1
[Announcer]
Please rise
for the singing of
our national anthem.
Oh say can you see
By the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed
At the twilight's
last gleaming
Whose broad stripes
and bright stars
Through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched
Were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
[Greg] Coach, you ready?
This'll be our
undefeated season.
I can already feel it.
We're off to a hell of a start.
Does that star
You comin'?
You think I'll get that
offer if we go all the way?
[Greg] I think any college'd
be lucky to have you.
Damn straight.
O'er the land of the free
And the home of the brave
(crowd cheering)
(jet engine roaring)
(marching band drumming)
24-two,
24-two.
(crowd cheering)
(crowd groaning)
Ah!
Right Z-mode.
22 tight.
Two.
[Quarterback] Ready?
[Team] Break.
Blue 42, blue 42, set hut.
Set hut!
[Players] Woo!
Ah!
All right, this is what I got.
I got right Z-mode.
25 count on two.
[Quarterback] Blue 42.
Blue 42.
Set hut.
Blue 42.
Hey, hey, hey!
Set hut!
(crowd cheering)
Let's go right, Z-tight.
46 cross on two.
God, God!
Time, time!
[Greg]
Field goal team's ready.
No, no, no.
We're finishing
this game right now.
All right, now, right
slot, Z return, 46...
But they keep
crashing my side, coach.
I know, he's gonna crash, okay?
So we just bounce it
a little bit outside,
and then cut it back up.
Just bounce it a little
bit to the outside,
cut it back up,
and he'll bite ya.
Okay? Okay?
[Benny] It sounds good.
[Vick] It's all you,
buddy, it's all you.
Let's go.
(team clapping)
We got a big stop right here.
Everybody give all you got.
(team cheering)
(crowd cheering)
[Quarterback] Blue 42.
(moderate music)
(time clock buzzing)
(crowd cheering)
That's what I'm talking about!
That's what I'm talking about!
(team celebrating)
Come on, come on!
Okay, okay, bring
it in, bring it in.
All right.
It was a good game.
It's not a great game.
That's one game.
We've got a lot of
games to go, all right?
We'll celebrate big when
we win state, you hear me?
Special, special, Benny.
Special night,
buddy, special night.
Take 'em home.
[Team Member] One, two, three!
[Team] Saints win!
Saints win!
Saints win!
(team cheering)
Hey, good game tonight.
[Mark] Let's go.
What is your deal?
You guys won.
I didn't play.
Yes, you did.
You were on kickoffs.
And you almost returned
that shanked punt.
Dad, that's special teams.
You and I both know
that's bullshit.
Let's go.
Dad!
That kind of language
isn't necessary.
You guys played great out there.
You're gonna get some
chances for more play time
later in the season.
You guys goin' to Tommy's?
Yeah, bro, let's go!
[Mark] Hell, yeah.
Mark, your mother's
got dinner at home.
Then I want more playing time.
What am I supposed
to do about it?
[Mark] I don't know, do
somethin', dad, you're rich.
[Drew] Mark!
[Mark] You guys full here?
Oh, I'm gettin' in this one.
Where did I go
wrong with that kid?
It was like Barry Sanders
out there tonight, right?
It's crazy.
It's crazy.
You played a good game, man.
I appreciate that.
I'm gonna hit
Tommy's, you wanna come?
- Can't, man.
- Sure?
Mom wants me home, I'm sure.
All right.
I'll see you later.
All right, man, see you.
(sighs)
(car horn honking)
(moderate music)
(phone ringing)
I'm sorry, Benny.
It's just not good enough
for a college application.
I don't see what's
got you excited
about going into sports science.
But that's what they
want to read about, right?
Write about what you
want to write about.
Don't worry about what
they want to read.
What means a lot to you?
(bell ringing)
(door closing)
Okay.
[Tom] You never quit, do you?
[Vick] Oh.
Hey.
Tom Price, Auburn.
Hey, Tom, good to meet you.
I get you a Coke or somethin'?
[Tom] Oh, no,
you're good, coach.
- I appreciate it.
- Yeah, yeah.
I just wanted to come by here
and shake your hand
before the game on Friday.
[Vick] Okay.
I'll be there, I'll be watchin'.
Good.
I'll be lookin' for talent.
Keep things goin' the
way they're goin',
and you win out on Friday,
you might just be lookin'
at a front office.
If that sounds
interesting to you.
That sounds damn interestin'.
Hell, yeah.
I got all my chips
in your corner, coach.
I will see you on Friday.
[Vick] Okay.
Thank you.
(phone ringing)
[Drew] Coach Trenton?
Yeah.
[Drew] You got a minute?
Drew?
Yeah, what can I do for you?
What's on your mind?
You're a good dad.
But if Mark wants
more playin' time,
he's gonna have to work harder
and get in more
reps after practice.
[Drew] We are big-time donors
to this football program, coach.
Ah.
You wanna come run a
championship football team,
be my guest.
Benny!
- Yes, sir?
- Come on in.
No, no, no, I'll come back.
I'll come back another time.
[Vick] I am never
too busy for you, son.
Come right on in.
Here, have a seat.
What you got?
All right, so I've been
thinking a lot about college.
But I ain't smart like my mama,
so I don't wanna be no lawyer.
But I do wanna go and
study something, you know?
You talked to Coach
Dykes at SMU, right?
Yes, sir.
He told me if I played
football, I'd be a sure shot.
Great.
Then you're on your way.
Well?
What's the problem?
You know, my mom,
she don't want me playin'
after high school, coach.
She barely let me
play this season.
You makin' all As and Bs?
I got a B.
Two, I think, maybe.
