley. Storm's company, Brainstormin' Productions, produced the SEC Storied film for ESPN Films and the SEC Network

"I have known Rowdy since my days hosting Olympics at NBC and he has continued to be a friend, as well as my husband's broadcast partner for swimming" says Storm. "His perseverance through heartache and serious health issues with relentless energy, humility and humor, made him the perfect subject to carry a film that evokes a spectrum of emotions. And it's a great history lesson as well."

In the early 1980's, Auburn University boasted three superstar athletes who would become among the most famous names in the history of their sports. There was Charles Barkley, there was Bo Jackson, and then, there was Ambrose "Rowdy" Gaines IV. And the story of what Rowdy overcame during his time at Auburn, and in the years to follow, speaks to what he learned there and how the school, and its legendary coach Richard Quick, impacted the life of an Olympic champion.

Gaines was the best freestyle swimmer, not just in the college ranks, but the world when the United States boycotted the 1980 Olympics. The boycott devastated him, but he came back to be named SEC Athlete of the Year in 1981, beating out Herschel Walker. Training under Quick - Gaines, one of the elder statesmen of the team, came back to win an upset gold over German favorite Michael Gross in 1984 and two more in the relays.

In the years since, Gaines has been swimming's greatest ambassador as a broadcaster, while also continuing to dominate competition in masters racing. There has never been anyone in the sport quite like him, and Rowdy himself has long said, Auburn is where he grew "from a boy to a man."