Original subtitles

Hi, I'm Mike Flint.

You're about to see my story.

When I was young, I was not a man of faith.

At the age of 59, I was given a second chance

with my family and with my faith.

Today, I hold love, God, and football dearest.

And you're about to see a movie about all three.

Enjoy the film. God bless you.

[musical swirl]

[dramatic music swells]

[electric buzzing]

- ["Get On Down" playing] - ♪ Are you ready now? ♪

♪ To get on down ♪

[man] Football.

Some say it's the greatest game

in the history of mankind.

[cheering]

Here in Texas, it's more than that.

More than glory. More than bragging rights.

More than... even life and death.

It's a shot at immortality.

And if they do it right,

the only thing left on that field

is the blood, sweat, and tears

of both them...

and their opponents.

[song continues, halts]

But this story isn't just about football.

[announcer] Just under two minutes left in the fourth.

The Sul Ross Lobos need a big stop here.

[player yells]

[announcer] Oh, what a hit!

Mike Flynt comes up with his...

Yeah!

...22nd tackle of the night.

[player] Cheap shot! Knock it off!

Oh, not so tough now, huh?

Back off, 75! [grunting]

[announcer] And here we go again!

Flynt is not one to tangle with.

- [players arguing] - That's gonna take us out.

I imagine Coach is not gonna be happy to see this.

[man] This is my dad. Mike Flynt.

75? He ain't gonna talk to me like that.

[man] Middle linebacker

and team captain of the Sul Ross Lobos.

Eileen.

[man] And this is my mom, Eileen.

- Hey. - [Eileen] Hey.

Did you, uh, enjoy the game tonight?

You played great.

That last hit, uh... it was for you.

[laughs] Okay, well,

don't go telling that boy's mother.

- I don't need enemies. - [chuckles]

[gentle music playing]

[Eileen winces]

Ouch.

You must really like hittin' people, huh?

Only if they can hit back.

[man] And this is where our story begins.

[car horn blaring]

[machinery rumbling]

[Mike] Okay, boys, this looks fine.

Let's start on it in the morning.

- [worker] Alright, Mike. - [workers chatter]

- Nice work. Thank you. - Yeah, Mike.

[car horn blaring]

Okay, Oscar, nice work. See you in the morning.

[man 1] Get out of the way, old man!

[car horn honking]

- [car engine struggling] - [man 1] Hey, move!

- [engine struggling] - Let's go, man, move it!

[car horn blaring]

- [engine sputtering] - [car horn blaring]

[man 1] Some of us have got to get to work!

[man 2] Doin' the best I can here.

[man 1] Get out of the way before I get out

and move you!

- Hey, Manny? - [Manny] Yeah.

Having some car trouble? Let me see your keys.

- There you go. - Thanks, man.

- [horn blaring] - [man 1] Hey!

- Hey, friend. I got an idea. - [man 1] Yeah?

Why don't you take his keys and start his car

and I'll sit in your truck and beep your horn, huh?

This doesn't concern you.

- [horn blaring] - Hey, man! He's a vet.

Why don't you show some respect?

Why don't you get out of my face

and have senile G.I. Joe move that car right now?

[horn blaring]

Tell me something, sweetheart.

Your butt glued to that seat?

Or you just too scared to get out?

- Why don't you say that again. - Oh, it's not glued, huh?

You're not scared.

- [people clamoring] - [grunting]

[groaning]

[country music plays on radio]

[man 1 groaning]

[mellow guitar music playing]

[truck approaches outside]

[tires crunching on gravel]

[front door opens]

[front door closes]

- [Mike] Hey, sunshine! - Hey, Daddy.

Where are you off to?

Spin class.

Oh, Micah's in town. He's droppin' by.

- For dinner? - [scoffs]

Nah, he's just meeting his friends here,

which is why I'm gonna disappear

because anytime his friends are in town,

he wants me to dress like a nun.

Well, hey, my son is more conservative than I am!

I don't think you need to dress like a nun

till you're in college.

You don't have to worry about that for two more months.

Oh, don't remind me.

That's great.

What is this? Is this something new?

How do you do this?

Gently.

Which is not something

you would know anything...

- Mike, what's that? - It's nothing.

What happened?

[sharp athletic grunts]

[Eileen] So, you think you could make tenure?

[stammers] I'm just a lecturer, so not-not right now,

but later.

That-That's the goal.

Can you stay for supper?

No, we can't. Decker and the boys...

- Decker. - Yeah.

They're gonna come pick me up.

Decker's playing at the, um... the Brewhouse.

Oh.

Yeah, you should come.

Well, if you could convince your daddy,

maybe we could come together.

- [Micah] Hey, Dad. - [Mike grunting]

Hey, Dad?

Dad!

Hey.

Hey, Micah.

[panting] You wanna take a turn?

Uh, no, I'm alright. [chuckles]

How's work?

Work's fine.

- Mom was saying-- - It's fine.

Frame's almost done.

[exhales]

How's that school of yours?

Them kids giving you any trouble?

School's good.

Uh-huh.

Come on. Why don't you take a turn?

You know, exercise is good for you.

It builds character.

My character's fine.

[chuckles] What are you afraid of?

Heavy bag's not gonna hurt you.

Here. You used to have a good left.

Unless maybe spending all that time at that school

has made you lose it.

[gentle music playing]

I said I don't want to.

Come on, son. Man up.

Take a few shots.

[music darkens]

Keep your hands up.

- [grunting] - Pop!

I don't wanna see you cry.

Come on, Mike. No tears. No tears!

Come on, be a man. Don't flinch.

I want you to hit me. Come on. Come on!

[grunting]

I want you to hit me, Mike!

You're a runt, Mike.

You're a runt and you always will be.

But you can hit.

So I'm gonna explain to you the rules.

First of all, if some fool starts a fight with you

and you back down,

it's a whippin' when you get home.

Second, most importantly,

if you fight and don't win, you get a whuppin'.

Yes, sir.

[Mike's dad] Get inside.

Wash that blood off before your mom sees.

[sighs]

[grunts]

[insects chirring]

[yelling playfully] That's my nose!

I'll trade you this for that little boy.

No, not yet.

Alright. Well, next week,

I'm gonna teach you how to light a bottle rocket.

And I'll teach him who to aim it at.

- Yeah, okay. - Night-night.

Thanks, honey. Thank you. Thank you. Mwah!

Sorry I missed Micah tonight.

When's he going back to Knoxville?

I don't know. He didn't say. No, he didn't say anything.

- 'Cause you didn't let him. - Stop that.

Alright, well, I guess I'll get him down for bed.

Yeah, since you riled him all up, so...

