All language subtitles for American.Underdog.2021.720p.AMZN.WEBRip.800MB.x264-GalaxyRG

the President
of the United States...

[CROWD CHEERING]

Mr. President,
will you please toss the coin?

It is tails.

[CROWD CHEERING]

San Francisco
has won the toss.

You can elect to kick...
You want the ball?

Which goal will you defend?

Will you put your backs
to the goal, please?

Joe Montana
joins his teammates
on the field.

Super Bowl 19.
The Miami Dolphins.

And the San Francisco 49ers.

The best combined records
of any two teams
to ever meet in a Super Bowl.

And Joe Montana.
They talk of the cool
of Dan Marino.

Super Bowl 19.
Second quarter.

Joe Montana steps
to the line of scrimmage,

drops back to throw,
and then...

Montana in trouble
and Doug Betters

covers him quickly
at the 42-yard line.

You feel pretty good,
then all of a sudden,

the pocket starts to cave in.

Now this might seem
like a failure. A mistake.

But of all the characteristics
needed to be
an all-pro quarterback,

this one is
rarely talked about.

The ability to stay
in the pocket.

To stay calm and collected
as a wall of humanity
collapses around you.

The courage to
stand your ground
and take the hit.

And then have the will
to get back up,
and do it all over again.

Drop back, settle,
deliver the perfect throw.

[CROWD CHEERING]

And another record has fallen.

Another one to Joe Montana.

Falling all over the place.

They've really put on
a terrific show,
particularly offensively...

They roll to the right.
Montana fires a shot...

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

How much longer?
I want to play
some Atari.

Kurt?

Ever since I saw
Joe Montana become
the MVP of that Super Bowl

and break his
all-time pass record,

I knew I wanted
to be that guy.

Over a million athletes
play high school football
every year in America.

Each with a dream
of their own.

Only about 5% of them
make it to college ball.

And only 1% of those
get drafted to the NFL.

Most don't stay in the league
for more than three years.

Most are not quarterbacks.

Only a select few
will ever play
in the Super Bowl...

And each year,
there is only one MVP
of that game.

So, by all accounts,

my dream, my story
is impossible.

That's just
the kind of story this is.

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

Huddle up.
All right, boys.

Let's do this.

Ah...

Trips right,
70-watt special.
On one, ready.

And that will
bring on Kurt Warner,

the 5th year senior,
making his first start.

Remember, folks, he's sat
on the bench for four years

even though
he was highly recruited
out of high school.

Blue, 60, hut!

Warner takes the snap.

A strong interior rush...[CROWD EXCLAIMS]

...and he's levelled
by middle linebacker
Cole Banks...

Go home, Kurt!
Go home. Go home.

Come on!
Let's go, baby.

Whoo!

Get set,
get set,
get set.

Blue, 60, hut!

He's flushed out
of the pocket...

No, no, no, no.
Stay in the pocket.

He's running out
of real estate

and throws the ball
across his body

towards the corner
of the end zone.

Touchdown![CROWD CHEERING]

How you like that, Coach?

You still didn't stay
in the damn pocket.Yeah, you're welcome.

Kicking game!
Move it!

[COMMENTATOR SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY]

[CROWD CHEERING]

Ineligible, down field.

[TAPE CLICKS, REWINDS]

Okay.

I'm gonna wear this one.
You take this one.

No. I'm staying here.
I got work to do.

Work? Man, you can
hardly call that work.

How you gonna make
a highlight reel with
no highlights, huh?

You only started
two games.
Just sayin'.

I have
highlights.

And who you gonna
send that to?Scouts. Agents.

[LAUGHS]
You really are
delusional, huh?

The NFL's not gonna draft
some dude who's been
sitting on the bench

for four years
at a 1-AA school
in Iowa.

It's madness.

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING]

Come on.

We're going out.

I'm never gonna
wear this.

Hudnutt, how do you
listen to this music?
It is garbage.

We're gonna have
a good old time. Let's go.

[COUNTRY MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING]

Can we get
two Buds?

Thank you.

I'm gonna
make a lap.

You do that.
Have fun.

[COUNTRY MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING]

[ALL CHEERING]

[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS][CHEERING CONTINUES]

Blue 80, hut!

Hey!

No, no, no, no.
Stay in the pocket.

[CHEERING AND BOOING]

What did I say?
What did I say?

To stay in
the pocket, Coach.

Bingo, hotshot.

Hello,
and welcome everybody

to Sports Center,
I'm Karl Ravech.

And a very special welcome
to the newest member

of our Sports Center family,
that's Steve Levy.

The MO Morris
Lewis show
of the New York Jets

opened up well
off-Broadway in Pittsburgh
against the Steelers

who already had
a preseason...

Hud? I'm gonna need
to ask you a favor

and I'm gonna
appreciate you not
laughing at me too much.

Can't wait
to hear this.

I need you
to teach me
how to dance.

Well, like, dance,
like, line dance?

Like line dancing,
barn dancing,

all the dancing...[LAUGHING]

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING
ON SPEAKERS]

Oh, man,
this is gonna
be great.

This about
that girl,
isn't it?

That's none of
your business.

[COUNTRY MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING]

You have no idea
how happy
this makes me.

Yeah, I do.

You look good.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Oh, wow.

Hey, uh, bartender.Yeah.

Hey, uh,
can you play a line...

Uh, not a line dance.

A barn dance for me?

[BELL DINGS][CROWD CHEERS]

All right,
it's a barn dance!

Barn dance!

Grab your partner,
do-si-do.

Excuse me, cowboy.
I'm gonna take this one.
Thank you very much.

[UPBEAT FIDDLE MUSIC PLAYING]Oh, about time.

You don't look
like a cowboy.

That's 'cause I'm not.

What are you, then?

I'm a football player.

My name
is Kurt Warner.
What's yours?

Nope. Not yet.

That hardly
seems fair.

I mean, I just
gave you my name.

You're not gonna
give me yours?

No.

What am I
supposed to do?
Just guess?

Go for it.

Okay, all right. Um...

Abby? Abigail.

Gail. Uh, Helen,
Isabelle, Jacqueline,
Beatrice.

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING]

You're supposed to
be the other way.

Yeah, I know.
I just like this view
a lot more.

[LOUDLY] She won't
tell me her name, so...

[ALL LAUGH]

You move real good
on that dance floor.

Well, that makes
one of us.[LAUGHS]

Thank you.
Actually, it's...
Yeah, okay.

[CHUCKLES]What?
I like what I like.

So, football?
Tell me about that.

How do you mean?
What do you
want to know?

You defined
yourself
as a sport.

So it must be
pretty important
to you.

[LAUGHS]

Hell, I don't know.
I just love it.

Well, I like a man
who knows why
he loves something, so...

[CHUCKLES]

Okay. Okay,
how about this?

I'll answer
your question,

but first,
you gotta answer
one of mine.

Uh, what exactly is
Miss August over there?

[SNICKERS]

That is, um...

That's a tight-fitting
jeans contest.

Oh, is it really?
[CHUCKLING]

First Thursday
of every month.

It's the first time
I won.

Congratulations.

It's so embarrassing.Yeah.

Um, so football?
Seriously.

You give me an honest answer
and I'll give you my name.

Okay. Um...

So, football was
the most important thing

my pops taught me
before he...

uh, left.

I mean, he's back
in my life now

but, you know,
back then
it was tough...

and we always,
you know, struggled.

Me and my mom,
my brother.

Never had enough.
And I wanted more.

I wanted to make something
of my life.

And football, um,

is just like the only thing
I've ever really been good at.

So, just feels like
more than a game to me.

As long as I have
a ball in my hands,

then I feel like
everything's gonna
be all right.

Is that honest enough
for you?

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING
ON SPEAKERS]

You know, I normally
hate country music

but I kinda like
this song.

[CHUCKLES]

Well, I hate sports,
so guess it'll never
work between us.

I suppose so.
What a shame.Mmm.

What do you like
about it?

I don't know.

I guess that
it's different.
Kinda like you.

I'm Brenda.

Well, it's a pleasure
to meet you, Brenda.

[BELL DINGS]Last call.

And I gotta go.

Gotta go?
You gotta "go" go?

Hey. Hey, come on,
wait a second.

I mean, is this
something that
I said?

Is it something
that I did?

Can I at least get
your phone number?

Trust me.
You don't
want it.

What? [CHUCKLES]

Wait, wait, wait.
Why wouldn't I?
Why wouldn't I?

Why wouldn't I
want your number?[SIGHS]

Look, there's a few things
you need to know about me.

I'm divorced
and I got two kids.

