[6] The film was written by Bram and Toni Hoover,[2] inspired by the story of Travis Freeman, a Kentucky teen who loses his sight, but eventually overcomes the challenges of his disability, and continues to live his dream of playing football.

Stephen Lang, Alexa PenaVega,[9] Max Adler and Becky Ann Baker also starred in the film.

Living in the town of Corbin, Kentucky, his inner circle includes his supporting parents, girlfriend, and childhood best friend, Jerry Baker (Bram Hoover)[10][11] Life is normal for Travis until one day, he is stricken with a series of severe headaches and a bacterial meningitis infection.

When forced to abandon football, Travis’ shallow, cheerleader girlfriend quits on him, and he faces the decision of having to attend the school for the blind away from home.

Director Dylan Baker used his personal network in casting the film, using friends for several key roles.

Baker employed former colleagues Fred Dalton Thompson, Timothy Busfield and Kevin Cooney in their respective roles.

Baker held auditions in Los Angeles and cast Mark Hapka, Alexa PenaVega and Max Adler in the same day.

Kim Zimmer was originally slated to play the role of Molly's mother, which did not survive the final cut of the film.

23 Blast was inspired by the life of Travis Freeman, a Corbin, Kentucky native, who, at the age of twelve began having severe headaches.

In the 1967 UCLA vs. USC football game, "23 Blast" was the audible run play for O. J. Simpson's 64 yard game-winning touchdown.

The site's consensus reads, "The real life story that inspired 23 Blast is undeniably heartwarming — but the movie itself is too predictable and amateurish to recommend.

Super Bowl Winning Coach and All Pro Dad National spokesman, Tony Dungy said, “23 Blast is a powerful movie about football and perseverance.