- Bye! Bye! - Good night, guys.

- I love you! - [Eileen] Nanny loves you.

[indistinct chatter]

[pensive music playing]

[Eileen] What you looking at?

It's just junk mail.

Hey.

Junk. Junk.

Junk.

Junk.

[crowd cheering on TV]

[Mike] Come on.

- [Eileen] Hey. - Hey.

How's it going?

Just rewatching a classic. It's a good game.

Oh, yeah?

You know, I found this

in the garbage can.

Well, don't go pinnin' me like that.

I'm a West Texas girl. I'll kick your tail.

[Mike chuckles]

Some of them are already gone.

Dave Cooper. Jesse Nunez.

Life's too short, Mike.

And I know how much you love that team.

And I know how much they loved you.

[insects chirring]

[young Mike] Hey, boys! Hour past curfew. Get inside.

Gentlemen.

You know the rules.

Stay outside, you're washing Charlie's car tomorrow.

I ain't washing nobody's car, Flynt.

[Mike] What are you doing, Walker?

[Walker] It ain't a big deal. We're just having fun.

[Mike] It is a big deal. I'm the captain.

[Walker] You're acting like the sheriff.

You ain't nothin' but a little punk.

[grunting]

Hey! Hey!

What's going on? Break it up!

Hey! Mike! Get off! Break it up!

Get off me, Coach! I'll kill this fool!

- Go to your dorm! Back off! - You're done, Mike!

You're done! You're done! [voice echoes]

Hey, Mike.

Coach, you, uh, wanted to see me?

Son, you're not gonna be captain of the team this year.

Why not?

In fact, you've been kicked out of school.

Coach, come on. Please don't kick me off the team.

You're not listening.

Not just the team, the school.

Sul Ross doesn't want you here anymore.

How many fights since you've been here, Michael?

Ten? Twenty? Thirty?

President Clark called me last night.

He said he's heard the name Mike Flynt for the last time.

Coach, this fight, it-it wasn't a one-sided thing.

Kids fight. I get that. I do.

- But you're different, Mike. - How so?

You're the common denominator.

The other coaches are in your room packing your bags.

We're gonna drive you out to the highway.

Your dad's gonna meet us out there.

We've already called him.

[emotional music playing]

[players chattering]

I thought maybe you'd grown up.

Turns out,

you're still just a runt.

I'm exactly what you made me, Daddy.

[emotional music continues]

[pensive, hopeful music playing]

[music fades]

- [birdsong] - [dog barks distantly]

[porch door creaks]

[Mike] Hey.

[scoffs]

The 1971 Lobos...

I mean, I wasn't even a part of that team, remember?

And yet they invited you anyway.

[chuckles]

I called Randy as soon as I saw the invitation.

He's already made a reservation for you.

I thought we agreed never to tell each other what to do.

Hmm.

I don't remember making that deal.

Thought I could slide that through.

[chuckles]

You know...

if you had any guts at all, you'd just

go down there and face those guys.

You think I'm afraid?

I don't know, Mike.

Maybe going down there would be

a good way to start figuring that out.

Mike.

Okay.

Okay, I'll go.

- You will? Oh, good! - I will.

["Sunday Morning Underground" by Faustus playing]

♪ Alright ♪

♪ I put my head on my pillow ♪

♪ It felt good to lay down ♪

♪ Heard my old man on the corner ♪

♪ As he cussed me up and down... ♪

[indistinct chatter]

[laughter]

Hey, 'keeper.

Can I get a brew?

[man] Mike!

Mike Flynt!

Mike Flynt, get over here, boy.

- There he is! - Oh, boy, I'm in trouble now!

- Hey! - Mike Flynt's here, guys.

- Hey! - Look at you, Mike!

I swear, time done passed you by.

Oh, enough about me, Charlie. Have you seen Glen?

Sir, do you know Glen McWhorter?

Yeah, he-he's in here somewhere.

[laughter]

Says in this I was 170 pounds.

Oh, yeah, at birth.

[laughter]

You know, I remember every fight you ever had.

Man, you was bad to the bone, Mike.

Hey, isn't that Walker over at the bar?

[men at bar chattering]

Yeah, that's him.

What kind of a captain gets kicked off his own team?

Come on, it's ancient history.

Eileen says that I never learn.

I got in a fight just the other day.

Your daddy would be proud.

He wasn't proud of the way I treated this team.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think

about what I did to y'all.

Let it go, man.

Besides, none of us even remember 1971.

All I remember is the years that you actually did lead us.

Randy's right, Mike. It was just football.

We've all moved on.

No such thing as "just football."

Yeah, well, you boys are right.

And I thank y'all for letting me off the hook.

It's just sometimes I wish I could go back

and do it all over again, that's all.

Do what, exactly?

My senior year.

I'd like to go back and play, too,

but my body wouldn't.

Y'all might think I'm crazy,

but I feel like I could still run with them.

Yeah, what's wrong with a 59-year-old college linebacker?

[laughter]

You know, technically, I bet you're still eligible.

You think I am?

The college rules say that

as long as you got that senior year,

you can play it.

You still look like a football player.

I still feel like one.

[soft rock ballad plays on speakers]

[server] One more and we're gonna be closing up.

Hey, Walker.

Hey, Mike.

Ah.

I guess this is the elephant in the room

speaking to the elephant in the room, huh?

Yeah.

Look, Mike, there's been something I've been

wanting to tell you for a long time.

Go on.

You know, it's been over 35 years, and I...

I shouldn't have taken so long to tell you I'm sorry.

You're sorry?

I was a juvenile, d-dumb as a rock.

I-I got you kicked off the football team, out of school.

- I deserved a broken nose. - What?

Yeah.

No.

I... I've been consumed.

There hasn't been a day that's gone by

that I didn't think about that night when I lost my mind.

You're sorry?

Yeah.

[both chuckle]

[Mike grunts]

Hey.

I overheard the guys

and you talking about trying out for the team again?

Oh, yeah, that...

Yeah, that's bananas. You know that, right?

Hey, Mike?

You go for it.

If anybody can do it, you can.

[Eileen] So you're glad you went?

[Mike] Yeah.

- Thanks, Eileen. - Good.

Yeah, you were right. It was healing.

- I'm glad. - Uh, listen...

I got so much on my mind now.

Would it be alright if I stayed for a few more days,

maybe, uh, checked out the old campus?

Uh, sure. Okay.

I feel like I need this.

Just come home with a smile on your face.

Okay.

Thank you, darlin'.

Speak to you soon.

[phone beeps]

[dramatic, uplifting music playing]

[dramatic music swells]

[music fades]

[man] Yeah?