So, if I never
see you again,
I totally understand.

[CAR DOOR OPENS]

[CAR ENGINE STARTS]

But I don't want to.Okay, just one bite
for Mama.

One bite. Come on.
Okay, sweetheart.

[GIRL AND BRENDA
SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Well, I'm making
the jam one...

The jelly one
first, honey.

I need you to eat just
a tiny little bit more.

Mama?Oh! Over here, baby.

Over here.
Over here.

Oh, is it broken?

Broken, Mama.

Okay. Mama will fix that
in just a minute.

No, Jesse,
not for you.

But can you just have
a few more bites

of your applesauce,
please, sweetheart?

I just... [MUMBLING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]Mom, can you
get that?

[KNOCKING CONTINUES]

Hello?

[CHUCKLES]

I didn't mean to
scare you. It's Kurt
from the bar last night.

I knocked on
the front door but...[MUMBLES]

[SIGHS] This was
a bad idea.

Okay.

Okay, okay,
okay... [GIGGLES]

[CHUCKLES]
Mom? Mom?
Mom, help!

Hey. What's going on,
little...

Come on.Oh.

Yeah, hey.
Am I coming in?

It's broken.

Oh, it's broken?
Uh...

[HESITATING]
What's broken?

Oh, the radio
is broken.
Okay.

Oh, we're going to
the bathroom? Okay.Broken radio.

Oh, well.
You're missing
a battery.

That's why we're
in the bathroom.
Look at that.

All right.

There we go.

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO]

Oh. Country?
They got you
too, huh?

Lay down.

Okay.

There you go.

[SINGING ALONG]
go fishing in the dark

and counting the stars

grass grows

in the full moon light

in love

You know?
Maybe country ain't
so bad after all.

What's your name,
little man?

Zack.

Mmm.
That's a good name.
My name's Kurt.

[IMITATES
CAR ENGINE SOUNDS]

[CHUCKLES]
You like trucks?

Black trucks. Driver.

Oh, you want to be
a truck driver, huh?

A black truck driver.

Oh, what he means
is he wants to drive
a black truck.

Right. Uh...

Hey, I'm... I'm Kurt.
I'm here for Brenda.

I figured.

Otherwise I'd be,
you know,
calling the police.

[CHUCKLES] Yeah.

I'm Jenny Jo.
The mom.

Nice to meet you.

Kind of you
to fix the radio.

It was my pleasure.

[COUNTRY MUSIC CONTINUES
PLAYING ON RADIO]

Brenda?
Is that the guy?
He's cute.

Mom, can you
please just...

And he's so nice.

I know. Okay, now
you can go. Thank you.Yes. Okay.

Uh, radio's fixed.

Thanks. Um...
We keep one in
every room in the house.

It helps Zack.
Look, can I just
be blunt?

Is there another option?

How do you know
where I live?

The bartender
at the bar.

And why are you here?

Well, I wanted to
meet your kids.

You seemed so
passionate about them
last night.

And I also wanted
to give you this.

Oh.

Look, I have to get Zack
to physical therapy so...

Physical therapy?

He's legally blind,
and...

[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC
SLOWLY FADES IN]

He's on his own journey.

Hmm.

I hadn't really
noticed that.

It was really nice
to meet you, Zack.

Yeah.

I'll see you around.

Hey.

My number.

So, maybe call
next time?

Where's your car?

I walked.

From UNI?
That's like
three miles.

Oh, yeah.

Totally worth it.

[WHISTLE BLOWS][GIRLS CHEERING]

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

Come on, Tanner.
Doubles, doubles, go.

Hut!

[PLAYERS GRUNTING]

No!

[WHISTLE BLOWS][PLAYERS EXCLAIM]

Punt!

Tanner, come here.
What are you doing?
First down's 25.

Your job is to
move the chains.

Come on, boys,
we've done this
a thousand times before.

Hey, Coach.

Put me in and
I can win for you.

Come on.
Coach, come on.

- "UNI" on three.
One, two, three.- UNI!

You're back
on the bench

for the same reason
you sat on the bench
for four years.

What is your
problem with me, Coach?

You want me to
sum it up for ya,

why you are
such a tragedy?

You don't stay
in the pocket.What?

You got the talent,
loads of it.

But when things
get hard, you bail.

You run from
adversity.

You don't trust
your team
or my playbook.

You don't deserve
to play in the game.

Coach, 10 more games
and my dream is gone.

I've been working
my whole life
for this. Please.

You need to start
thinking about life
after football, son.

Respectfully,
you are wrong,
Coach.

I'm not gonna quit,
because that's not
what leaders do.

I just need to know
how to get on that field.

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

Blue 80, hut!

[GRUNTS]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Again.

Hut!

[GRUNTING]

You could throw.
But you cannot
leave the pocket.

You want your shot?
You take the pain.

Hurry up!

Blue 80, hut!

Oh, no, no, no.
Don't you fumble my football.

You hold onto my football.

Again!

[GRUNTS]Again.

I said, "Again".[GRUNTS]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]Again.

How many more times
we gonna do this, Coach?

As many times as I say.
Who else wants to
kill Kurt?

I do.

Hudnutt,
you're on offense.

I'll switch
for this,
though, baby.

Somebody give me
a purple jersey.
Come on.

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?

Hey, there.
I'm startin' next week.

It's Kurt,
by the way. Warner.

You get my messages?

Yeah. All of them.

See? I called first.
That's good, right?

What do you say?

Monday night,
let's go on a date.

What are we
gonna do? Walk?

Is that a yes?

'Cause it sounds
like a yes.

I think you're trying
to say yes.

[HORN HONKS]

What are you doing?

Got us a ride.

Kurt, I have kids.
You should've
called first.

I did call.
You hung up on me,
don't you remember?

[SCOFFING]
God, you're insane.

I saw that smile!

Yep.

Hey, kids...

[DUCKS QUACKING]

You ever been
out here before?

No,
it's real pretty.Yeah.

Real peaceful, too.

It's one of my favorite
places to come.

I dig your tattoo.Yeah?

Semper fidelis.
It's the motto of...

For the Marines,
yeah. Yeah.

I saw the pictures
on your mantle.

When...

When I was
maybe 12,
after church...

this woman
comes up to me
and says...

"There's something
special about you,
Brenda."

"God is gonna do
something great
with you."

And...

I had the audacity
to believe her.

So, I had this dream
of being a Marine
and marrying a Marine,

and having little
Marine children

and God, country,
and Corps all the way.

So, I signed up
right outta high school.

Wow.

Then, I met Brad.

My perfect Marine.

Whirlwind romance,
marriage...

and Zack was born
a year later.

And what happened
to Brad?

[BRENDA SIGHS, SCOFFS]

He cheated on me
when I was eight months
pregnant with Jesse.

Oh... What?

So, um...

Yeah. I have
some trust issues.

Was Zack born blind?

No.

He wasn't.

I got this call
from Brad

when Zack was
four months old.

He said,
"He's breathing funny."

And I still remember
the panic in his voice.

And I rushed
to the hospital...

where we were told
his brain was swelling

and that he'd be lucky
to make it
through the night.

And they had no idea
what was wrong 'cause...

'Cause Brad didn't tell us,
not for 24 hours...

that he accidentally
dropped Zack.

On his head.
In the tub.

Oh...

Could've been different,
you know,
if he'd just told the truth.

[SIGHS] I remember

praying and praying

and begging God
to just save my baby boy.

So, the doctor told me
he'd never walk,
and yet...

That he'd never talk,

and now,
I can't get him
to stop.

That he'd never be
a black truck driver.

He keeps finding a way
to prove everyone wrong.

He's...
[INHALES DEEPLY]

He's my miracle.

That all seems pretty,
uh, important to you
in your life.

Religion and God.

Yeah, it's more like
a relationship for me...

and, yes, it defines me.

And that lady who came up
and talked to you at church

all those years ago,
you still believe her?

[SCOFFS] I'm trying.

I'm a work
in progress.

This is where you
bring all your girls?

[LAUGHS]
Oh, are you
my girl now?

No.

- Hey, there.- Hey.

You just come
with me.

Hi. Good to
see you again.

Yes, good to
see you.Kurt, this is my dad.

Hey, there.Hello, sir,
pleasure to meet you.

- I want
Grandma.- Yeah?

He's cute.

Oh, will you stop?[CHUCKLES]
Please, I'm married.

That's my sister.Nice to meet ya.

Uh, hey, Dad,
could you give us
a minute?

It's my garage.
I wasn't
finished yet.

All right.

Okay, I'm trying to
imagine a scenario
where any of this works.

