Original subtitles

You do this to your mother? Jimmy, how did I do this to you?

Joe, stop it! Put it down, Joe!

Stop it, Joe!

Your son has been recruited by a man called Million.

Drug dealer.

Got a job for you. Three thousand a week. What am I supposed to do? You turn

your back on him now. I don't think he's going to survive.

Why are you straying from us, Willie?

There's a world out there that I can make it like you didn't! It is a world

violence and death.

Is that the way you want to live? Is it?

No!

Pump those arms. Pump those arms. Keep those knees up. Let's go. Let's go.

Come on. Come on. Come on.

Keep those arms up. Keep your head up. Come on. Come on. Let's go. Let's go.

Testing my lungs.

Come on, Pete. That's a knee you got in your hands.

Hey, Willis.

Great hit.

For spring practice. Yeah, I got your spring practice. Your bell's gonna ring

until Christmas.

What do you think, Doc?

You gonna make it to the show?

Yeah, sure. Pete, as long as you don't step on no soap.

Halsey, you got a minute?

Sure, Coach.

You guys take a break here for a second, okay?

I haven't got good news.

The knee hasn't come back the way it's supposed to.

Hey, it feels great, coach. You saw that hit I put on Pirelli. Yeah, I saw it,

but I also saw you blow three tackles you should have had. You can't cut it,

Willie. And you've taken two points off the 40.

Sure I have, but it'll come back next fall. I'll be running 4 -5.

By fall, you're going to be on academic probation.

Look, Willie, I don't want to do this, but your grade points are 1 -7 and the

operation just didn't work.

I can't take the chance.

We only get 35 scholarships here.

Each one's got to count.

Look, it's not the end of the world.

I'll see that you get some work to study. You work hard, you bring your

point up, you'll be fine.

We'll do everything we can for you, okay?

Willie, you watch that rough house and you can snap a ligament. Hi, honey. I'll

get you a plate.

Oh, no, thanks, Mom. I've already eaten. I just... Mom, I... Again.

You want to run 11 -2 in the 100, Mary Lou.

You eat it.

Besides, we've got to finish it on the count. Refrigerator. He fucked it.

Yeah, and I get all the chocolate milk I want.

If nothing, I can fix it.

Sure you can.

Now, you eat every bite, Willie Holt.

Mom.

Okay, I'm eating. Look, I'm eating.

Did you pick out a little mansion, Montauk?

Just one.

She'd hold out for three. You, Mom and Dad, and me.

You, what do I get?

You get to finish your lima beans.

When I turn pro, I'll buy everyone a house.

And there ain't gonna be a lima bean allowed in.

Isn't, not ain't, now eat.

That's enough, Mike.

So what is it?

Why are you homeless for the world?

Yeah, why are you?

I hope to die.

I got caught.

Coach Bell kicked me off the damn team.

Willie!

Don't look at me like that.

Willie!

Willie!

I've been looking for you.

I heard what happened, man.

I got a way to help you.

Why not?

At least he cares about something other than me being first string.

I put the ad in my scrapbook as kind of a goof. I didn't really think it was

real, but I guess it is, huh?

I certainly hope so.

Right, what makes you think that this man, Hammer, deals in drugs?

Everybody on the team knows.

Oh, I'm on track.

Hammer tries to sell his steroids, or anything else he has.

Guy at the regular supermarket.

So he's successful?

Sure, you should see the way the kids flock to him when he drives up.

Mr. McCall, I'm real worried.

I've never seen Willie like this before.

We've always been so close and... Will you talk to him?

If he gets involved with Hammer, it could be real bad.

Yes, yes.

Of course I'll talk to him.

It happened to me too. I know just what you feel.

Man, the coach ran that title right by me when my ankle got wasted.

Don't worry. We'll take care of you.

Give you some nice work study.

Right.

Next thing you know, I was in a supermarket bagging groceries.

Bagging groceries, sure.

Hey, then I met some people that knew how to take care of their team.

Know what I mean?

I know what you're doing.

Oh, yeah.

I was hoping you'd be here.

I was just talking about you.

This is my main man, buddy.

The beast.

Man, I saw you put a hit on a flanker that knocked him in the next week.

Roosevelt game, right?

So you watch high school football, right?

Loosen up, Willie. You're among friends.

Almost everyone here is an ex -job.

They all work for me.

Listen, when the game is over, no one calls your number.

We all need each other.

I'll take the Foreign Legion, Million.

It's a favorite.

You know why they call me Million?