[Mike] Uh, hello?

I'm Mike Flynt.

I called, made an appointment?

Yeah.

Yeah, you're, uh...

You're an alumnus, right?

Well, almost, uh...

I never finished my senior year.

That right? Why not?

I got thrown out for fighting.

But I still have that year.

- What do you mean? - I'm eligible.

Eligible for what?

To play.

I checked, and I still have that year.

Coach, I'd like to try out for your team.

Huh.

Yeah. Well, that's a relief.

You know, I thought you were here for a coaching job,

and I'd have to find a way to politely explain to you

that we have no openings on the team.

But this way, we can just have a good laugh, right?

[chuckles] Well...

I'm as funny as they come,

especially after a couple of beers,

but, uh, this ain't no joke, Coach.

[sighs]

When'd you play here?

'68, '69, '70.

[door opens]

[man] A few of the boys are here,

a couple of J.C. transfers, too.

They're about to run themselves through some drills.

You want to come down, see what we got?

Yeah, yeah. Sure do.

Well, Mike.

Really nice meeting you.

Uh, may I join you, Coach?

- Okey-doke. - ["OU Says Go!" playing]

[whistle tweets]

♪ This feel like some next-level funk ♪

♪ Some bass out the trunk that make the place jump ♪

♪ This feel like a whole lotta hype ♪

♪ You know that I might, now go catch a flight ♪

♪ Ready, ready for some action ♪

♪ Ready for some action... ♪

[whistle blows]

Alright, I'm Sam Weston, head coach,

for those of you who don't know me.

What do you say we play a little touch football, huh?

So I can see how y'all run.

- [players chattering] - Let's do it.

What do we have here?

Uh...

Thirteen.

Uh, 14.

[players chuckle]

Alright, you seven over here,

you seven over here.

Good to see you playing with us, Coach.

Should be good for team morale.

Ain't your coach.

Gonna be your teammate.

Oh. Okay, cool.

Some nice cleats.

Ain't that what Fred Flintstone tried out in?

[chuckles] Let's get it!

[player] Alright, boys. Cover one, cover one.

- Ready? - [all] Break!

Set. Go.

[whistle blows]

[player] Go, go, go, go!

- [grunts] - [players cheer]

I see you! [grunts]

- Ready? - [all] Break!

Strong right, strong right!

[player] Tight, you got tight.

Ready? Set, go.

[grunting]

- Yo, man! - [Mike laughs]

That's it!

Whoo!

Let's go!

Fred Flintstone taught me that, son.

Alright then, old man. Do it again.

Alright, here we go. Huddle up.

- [whistle blows] - Hey, great job today, Pops.

Thanks.

[music fades]

Hey, Coach.

So, what'd you think?

[sighs] Hmm.

Just to be clear,

there's no hidden camera somewhere?

You're for real?

Yes, sir. That I am.

Hmm.

Well, you can run with 'em.

I'll give you that much.

I got a million things racing through my mind right now.

But...

I might let you try out.

[sighs in relief]

Thank you, Coach. I-I don't know what to say.

Don't be thanking me yet.

Just be here August 12th, ready to roll.

Yes, sir.

[panting]

Whoo!

It's a second chance, Eileen.

How many of those do we get?

Well, I thought you were just gonna go

look around for old times' sake.

I have to make up for what I did.

[sighs] What about your job?

[Mike] Building's almost done.

Brett says that I'll have something

no matter what when I get back home.

You talked to Brett before talking to me?

This coach is probably gonna cut me.

But I just want to go down there and give it a shot.

I mean, it's something I have to do.

- [Eileen sighs] - I'm doing it.

You are going to finish those 12 credit hours

for your degree,

no matter whether you make that team or not.

Babe, for you,

I will graduate magna cum anything.

[scoffs]

[car horn honking]

[Micah] Hey, old man.

Hey.

[exhales]

What are you doing here?

I got some research at school. Thought I'd swing by.

- How's the job? - It's good.

It's good. It's busy.

They always lay committees on the new guy.

Well, you know, you gotta keep looking, Micah.

For... For what?

For another job, one that gives tenure.

Yeah, I'm teaching a full load.

It's not easy to get a job these days.

No, no, no.

We don't settle.

You gotta keep grinding it out.

Is that what you're doing with the football thing,

grinding it out?

Oh, your mother. She can't keep a secret.

I thought we didn't keep secrets in this family.

I just wanted to tell you directly

from-from just-- from me to you

so that it didn't sound as...

Insane?

[sighs]

Dad, have you thought this through?

- What's to think through? - I don't know...

Broken skull, broken femurs, concussions?

That's why I'm out here, hoss man,

so I can, you know, work on the engine,

make sure everything's runnin' right.

[soft music playing]

You know, Dad, this...

This happened so long ago.

Don't you think it's time to let it go?

I mean, why does this one have to be a win?

It's not about winning.

It's about finishing what you start.

Come on, you and I both know that's not true.

It's always about winning with you.

You taught me that since I could walk.

Well, what, maybe I should have taught you how to lose?

Okay, look, you're not hearing me, Dad.

I'm hearing you just fine. Thank you.

Hope to see you back at the house.

There we go. [grunts]

That's all of it.

Well, then, let's get you off to college.

At least this time I got a hot roommate.

Oh, my...

[chuckles]

- [truck engine revs] - West Texas, here we come.

[bright dramatic music playing]

[player] Yo, check it.

♪ All my shorties coming running ♪

♪ Can you blame 'em? ♪

♪ When you looking like Jamal ♪

♪ All you got to do is name 'em ♪

♪ Aaliyah, Shanice, Imani, and Taylor ♪

♪ They're looking for the face ♪

♪ They're plotting on the chase ♪

♪ She saw your face then pulled out her mace ♪

Ay!

[Jamal] Don't be hating the player

'cause you can't hang with me.

Same team bus,

but you ain't in the same lane with me.

[players chattering, laughing]

Forget all y'all, man. Forget all y'all.

Yo, yo, yo! [chuckles]

Yo!

Yo, what you listening to, man?

Music?

Man, what kind of music gon' make

somebody dance like that?

- [derisive laughter] - Good, man!

Look at you, old geezer.

See what that man playing with.

It's just...

It's just rock and soul.

Y'all know "Rubberband Man"?

Uh... It's what we used to listen to.

["The Rubberband Man" playing]

♪ Hey, y'all, prepare yourself ♪

♪ For the Rubberband Man... ♪

It's like-- It's that Rubberband Man, man!

- [players chattering] - I like this!

[player] My daddy used to love this!

I like that, right here!

I can do this.

We can bump some of this old-man music.