What, exactly?You know, us.

Oh, we're an "us" now.
That's good news.

This is crazy.
This isn't gonna work.

You keep saying that.

I just can't, I mean...

[GRUNTS]

So, tomorrow night?

Yep.All right.

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING]

Get set!
Get set!
Get set!

Three-sixty!
One-sixty! Hut, hut!

[ALL CHEERING]

Hey, hey.

How does it feel to
make out with a future
professional athlete?

It was better
before you said that.

Sixty, hut.

[COUNTRY MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING]

Hut![PLAYER GRUNTS]

Again. Let's go again.
Come on, right now,
let's go.

Kurt Warner
has been absolutely
on fire today.

There's been
a growing buzz

that this kid
may be a dark horse
in this year's NFL draft.

I was voted
Gateway Player of the Year

and our team was
first in conference.

[ON PHONE]
Look, it's rare that
a 1-AA player gets drafted.

But let's see
what we can do.

Thank you!
Yes! I promise...

Okay, gotta grab this.
Look forward to it, buddy.

Yes!I got an agent!

Let's go!I got an agent!

[HORN HONKING]

[CHUCKLES]

Hey. [CHUCKLES]

Hey. Draft day.

How do you feel?
Are you nervous?

Yeah, no, I feel good.
I just want my chance,
you know.

Yeah. Yeah, of course.
Who's this?

Oh, yeah, Mom,
so, this is Brenda.

And this is
her son, Zack.Hi.

Hi, it's nice to meet you.

The Bengals have selected
Dan Wilkinson,
defensive tackle,

Ohio State University.Pick Kurt.
Pick Kurt.

Okay, shh,
sweetheart.

No, no, hey,
it's okay.

[CHUCKLES]
It's okay.

I probably won't
get picked until
tomorrow, though.

Tomorrow?

Yeah, there's seven
rounds of picks

that are spread out
over two days,

so, if I get picked,
when I get picked,
it'll be in the later rounds.

Kurt, it's Zack's
birthday tomorrow,
remember?

We're havin' a party
at the house?

Birthday.
It's my birthday.

No, no, no,
it'll be fine, Brenda.

You guys can
start the party,

and then I'll just join
as soon as this is over.

And then, we can all
celebrate together,
you know?

Right.

That was something
that had been debated
for weeks.

If Seattle would've said,
"Hey, Cortez Kennedy,
27 other teams,

"he's out there
for a trade."

What kind of offers
would they have gotten
in return?

[DOOR OPENS]Bye, Kurt.

Bye, Z-Man.
Bye, Brenda.

Drive safe.

[CAR ENGINE STARTS]

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

You sure you're good
driving me back?

Ain't
a problem.

You sure
that's a good idea?

What?

Single mom,
two kids.
That's no joke.

I would know.

Is that really
the life you want?

Yay.

Who wants cake?

I do.Yes!

Got a fork? Okay, good.He's got a fork.

Okay, here you
go, honey.

Another piece of cake
comin' right up for you.

Great.

[INDISTINCT CHATTERING]

[ZACK GIGGLES]Uh-huh.

Happy birthday,
Zack.

Want cake?

Come on, well,
you're just in time
for the cake.

Yeah.You made it
just in time.

[MOUTHING]
I'm sorry.

Mama,
I can't wait to
eat mine.

How's it taste?

Good.I bet real sugary, huh?

How do you feel?
Older?

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

[GRUNTS]

I was wondering
where you were.

[SIGHS] Hey.

You wanna
talk to me?

I'm just wondering
why God would
give me a dream

that's probably never
gonna come true.

'Cause I just feel like
that's cruel, you know?

Babe, you know what,
I just want...
I just want my shot.

I... I just...

I want one chance,
so I can prove...

Prove what?

Prove that
I'm good enough,
that's what.

I don't think
a football game is
ever gonna do that.

It doesn't have
to define you.

If this is
your dream,

you have to go
fight for it.

So, how do you think
the Bears are gonna
do this year, son?

Well, they just
fired Ditka,

so things are probably
gonna get worse
before they...

Did they call?Hmm?

Are you kidding me?

Did somebody
from the Bears
call here today?

No, the Bears
didn't call, buddy,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

No.
[CLEARS THROAT]

The Packers called.

They wanna sign you.Come on.

No, they do.Come on!

[LAUGHS]

Oh, wow.

Congratulations.

[LAUGHING][INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

A $5,000
signing bonus, baby!
Pretty great, huh?

Thank you
so much.
[GRUNTS]

It is green.

The Packers.
Green Bay.
Get it?

Yeah, we get it.

Packers for life.

That's why
she's green.Yeah, we get it, man.

Hey.

I don't wanna
leave you.

I don't wanna
leave you.Oh. [SIGHS]

You ever feel like
your whole life was just
leadin' up to one moment?

Then go make
the most of it.

Hey.

Hey, you okay?

Yeah.

I'm happy for you,

but I know that
this is gonna
change things.

Your life is gonna
get busier, and...

Hey, Brenda,
Brenda, Brenda,
it's okay.

We'll figure it out.

Yeah. We'll figure it out.

[MOANS]

I miss you already.Me, too.

I'll call you
when I get...You drive safe.

I will. I'll call you
when I get there.

Packers for life!You better.
[CHUCKLES]

[CAR ENGINE STARTS]

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

Wow.

Wow.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Step and throw.

[SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Move! Move!

Yeah, good ball.

Nice ball.
Thataway, Brett.

Thataway to zip it
in there.

Hey, Pop.
Pop Warner.

Let's see
what you got.

Did you hear
what I said?
You're in.

Uh, yeah, Coach,
I just got here.

I don't know
the playbook yet.

You don't wanna
go in?I do wanna go in.

I just don't wanna
blow it out there.

Give me till tomorrow,
I'll know it.Detner, you're in.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Hey, you wanted
to see me, Coach?

Yeah, thanks for
comin' in, Warner.

Hey...

wish you well.

Wait, what?

We're letting you go.

No, no,
you're letting me go?
No. I just got here.

You haven't even
seen me play yet.

Well, we tried.

No, I'm sorry, sir,
but I'm not gonna leave.

Not yet.
You can't cut me.

You cut yourself, okay?Coach, please.

I have been working
for this my entire life.

Stop it. Come on.
Don't do that.

If it were true,
you would've been ready
to go on the field.

You're not.

I'm gonna need
that playbook.

[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]

I just don't know
what to do, Brenda.

I've called
every team in the NFL,
and no one's interested.

I wanna go on, I do.

But, I mean,
look at me.

I'm unemployed.
I'm homeless.

Oh. Right,

I forgot to tell you
that Hudnutt's movin'
to Des Moines.

Then move in.

What?

With us.
My family.

With nursing school
starting, I could use
a live-in nanny.

We're both gonna
be struggling, so...

Why don't we
struggle together?

Yeah, together.

What is your mom
gonna think?

It's your mom
I'm worried about.

That woman
hates me.

I mean, she...

I mean...

[INDISTINCT COMMENTARY ON TV]

Oh, come on, man.
Just throw
the dang ball.

Football.

That's right, Z-Man.

You like it?

You play.

Yeah, I'd really
like to, bud, but
they didn't pick me.

I pick you.

[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING]

I pick you too, bud.

$27.12.

[SMACKS LIPS] Yeah.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Uh, you take
food stamps?

Mmm-hmm.
Anything else
for ya?

No. That's...

Uh, actually, yeah.

Um, can I get, uh...

Can I get
one of your
applications?

Yeah.

[MOANS]

Hey, Mama.

I got a job today.Yeah?

Yeah.
Stockin' shelves
at the Hy-Vee.

Graveyard shift.

It's just for
a little while.

Until
next season's
tryouts.

You know
what they say.

"Sometimes you gotta do
what you gotta do,

"until you can do
what you want to do,"
you know?

Don't give up.

[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING]

[GRUNTS]

It's Kurt Warner.

Go Panthers.

I gotta
get to class.Hey.

Pray for me.
We're learning
how to insert an IV.

I'll be home by00.
Date night?

No, my shift starts
at30.

Oh. Sorry.

Okay.

[SIGHS]

Think you'd be
that guy?

Yeah, I do.

What are you
doin' here?
Get it done.

Yeah, 'cause
it's that easy.

Oh, nice hands.

Oh.

Go long.

Go long.

Set! Hut!

[LAUGHS] Ow.

Come on, man.

Yeah, yeah,
I got it.

[BELL OVER DOOR CHIMES]

Kurt Warner.

I've been looking
everywhere
for you.

Jim Foster. It is my
absolute pleasure
to meet you.