Because working for me is like having a million dollars in the bank.

Sure.

Thanks for the tour.

Forget it, man.

He's so clean, he squeaks when he walks.

That's why I want him.

Because people like him think they own the Earth.

And I love their expressions when they breathe.

They're just as dirty as everyone else.

He's a very busy man. A thriving business that's getting more successful

time.

His name is Luther Paxson. He calls himself Million.

His specialties are coke, steroids, and quaaludes.

He washes the money through the Caymans, then he pumps it back into a health

club franchise.

His flagship is a gym on 47th. It's a real palette.

He hangs there with the suicide squad.

Suicide squad?

Oh, I'm sorry, that's a football term for kick -off and return teams.

He uses the squad to run interference on his drug deals.

Most of them never last any longer than second lieutenants in combat.

They're either killed or hooked inside a year, and they're all ex -con.

Well, that's pretty understandable.

Most athletes make pretty good soldiers. They're disciplined, they...

I've got team workers, and they don't question orders.

Well, if Kid Halsey starts taking orders from millions, it'll be his last game.

Well, that is what we hope to prevent.

Isn't it, Brocky?

I remember I was asking for an opinion.

Ah, I'm sorry.

Yeah, one of the penalties of growing older is that you start interfering with

things that don't really concern you. Yeah.

Well, thanks.

You mind if I talk with you for a while?

Do I know you?

McCall. Robert McCall.

We have a mutual friend who's rather worried about the company you keep.

And from what I've learned, they have a right to be concerned.

Great.

Listen, mister, thanks very much, but I'll take care of myself, okay?

30 seconds of your time.

That's all I ask, 30 seconds.

I once had a friend who was a star athlete.

And when all the applause was finished and all the shouting done, he just

couldn't adjust.

So he started dealing.

He reckoned it was the best way to make a lot of money and get as much

attention, the same kind of money and attention that he was used to.

Do you know something?

Within six months, he was selling drugs to children.

I don't need that.

Eighteen months after selling drugs, this star athlete was dead. He was dead.

Killed by his friend, his partner.

Getting up after a good tackle.

That's easy.

Walking away from the game, from the life.

That's a tough thing.

I suppose that's a test of courage in a man.

I run a football program here, not a charity. I need all the scholarships I

get. You run a college program.

Now, where I come from, that's something to do with education.

These kids know what they're getting themselves into when they sign the

of intent.

Half these players probably couldn't even read that letter of intent. Come

coach!

We're talking about 18 -year -olds.

All they're thinking about is how they're going to spend their first

professional paycheck.

That is not my responsibility.

Now, whose is it?

Brock, a couple of years ago, the president of this fine institution sent

assistant over with a report.

It seems that somebody in admissions had figured out that every time we win a

football game, it increases the enrollment by 400 students.

If we win the conference, that means 6 ,000 students. If we win a bowl game,

well... Do you understand what I'm saying? All I understand is that Willie

Halsey's life is in jeopardy because you have no use for him anymore, and no one

on your stinking staff has the guts to cry foul.

The guy wants to tell you himself.

It's beautiful, Willie. Come on.

It's so big, I can't believe it.

Willie, it's for you.

Hello.

Willie, I told them it was from an alumnus who holds a raffle for the team.

Yes, it's perfectly legit.

Yeah, well, Willie, if you don't like that one, I'll get it for you in another

color.

Well, how'd you know?

I take care of my team, Louie.

See you later.

This ain't going to hurt nothing, is it? I mean, winning a raffle is okay.

If it ain't legal, I'm going to yank your scholarship in a second.

No, it's legal.

What are you doing here?

You'll be late for practice.

Dad, uh... I've been thinking.

Well, I was just wondering.

What would you think about me joining in your business with you?

What?

Come over here a minute.

Get on over here.

You see what I'm doing here?

Sure. Cleaning brushes.

That is right.

And the reason I'm cleaning is because I won't forget what it feels like to hold

one of these.

The sign -painting business has been real slow the last five, six years.

It's all plastic and neon now. You know that.

Well, we can make something out of it, Pop. I know we can. Now, you listen to

me.

You got a shot.

You got a real shot.

And you're going to take it.

So you never end up staring at what it is you used to do.

Boy, you're going to make so much money. You're never going to have to worry

about your trade collapsing on you. You hear me?

You hear me?

Get on out to practice now.

Make sure those shoulder pads of yours pop when you hit someone.

Just the man I wanted to see.

You all right?

I'll tell you what.