I remember this. "Rubberband Man."

It's like a-- like a broke-down Batman!

[laughter]

[man] Gentlemen! Hey, you newbies!

Quiet down! Gentlemen!

[players quieten]

I'm Doc Prude, team trainer.

Line up. Get your gear.

I need to see everyone in the training room after.

[players chattering]

We just messing with you, old man. Good to see you.

Coaching, right?

No, I'm gonna play.

Football?

Man, that man crazy.

[sighs]

Hey, sir, I'm Fernie Acosta.

- It's cool to have you aboard. - Hey, thanks, Fernie.

Call me Mike. We're teammates now, got it?

Yes, sir.

["The Rubberband Man" playing]

[whistle tweets]

[grunting]

[whistle blows]

[grunting]

[breathing heavily]

[Mike grunts]

Get your head across! You wanna be here?

You wanna be here? Then move your feet!

Yes, Coach.

[whistle tweets]

[whistle tweets]

Get your hands underneath.

Yes, sir.

[coach] Eyes up, eyes up, eyes up, eyes up!

Eyes up, eyes up, eyes up!

Two in, one out, Flynt.

[Weston] Today, there are 80 of you.

In a week, there's gonna be 54.

Every one of you is gonna have to

earn a spot on this team.

Alright.

See you tomorrow, 8:00 a.m.

Full gear.

[dramatic music playing]

Come on, Mike.

[grunting]

[music intensifies]

Come on.

[grunts]

[player] Alright, move up, move up.

[whistle tweets]

[Mike] Nice move, Jamal!

[grunts]

Keep your head on a swivel, old man.

Hey, man, get off of him!

- You good? You okay? - [Mike groans]

- Doc! - Nice hit!

Whoever that was.

[player] That old man got stones.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Mike panting]

How bad was that?

It's just a stinger, Doc. It's fine, it's fine.

- I'm good. - Take it easy.

[players chattering]

Hey, you ever done 'roids?

[scoffs]

There's a nice question.

No.

Were you a hippie?

What?

Bet you went organic, huh?

A little creatine, deer antler,

little horny goat weed?

Horny goat?

No, man. I never went organic.

Then how are you doing this at your age, man?

At the moment, I got no idea.

At least you're an old-timer

that don't know all the answers.

Hey, uh, what's your name?

- Jeremy. - Jeremy what?

Jeremy Cartwright.

Mike Flynt.

Flynt. Like the stone.

I like that.

Strike a flint, you get a spark, right?

- Something like that. - [chuckles]

Hey, what are you studying here?

Me?

[laughs] Yeah, you.

I'm getting my degree in education.

I want to teach third grade.

Teach third grade?

Uh, not second, not fourth? Third?

Third.

I like that.

Noble.

We need more nobility in football.

Yeah.

[indistinct chatter]

Where's the...

Ah...

Ah, there it is.

Hi, sir. I was wondering if I could discuss my schedule.

Oh, I'm not a-- Uh, I'm a student.

OMG. You're that grandpa

who's on the football team, aren't you?

Well, I haven't made the football team yet.

- Are you Greek? - Irish?

I mean, like, are you in a frat?

- Excuse me. - I'm Professor Gail Davis.

And I hope you know you're in Biochemistry 101.

So let's get into it.

Hey, Mike.

It's one thing to take our positions on the field,

but don't go taking our girls now.

[Davis] ...carbohydrates, the Acetyl-CoA.

Now, brownie points for anybody who can tell me

what the CoA stands for. Any smarties?

[Weston] Get loose. Get loose.

Going to individuals right after this,

so get your minds right.

Ah, come on, old-timer.

Weak little stretch right now.

- Weak little stretch. - Easy now. Easy now.

I'm old. [groans]

What's up, man? You ready for me, Father Time?

- [laughs] - I'll tell you what.

You're out of time, son.

[laughs] We'll see.

- [whistle blows] - [both grunting]

[growls] Got ya.

[grunting]

How about that?

How about what?

- How about that. - [Mike grunting]

[grunting continues]

He's like a 59-year-old Rudy.

[yells]

[grunting]

- That's it. Last one. - That's it.

Wait, o-one more.

[grunts]

- [yells] - Come on, Mike.

Making us look bad. It ain't a contest.

- Nice effort, Flynt. - [exhales]

Contest? Yeah. Contest.

We're gonna do a contest.

- Contest! Alright? - [men clamor]

Alright, now I want three benches

lined up right here.

Three of you are gonna lift these 45-pound plates

- 'til the last man quits. - Yeah.

- Alright? - Done and done.

- Flynt? - [inhales deeply]

Of course.

- What? What'd you say? - [loud exhale]

Haven't used it all up, Coach. Let's go!

- Alright, let's go. - [men cheer]

Hey, I'm rootin' for you, Mike.

Somebody better.

Alright, now, get set...

and on Coach Clay's whistle...

- [whistle blows] - [men shouting, cheering]

Yeah! Come on, come on, come on!

[huffing]

Come on! Come on!

[cheering continues]

Come on, Mike! You got 'em! Come on, come on, come on!

Keep going! Keep going, Mike!

Don't you stop! Mike, come on!

You got it! You got it!

Let's go. You got this. Let's go!

You got it! You got it! He stopped. Mike, come on!

- Only got one left. - Let's go!

- Let's go, Mike! Let's go! - Mike!

[men chanting "Mike!"]

Mr. Flynt! Mr. Flynt!

[men chanting "Mike!"]

[grunting]

- [men chanting "Mike!"] - [music builds]

[grunting]

[loud exhale]

[cheering]

From now on,

this exercise will be known as the...

- Mike Flynt! - [loud cheering]

[men chanting "Mike!"]

No, no, no, no, Mike.

You-you good, man.

You made the team 40 years ago!

- [crosstalk] - Forty years ago?

Whoa, hey. So I found the 1970 yearbook

in the library, and you know what it said?

Said Mr. Flynt made 24 tackles in one game.

How many times do I have to tell ya,

don't call me Mr. Flynt.

- Uh-- - Call me Mike.

Wait. Hang on. Are you serious?

It's true. And I thought I was balling with 12 tackles.

Yeah, you could make 24 tackles.

Pfft. In my dreams, maybe.

Well, it starts with dreaming.

Like every week I would daydream

about the next game and play this movie

over and over again in my head.

I'd like, just sack the quarterback

and stuff him for a loss. You know?

- Yeah. - Time we got to the real game,

I'd already won a dozen games

in my mind's eye. You get me?

That's like Phil Jackson's Sacred Hoops.

- That's right, exactly. - Bruce Lee.

- Ooh, Enter the Linebacker. - Exactly.