So you're not gonna get
no academic scholarship.
(laughs)
Okay.
But here's the deal.
Right now your mama's gotta
sign permission slips,
and she's gotta help
you pay for the gear
and all that kind of stuff,
and you gotta get
her approval, right?
Yeah.
Well, it's not
that way in college.
College is different.
Now, I'm not tellin' you
to disobey your mama,
but I am tellin' you that
there comes a time
in a man's life
when he's gotta
decide for himself.
It's somethin' to think about.
Yeah.
Hey, you remember this?
I remember that.
I remember all this.
[Benny] Ninth grade.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So.
Work it out with your mama.
It's gonna be all right.
You come in here
anytime you want.
You're kickin' ass this season.
- Thanks, coach.
- I'm proud of you, son.
Yes, sir.
Thanks for everything.
I'll see you at practice.
I'll see you at practice.
(whistle tweeting)
- Hey, mom.
- Finally.
[Benny] Sorry I'm late.
Those coaches know they
are not supposed to keep you
past six o'clock.
Practice ended at six.
We just had team meetings
and stuff after, you know.
Oh.
Team meetings sounds like
screwing around with
your friends to me.
Thank you for grabbin'
all those groceries.
[Benny] You're welcome.
[Theresa] So how
was your meeting
with the college advisor?
Fine, fine, all right.
What did he say
about your essay?
He said I need to write
about somethin' else.
[Theresa]
So the two of you sat
and brainstormed
some more ideas?
[Benny] Kinda.
Don't tell me you were
doin' football at lunch.
Ma, so I went to
Coach Vick's office,
and he told me he can
get me into college
and with a full scholarship.
Wow.
[Benny] That's good news.
Mm-hm.
And when did he say
he would do this?
Well, he didn't really say,
but it's somethin'
he's workin' on.
Oh, but he's sure about it?
[Benny] Yeah, he's sure.
I trust him.
Well, if you trust
him, then, Benny.
Why aren't you happy about this?
Honey, you can't
rely on other people
to help you get through life.
Ma, I'm not relying on Coach
Vick to get me through life.
Everyone that I
have ever worked with
is a liar until they
put it on paper.
And even then,
sometimes they're still
tryin' to get over on you.
I mean, did he say what
he wanted in return?
Oh.
Great.
So you just went out there and
wrote that man a blank check.
No, I didn't write
him no blank check.
Boy, you are just another
pawn in his winning streak.
Look, honey, I'm sorry.
Okay?
I just don't want
you to get stuck
doing something that
you don't even like.
Ma,
I like playing football.
And I'm doin' this.
I love you.
I love you too.
(door closing)
What's funny?
I'm just taking my time.
We ain't got much time, Mark.
And coach won't be
happy if you're late.
What's he gonna do, take
away playing time I don't get?
Don't screw us over.
If you're late, we could
all take the heat for it.
But coach is not gonna
make us run sprints
three days before the
biggest game of the season.
Mark, you still
should just get movin'.
Benny, do you do everything
Coach Vick tells you to do?
What time you got?
[Greg] 3:02 exactly.
[Vick] That's what I got.
3:02 exactly.
They're not all here.
Think that English teacher
Crossley kept them late?
[Vick] I hope so.
That better be the reason.
[Greg] I'll go
find out who it is.
[Vick] All right.
[Greg] Atta boy.
[Benny] Bein' late's
one thing, fellas,
but we should get movin'.
[Mark] Okay, look, you wanna
run all the way to the field,
be my guest.
Anybody?
Aw, man, I just got a
bad feelin' about this.
Shut up!
Stop tellin' me to shut up!
What's your problem?
All right, man!
[Player] Feel better?
[Benny] Damn straight, man.
Asshole.
[Player] Crap.
11 minutes late.
I give you guys a full half-hour
to get from the school
to the locker room,
and you still can't do it.
One of's you late, same
as all y'all bein' late.
The weakest link can break us.
And I'm not gonna
see us get broken
after all that
we've been through.
So I'm gonna put a
stop to it right now.
11 minutes.
11 gassers.
Right now.
On me.
(whistle tweeting)
This is gonna wreck
'em for Friday's game.
[Vick] We'll stop at 11.
We can't be on time,
we got nothin'.
[Greg] I think the
season's doin' fine.
I don't care what you think.
(whistle tweeting)
(whistle tweeting)
[Greg] Let's go, let's go,
let's go, let's go, let's go.
(whistle tweeting)
(whistle tweeting)
[Vick] Get the lead
out, it's fourth quarter.
It's fourth quarter,
you gonna give up in
the fourth quarter?
If you do, you're not
gonna win the game.
Chaz, move it.
Let's go!
I didn't see anybody puke yet.
Let's go!
(vomits)
(claps)
(Vick claps)
One more.
(whistle tweeting)
[Mark] That was 11!
[Vick] What?
[Mark] That was 11, I counted!
[Vick] One more!
[Mark] We're done!
You gonna run with
the rest of the team,
or you're not gonna be
a part of this team.
[Greg] All right,
boys, hit the showers.
Hey, hey, hey, hold on, coach.
We're gonna keep runnin'
till everybody runs their 11.
I did already.
Everybody runs 11.
You better get
him runnin', boys!
[Player] Come on,
Mark, let's do this.
I'm done.
You're not done, man.
He wants everyone, come on.
Let's go.
[Player] Let's
do this, all right?
- Come on.
- All right, damn!
This is a lot right now, Vick.
[Vick] It's the only way
we're gonna get discipline.
It's the only way we're
gonna win this football game.
(whistle tweeting)
Get the lead out!
Atta boy.
- Come on, Turner.
- Atta boy.