Come on, I've got just the thing to put a smile on your face.

is protecting his meal ticket.

My dad did the same thing.

All he could think about when I told him I busted my knee was the house that I

promised to get him when I signed my first pro contract.

Life is great.

You don't get this kind of setup sitting in a classroom and knocking your brains

out on a football field.

The coaches cram that noise into your head.

The American dream.

The house, the car, the whole nine yards is yours for the taking.

It's a lie, Willie.

And when your career is over, what do you have?

Pride?

Discipline?

You try eating that for dinner.

I'm not dealing drugs, Millian.

Willie, you don't have to do anything you don't want to.

But ask yourself this.

Why shouldn't you have what they promised you?

They have it.

And they could care less if you spent the rest of your life holding a tin cup

your hand.

Mr. Holden.

Mother.

Why are you walking away? Are you afraid to face me?

What do you got, more scare stories?

No.

Better offer you might consider.

I'm not interested.

A colleague and I have been talking to your coach.

He can go to hell.

He's rather a ruthless man, isn't he?

I put in 110 % for that man, and he just cut me loose.

No, he did not.

What the hell would you call him?

I've just been negotiating with him.

He's willing to keep you on scholarship for another year.

Give you a chance to better your grades, apply for a student's loan.

Like your own way? For what?

For an education, you fool.

Give me a chance.

A chance?

My sister wrote half my papers for me.

I couldn't even get through them off the textbooks.

Football was my only shot.

Somebody to see us, Joe.

This is Robert McCall.

Says it's about Lily.

It's McCall. Joe Halsey.

You from the college?

Uh, no. No, Mr. Halsey.

Your daughter called me.

Didn't she tell you?

Your daughter called me and asked me if I could help Lily.

Mary Lou?

Why? With what?

Your son has been cut from the football team, Miss Halsey.

Are you crazy? He's the best defensive back that goes.

Go down to spring training, Mr. Halsey. Your buddy's not there.

Well, why the hell would they cut my boy?

His knee?

His grades?

Apparently, your daughter has been helping him through his classes.

He can't even read at college level.

Now, he's afraid to tell you this because he's afraid you will think he'd

you down.

Your boy feels that he is lost, Mr. Halsey.

And there is a very powerful drug dealer just waiting to show him a way out.

Now, what are you talking about?

Your son has been recruited by a man called Million.

This man wants your son within his organization.

And in order to encourage him, he's already made him certain promises and

him certain gifts.

Like a new refrigerator, which is now in your kitchen, for instance.

Oh, my God.

You believe it, Katie?

About your own boy?

If you close your eyes to this, Mr Halsey, you're not possibly one to

John, maybe he's telling the truth.

Get out!

Just talk to him, will you?

Listen to what he has to say?

What's wrong?

Dad knows.

Willie, I did it for you.

Well, I might as well get this over with.

Get rid of them.

That's all I am to you, huh?

Photographs and defensive stats. A trophy. Willie, leave your father alone.

Why?

He never left me alone. Haven't you caused us enough grief already?

Oh, right. So I got cut from the squad. So what? That Mr. McCall was here,

Willie. We know about the drug dealer, too.

What is happening to you?

Maybe I just don't give a damn anymore.

Not your mother that way, boy.

Oh, finally got a reaction.

Why are you straying from us, Willie? You got a home, a family.

How could you do this to your mother? You mean how could I do this to you?

Did you ever think about me? Not the honors, not the games, just me. Even

in your life.

Willie, don't. There's a world out there that I can make it like you didn't.

Something just for me.

What's wrong?

Starting salary of $3 ,000 a week.

Tax -free.

What do you want me to do?

Keep in training, stay clean, play for the team.

Just like you did for your coach.

Million. What's the job?

I got some new customers.

Dominicans. A big buy.

I want you and Ham to go over there and check these deals out.

What do you say, brother?

enough bugs in there.

You know, Robert, I'm not sure it was such a great idea to tell the kids'

parents. I had to do that.

Families have a right to try and solve their own problems.

Start with, anyway.

I think it is now time for me to pay a call on...

You close your entire operation down within the next 24 hours, I might let

live.

Who are you?

A fed?

You trying to move in on my church?

If we don't have a deal, I'll close it down for you. You won't like that one

little bit.

What's the matter? Getting nervous, are we?

24 hours.

get a credit meeting sampling of the good we make sure they're legit then we

make delivery relax

Que pasa?

Hey, I don't like this.

Let's make it.

Hold it!