Zen and the Art of Ass-kicking,

starring my man, Mike Flynt. You know what I'm saying?

- Killing me, man. - [laughter]

You know what?

Maybe I can make 24.

- Hey. - [Mike] Hey.

Since you're daydreaming,

you might as well make it 25.

[sentimental music playing]

- [music fades] - [breathing heavily]

Hey, son. Hey, listen.

This is the bad part of my job and I hate doing it,

but I'm gonna have to wind up cutting you.

Okay? It's not gonna work out this year.

Go back, work on the fundamentals.

I'll see you next year, okay? See you next year.

Alright? We're gonna gather up. Alright?

- [whistle blows] - Gather up!

[player] Alright? Come on, come on.

Circle up. Circle up. Okay?

Alright then. Coach Clay, how many we got left?

[Clay] Fifty-four, Coach.

That's it, boys. You made it. This is your team.

- Yeah! - Congratulations.

- Alright. - Yeah.

Does this mean I made it?

Yeah, it means you made it, Mike.

- You did it, Mike. - Yeah. You got this, man!

- Congratulations! - Hey, Coach.

Does this mean I made the team?

See, this is why you never graduated in the first place.

You don't listen.

Oh, thank you, Coach!

I promise you, I will not let you down.

- Okay. Alright. - [hopeful music playing]

Hey, look at that, huh?

Ahora tú eres mi carnal, Mr. Flynt!

Well, thank you very much, I think.

You got heart, Flynt.

- Thanks, Captain. - You bet.

I appreciate you.

- Hey! - Hey, Jeremy, man.

- Hey, man. - Ah!

- [men chattering happily] - [music swells]

I'm sorry, man.

- Congratulations. - Thanks.

You're a great story.

[soft dramatic music playing]

Ta-da! [chuckles]

[laughs]

Well, congratulations.

- Oh, you made it! - [both laughing]

What's going on?

Well, allow me the privilege

of worrying about a husband who's gonna fight semi-trucks

- every Saturday. - Come on.

Can I just have this one moment?

Just this one moment.

Like I said, congratulations.

Well, DeLanie and Lily called.

Uh, our grandson asked

if I could knock someone's head off.

Uh-huh. What about Micah?

Ah, Micah, I don't get.

Well, he's worried about you.

So he expresses that by not communicating?

- I don't buy that. - Maybe he thinks silence

is the only way to reach you now.

Hey.

It's good. Good. [exhales]

Football is a contact sport.

No, ma'am. Football is a collision sport.

- That makes me feel better. - Dance. Dance...

- is a contact sport. - Ah.

What do you think you're doing?

I'm just making my move, woman.

[chuckles]

- I swear, you're so beautiful. - [news intro playing]

We've all heard stories about retirees going back to school

and getting their diplomas, but have you ever heard

of a 59-year-old guy going back to college

and signing up for the football team?

[reporter 2] For Mike Flynt, number 49,

age is just a number.

...a Texas grandfather who's tearing up

the competition, and it's no pickup game.

It's in NCAA football.

Mike Flynt asked himself that question

for 36 years,

and now he has finally decided

- to do something about it. - Go, Mike.

For 59-year-old grandfather Mike Flynt,

it's a dream that never died.

- He's 59? - 59?

Jeez, man. He's older than my dad.

One more rep. The only way we get beat

out on that field

is if you beat yourself in here.

You get out what you put in.

One more rep.

Don't quit.

That's what I'm talking about, Flynt.

Come on, Fern-man, you got this!

- [whistle blows] - Let's go!

- [grunting] - [cheering]

Next two, next two. Let's go!

Hey, Fernie.

You're as strong as a bull, man,

but you're hitting too high.

Eyes through the thighs,

wrap and squeeze, drive for five.

You can tackle a T-Rex like that, man.

Technique. Technique instead of strength.

Technique and strength. Got it?

Let me see if I can take my own advice.

Thanks, Mr. Flynt.

- Mike! - Let's go. Mike, let's go!

Let's go. Let's go. Alright!

- Get in there! - Here we go. Here we go.

- Here we go. Here we go. - [shouting continues]

[whistle blows]

- [loud thud] - [cheering]

Yeah, baby! That's what I'm talking about!

That's what I'm talking about.

Let's go. Next two. Next two.

- [grunting] - [clamoring]

Nice hit! That's how to do it.

- Let's go. Next group! - Whoo!

Ah, that's me. That's me. That's me. Let's go.

[clamoring]

[tense music playing]

- He's mine. - Take him out, Stanton!

- Oh, it's on now! - [breathing heavily]

Come on!

- Go! - [whistle blows]

- [loud thud] - [grunting]

- [whooping, cheering] - [groaning]

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Don't bring it up in here, old man!

- Let's go, guys! Go! - [whistle blowing]

Alright, listen up. O-line's gonna see

a lot of pressure on Saturday so we're going blitz pickup.

Let's get on the line.

Watch 33. Punch the gap on two.

[chuckles] Gramps is mine.

- Ready! Blue 32! - Coming for you, old man.

- Set, go! - [grunting]

- [yells, grunts] - [whistle blows]

- [grunts] - Sorry about that, Cap.

- You're good. - Alright, nice.

- Good job, Flynt. - Next time, Stanton.

- You better shut up right now. - Hey, focus. Listen to me.

You're gonna get Kyle killed playing like that.

Keep your head on a swivel. Get in there.

Field, rip, smack. Field, rip, smack. Ready?

Break!

- Ready. - [hands clap]

Flynt. Switch side with Jones.

- Go to the Will. Let's go. - Yes, Coach.

- Go, Flynt. - [grunts]

[tense music builds]

Ready?

Red 88. Red 88.

Set, go!

[grunting]

- [loud thud] - [grunting]

- [whistle blows] - Whoo! Nice hit, Flynt!

- [groans] - That was next time, huh?!

- [groans] - Yo, Money Mike.

- You alright, Mike? - Flynt, you okay?

- Mike, come on, man. - Is he okay?

There you go, Mike. Come on.

- Come on, man up. - [groaning]

- Flynt? - Yeah, I'm fine, Coach.

Don't look like it. Go see Doc.

That was a cheap shot, Stanton.

- You bush league punk-- - Now, Mike. Go!

[Stanton] You're not so tough now.

[sighs, groans]

[Coach] And you hit the showers!

- [breathing heavily] - Out of my face!

[whistle blows]

No, no.

[sighs deeply]

[sighs]

[machine whirring]

Ah, I got one question.

Uh...

how am I gonna hold my... my wife's hand if I'm in there?

- Here we go. - You'll be alright.