[Greg] Come on, Turner!
(players panting and grunting)
Yo, Benny, come on.
Here, I got you, bro.
Here, come on.
Hey.
Coach!
Come on.
Coach!
Coach!
Coach!
[Vick] What the hell?
Get Duffy now, get Duffy now!
[Greg] I don't
think we need Duffy.
I think we need the paramedics.
(crow cawing)
(ambulance engine starting)
(siren blipping)
(Theresa cries)
Hey, is he gonna be okay?
I don't think so.
How do you know?
[Ford] They didn't
turn on the sirens.
What have you done?
Stay away from me.
He's all I had left.
Why?
His blood is on your hands.
(cries)
(clears throat)
Benny had somethin'
wrong with his heart.
He's gone, boys.
Practice for the rest of
the week's gonna be canceled.
We're gonna reschedule
Friday's game.
Go home.
Everybody go home.
(Vick cries)
[Male Reporter] Heart
disease must continue.
[Female Reporter]
Tragedy this week
as local football
player Benny Robinson
died suddenly on
the practice field.
A caring, a thoughtful,
a wonderful human being,
they are going to
miss him greatly.
We're also being told
that Benny Robinson
had a rare heart condition.
We'll be finding
out more about that
as the autopsy happens
in a little bit.
We're here live
at Saints Stadium.
We will have more on
this story tonight at 10.
(country music)
Coach.
[Vick] Ted.
We all just heard about it.
People are comin' in
nonstop talkin' about it.
Yeah.
But we are literally
sick to our stomachs.
I just never thought
something like this'd happen.
What can I get you?
A double.
You're a good man.
I don't think I could handle
anything under a triple.
Okay.
Do that.
You got it.
Tonight's on the house.
Thanks, Ted.
- Hello?
- Hey, Vick.
This is Coach Brown
from the Lions.
Oh, hey!
[Brown] I gotta
apologize to you.
Our bye week was last week,
and there's just no
way we can reschedule.
Well, we have to.
[Brown] I cannot imagine
what you are goin' through.
You have my deepest condolences.
Thank you.
Dammit.
The usual, bartender.
Well,
what do you say?
Big-time football
coach in my bar.
Yeah.
Heard about that kid.
Damn shame.
It is.
Heard it was your fault.
[Vick] Who said that crap?
Just everybody I
been seein' tonight.
The whole town's buzzin'.
It was his heart.
It's just what I was hearin'.
It's not like I was hearin'
you was gonna win on Friday.
Game's off, Billy.
You ain't even gonna try.
[Greg] Come on,
you can't be serious.
[Vick] We don't have a choice.
[Greg] It's a game.
It's one game.
It is not your call to make.
Coach, just wait a second.
I am begging you right now.
Do not do this.
You have the team here,
ready to play, Friday night.
Why, though?
Why? Is it that scout?
Is that what this is about?
We're playin'.
Coach.
Come on.
(door closing)
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now am found
Was blind but now I see
- Saints!
- Win.
- Saints!
- Win!
- Saints!
- Win!
- Saints!
- Win!
This is for Benny.
Right into your belly.
And just, I'll keep
the leg moving.
See, there's always drops.
[Greg] Lower to the gut.
There's always drops.
What's the superintendent
doin' here?
Greg, what is the
superintendent doin' here?
What the hell's
goin' on, Wesley?
Coach, I need
you to turn around.
Oh, why would I do that?
The game's canceled.
Saints forfeited.
(players protesting)
Hey, hey, hey.
We're ready to play.
Victor, please take your
team back to the locker room.
I'm not takin' my team
back to the locker room.
We're playin' this game, Wesley.
It's done.
Greg made the call.
[Vick] It's not
his call to make.
It's my call to make.
It was the wrong call.
Boy.
Let's go, let's go.
- Come on, coach...
- Let's go!
Turn around, let's go.
It was the right
thing to do, Greg.
Get in there, get in there.
Get in there.
Tom.
Vick.
What's the deal?
I had nothin' to do with this.
It all amounts
to the same thing.
So that's it?
Look, man, I guess I'll come
out for a championship game.
At least I can trust y'all
not to forfeit
somethin' like that.
(car starting)
[Radio Show Host] We
got some breaking news.
Coach Vick and the Saints
kicked off the field.
What do you think?
[Sportscaster] Well,
we all know Coach Vick.
He's very competitive, he's
tryin' to make it to state.
He's in a tight spot right now.
I think he was right
in tryin' to play.
He has a commitment to
his team, to the town.
I think his player would
have wanted him to play.
We'll see what happens
the next coming weeks.
[Radio Show Host] Well,
whatever the right decision was,
he's got a storm comin' his way.
Hope he rides it out.
[Wendy] And there he is.
That'll be all, Wendy.
Thank you.
Victor.
Come in.
Do you recognize her?
That's Wendy Maine, the
reporter you see all over TV.
She's had me cornered
in this office,
asking for a comment about the
death on your team this week.
And?
[Wesley] You turned this
whole thing into a circus.
It was a freak accident.
What was I supposed to do?
Maybe not forcing
the team to play
before they could bury
their friend, for starters?
Oh, so am I here
for you to tell me
how to coach a football team,
or can I just go
ahead and leave?
I think you need
to be more concerned
about your future
employment, Victor.
You can't fire me.
I can find room in the
budget for counselors.
I can't say the same thing for
attorneys and a settlement.
You're a spineless
son of a bitch.
You're suspended!
I can't fire you without
a school board vote,
but I can tell you what
that vote's gonna be.
[Vick] Pitiful.
(car engine running)
(car door closing)
Coach Trenton.
[Vick] Not anymore.