And you are?

Brenda.Pleasure to meet you.

Can I sit?
Look, elephant
in the room,

I am sorry
about the draft...

and the Packers.

But you got it all, kid.
The whole package.

The world just needs
more time to see it.

Well, thank you.
See, this guy gets it.

Yes, I get it.
And what if I told you,

starting tomorrow,
you have a job playing
the game you love?

What are you,
a scout or something?[CHUCKLES] No.

I'm the proud owner
and head coach of
the Iowa Barnstormers.

The newest members of
the Arena Football League.

Right. You're the guy
who came up with
this whole arena concept.

Last year,
I was commissioner
of the league.

This year,
I came home to Iowa
to start my own team

and I wanna
build it around you.

So, it's arena football?

No, it is
not football, babe.
It's like a circus.

Yes, that's right.
You get it. People
love the circus.

I like the circus.Hey, hey.

I am gonna play football,
and I'm gonna play it
in the NFL.

And I can't do that
if I'm playing arena
football in the spring.

This is for guys
that are, you know,
circling the drain.

I'll tell you what,
just think about it.

Get him to
think about it.

Here's my card. Oops.

Dropped a little
money there.

Brenda, it's all the way
in Des Moines.

And it's not football.

Hell, I don't know!
You're the agent.

What happened
to Tampa Bay?

San Diego?
There were
other offers.

Can't you just
make some calls?

Kurt,
that was last year.

Look, the teams
have moved on.

I just don't see
a path forward here.

I'm sorry.
I gotta grab this.

Take care of yourself.No, no...

[LINE DISCONNECTS]

Hey, Kurt, can I
borrow you a second?Yeah.

Yeah,
one minute.

All right, Z-Man.

We bought
our dream home, son.

Down in Arkansas.
It's closer to
Jenny's family.

And, uh,
oh, it's great.

It's a brand-new
ranch home.
Two-car garage.

And it's right
down the road
from the White River.

And there's some
good fishin'
in there, buddy...

[CHUCKLES] So...

Well, we'll be
leavin' soon.

And, um,
the thing is...

We need to find
a new place to live.

Well, I'm glad to
hear you say "we."

Look, uh, Jenny Jo
would want me to
ask you this.

I mean,
a good Christian family,
after all, and, uh...

Do you love her?Yes, sir.

I do.

I knew you did.

Do you mind me asking
what's holding you up?

That's okay.

No, no, no. [SIGHS]

That's fine. Um...

I guess I just
felt like I needed to
prove myself first.

Show her I was
capable of doing
what I set out to do.

Be worthy of her.

Well, hell, Kurt.

Accomplishing one thing
or the other

is not what's gonna
make you worthy of her.

Life is not about
what you can achieve,

it's about what
you can become.

It's a journey, son.
It's not an event.

Just promise me this.

You won't take off
when things get hard.

And they will get hard.

Yes, sir.

Take care of
these kids for me.

Well, that's a guarantee.

I know.

[WIND HOWLING]

A major blizzard
caused accidents across
the Midwest, Monday,

and the dangerous
blast of arctic air

is expected to spread across
the region overnight.

Record-breaking
low temperatures
will make the next few days

the coldest
the region has seen
in at least 25 years.

Hey. How's the fever?[ZACK COUGHING]

The same.

What happened
to the heat?
Did we pay the bill?

I don't know, Kurt.
You told me not to put it
in the mail, remember?

Damn it.

Maybe we should
just go to my mom's
till the storm passes.

Hey.

I decided,
I'm droppin' out of school,
gettin' a job.

What? No.
No, no, no.
No way.

Kurt, it's not working.
Nothing here is working.

Stop. Stop it.

Listen, if this is what
you really wanna do,
I'm not gonna let you quit.

Because that's what
you did for me,

and that's what we do
for each other.

We are not quitting.
Do you understand?

Okay?

[ZACK COUGHING]

Yeah.Yeah.

[WIND HOWLING]

[ZACK COUGHS]It's bad
out here.

Maybe we should
head back home.

Oh, Kurtis?Uh...

[ENGINE SPUTTERING]

[ENGINE STOPS]

[ZACK COUGHS]

Baby, we just
ran outta gas.

Okay, all right, there's a...
There's a gas station

a couple miles back.

That was...
That was more than
a couple of miles.

It's okay, it's okay,
it's okay.

I can make it there.
No problem.
No problem.

Just grab the change
outta the door.Yep.

And check the
glove compartment, too.

Yep. Here's some.

I got
a couple dollars
in my wallet here.

Here's another quarter.All right, here.

Stay inside.Uh-huh.

Stay warm.
Keep the doors shut.Yeah, be fast.

[WIND HOWLING]

Excuse me, hi.

Uh, $4.86 on pump three,
and do you have
any gas cans?

Uh, yeah, 5 bucks.Oh, no, no, no.

I... I don't need to buy one,
I just need to borrow one.

I'll bring it right back.

Please, please.

All right.Thank you. Thank you.

[WIND HOWLING]

[PANTING]

[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]

[PANTING]

Hey. Hey.Kurt...

I'm so sorry,
are you okay?

Let's get you
all warmed up.

Brenda,
I'm so sorry.

You all could have
died out there.

It's not
your fault, Kurt.

Yeah, it is
my fault.

I promised your father
that I would take care
of you and the kids.

So that is exactly
what I'm gonna do.

[EXHALES]

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING][COWS MOOING]

Fifty yards long.
Eight-yard end zones.

Eight men each side.

This is not
a football field.

This is an arena.
For gladiators.

For true believers
and lovers of the game.

And right over here
is our sideline.

In our version
of the game,
the sideline is a wall.

And it will pound you
and punish you.

Trust me.

Kurt Warner.

So, did hell freeze over
or are you just tired
of waiting on the NFL?

[MEN LAUGHING]

Uh, bit of both, sir.

Forget everything
you think you know
about football.

No punts,
no turning back.
It's all pressure.

It's football
at the speed
of NASCAR.

We call it
"the 50-yard indoor war."

You think you can
handle that, Warner?

I think it's time I tried.

All right, Red.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

Well, well, well,
look who's still
circling the drain.

What's up, boy?

All right,
all right, all right.

[LAUGHS]

Well, Kurt,
if we gonna
go down,

might as well
go down together.

Set!

Faster, faster.

Pull the trigger.
Come on, Warner.

Ooh, that'll wake you up
in the morning, boy.

Get out of here.You gotta watch it.

Get outta here.[EXCLAIMS]

You gotta get rid
of the ball, Warner.

You look like
you're movin'
in slow motion.

Set! [GRUNTS]

One, two, three, throw.
One, two, three, throw.
Come on!

[GRUNTS]

Pain feels good, don't it?
Pain feels good, baby!

[UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Oh, you can't
touch me, boy.

You can't
touch me, boy.

Whatever.
Whatever.

Man, it's fast.

Yeah, you'll get
used to it.

Uh, if this is
where we practice,

where on earth
do we play?

[COW MOOS]

Hey. Hey, Hud.
What is that?

Oh, that's
the Rodeo Arena.

Rare cattle,
cuttin' horse shows,
pony shows.

Them pony shows
is fresh.

We this way.

Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome...

That's us
right here,
right now!

Come and take,
come and take!

The Iowa Barnstormers![WHOOPING]

They call it
the Barn.

Let's go, 1-3!

[UPBEAT ELECTRONIC MUSIC
PLAYING]

[JIM ANNOUNCING INDISTINCTLY]

The crazies are out in force
tonight in Des Moines.

Don't touch the dial, folks.

The mayhem starts right now.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Oh, my God!

[CHEERING CONTINUES]

Taylor fires to Hogan

and he is ragdolled
over the wall
into his own bench.

[WHISTLE BLOWS] And we got our first
fight of the night!

That's a good end.
That was a good end.

A quick slant to Corn Willis
in the middle of the field.

And he goes in
for the touchdown.

God help me.

On one, ready!

And that will bring out
a new face.

Kurt Warner from
the University
of Northern Iowa.

He had quite a reputation
for being a gunslinger
with the Panthers.

Let's see if he's got
any of that cowboy
still in him.

[ALL GRUNTING]

[GRUNTS]

[CROWD BOOING]

Oh, boy,
that moves fast.

Snap it, snap it, snap it!Stewart in motion

and Warner won't get
the snap off in time.

Unbelievable.

[CROWD BOOING]Get him outta here!

Trips left. No.
Uh, trips right.

50 double,
post on one, right!

Warner definitely out
of rhythm right now.

Set, hut! There's the snap.
Drops back.

In trouble, takes off...