- Love you. - [whirring]

[clicking, whirring]

[Dr. Mehta] You've got severely bulging discs.

The C6 and C7.

Rupture those, and you might suffer

permanent spinal cord injury.

I'm not clearing you to play until you've got full strength

and range of motion in your neck,

shoulder, arms, and chest.

[Micah] Dad, this is exactly what I was talking about.

Come on, Micah. Stop being such a worrywart.

I'm-I'm following the doctor's orders--

Really? Since when do you follow anyone's orders?

Dad, it's-it's time to let it go.

Just stop it already, please.

- I can't. - So what?

Me, Lily, Lanie, Mom,

we just-- we don't matter?

I hope you enjoy playing your game, Dad.

[line disconnects]

[sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, nice sweatpants, Flynt.

Hides your diaper nicely.

Oh, I am so sick of this dude.

Hey, what's your problem with me, Stanton?

You better get outta my face, old man.

- You get outta my face. - How's that busted shoulder?

- [all shouting] - Break it up!

- [yells] - [shouting]

Hey! That's enough!

Get off of me! He's wasting everybody's time, Coach!

You hit the showers.

- Come on. - Hey!

[overlapping shouting]

What are you doing, Mike?

Every man has their limits, Coach.

And you shouldn't be anywhere near yours.

Yeah, I told you. They're still here.

- Yeah. - [engine stops]

[chuckles softly]

You remember?

I do.

- The first game, boys. - Hey! What's up, Mike?

[Mike] I came to wish you boys luck.

- Oh, yeah! - [grunting]

I know you don't need any luck. I know. I know.

Get on the bus. Get on the bus.

Come on. Even you guys. Yeah. Come on.

Hey, Coach.

- Hey, Mike. - Hey, uh...

Decent of you to come by.

Thanks. Can I have a word?

- Sure. - Hey, listen. Uh, uh...

I was wondering if I could go on the bus for a few minutes

and say a few words to the boys.

Why?

Why? Uh, well, 'cause I, you know,

I've been around a lot of football in my day and...

you know, I feel like if I say a few words to the boys,

I could-- I could get 'em--

Yeah. Let's not confuse the boys, Mike, huh?

But I do appreciate you coming by, Mike.

See you on Monday.

First game, let's go! Time to...

[announcer] A packed crowd here

at East Texas Stadium for the season opener.

And with much of the preseason hype

centered around the 59-year-old linebacker

Mike Flynt, today, the Sul Ross Lobos

will have to go without Flynt,

forced to stay home with a neck injury.

- [groans] - Let's get ready to rumble.

Lobo football!

Oh...

Let me help you.

- I have it, honey. Here... - Alright.

[dramatic music playing]

Alright. Would you get it?

[sighs deeply]

[breathing heavily]

[announcer] And you gotta wonder if Coach Sam Weston

is feeling the pressure,

as the Lobos lose another heartbreaker,

23 to 21.

Honey, can I help you?

Yeah, yeah. Just lift it a little bit.

- Just a little. - From underneath?

- Yeah. Yeah. - Okay. Just like that?

- Yeah. - That's good.

- Keep going. - Yeah? That's it.

Look at that.

[groans in pain] No! No!

- No! - [sighs]

- Ah! - [huffs]

Oh!

Doctor says it's real simple.

If I can't lift a football over my head,

I can't play.

Yeah. So...

- what if you can't play? - Well, then all this...

All this is for nothing.

Nothing matters if I can't be out there with my team.

Honey, you don't have to do this, you know?

You don't have to prove anything, to me.

[Eileen sighs]

- We're your team too. Remember? - Of course, I know that.

And besides, you're supposed to be thinking about retiring.

I don't think you wanna do that

paralyzed and in a wheelchair.

I'm not gonna get paralyzed.

Mike, you're a linebacker.

You can't promise me that.

Honey.

- It's just a game. - It's more than that!

[dramatic music playing]

It's a whole lot more than that.

[dramatic music playing]

[groans]

- [Doc] Pull. There you go. - [groans] Gah.

[Doc] Slow and steady.

- Yes, sir. - Alright.

[shouting, cheering]

[crowd groans]

[indistinct chatter]

- [car door opens, closes] - [indistinct chatter, laughter]

- You alright with this? - Yeah, I got it.

Look, I think I can drive myself tomorrow, man.

Are you sure? You know doctor with the arm, man.

Nah, thanks. See you tomorrow.

- Sure? - Yeah, yeah, yeah.

- [Jeremy laughs] - Hey, Micah!

- Hey, Dad. - [Eileen] How you feelin'?

Uh, better.

- [car engine starts] - Yeah?

- Glad you're here. - Yeah.

Uh, hey, you know what? I could use your help.

Okay. Hey, let me get that.

- Yeah. I got it. Yeah. - Thanks.

[Micah] Alright. Look, the cycle harnesses

the available chemical energy of acetyl coenzyme A

into the reducing power

of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.

In the end, it's that simple.

- [laughs] - Basically, it's metabolism.

- Amazing. - It's exciting stuff.

- Yeah, I know. - [laughs]

No, it's amazing that you're my son.

Where you get the talent for this is not from me.

[chuckles]

Alright. Uh...

Let's take a break. Yeah?

Uh-oh... [clears throat] Let me guess,

the girls have pulled out the heavy artillery.

Look, Micah, I'm...

I'm being careful. I'm going slow.

You shouldn't be going at all after a neck injury.

Come on, at your age?

Seriously. What, what happens, God forbid you go out there

and you end up in a wheelchair?

Son, you gotta trust me.

What, like, you're on some kind of quest?

Like you're some kind of hero?

Look, I-I...

I-I just, I feel like I could...

make an impact with these boys,

these-these kids, that I could ne--

[soft, solemn music playing]

Yeah.

Okay.

I get it.

Look...

you've always been really good at giving advice,

not so good at getting it, and I think that is a virtue

you need to pick up on real fast.

[sighs]

- [dog barking distantly] - [birds chirping]

[sighs]

Keep your hands up. Pop!

I don't wanna see you cry. Don't flinch.

[sentimental music playing]

[woman] Hey, honey.

Hey, Mom.

Hey, lookie there.

[chuckles]

Oh.

He loved that scrapbook.

I... I had no idea he had...

- I found this. - Mmm.

That was his.

Dad had a Bible?

- Mm-hmm. He did. - [scoffs]

Finally got to him, huh?

Found a lot to help him in here.

[pages rustle]

It was tough watching you two, those last few years.

He wanted to talk to you, you know, wanted it...

more than practically anything.

Yeah, well...

he sure had a funny way of showing it.