[Theresa] This is for you.
I had to deliver it by hand.
You're suin' me?
This is how you
mourn Benny's death?
This shit isn't my fault.
Benny had hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy,
a condition that
doesn't kill anyone
unless they're immense
physical stress.
He's gone because you
pushed him too hard.
I suggest you get a lawyer.
I don't need a lawyer.
I know what happened.
Ma'am.
Please.
When is his funeral?
You're not welcome there.
(door closing)
(sighs)
(grunts)
(phone beeping)
[Automated Voice]
First unheard message.
[Brad] Hey, Coach
Vick, this is Brad
from 1090 Sports Radio.
Any comment on the
recent suspension?
(phone beeping)
Message deleted.
Next message.
[Jonathan] This is
Jonathan from Channel Four.
We spoke after a few
of your previous games.
(phone beeping)
Message deleted.
Next message.
[Nancy] Coach Victor.
Nancy Williams here from
the local affiliate.
Just wanted to pop
in and say I'm so...
(phone beeping)
Message deleted.
Next message.
[Sara] Hi dad.
It's Sara.
I know things are tough
for you right now.
I'm just
worried you're gonna
shut everybody out.
(phone beeping)
Message deleted.
End of messages.
(moderate music)
Well, I'm gonna
close it up, Vick.
Of course, you can
always come back in
tomorrow afternoon at
opening, if you'd like.
(laughs)
Maybe I will.
What are folks sayin', Ted?
Oh, uh,
well, you know folks.
Always sayin' some
sort of thing.
Yeah, what kind of things?
I meant to ask you,
are you gonna say a few
words at that boy's service?
I don't think so.
His mother doesn't
want me there.
Well.
If that changes, it might help.
Maybe.
Goodnight, Vick.
[Vick] Goodnight.
[Turner] Guys, just face it.
Like, the season's over.
[Ford] Come on,
man, don't say that.
No, seriously, like Benny
was freakin' amazing, man.
Everything just sucks
now, and coach is gone.
I'm pretty sure Mark
and a bunch of the other
guys are gonna quit too.
Coach wants to know where
the funeral's gonna be.
Are you gonna tell him?
Hell yeah.
Shouldn't he be there?
(phone buzzing)
(car running)
(car door closing)
(door closing)
(organ music)
[Theresa] What
are you doing here?
I'm just here to
pay my respects.
I made it clear that
you are not welcome here.
I really need
closure on this, ma'am.
That is a luxury
that I will never have.
And I don't plan to let you
have it anytime soon either.
- Hey, coach.
- Oh, hey, coach.
[Vick] Hey, guys.
[Ford] You're not staying?
I can't.
Thanks for tellin' me about it.
You know, coach, I think it's
some crap you got suspended.
You guys just keep
playing your asses off and
pray for Benny,
and everybody,
and I'll be your coach again
as soon as all this crap's over.
- Go get 'em.
- All right.
Thanks, coach.
[Vick] Yeah.
(car door closing)
Hey, Coach Vick!
Oh, Christ.
How's it goin'?
It's not too great, Drew.
I just wanted to see if
Mark's reached out to you.
I haven't seen him.
Well, he wasn't here, actually.
He's been at home
since Friday night.
He's pretty messed
up over all this.
I don't know how to help him.
Well, you're his dad.
Figure it out.
I don't know what to do, Vick.
He won't tell me anything.
I mean,
what happened on that field?
The superintendent told
me that he was gonna be
hiring some grief
counselors for the school
to help with the players
and the teachers and stuff,
and so if you could get Mark
to go talk to one of them,
I'm sure that'll help, and
he'll be much better off.
All right?
We'll see ya.
Hey.
Jesus, Vick.
I was only half kiddin' about
you comin' back at opening.
I think it's time
for another triple.
All right, head on in.
Wouldn't even let you stay?
It's ridiculous.
What's next?
Well, the Auburn scout
says I gotta win state
to have a shot.
We can still win with one loss,
but the school board's decidin'
whether I get to come back.
Maybe it'll help
if you win the case.
Maybe.
I was at the funeral.
I didn't see you there.
You shoulda heard the folks
talkin' after the service,
whisperin' about the head coach,
how he done run the
boy in the ground.
He done it.
He's guilty as sin.
It wasn't my fault.
Vick.
(laughs)
It wasn't my fault!
(glass shattering)
Hey!
Cool it!
[Vick] Get off me, Ted.
You gotta go.
Bartender, you
think he's innocent?
What do you think?
You gotta go, Vick.
I don't want any trouble
around here, okay?
You think it was my fault!
I think that I've never
seen you like this, okay?
Just go home and
get some rest, okay?
Thanks, asshole.
(grunts)
Christ Almighty.
Yeah.
[Sara] You've been
ignoring my messages.
Huh.
[Sara] I'm worried
about you, dad.
Really.
[Sara] Yeah.
I feel on top of it, all right?
[Sara] How could you
possibly be on top of it?
I'm not here to cry about it.
It's not gonna do any good.
[Sara] Oh my God, you're trying
to win something
that can't be won.
You have to turn
this around, dad.
Oh, thank you, coach.
What do I do after halftime,
why don't you tell me that?
Fine, Vick... (phone beeping)
(alarm beeping)
(moderate music)
(newspaper rustling)
Dammit.
In the 1960s, as many as
26 high school players died
in one year during
football practice.
Even with our modern
technology, updated safety gear,
we still average eight
to 16 players a year
dead each year nationwide.
That means there's a one in
100,000 chance that a player
will die during his playing
of high school football.
Just think about car
wrecks, addiction, alcohol,
think about those numbers.