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Buried by defensive end,
Travis Leigh.

Hey, Red,
they got a lemon law
on quarterbacks?

What are you doing?[CROWD BOOING]

Warner, that way.

Not that way.

Ball there.

Set, hut!

Three steps, drop, throw.

Set, hut!

Three step,
drop, and throw.

Late!

[COW MOOS]

Set, hut!

Late.

Late.Set, hut!

What are you doin' in that
extra beat? Balancing your
checkbook? Come on, man.

You don't have time
enough to drop back
and settle like that.

It's faster than that.
You just gotta pick it up.

Push and throw.
Push and throw.

He gettin' it, Coach.
He gettin' it.

Set!

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

Left 33, wing out.
Z-go. On one. Ready?

First in 10
for Jim Foster's 0-1 team.

There is growing concern
in Des Moines

in their old coach's
taste in quarterbacks.

One game in
and the seat is
already red hot.

[PLAYERS GRUNTING]

His line buys him
some time.

[CROWD CHEERING]

All right, all right.
There we go.

Kurt! You got
your completion!

Come on!
Let's go!Come on!

Hurry up,
hurry up,
hurry up!

Let's go!

Iowa's ball
at the 25-yard line.

Get back!
Get back!

Crowd is making noise
for the first time tonight.

[CROWD CHEERING]

And there's a little hope
sneaking into the building.

Stands tall in the pocket.

And it's Smallbone,
who holds on to the catch.

All right. Now we're
playin' football.

See Mike!
See Mike!

Warner under center...

Set, hut! ...surveys the defense.

Drops to throw,
going long.

Touchdown![CROWD CHEERING]

Yeah, now we're talking.
[MOUTHING] Thank you.

And for the first time
this season,

there's actual excitement
in this arena.

There he is.Come on,
let's keep it going.

Yeah, yeah,
yeah, here.

What is this?

That's a touchdown
bonus.

You pay me
per touchdown?

I also pay you to win.
Did you even read
your contract?

Teach him
to read, man.

Wait, really, $100
every single touchdown?

Every touchdown.
Happy to pay it.

Oh, this is gonna be fun.

The Barnyard
comin' to life. It is loud.

Touchdown. Drop for Warner.

He lets it fly.

And he drops it in
perfectly over the receiver.

Touchdown![CROWD CHEERING]

Oh, my word.

What a play.

Welcome to Arena Football,
Mr. Warner.

[CROWD CONTINUES CHEERING]

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

Seven touchdowns.
Seven, baby.

It was epic.
Hey, you gettin'
my salary checks, right?

I told 'em to send 'em
straight to you.

Yep,
I got them. Thanks.

Sounds party-ish
over there.

Yeah, well,
you know,
right out of...

Kurt!
I wanna talk to him.

Hey! Z-Man! Hey, pal.
I miss you so much.

[CROWD CHEERING]

I can't
hear him, Mama.

It's loud.
Kurt, listen, I gotta
get the kids down.

Are you coming home
this weekend?
Zack's been asking.

Um, I'm sorry, hon,
no, I can't.
We have practice.

But, hey,
why don't you come up
on Saturday, and, uh...

You can... you can
bring the kids.

I have to study
this weekend.
Look, I'm tired.

Going to bed. Love you.[LINE DISCONNECTS]

I need my partner.
Come on.

I'm comin'.Undefeated, baby.

I'm comin', I'm comin'.

[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]
Come on, now.

[CROWD CHEERING]Come on, Stormers.

What a show
Kurt Warner's put on
all season.

18 touchdown passes.

And he's rushed
for 12 more...

What a hidden gem
out of Northern Iowa.

Right.
Z-cross, S flare.
On one, ready.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Tell you what,
you give Kurt Warner

time to throw a football,
he is a dangerous man.

Set, hut!

This was a strike,
to Hudnutt with a catch.

And a run down
the 20-yard line.

[SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY]

Come on, Coach!

What next?
Come on!

Okay.

Set, hut!

Warner,
quarterback draw.

And he's in!
Another Barnstormer
touchdown!

[ALL CHEERING]

That's my boy!

You all enjoy
the game tonight?

Yeah, that was great.
You were amazing out there.

Good. Got a long
drive home.

I'm sorry.
We need to get by
through here.

We're here
to see Kurt.

You need
a wristband, ma'am.
For the meet and greet.

Oh, no, no, no.
We're with Kurt.

Yeah, you
and everyone else.

No, we're
his family. Um...

Look, I've got
our tickets right here,
and I just need to...

You still need
a wristband.

Zack?

Zack!
Sir, excuse me.

Zack? Zack?
Excuse me.

[BRENDA SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Oh, my God!

Brenda, I didn't
even know you guys
were gonna be here.

I thought
you had to study.

Well, that's why
it's called
a "surprise", Kurt.

Okay, then why
are you upset?

Because...
[SCOFFS]

I couldn't get to you,
and it felt like
everyone else could.

And then I lost Zack...

Because I didn't know
you were coming, but,
hey, babe, we won.

We're going to
the semi-finals.

I know.
It was just supposed
to be different.

Yo, Kurt, party at
our place tonight.

Hey, Bren.Hud.

I don't have to
go to that.

We've got
a long drive home.

How's my baby girl?

Just fine.
How are you?

Just waiting on tonight.
Sunday night movie night.

Miss watching with you.

So, what does
"just fine" mean?

You know...

Just...

fine.

And how's Kurt?

Far away.

Hey.

Uh, no kids?

No kids.

Do you wanna go
grab some lunch?

Could we sit and talk
for a few minutes?

Yeah, sure.

Come on in.

What's on
your mind?

I have a question
and I'm just...

gonna say it
and get it out.

I want you to know
that I'm not angry.

I just need
an honest answer.

Uh, okay.

Do you see yourself
in my life, long-term?

I mean, watching
Zack grow up,

walking Jesse
down the aisle.

Standing by my side
at my parents'
50th anniversary.

Do you honestly
see yourself there?

Okay. 'Cause I've had
a lot of time to think...

Wait, wait, wait.
Let me answer
your question.

Kurt, you already did.

I'm happy for you.

For everything
that's going on
in your life.

But it's not working
for my life.

Brenda, you...Can you please
just let me finish?

I've been
through this before,
you know that.

And I can't do it again.

So...

why don't we just
skip to that part,

and save ourself
a lot of time
and tears?

So... So...

Help me understand this.
What, exactly?

We're just supposed
to end it now,

so we don't have
to end it later?

Yes.Why?

Because you can't decide.
You won't...

Oh, oh, oh... Oh, no, no,
you don't get to
pin that on me.

No, sorry.
You're the one
who's afraid.

Yes, I'm afraid.

Yes, you're afraid.
Of what?
Of me bailin' on you?

Of me hurtin' you?

Me being some version
of your ex?

I'm afraid that
we are gonna
hurt each other.

That is the only way
that this ends.

You don't know that!

Kurt, I want you to
chase your dreams,
just not with me.

Okay.

What is that?That's my
touchdown money.

Are you paying me
to break up?

I'm pretty sure
you're the one breaking up
with me right now.

It was a discussion.

It was a discussion
and now it's a decision,
and you know what?

[SIGHS] I get it.

I get it.
You're right, Brenda.
You're always right.

We should just
end it now,

and just be done
with it, yeah.

I gotta get to the game,
because apparently,

that's the only thing
I'm any good at.

Anyway, drive safe.
Tell the kids I said hi.

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

[DISTORTED]
Left, 50 Pogo,
wide cross.

Warner!

[IN NORMAL VOICE]
Left, 50 Pogo, wide cross.
Come on, man.

Left, 50 Pogo,
wide cross. Ready?

C-44, C-44!

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

Set, hut!

[PLAYERS GRUNT]

[CROWD CHEERING]

That'll do it.
With time running out,

that touchdown
will seal the win
for Coach Foster.

The Iowa Barnstormers
are heading to the Arena Bowl
to face Tampa Bay.

[MOUTHING]

Shouldn't you
be celebrating?

[SCOFFS]
I mean, what do you
think this is? Come on.

[BOTTLES CLINKING][CHUCKLING]
Oh, God.

Yeah.

[SMACKS LIPS]

What?

That is not the face
of somebody that
just made the Finals.

Where's Brenda?

[CLEARS THROAT]
We, uh...

We broke up.

Winning doesn't always
feel like winning, no?

It never has.

Why is that?

Guess it doesn't
mean anything

when you don't have
someone to share it with.

She should
be here, Kurt.

It's wrong
that she isn't.

I thought you
didn't like her.

No... No, I just...
[HESITATES]

I just saw too much
of myself in her.