I don't want for Eileen to be standing

where I am one day,

hearing all that silence and regret

when there should be love.

I'll see you inside.

[Mike's dad] Let me see that left hook. Come on, Mike!

- [loud thudding] - [grunting]

- [grunts] - [yells, grunts]

- [yelling] - You're a runt, Mike.

- A little runt. - [grunts]

[Mike] Come on, son. Man up.

- Take a few shots. - I want you to hit me, Mike.

[grunting]

[Mike's dad] Let me see that left hook. Come on, Mike!

Turns out, you're still just a runt.

You wanna play football like your daddy, right?

- Yes, Dad. - Come on, Micah!

You can do better than that.

- I can't. - Don't quit on me!

- Come on. - Hit me.

- Hit me. Tougher. - I can't.

Come on, you got it. Hit me harder.

Keep going. Come on.

Get mean, Micah. Don't quit on me.

[Micah] Something happened to my dad on that day.

[line rings]

Hey there. This is Micah Flynt.

I'm not around. Please leave a word.

- [beeps] - [Mike] Hey, hoss man.

Uh, it's Dad, uh...

I was just thinking about you and I wanted to say hi.

Hope to hear from you.

[Micah] Maybe it was seeing

his father's prayer for forgiveness.

- Or maybe... - [grunts]

...it was realizing that he had become his father.

[coach] Whip right, X42, drive.

- Got it? Alright, go. - Got it.

[Micah] Either way...

- Let's go! - ...at 59 years old,

it's not every day that you get

a second chance at life.

- [Mike] That's it, Jeremy! - [both yell]

- [indistinct shouting] - Whoo-hoo!

Gotta let the kids score every now and then

'cause it's good for their self-esteem.

- Man, shut up. - That's real generous. Right?

- You know what you doing. - [laughter]

[Micah] And Mike Flynt,

well, he wasn't about to waste it.

- [hopeful music playing] - [panting]

- Dig, dig, dig, dig. - Look at that, huh?

- Yup. - I'm gettin' it.

They ain't ready for this comeback.

[Mike grunting]

[music swells]

Yeah! [grunting]

[huffing]

[sighs] Yeah.

Yeah!

Yeah!

[tense music playing]

[players] One, two, three, four!

[grunts]

You remember what the doctor said. No contact.

We're gonna put you through a few drills to evaluate you.

- Yes, sir. - Go get 'em, hoss.

- Hey! What's up, old-timer? - Hey.

[chuckles] Hey, look, Mike's back!

[all cheer]

You the man, Mike!

Set. Go.

- [whistle tweets] - [grunts]

Ball. Nice.

Dig, Mike. Dig, dig, dig.

Come on, come on, come on! Yeah!

[grunting]

- Heavy hands. - [grunts]

- Yeah. - [grunts]

[hopeful music continues]

You okay?

Sure. [chuckles]

I can't tell which is better,

the pain or the numbness.

You know, uh, nobody here will think any less of you

if you take it a bit easy.

Don't you start with me, Jeremy.

Hey, I'm just giving you some love.

Aw, you poor baby.

Washed-up has-been.

[Jeremy] Hey!

Disrespect Mike again,

I'll rip your arm off and I'll beat your ass with it.

- Is that right? - Yeah.

- Yeah? - That's right.

[Weston] That's it for the day. Hit the showers!

- Be seeing you. - It's alright, Mike.

Flynt.

Yes, Coach?

What-what is this beef between you and Stanton, anyway?

It's nothing, Coach.

It's for us to resolve.

Okay. Well, how you feelin'?

- I'm great. - Yeah. Hey.

I'm giving you the green light, Flynt.

Not to play,

but to travel with us in full uniform.

Thank you, Coach.

Yeah. Alright.

Alright. Get outta here.

- [thunder rumbles] - [whistle blows]

I thought about what you asked me the other day,

and you know, I think...

the greatest football movie ever?

It's The Longest Yard.

- Good one. Great one. - Yeah.

But you gotta check out

North Dallas Forty.

- North Dallas Forty? - Yeah.

I'll give it a try, bro. I don't know, man.

The Longest Yard... [chuckles]

- ...that cracks me up, man. - Yeah.

Adam Sandler, man. He the man.

Adam Sandler? He wasn't even born

when that movie was made.

Burt Reynolds starred in that movie.

- He's the man. - We need a trainer!

- Doc! Get over here! - It's Jamal!

- Jamal! - Trainer!

- Jamal! - [panicked crying]

- Hey, hey, hey. Listen. - Everybody, real slow.

- You good? - Real slow.

- Answer Doc's question. - [crying]

[thunder crashing]

[Jeremy speaks indistinctly]

Ain't that crazy? But with you out the game,

- guess who's gotta be the hero. - [Mike laughs]

- Hey, Mike. - Hey. Hey, champ.

Let's see if you can make this man smile.

[Mike] Uh-oh.

What's up?

I'm sorry y'all came all the way out here.

Aw.

Mike, you know what they told me, man?

They said I might never play football again.

[somber music playing]

I'm the first in my family to go to college.

I'm supposed to go pro.

[exhales] Well, you better go pro

'cause you ain't making it as a rapper.

Yeah, I'll be taking over that too.

[laughter]

Hey, Jamal.

Listen, going pro is a long shot for anyone,

but no one knows whether you're gonna get out

on that field again but you.

You work hard,

you'll get out there again.

But how do you know that?

Ever met a linebacker my age?

I'm back on the field.

And when you get out of here,

I expect you to be out there rooting for me, right?

That first tackle, it's gonna be for you.

I pity the fool that go against you, Mike.

- [intense music playing] - [players yelling]

[announcer] And here come the Lobos,

and with them is 59-year-old linebacker Mike Flynt,

who has yet to make an appearance this year,

but is dressed and finally cleared to play,

which is likely why this sold-out crowd

is on their feet,

hoping that today will be the day.

Let's go, boys! Hey, Kyle. You got this, man.

[announcer] Braddick. Shotgun snap. Drops back.

- [grunts] - Hey!

- Oof. - Incomplete.

That's pass interference.

It's way early.

What the-- [yells]

Hey! Jeremy.

[announcer] Jeremy Cartwright is not happy.

- That's enough. - No flag on the play.

He's looking for an interference call.

Hey. Come on, Jeremy.

- Mike! Mike! - Come on now. I know.

What is wrong with these guys?

[announcer] ...looking for anything on offense.

Braddick under center. He drops back.

Gets flushed to his left, sets his feet.

Yeah, that's it! Good--

Oh! Ref, come on! Throw the flag!

- That looked late to me. - Come on, Ref!

- You didn't see that? - Refs, open your eyes!