Way higher.
Of all youth sports, one
player dies every three days.
Does that mean that one in
100,000 football coaches
should be tried for murder?
I don't think so.
What happened to Benny
was a freak accident.
An accident.
We should simply
have more awareness
of why these things happen.
You gonna write
any of that down?
Do you feel that crashing
the player's funeral
was inappropriate in any way?
His mother was
under the impression
that this was not an accident,
and that's why she's bringing
a lawsuit against me.
So you blame the
mother of the deceased.
Yes.
No.
Yes?
No?
Care to clarify?
She just shoulda known
about his heart problem.
So you don't feel that any
of this is your responsibility.
When I get rid of
this ridiculous lawsuit,
then everybody
will see the truth.
The administration
will see the truth,
the people will see the truth,
and hopefully you see
the truth right now.
Let me get this straight.
A player dies from
physical stress
because of your
punishment sprints,
only to ruin the mother
in a court of law.
No!
That's not it at all!
I'm gonna have my photographer
take some shots for the
piece, if you don't mind.
Thank you for your time, Victor.
(discordant music)
(bicycle bell ringing)
(dog barking)
[Vick] Dammit!
(phone ringing)
[Wesley] What the hell
do you think you're doing,
going to the press?
Wendy Maine, of all people?
You stupid...
(phone receiver banging)
[Announcer] The
Saints score a touchdown
right off the bat.
This team is on fire!
The 20, the 10, the five,
and he's in the end zone!
The Saints are going to
beat the defending champs!
What a night it has
been for the Saints
under their new head
coach, Mr. Greg Reid.
The rest of this
season is looking good.
Cheers.
(slurps)
In cases like this,
it is recommended that you
both seek legal counsel.
But both of you have decided
to represent yourselves pro se.
It is unconventional,
but it is legal.
You both waived a jury as well,
so you'll present
your case to me.
You'll question your
witnesses in front of me.
You will talk to each other
as you normally would.
Are there any questions?
- No, your honor.
- No.
Your honor.
(gavel banging)
Calling to order the case
of Robinson versus Trenton.
The plaintiff, Miss Robinson,
sues in the amount of $1.
My son was a
hardworking young man
who kept his nose to the
grindstone his whole life.
He had friends, he had family,
he had a bright future.
He also had hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy,
a condition that we would
have never known about,
had it not been for Coach
Trenton's revenge sprints
- that unfairly...
- I object!
These are not...
[Judge] Mr. Trenton, please.
Please.
[Vick] Okay.
You've been advised
there is no jury
and you're free to speak
as you normally would.
There's no need to
formally object.
Oh.
Okay.
But
that's not fair, right?
You're right, it was
an unfair assumption.
Now, Miss Robinson,
you may continue
without the objectionable
material this time.
This man is at fault
for the death of my son.
I could sue him for a
dollar or a million dollars.
It wouldn't matter to me.
Because when he loses this case,
he'll never hurt anyone again.
Because he'll never coach again.
And he'll finally understand
what it feels like
to lose something that he loves.
[Judge] Does the defendant
have an opening statement?
Benny's loss has been
absolutely tragic for me too.
I never thought
anything in the world
like this could happen.
Did you ever even come
to one of his games?
Your honor, I would like
to call my first witness.
Please do, Miss Robinson.
Would you say
that you've ever had
a practice entirely of sprints?
No, ma'am.
So what was the reason
for them this day?
'Cause me and three of
the other guys were late.
So this was a
form of punishment.
Yes, ma'am.
Was Benny one of
those other guys?
Yes, ma'am.
Your honor, while the sprints
were a form of punishment,
I argue that they were increased
beyond the normal level
due to the aggression
of the defendant
and only at this stage
were they deemed harmful.
[Judge] Duly noted.
That's the problem these days.
It's discipline,
not aggression.
Life is all about discipline.
You know that, judge.
A kid should respect it.
And when I get a player
that comes in there
who hadn't been taught any
discipline by his parents,
the only way I'm gonna
get respect out of him
is with law and order.
Yeah, you tell 'em, coach.
Mr. Trenton, you do realize
that you're not their parent?
Nor are you a police officer?
You're a high school
football coach.
If Mr. Trenton felt that
he was being challenged
by insubordination
from his players,
would that be something
that he could just
forget about?
Um, he would stamp it out.
At the cost of their well being?
Give it a rest.
You think I'd let somebody die
just to win a football game?
Tell 'em, Greg.
You've worked with me for years.
Tell 'em how I feel
about the team.
Go ahead, tell 'em.
Well, I mean, you'd
go for a touchdown
rather than kick a field goal.
But this was a level
I hadn't seen before.
Did you observe the
player in question
struggling with these sprints?
Yeah, but it wasn't
out of the ordinary
after that much runnin'.
[Vick] That's right.
[Judge] And did you feel
the sprints were excessive?
I felt they were
excessive for a game week.
[Judge] Did you express
this concern to Mr. Trenton?
[Greg] Yes.
[Theresa] And
how did he respond?
Um,
he ignored me.
How long thereafter
did Benny collapse?
It was the next gasser.
Really?
[Vick] That was the last one.
[Theresa] You can't prove that.
Yes, I can.
That was the last
one, I told you that.
I don't remember
you sayin' that.
[Theresa] Your honor,
I would like to call
one last witness.
[Judge] You're excused.
Sir, you're excused.
[Theresa] Did you end
up running 11 gassers?
[Mark] Yes.
[Theresa] What happened then?
I stopped because I counted,
and I said that that was 11,
and we kept going,
'cause coach didn't care.
Why did he keep them going?
'Cause he wanted me to give in.