I didn't want you
to struggle the way
that I struggled.

But my story doesn't
have to be her story.

You love her.

You stuck with her.

With those kids.

You have grown up
to be a good man.

She makes you
happy, Kurt.

I've seen it.

She makes you better.

Hi, again.
Sports Center hippin' you
to what's up.

Alongside Steve Levy,

I'm Stuart Scott.[PHONE RINGING]

Coming up,
in addition to the items
already mentioned,

Mark will narrate this.
I'm sure he'll put it
in proper perspective.

Raiders head coach
Jon Gruden says...

Hello?

[VOICE BREAKING]
Kurt. Kurt.

Brenda, what's wrong?

Kurt,
oh, my God, my parents...

After the massive
amount of damage,

large trees are down
all over the area

and the street I'm looking at,

the entire block
has been leveled
to the concrete foundations.

Category 4 tornado

that hit at about45
last night...

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]

[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]

Brenda!

[PANTING]Kurt!

Hey, hey.
I got you.

I'm right here,
okay?

How can this
be real?

[BRENDA SOBBING]

I don't understand.

It's not fair.

[SOBBING] I'm so
angry with you.

I'm so angry.

They're gone.

Really gone.

I'm just gonna
check on the kids.

No, no, hey,
I'll take care
of that.

You stay.

[SIGHS DEEPLY]

I sure did
miss you, buddy.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

[SOBBING QUIETLY][SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]

[WHISPERING]
God, help.
I need you.

I need you.

[SNIFFLES]

[SNIFFLES]

[CLEARS THROAT]
Hey, hey...

Hey, Z-Man. Sorry,
I didn't mean to
wake you up.

I just miss 'em.

I miss them.

Yeah, we all
miss 'em.

Wait just
a second.Okay.

Okay, look.

The way
I see it,

I'm gonna remember
this moment for
the rest of my life,

so if you're not...

Hey, Brenda.

I'm gonna be here.

I'm gonna be
right here.

I love you.

I love you, too.

See you in
a couple days, okay?Okay.

Bye,
sweetheart.

Thanks for
taking them.

I just... I need
a couple days.

Hey. Whenever you're ready,
we'll see you at home.

Okay?

[SNIFFLES]

[ENGINE STARTS]

Hey, guys.
Mama missed you
so much.

I love you.I love you, too.

Okay.

Come here.

All my life,
I've defined myself
through sports.

What I could accomplish,
how many games
I could win.

And I've always
come up empty.

It's never
been enough.

Like I was meant
for somethin' else.

Somethin' more.

What if it's this?

What if it's us?
Together?

Everything I could
ever want or need
is right here.

It doesn't matter
if I play football,
or if I don't play football,

or if I do play football,
where I play football.

None of that matters.

'Cause winning
isn't winning

if I don't have you
by my side.

I've made
my choice.

[EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING]

I love you.

And I want
what you have.

I want your faith,
I want your strength,
I want it all. I need it.

I need it in my life.
It makes me a better man.

Yes.

You gotta wait till
I say the words first.

Well, then,
hurry up. God!

[CLEARS THROAT]

Brenda Carney...Yes!

You're not gonna
let me finish?[LAUGHING] No!

[CHUCKLES]

Ladies and gentlemen,

on the first day
of the rest of their lives,

Mr. and Mrs. Kurt
and Brenda Warner.

[MEN WHOOPING]

Come on! Come on!

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING]

Hey, Warner.
We got Arena Bowl
this weekend.

Arena Bowl.
Are you all in?
Let's do it.

Wow.

This right here,
this is my "all in."

I love you.

Daddy, will you
dance with me?

Aw...

Yeah.

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING
ON SPEAKERS]

[SINGING ALONG]

[MUSIC CONTINUES][SINGING INDISTINCTLY]

[MUSIC ENDS][GUESTS APPLAUDING]

It's okay.

After 4 months and 16 games,
it has come down to this.

A barn dance in Des Moines.
And they are
rockin' and rollin' here

at the Veterans Auditorium
in Des Moines.

The defending champions
Tampa Bay Storm

against the Iowa Barnstormers.

Hello, everyone.

Along with Kirk Herbstreit,
I am Todd Christensen.

[CROWD CHEERING]
Hey, Todd, Kirk.

Cleveland Stadium
has a Dawg Pound.

Veteran Memorial Stadium
has the Barnyard...

Let's keep this area
for the "different" people.

Whoo![CROWD CHEERING]

Hurry up, hurry up!

The outcome.
Hear the momentum
switching to Iowa here

as they drive
for a go-ahead score...

Twenty-sixth completion
by Kurt Warner, that too
is an Arena Bowl record.

Warner, the ball is tipped.
The keeper is out
of the length of catch.

Yes![CROWD CHEERING]

Come on, come on!
Hurry up. Let's go.

If you don't
keep contain on this guy,

he's gonna hurt ya.

If they want a championship,
this is where they have to
earn it.

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

Don't hold it.

He cocks
and motions left...Throw. Throw.

Pump fakes,
is able to buy some time.
He gets rid of it.

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

And it appears... No![CROWD EXCLAIM]

A little pressure
right in the face
of Kurt Warner

and who would've thought,
that on the one-yard line
that they couldn't get it in?

And they're gonna
look back at that,

you can see the pressure
applied there...

[MOUTHING] It's okay,
we'll be fine.

The Tampa Bay Storm
are the champions.

Thanks.There you go.
Oh, my pleasure.

Thanks for coming out.
Sorry we didn't win.

Kurt?

Hey, Kurt?

Excuse us, Brenda.
There's a gentleman
here to see you.

Hey, do you
want me to go?No, stay here, that's fine.

Heck of a game
for you, Kurt.

Well, thank you,
but it didn't
help us win.

I hate to lose, sir.
I hate it for the team.

I'm David Gillis.

We've been trying
to reach you.

We want you to come
and try out for us.

Try out?

I've been putting off
his calls for a while.

Can you blame me?

I'm sorry,
who are you?

I'm with the Rams.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[SCOFFS]Dick, come on.

Dick, I mean...

I don't get it.

I like him.

It's a hunch.It's arena football.

[SCOFFS] You think
that'll translate?

Character translates
anywhere, Mike.

GM sure likes
his price.

Our groundskeeper's
gonna make more than him
this season.

John, this guy is old.
Slow as molasses.

And frankly,
he's beneath the standards
of this franchise.

That's what
people said about me
when I came here.

[CHUCKLES]

He got a howitzer
for a right arm, though.

There is no way
this guy makes
the team.

No way.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

[COMMENTATOR SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY]

I like him.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

Split!

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Through one.[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[ROCK MUSIC CONTINUES]

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

All right,
next group,
let's go.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Set, hut!

Great way to
sling it, Trent.
Good boy.

The Packers
called you up once.

[CLEARS THROAT]
Yes, sir.
A long time ago.

Ah. How long
did you last?

Not long enough.

Two days.

You lasted
two days.

Don't get too
comfortable.

All we're lookin' for,
gentlemen, is perfection.

Let's see how we did
with Trent Green
on the C map.

One, two, three,
four, five.

Step and throw.
Very nice. Stop.

Now, Is, you know
why he put that ball
right there, right?

That's to keep you
from gettin' hit.

That's to protect you.
Very good.
Excellent ball placement.

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]Stop, stop. Torry, no.

You know that dig
is 15 in cut.

Not 14. Right? 15.

Don't mind
Coach Martz.

Let me know
if you need anything.
I'm Isaac.

Yeah. Yeah, man,
I know who you are.

I'm Kurt.
It's a pleasure
to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Hey, Mike.

Have you put in
1-3 yet?

[MARTZ SIGHS]

You wanna waste
everybody's time?[CHUCKLES]

All right,
second group,
let's go.

Pop Warner,
that's you,
let's go.

All right, let's see
some happy feet.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Okay, let's watch
Kurt Warner.

How close to perfection
could we get this time?

Step, throw, stop.
It's a wrong read.

It's a wrong damn read!
You're ahead of 'em.

You gotta hit 'em
in stride, Kurt.

Yes, sir.

"Yes, sir," with a grin.
Why the grin?

[CHUCKLES]
I don't know, Coach.
I was just...

I was curious as to why
everybody here in the NFL
moves so slow.

[LAUGHTER]

[LAUGHS SARCASTICALLY]
Gentlemen,

I believe arena boy
just called every
one of you slow.

So, we gonna end on that.
And on this,
which is for Warner,

when he learns
to throw a spiral.

Mr. Trent Green.[PLAYERS EXCLAIM]

You can
break 'em down
and take 'em out.