Don't move. What the hell is this? No questions, punk.

Don't move, man.

Be cool.

That's tough.

You're making a big mistake, man.

Me, he's gonna declare war on you.

We don't worry about doing it.

Move!

Just stay right there.

Hammer! Shut up!

Hammer! I told you to shut up!

Get in the car. Let's go! Let's go!

Step on it.

Hammer was dirty.

I had to let you see what happens to someone who thinks he's bigger than the

team.

What are you talking about?

Hammer was double -dealing me.

He wasn't a team player.

He was skimming my merchandise and selling it on the side.

What are you going to do with him?

There's a trapped steamer headed for Hong Kong tonight.

Hammer's making a trip.

In the boiler room.

I gotta teach him a lesson, Willie.

He'll find his way home eventually.

I'm moving you into his position.

Willie, my man, now your first strength.

There's a firing range in the gym.

Spend a lot of time there.

Oh.

Hammer's BMW?

Mr. Halsey, your son is now working for that drug dealer.

He is driving around in a new car and he is armed.

Look, I know how hurt you are by all of this.

I'm a father, too. I know how you feel.

You know, sometimes they want love so badly they'll do almost anything to get

it, won't they?

Even work for a drug dealer?

I believed in that boy.

Oh, yes.

When he'd won.

But what about when he'd lost?

Damn you, I did it all for him!

No, you didn't. You did it for yourself.

You did it out of your own foolish pride.

You did it because you think you're a failure.

You are not a failure.

You kept your family together.

You put a roof over their heads.

Now, not many men... Under the same circumstances as you could have done

What am I supposed to do?

Forgive him and forgive yourself.

Are you man enough to do that, Mr. Hogan?

Police just found him.

He's dead.

And there's no way that they can charge Millions with it.

Well, we'll have to do something about that, won't we, Brocky?

I'm proceeding according to plan.

I'll see you tonight.

Yeah, okay.

Millions, you wanted me?

Tony, see you later.

Yeah, okay.

Willie, good to see you.

How are you?

Fine. Good.

I knew you wouldn't let what happened to Hammer interfere with business.

You're a tough kid, Willie. A fighter.

I like that.

I got a job for you.

What is it?

Some new customers, they want to make a big buy, but they want delivery on the

first meet.

That's risky, isn't it?

They're references to check out. I'll send Bobby and Tom with you to make sure

things are safe.

What time is the meet?

It's four o 'clock at the amphitheater.

Stuff will be in the trunk of your car.

Don't get smart, boy.

Not if you like breathing.

Drop the suitcase.

I said drop the suitcase. What are you doing, man? We had a deal.

Millions get to declare war on you, man.

I said you gotta... Where's millions still?

Where's your stash pad?

Go to hell.

You think I'm playing with you, boy? Where is it?

No one messes with millions' organization.

You think millions care whether you live or die or anyone in your family, do

you?

How about two bad knees instead of just one?

No!

Don't do this, please!

Where is he? I don't know, I swear!

He never told me! I don't know anything about his organization!

All right, that's enough.

This is the world of the drug dealer, Willie.

This is it.

It is a world of violence.

And death, especially death.

By the way,

a man, Hammer, is dead.

They found his body floating in the river.

They found pieces of his body in the river.

Is that the way you want to live?

Or die?

Is it, Willie?

Is it?

Willie?

I'm sorry, Willie.

It's the only way we could think of.

Show you the kind of life you picked.

Did it because I love you.

Willie?

Before you go home, there's one more person you have to see.

trouble.

What happened?

The buyers.

They didn't have any money.

All they had were guns.

Where's my stuff?

Where's my damn stuff?

They ripped on him.

What about Bobby and Tom?

you to deliver and protect my stuff i don't know you didn't steal it i don't

know you're not trying to do me what i'm doing

I want him to experience the best our criminal justice system has to offer.

ain't got nothing on me, man.

Really?

I beg to differ.

Sure, Willie.

You poor guy! Come on, Willie, you'll get for once in your life.

We heard every word you said.

very much about football.

But I know a courageous game when I see it.

Hey, hey.

You going back to school, Mr. McCall?

Sometimes think I never left it.

Oh, I bought you this.

Oh, wow.

It's a book about family that survives.

I'll read it.

You'd better. It was expensive.

Thank you.

Willie! Good luck.

I was afraid I might miss you.

I thought you might need a new one. Guess I do.

Never had an old one.

Take care.

Well?

Just a better go to class, huh?

Go get him, Willie.