[Theresa] Did you?
No.
So if you were the
insubordinate party,
why did the entire team
have to run sprints?
'Cause he'll do anything
to get what he wants.
Even at the cost
of an innocent life?
(discordant music)
Um,
yes.
[Theresa] No further
questions, your honor.
Plaintiff rests.
You're excused.
I don't feel any better.
You said that this
would help me.
You did great, honey.
But you have to go now, okay?
You're excused.
I'm not ready yet.
I don't think that I,
I could say more.
I didn't say enough.
We'll talk in a minute.
Thank you.
Contrary to what I advised,
both of you have
expressed the need
for an immediate decision
despite of a lack of
reflection on my part.
So we shall reconvene
after a short recess.
(gavel banging)
Hey.
Why don't you believe me when
I say I cared about Benny?
Because you don't know
what you're talkin' about.
When Benny's father left,
I had to be both parents.
I paid the bills,
I ran the house,
I raised him to have a future.
And when you invest that
much time into a child,
you know when they're
falling behind.
You watch them, protect them.
You don't keep blowing a damn
whistle until they drop dead.
So it's just revenge, huh?
He kept spending more and
more time with the team.
I raised him just so he
could come home after dark,
exhausted, and then
wake up the next day
and waste his time
all over again.
I raised him just so you
could take him from me.
I didn't take him from you.
I am doing this to protect
other parents in the world
from people like you.
(door slamming)
Mr. Trenton,
I don't know you, but I've
known plenty of people like you
in all my years
of public service.
There's nothing wrong
with the desire to win,
but there is something wrong
when you blind yourself
to the needs of
others in the process.
That is called negligence,
and negligence is punishable.
However, evidence does not show
that the defendant's negligence
was the direct cause
of death to the victim.
The plaintiff's evidence
was too speculative
and objectionable to
support liability.
I find the defendant,
Victor Trenton, not liable.
Case closed.
Thank you, your honor.
Thank you.
(moderate music)
Oh, whoa, whoa,
no, no, no, Vick.
Vick, I didn't just
mean for the weekend.
No, no, you gotta go.
Ted, I won the case.
And I'm happy for ya.
[Customer] Ted.
Another.
What's that grin for?
You high?
No, Billy, I'm innocent.
I still think you're guilty.
Well, I don't
care what you think.
You can look in the
newspaper in the mornin',
and it will say otherwise.
I have been acquitted.
Oh yeah?
[Vick] Yeah.
I don't know.
I don't care what you know.
It's about time.
Look, I told you, Vick,
you can't be here right now.
But
it's over, Ted.
Maybe for you.
You gotta go.
(sighs)
God almighty.
[Sara] Jesus, what time is it?
- God, dad.
- What the hell
are you doin' here?
Jeez, I didn't think
you'd be home so late.
How'd you get in?
You gave me a key when I
left for Baylor, remember?
Well, you're goin' back
first thin the mornin'.
You're goin' right back to Waco.
Dad, not until you talk to me.
What do you want to talk about?
Oh, I know, you came to fix me.
Go ahead and do whatever it is...
Come on, I'm not
here to fix you.
I'm here because you spent
14 hours in court today,
and I want to make
sure you're okay.
[Vick] I am fine.
So why don't you just drive
on back to your boyfriend?
Yeah, you know, at least
there's a man in my life
that cares about me
more than football.
You were always the most
important thing in my life.
Why didn't you act like
that while I was here, huh?
There's a lot
worse dads out there,
did a lot crappier things than
miss a daddy-daughter dance
because I had a
damn playoff game.
Wow.
You missed a lot
more than one dance.
Recitals, graduations.
You divorced mom.
Your mother.
It was your mother
who filed for divorce.
- Mm-hm.
- No.
You never told me that.
Oh yes, she did.
[Sara] You're so full of shit.
- Ask her!
- You're so full of shit!
You ask her, you ask her!
That's what happened.
- Yeah, uh-huh.
- Yeah.
[Sara] Bet it did.
You want me to tuck you in?
(door slamming)
(sighs)
(snores)
(grunts)
(bicycle bell ringing)
(door closing)
(newspaper rustling)
(sighs)
(phone ringing)
Hello.
[Woman] Uh, who is this?
This is Coach Vick.
You're on the board, right?
[Woman] Yeah,
that's right, Vick.
Well, I just called to tell you
that I've been acquitted
in the lawsuit.
[Woman] Okay.
I'll make sure the other
board members know.
Great.
When is the vote?
[Woman] Um, we haven't
scheduled that meeting yet,
but we'll let you know.
Okay.
- You take care now, Vick.
- Bye.
(dial tone humming)
(moderate music)
(bell ringing)
(grunts)
[Producer] We need Wendy.
We need Wendy to set.
Start in five.
[Vick] Wendy.
What do you want?
[Vick] I was hoping we
could do another interview.
[Wendy] Why?
[Vick] Well, I want
everybody out there
to know that I'm innocent.
But you're not innocent.
The case is closed.
Look, you may be innocent
in a court of law or whatever,
but it's still
kind of your fault.
Take it from me, a little
apology never hurt nobody.
[Producer] Wendy,
let's go, we need you.
[Vick] Hey, wait, Wendy.
Hey.
[Wendy] Thank you.
[Vick] Hello.
[Drew] I just wanted
to call and let you know
that Mark's been chatting
with the counselors
from the school district
like you recommended.
Well?
[Drew] And that was
goin' well for a while,
but it didn't help.
Then I don't know
if there's anything
I can do or say that would help.
[Drew] Coach, it
would mean the world
if you could just sit
down and talk with him.
He testified against
me in a court, Drew.