Good night, gentlemen.

Ride it out, rook.
It's all part
of the plan.

Ready?

C-57! C-57!

Blue 80! Blue 80.[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Give me that ball.
Give me the ball.

What are you thinking?
How do you drop that?

That ain't on
the QB, Coach.

That man
is risking his life
for you every snap!

And you don't have
the dignity to hold on
to the damn ball?

You hold on
to this ball.

Yes, sir.
That's my mistake.
It won't happen again.

All right,
let's run it again.

We good.

I don't know, Brenda,
I don't think I'm gonna
be here much longer.

How do you
know that?

The offensive coordinator
hates me.
I can't prove myself.

He won't let me.
I'm not gettin'
any snaps.

Hates you?Yeah, no, he hates me.

I mean, this is
Trent Green's team,
anyway.

They built it around him
and he's incredible.

[KNOCKS ON DOOR] Babe, hang in there.

Hey, Warner,
Coach wants to
see you upstairs.

[PLAYERS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

I gotta go. I love you.

I love you, too.

[CLEARS THROAT]

You wanted to
see me, sir?Oh.

Yes.

[SIGHS]

How long for you
in the wilderness,
son?

How long
out of college?

Right. Well, yeah,
I mean, it's, uh...
it's been a few years.

Wow.

But, sir, that doesn't mean
that I don't know how...

Fourteen.

For me.

Fourteen years
outta coaching.

I burnt out.
I'm not embarrassed
to say it.

Took a year off,
turned out to be
a decade and a half.

And when I did
come back,

they said
I was a retread,
has-been, too old.

[CHUCKLES]

Game had
passed me by,
all that stuff.

All that same stuff

that they're gonna
say about you.

[SIGHS]

What they didn't know...

was all that experience
that I had in those years

made me who I am.

Made me ready
for this moment.

Gave me something
others didn't have.

And I see that
in you, Kurt.

Destiny.

It belongs
to the underdogs.

You wanna prove that?

Together?

There's somethin' special
about you, son.

And I'm really gonna enjoy
finding out what that is.

Welcome to the Rams.

Come on. Come on!
[LAUGHS]

Oh, my gosh!

Oh, Coach, thank you.
Thank you for trusting me.

I gotta tell my wife.
I gotta tell my wife.

This is the best decision
you've ever made
in your life.

I promise you.
I gotta go tell
my wife.

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

Guys, I'm home.

Zack?

Zack, honey, no!
No, no, no!

Hey, baby, baby,
Brenda, it's okay.

It's okay, it's okay,
come here.
Sit with me.

Sit down.

Why would you
let him do that?

He said
he was ready.

And I believed him.

Mom, I'm driving!

Yeah, you are, bud![CHEERS]

[CHUCKLES]

[CROWD CHEERING]

Come on, Charles!

Trent Green,
ninth-rated passer

with 81.8%
quarterback rating
in 1998,

the real hope
for this offense.

We've been talking
about him all game
and all through season long...

Hey, check it out.

That's my boy.

This might be
the only screen time
he gets, though.

Boy, shut up.

...to number 18,
Tony Small, the rookie's...

Whoa!
We have a scorer.

Freddie Miller is a bad man.

Freddie Miller's a bad man.
Now, we got Trent Green down.

We've got Trent Green down
in the middle of the field.

This is not
the way I saw this.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

And Green went down hard
and is not getting up.

And that looks bad.

...writhing in pain,
you do not wanna see this.

If you're the Rams,
or anybody, for that matter.

He was in a lot of pain
and you hate to see that

after a player gets you
by the knees from behind.

Son of a...

And Isaac Bruce
is obviously upset
about it as well.

He should have
been penalized.

Kurt Warner, now warming up
on the sideline for the Rams.

Kurt Warner,
a capable back-up.

Oh, my God.

Certainly not where
Trent Green is.

To an exciting night
for us here at ESPN,

an exciting night
for the NFL.

So obviously,
lots of buzz coming out

this morning here
from Rams' camp

and the question today is
"Why not Kurt Warner?"

[CHUCKLING]
Why not Kurt Warner? Really?
You just said that?

Kurt Warner
replaced Trent Green
as the starting quarterback.

This ain't the guy.

The Rams are gonna trade for
a quality starting quarterback.

They can't wait.
They've gotta do it
right now.

If Dick Vermeil
stays with this guy,

he's gonna be a joke.

Their program is a joke.
The season's over.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Come in.

Sit down.Thank you, Coach,
I prefer to stand.

All right.
Go ahead, then.
Tell me.

Tell you what?

Why a team
worth $800 million

with one of the most
complex offenses
ever built, by me,

should put you
in the driver's seat.

Because you threw
some touchdowns on
a little football arena?

[SCOFFS SOFTLY]Hmm?

You're too old
to be a rookie.

You're too green
to be a pro,
you don't belong here.

Well, with all due respect,
sir, you're wrong.

And if you give me a chance,
I will prove that to you.

Make us a laughingstock
of the league?

Embarrass every member
of this team,

every fan
of the city?That's not true.

You don't have
what it takes.

That's what
I believe.

So, why in the world
would I give you
this shot?

Because this is
my time, sir.

Because I know who I am,
and I know why I'm here.

Because I've earned it.

I've waited for it,
I've bled for it. And...

I'm finally ready for it.
I wasn't before.

God knows I wasn't,
but I am now.

And I will not
let you down.

You put the ball
in my hands,

and we will win.

That's all, Kurt.

[PHONE BUZZING]

Hello?Hey, Coach.

He's ready.

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

People asked me
last night

how I felt in that
press conference.

[SIGHS]

It hurts. I get emotional.

But that's what
this business
is all about.

We will rally around
Kurt Warner.

And we will play
good football.

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

CBS is proud to present
the National Football League.

Today, we come to you
from St. Louis, Missouri,

Gateway to the West.

The Trans World Dome

where the Ravens
and St. Louis Rams

are set
to go at it.

It's kick-off 1999.

Opening Day in
the National Football League.

[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

I do like
a man in uniform.

Jeez...

What are you...
How did you
get in here?

I, uh...

I needed you to hear this
before you went out
on that field.

I was talking with our son,
and I helped him write it.

"To my daddy, Kurt.

"You fix all my radios.

"You walk to
the gas station
in the snow.

"You never give up
on me.

"You never give up.

"You play
your football game.
I drive my truck.

"Love, Zack."

That little boy

has defied all odds.

Every time.

He's proven
everyone wrong.

And so will you.

You helped me
believe again.

That anything
can happen.

That maybe God does have
something amazing
in store for us.

Maybe that
moment's now.

Are you nervous?

[CHUCKLES]

[CLEARS THROAT]
Yeah, I'm terrified.

Well, you go out there,

and you show the world
what I've known all along.

[UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING]

[CROWD CHEERING]

[CHEERING CONTINUES]

Sell-out crowd.

Over 66,000 expected here
at the TWA Dome.

[ON TV]
This is the opportunity
of a lifetime

for this young man.

A lot of pressure on
the shoulders of Number 13.

If he doesn't
perform well today,

the Cinderella story
could be over

before it even gets started.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[ON TV]
The 1999 season underway...

It is on the end-zone...

[CROWD CHEERING]

Ready for this, son?

Yes, sir.

And the Rams
with their new quarterback,
Kurt Warner,

replaced Trent Green
as the starting quarterback.

Good, good.

Take a look
at the Ravens' defensive lead,
Ray Lewis is the All-Pro...

All mine now, rook.
All mine.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]All right, boys.

Launch left,
36 alpha.
On one. Ready!

Z-4-2!

Easy. I'm here, rook.
Hey, I'm here.

You get nothing.
This is my house.

My house!

Now, we're ready
to get goin'.

First down and 10
for the Rams

from the 42 yard line.Blue 80! Hut!

[PLAYERS GRUNTING]

Let's go!

Faulk taken down
at the 40.

Ray Lewis got there...

Let's go, let's go!
Let's go, let's go!

All right,
I'm ready.

I see you.
I see you.

I see you, rook.
I see you, rook.

Blue 80.
Blue 80, hut!

[GRUNTS][CROWD EXCLAIM]

And Warner ripped down
by, guess who? Ray Lewis.

It didn't take much of
a guess for those people
who know Ray Lewis...

This is just another game
of "Kill Kurt." Let's go.

Let's go! Let's go!

They talked about blitzing
this young quarterback early.

Ray Lewis coming in
untouched.

The Rams need to give
Kurt Warner some time today

for him to be able...Ten for two!

...those weapons down field.Black nine!

Black nine, hut!

Warner steps up
in the pocket.

