The Kentucky Cowboy Documentary Premiere Marks The Launch Of The Postgame Project

By VOICE-TRIBUNE • Photos Provided 

On May 16, 2025, The Star in Frisco, Texas, will be the stage for the national premiere of The Kentucky Cowboy, an award-winning documentary about former professional athlete Chris Thieneman. This premiere, however, is not only a film debut; it marks the official launch of The PostGame Project, a national initiative aimed at shedding light on the mental and emotional pressures faced by high performers across all walks of life. 

Timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, the premiere sets the tone for a broader conversation about the emotional costs of high expectations. The PostGame Project seeks to address the often-unseen challenges that people in demanding roles (whether athletes, business leaders, parents, or anyone under constant pressure to succeed) face daily. 

Chris Thieneman’s story is at the heart of the documentary. The film chronicles his journey from childhood through his professional football career, including his time with the Dallas Cowboys, and the continued struggles he faced long after leaving the game. The premiere at The Star is especially poignant, offering a full-circle moment as Thieneman’s personal and professional pressures, explored in the documentary, align with the very location where many of his football dreams took shape. 

The evening will offer a multimedia experience blending the film, music, and mission. The focus will be on creatively highlighting the need for understanding, recognition, and support for those carrying burdens that others may never see. 

The PostGame Project is a bold new initiative, founded by individuals who know firsthand the toll that high performance can take on one’s mental health. Alongside Thieneman, the project’s founders include Art Arellanes, Executive Producer; Charles Venturi, Executive Producer; Mike Kiselak, former Dallas Cowboy; Jay Jones, Creative Consultant at Squiddl; and Noah Berlow, Creative Consultant at Immortal Cinema International. Together, they aim to use creative tools, from documentaries to music and live performances, to spark a dialogue about the emotional demands placed on those who often face pressure without support or recognition. 

The PostGame Project does not offer clinical solutions or therapeutic interventions. Instead, it serves as a catalyst for awareness and conversation, encouraging those under pressure to seek the understanding and support they need, even if they don’t ask for it. 

The premiere of The Kentucky Cowboy and the launch of The PostGame Project present a unique opportunity to explore the emotional toll of high performance and to ignite a national dialogue about the need for greater mental health support for everyone who is expected to always “have it together.” 

As the project grows, it will serve as a critical reminder that high performance often comes with an unseen price, one that deserves recognition and support.