I don't think there's
anything I can do or say.
Dammit.
Thank you.
You want a beer?
I'm 17.
I'm messin' with you.
How are things with the team?
I don't know.
I quit.
Oh.
Yeah, that's too bad.
Unless you're better
off without football.
Maybe, yeah.
You know, when I left, the
team was doing really good.
Coach Greg's doing really good.
Yeah, I heard.
You applying for college?
Yeah, yeah.
I got lots of extra time
now to work on my paper,
without practice.
I'll bet you do.
How have you been
doing, pretty good?
Fine, fine.
I got a lot of extra time too.
- Yeah?
- Mm-hm.
For what?
Doin' nothin'.
And I hate it.
[Mark] Hey, listen,
I want to say I'm sorry about
the things I said in court.
No, no, no, no, that's
water under the bridge.
[Mark] But it's...
[Vick] Theresa made
you say that, right?
Nobody can make me say anything.
What are we here for?
What do you want to talk about?
What do you really
want to talk about?
I don't know.
Ah.
Thank you.
You need a ride home?
No, it's all good.
My dad's parked
around the corner.
All right.
Well, let me know if
you need anything.
Thanks, coach.
Later.
Christ.
Hey, Mark!
[Mark] Yeah?
You actually feel any better?
'Cause I don't.
I feel terrible.
I don't even know what to do.
I'm goin' outta my dadgum mind.
I'm tryin' to fix everything,
everything in my power.
I'm tryin' to fix things,
and I can't do it.
I don't know what to think.
I feel terrible too.
I can't even sleep.
I killed him, coach.
Benny was the nicest guy, and
now he's dead because of me.
Benny didn't
deserve any of this.
No, you didn't.
You did not kill Benny.
You hear me?
- I...
- You didn't kill Benny!
Yes, sir.
Thanks, coach.
Be a man.
We're both gonna be a man.
Goodnight.
- Sir, goodnight.
- Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
(moderate music)
(sighs)
Vick.
What are you doin' here?
Oh, sorry, Greg.
I like what you've
done to the place,
but where's all the trophies?
I don't have any of those.
Well, you will have,
if you keep goin' like
you're goin' out there.
You're doin' great, son.
Thank you, Vick, thank you.
I appreciate that.
I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
I know you were just tryin'
to do the right thing
when you forfeited.
Wow.
Yeah, I know.
I'm new to it.
Yeah.
I wasn't expectin' that.
[Vick] How'm I doin'?
[Greg] You know,
you're doin' all right.
Well, good.
(laughs)
Thank you, that means a lot.
You're welcome.
Look, coach, if I could, I'd
just like to talk to the team.
You know, I think
that'd be a good idea.
They need closure
with you, right?
But you are suspended.
[Vick] From coaching.
Well, I wouldn't
mess with the board.
Yeah, I don't know what's takin'
that dadgum board so long.
Did you do this?
Yeah.
I like movin' the
backs like that.
It's an interesting stack.
You know what you're doin'.
Yeah, a little bit.
You always did.
Huh.
This is the last place
I ever talked to him.
What about?
[Vick] College.
His future.
I wish he was still here.
There's so many things
I'd like to tell him.
I would love to talk
to that kid again.
You know, we all feel that way.
The whole team.
There's gotta be somethin'
that we can do to
help those kids.
It's a little bit harder
than movin' Xs and Os
around a whiteboard,
though, isn't it?
It is.
(sighs)
(phone ringing)
[Sara] Dad?
Sara.
I'm sorry.
[Sara] What's wrong?
[Vick] Nothin'.
[Sara] Hey, don't move.
I'll be right there.
Don't do anything, dad!
Sara.
(dial tone humming)
Sara!
(car door slamming)
(knocking on door)
Jesus.
God, I was so worried!
[Vick] Why?
- Are you gonna hurt yourself?
- No!
[Sara] Have you been drinking?
No!
God, I've never heard you
start a conversation
with an apology.
You wanna come in?
- Yeah.
- All right.
What's goin' on?
You thirsty?
I'm fine.
Dad, what?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for a lot of things,
but I'm very sorry
for pushin' you out,
and I'm sorry for
criticizin' you,
and I should have known
you were tryin' to help me.
It's okay, dad.
No, really.
And number two, I'm sorry for
James, the James thing.
God, dad.
- No, I mean...
- It took a while.
I really should have been
happy for ya, but I was jealous.
He took my little
girl away from me,
and I didn't understand.
He's really good to me.
I shoulda known
that you bein' happy
was what should make me happy.
Hoo, I really wasn't
prepared for this, dad.
I'm not through.
I'm sorry about the family,
about you, me, and mom,
because I know that
I put football first.
I didn't know I was
doin' it, but I did.
I truly,
I want my baby back,
if she'll have me.
I waited a long time for
this, you know that, right?
[Vick] Yeah.
Yeah, dad, I would like that.
Jesus.
I think it's time
for that drink.
(laughs)
Yeah?
Join me?
Is this the hug part?
I guess it is.
Comin' in hot.
Feels better than
that touchdown, right?
[Vick] Uh, yeah.
No, it does.
(Vick and Sara laughing)
Sorry.
Wow.
Hey, Vick.
Listen, it turns out
that I have gotten myself
a brand-new whisky glass
with your name on it.
I think you'd better come
down and have the first sip.
See you soon.
Good to see ya.
[Vick] Thanks, Ted.
[Ted] I just got this
brand-new, beautiful glass.
Ain't that somethin'?
Just like the other one.
Ah.
Enjoy.
[Vick] Thank you.
New Saints coach
is a damn good one.
He's better'n you ever were.
He may be.