Caught! Isaac Bruce.[CROWD CHEERING]

[MOUTHING] Yes!

At the front and
you love to see that...

Hey! Yeah!

I taught him
that, now.

One-eighty!
One-eighty, hut!

Warner...

[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

[CROWD CHEERING]

Let's go, huddle.
Hey, let's go, huddle.

Let's huddle.
Let's huddle
right now.

Mike, what have
we got?

Right slot, fake 28,
power double seam.

On one. Ready?Four-twenty-one.
Ready?

Come on!
Let's go, guys.
Let's go.

And Kurt Warner,
so far, very nice job,
stayin' within himself...

52's the Mike.
52's the Mike.

52!

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

Green, 60, hut!

Warner.

[CROWD CHEERING] Intercepted by Ray Lewis.

And he's gotta beat
the quarterback
down the sideline.

Cuts it in.

Lewis still running.[CROWD EXCLAIMS ON TV]

Ray Lewis all the way
down inside the 35.

Warner finally
makes a mistake.

All day long, rook.

Eatin' you for lunch
all day long.

[CONTINUES SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY]

Shake that off.
You got this.

Hey, Warner,
Coach Martz wants
to talk to you.

Yeah, Coach?

Kurt, listen to me.
You know why I was
so hard on you?

Why I put all that
pressure on you?

I had to know
that you were ready.

Had to be sure.

And guess what?

You are.

I never would've
put you on that field

if I didn't fully believe
you were a champion.

Now, you get back out there
and you get this job done.

Let's go.
Let's get after it.

Yes, sir.
And, Coach?

Thank you.

And the Rams
are in business.

[CROWD CHEERING] A 34-yard return.

Huddle.

Look at me.
You can do this.

I know you can.

Yeah. We got your back,
no matter what happens.
Let's go to work.

Let's go to work.

All right.
That last one
was on me.

But we got this.
Let's get to work.

Right doubles,
grip, 50 sail.
On one, ready!

[CROWD CHEERING]

C-4 Rams!

You got this.

And this young man,
Kurt Warner,

he played in
the Arena League
in Iowa.

Green, 60, hut!

[CROWD CHEERING][WHISTLE BLOWS]

That's it!

Let's give 'em
a confidence play.
What do you say?

Get him settled in.All right.
Let's throw this at him.

Black, nine, hut!

Throws to 10...

And it's Isaac Bruce.[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[CROWD CHEERING]Here's the back.
Right there, Kurt.

Good call,
good call!

Warner,
under pressure,
dances out of the pocket,

and...[EXCLAIMS][CROWD CHEERING]

That's my boy!

Look at that
composure from Kurt Warner.

Come on, Kurt!He's hot.

Watch it, watch it, watch it,
watch it, watch it, watch it.

Wide 20.
Wide 20, hut!

Warner.
Corner of the end zone!

Roland Williams!

Touchdown!

[CROWD CHEERING][TRIUMPHANT MUSIC PLAYING]

Yes!

And Kurt Warner
six of ten
74 yards,

throws his first
NFL touchdown.

See that?

I taught him that.

Come on, 1-3,
show me some...
Have some faith.

...their own 30-yard line.

Play-action,
Warner sets up tee...

Fires at the sidelines,

Isaac Bruce makes the catch...

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

[LAUGHS]

[COMMENTATOR CONTINUES
INDISTINCTLY]

[PEOPLE CHEERING]Oh, yeah!

Come on,
come on, come on.

Three, hut!

[LAUGHS]
Look at Ray Lewis
chasing his tail.

Switch it! No.
Abort, abort, abort!

Oh, you're gonna love this.

Blue, 20, hut!

Shovel pass.

Hakim.

[CROWD CHEERING] Dodged.

When was the last time
you saw shovel pass
to a wide receiver like that?

This kid can play!

Three-fifty!
Three-fifty, hut!

Warner again,
in the end zone...

Touchdown!

[CROWD CHEERING] Well, Bruce!

Twenty yards.

[YELLS ANGRILY]

What a show!
What a show!

I have never been so happy
to have been proven so wrong.

I mean, you're watching
a star being born.

This is a day
that we will not forget.

Ravens falling apart
offensively right now.

Wow.Mitchell.

Come on. Pump fake. All right.

Intercepted![ALL CHEERING]

Huge. Running down the clock,

there's only
four and a half minutes
left in this game.

Four more minutes, baby.I don't want this game
to end, gentlemen.

Hey, left, cross,
split, 50-F,
follow on one, ready!

Kurt Warner.
And he throws.

Marshall Faulk
out of the back field.

And there he goes.
Look at this.

Making people miss
inside the 21-yard line.

We got 'em
on the ropes!

We're gonna punch
this in, right now.

Left, close,
red, X, laser.

On one, ready.

And Kurt Warner,
he's confident.

Because he certainly
has something to prove.

Blue 80, hut!

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

Perfect.

[CROWD CHEERING]Great catch!

Touchdown! The rookie!

Yeah!

And what a job
by that young man there.

Kurt Warner is like
Magic Johnson today.

Look at all the assists.

You got it done.

He's partying right now.

That's because the Rams
gave complete control
of this football game...

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY][CROWD CHEERING]

[CHANTING]
Warner! Warner! Warner!

Dick Vermeil.

The old coach has to smile
after this one because
they're happy in St. Louis.

[CROWD CHEERING]

And that should do it.
One more kneel-down
by the Rams.

And the first win
is in the books.

My gosh.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING]

Blue, 80, hut!

Thank you.

[EXHALES]

Thank you.

[CROWD CHEERING]

[ALL CHEERING]

Look at him!

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout,
that's my guy!

We did it!
We did it.

Man, you keep
that game ball.
You earned it.

I will.

Kurt!

Kurt! Kurt!
Hey, good game, bro.

Hey, that means
a heck of a lot
comin' from you.

No problem.It really does.

Brenda!

Great game, boys.
Great game, boys.

[CHUCKLING]

Well done.
It was a beautiful
thing to watch.

Thank you for
believing in me, Coach.Well done.

Thank you.
Brenda!

Hey! Baby. Hey.

Hey, I don't know
where we go from here,

I don't know
what comes next.
But this?

We did this.

We did this together.
I love you.

I love you, too.
We did it!

[TRIUMPHANT MUSIC PLAYING]

One-eighty!

Kurt Warner has brought hope

back to St. Louis.

The first quarterback
in the history of the NFL

to throw three touchdown passes
in each of his
first three starts.

Here they come again.

Forget Ringling Brothers.

The Rams are
the greatest show
on Earth.

Kurt Warner,
out of the Arena League

and as a back-up
when the season began,
became the league's MVP.

A phenomenal
and unbelievable story.

Just remember,
this guy here,

he was bagging groceries
at the Hy-Vee five years ago.

So, he goes from
the Hy-Vee to the MVP.

The best human-interest story
in sports in years.

All aboard St. Louis,
this train is now...

[CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

You couldn't ask
for a better script.

Let's go
win this thing
right now.

Let's win it
right now.
Come on!

The MVP
of the league, Kurt Warner,

comes into a situation
that every kid dreams of, Al.

Two minutes to go
in the Super Bowl,
your team is tied.

I can't tell you
how many times
I relived this as a kid.

[IMPERCEPTIBLE]

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC STOPS]

[CROWD CHEERING]
Going deep downfield,

adjusting for it
is Isaac Bruce.

And Isaac Bruce
threads his way
for a touchdown!

[CROWD CHEERING]

Seventy-three yards.

[MUSIC RESUMES]

You couldn't have written
a better script for
the MVP of the league.

He throws a beautiful pass
in the face of pressure.

[CROWD CHEERING]

And the Rams have won
the Super Bowl.

Go on, the game is over.
The game is over.

[IMPERCEPTIBLE]

Kurt Warner.[CROWD CHEERING]

First things first.
Five years ago,

you were stocking
supermarket shelves
in Iowa.

Now, you're
a Super Bowl champion,

an NFL MVP,
a Super Bowl MVP.

What message does it
send to people?

I thank all the players,
all the coaches,

my family, everybody,
for believin' in me

and I gotta give
the praise and glory

to my Lord and savior
up above.

Now we're world champions,
how about that, Rams?

[CROWD CHEERING]

[CROWD CHEERING]

[UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING]

[IMPERCEPTIBLE]

[SOFT BALLAD MUSIC PLAYING]

[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]

Zachary.

Brenda.

Kurt Warner
has a little boy.

It's not
a complete circle,
because this is open.

So it's
a big hook.Yeah.

It starts here.

And then
it comes around
so that is a heart.

Heart.