I heard you won't be on the
sidelines during the playoffs.
Yeah, that's sad,
but true.
What's the matter with you?
Don't you got a fire
in your belly no more?
I do, Billy.
It's just a different fire.
What's the matter with him?
He doin' yoga or somethin'?
(laughs)
Are you on yoga, Vick?
I think he's on yoga.
- Is this yoga?
- Yeah.
I think you're on yoga.
Cheers, Ted.
(phone ringing)
Theresa.
[Theresa] Who is this?
Uh.
(dial tone humming)
(sighs)
(whistle tweeting)
Well, son of a gun, Vick.
[Vick] Sorry, Greg.
I'll get outta here.
I guess I wasn't as
sly as I thought I was.
No, you don't be crazy, now.
You stay right where you are.
[Vick] The board votes tomorrow.
I'm just tryin'
to calm my nerves.
Well, heck, I'd vote for ya.
You deserve that
state championship.
It's what you always wanted.
Yeah, we all do.
[Greg] That's right.
It's good to see you.
Good to see you, Greg.
Go get 'em, coach.
[Greg] Thank you.
Tell seven to keep
that right foot back.
[Greg] I was thinkin'
the same thing.
(laughs)
Glen.
Hello.
Ann.
Three votes in your favor.
Four in mine.
Guess you're not
innocent after all.
(sighs)
Que sera sera.
It's all right.
We'll live.
(moderate music)
What's up, dude?
- What's up, man?
- How are you?
Good, bro.
- How are you?
- Good.
- Good to see you.
- Here, come get some food.
[Mark] Yeah, yeah.
(all chatting)
[Vick] Theresa.
This is for you.
I had to deliver it by hand.
This is not a legal thing?
No.
Oh.
Do you want to come in?
No.
Thank you.
You should read that.
I didn't know.
Okay?
I'm sorry for all of this.
I didn't know.
I'm sorry.
(thunder rumbling)
[Benny] Benny Robinson,
senior, college essay.
Oh my God.
[Benny] There are a lot of
ways that people talk about me.
They say that I'm fast,
they say that I'm
nice, or I'm strong.
But I don't think
anyone's ever told me
that I was cool, you know?
And that's just fine with me,
'cause I don't think that
I'm all that cool anyway,
but that's why my coach,
Coach Vick, is my hero.
'Cause he makes me feel
like the coolest guy ever.
Coach Vick's hard on me,
but I learned pretty
quick that he does that
because he cares a
whole lot about me.
And he knows that
I can do better
and be better if he pushes me.
I wouldn't have stayed in school
if it weren't for Coach Vick.
No matter what happens
or where I go to college,
Coach Vick'd be there for me.
He's like the dad I never had.
I hope someday I can
inspire people like he can,
just like I feel my best self
every day I play football
or work out to get better.
He's always there for me.
He's always rootin'.
I wouldn't change my
time with the Saints
for anything in the world.
I love you, son.
"That's why I want to
be a Saint forever."
"Because I don't
think I'll ever find"
"a better group of
guys to be around"
"who like me so much and
who I know are my brothers."
"I'm gonna miss them
after this season."
"I hope they don't
miss me too bad"
"and that they still
play good when I'm gone."
Guys,
when we lost Benny,
I didn't know what to do.
All I've ever done my whole
life is win football games.
That's all I cared about.
I'm here to tell you right now.
I love each and
every one of you.
I'm very proud of you.
Proud of all of you.
But I can tell you
this right now.
This game, it is not near as big
as what you have
already overcome.
I want you to win the
state championship,
I do, but
it's not as important as
what you already have.
And that is a team.
You are part of a team,
and that's gonna stay with you
forever, I promise you that.
Now and forever.
Because you've been in the
trenches with each other.
You've fought together,
you've pained together,
you've passioned together.
You've won and you've lost,
but you're gonna remember this
for the rest of your life.
You are part of a
team now and forever.
Benny
will be
a Saint forever.
Because he's right here with us.
He'll be in this locker room
from now till the end of time.
For every kid that comes
in this locker room,
they're gonna know
who Benny was.
He's in your heart,
he's in your head,
he's all around us.
Now.
(team applauding)
[Greg] All right, boys!
Everyone up, let's go!
Take us out on three!
One, two, three!
[Team] Protect the family!
[Greg] Let's go, let's go!
Come on!
Thank you, coach.
Go get 'em.
Sure will.
Let's go, boys!
(team shouting)
(upbeat music)
Field house was alive
Heavy metal and
slammin' weights
It's the price of the prize
And the part of your
soul that you have to pay
Two days in the Texas sun
Forget about the girl,
it's over and done
I hated to watch
her walk away
But it's time to play,
it's time to play
In my town the field
was sacred ground
Friday night was a show
Light were on,
everybody goes
In our town give 'em
hell on every down
We played hard,
everybody knows
You give it all till
the last whistle blows
When you're all in
You take care of one another
Roll the dice,
it's a sacrifice
Lay it on the line
for your brother
It feels good
We're never gonna grow old
Then life flies by
at the speed of sound
Don't you know that's
the way it goes
In our town the field
was sacred ground
Friday night was a show
Lights are on,
everybody goes
In our town give 'em
hell on every down
We played hard,
everybody knows
Give it all till the
last whistle blows
Those Friday night
lights are still shinin'
And maybe it's
time to let 'em go
They say you can't take it
with you but they're lyin'
Those days are mine
Till the last whistle blows
In our town the field
was sacred ground
Friday night it was a show
Lights are on,
everybody goes
In our town give 'em
hell on every down
We played hard,
everybody knows
You give it all till
the last whistle blows
(guitar music)