Stevie Wonder could've seen that!

[announcer] The Lobos sideline not happy.

- No flag on the play. - The play was dead!

Hut! Go!

Go, Jeremy. Go, Jeremy.

[announcer] He hurdles a player.

Makes room to the side. Oh!

- Oh my! - [groans]

That has got be a personal foul.

What is going on?

You're not calling that?

Are you kidding me right now?

Come on now! He's three yards out of bounds--

[announcer] Mike Flynt has gone on the field

- arguing for his teammate. - [crowd chanting] We want Mike!

We want Mike!

We want Mike!

We want Mike!

[announcer] We're starting to hear from the stands...

- We want Mike! - ...calling for Mike Flynt

to get into the game.

[crowd] We want Mike! We want Mike!

[Weston] That was embarrassing! I'll see y'all tomorrow,

Sunday, 6:00 a.m. for doubles.

And bring your running shoes

'cause they are getting a workout.

Hey, Coach.

Mrs. Flynt.

The name's Eileen.

Eileen.

Tough game.

Yeah.

You should've played him today.

You know what?

When I go in to have my patience tested,

the results are always negative.

That's funny.

Yeah. I'll be here all week.

Have a good night, Mrs. Flynt.

- [car door slams] - [engine starts]

What was that all about?

I'm fine, thank you. How are you?

Just get in the car, Eileen.

Pardon me?

I said get in the car.

Let's go.

Oh, no.

You can talk to the refs that way. Not me.

Come on, Eileen. I'm just not in the mood.

Oh, really?

Well, I'm not getting in the car with you

when you're like that.

Fine, then you drive yourself home.

[dramatic music playing]

Really?

[engine starts]

You're just gonna go?

- [annoyed grunt] - [tires screech]

Eileen!

[sighs]

Mike...

Stupid hothead.

- Hey. - Hey.

Hey.

They should have played you tonight, Mike.

Yeah.

[dramatic music playing]

Thanks for the ride, Jeremy.

I was proud of you today.

- Thanks. Have a good night. - Yeah.

[door handle jangles]

Eileen?

[sighs]

[vehicle approaching]

[Mike exhales]

[keys unlocking door]

[door creaks open]

[Eileen scoffs]

Yeah, they finally came.

For the game.

Wanted to surprise you.

I'm sorry I yelled at you.

Thank you.

Honestly, Eileen--

You never once asked me if this lunatic mission

you're on was okay with me.

- Of course, I did. - No, that is a load of bull!

You made a decision. You're good at that.

You made a decision and we all have to follow you

no matter what the ramifications.

- And they can be pretty severe. - [sighs]

- I'm sorry, babe. - No, listen.

Listen to me.

Because, believe it or not, tonight, I almost left you.

I got in that truck and I just drove.

Then I thought about it, and I'm a West Texas girl.

I don't turn tail, so I came back. [chuckles]

Because I made a decision of my own.

I'm with you on this.

I know why you have to do this

and if Coach puts you in that game,

and we both know that's a big if, I'm with you

with all my heart and sincerity.

On three conditions.

[sighs] First:

you don't ever make a decision

that affects all of us without asking me,

not telling, asking me first.

And two: you continue to suit up

and pray to God that you finish this season

because if you don't, you are not gonna be able

to live with yourself and then none of us can.

And the third?

Promise me...

you promise me... [sighs]

...that you're not gonna do anything out on that field

that you are not certain that you can do.

What? I can do it all.

- No, you cannot do it all. - I swear I can.

You cannot, you stubborn old man.

Now promise me.

Because that...

I believe in.

Your promises.

[solemn music playing]

I promise.

Oh, good, Mike. You're still here. Thank you.

Sorry I'm late. No, no. Sit.

I was at the chancellor's office.

It seems that Fernie is, uh, failing philosophy.

Yeah, a class that I think even Plato would agree

he, uh, does not need and should not have taken.

Uh... But you, how are you feelin'?

- Great. - Mm-hmm.

You'd say that even if you weren't.

[laughs]

Now, Mike, you know Kevin Everett, right?

Tight end for the Bills.

That's right. For the Bills. Yeah.

And did you see that game?

I did, sir.

He fractured his spine right on that field.

Laying there, only thing he could move was his eyeballs.

Mike...

if something were to happen to you, if you got hurt,

it would destroy every soul on this team forever.

You know that. They'd never be the same.

[clears throat] And it would destroy mine as well.

[dramatic music playing]

Yes, sir.

There's one game left in the season, Mike.

So, tell me, what can you do?

Uh...

I can be your blocking back for your field goal team.

Last game you had two field goals blocked.

No one's gonna run over me. I guarantee you that.

Hmm.

Okay.

Okay?

[Eileen] Brought your water bottle.

[exhales] Thanks, darlin'.

What's this?

I didn't know your daddy had a Bible.

Mama gave it to me the last time I was there.

Who would've thought, huh?

[Mike grunts]

[lawnmower rumbles]

Micah?

Micah!

Mom, what... what happened?

No, nothing. Nothing happened.

I just wanted to come ask you for a favor.

I know that you and your father haven't spoken in some time

and the trainers have cleared him to play tomorrow

and I think you should be at the game and watch.

I don't wanna watch him break his neck.

He won't. [chuckles]

- He made me a promise. - A promise?

Mm-hmm.

The Mike Flynt Reunion Tour, it's...

might be the most selfish thing I've ever seen.

No, it isn't about him being selfish, honey, it's...

It's about regret.

Regret for what?

About all sorts of things, Micah.

Him and his dad.

- Him and football. - Mm.

Him and you.

He has a chance to redo his senior year

and it's a chance to let go of that regret,

and maybe if he lets go of that regret,

he'll start to be able to let go of the other ones.

He wants to be a better man.

Better father most of all.

I'm 27 years old.

It's a little late. [scoffs]

And he wants me to forgive him

for being the father he's always been now?

I know, I get that.

And I do not blame you for being frustrated.

He's never said sorry to me,

not once, about anything.

- He wasn't brought up that way. - Yeah, neither--

Neither was I.

[somber music playing]

This game tomorrow,

it's a second chance, Micah.

I just think it would mean a lot to him.

He's my father.

It's not my job to heal him of his sins.

Fifty-nine-year-old Mike Flynt made national headlines

walking on the team at Sul Ross State in Alpine, Texas.

A quest that began some 35 years ago ends

in the season finale on Senior Day.

Mike, how does it feel to be back on the gridiron?

It's a dream, a dream I've had for a long time.

Now, almost four decades later, the Division III college

and the current head coach are giving him another chance.

[reporter] The question the entire nation

is asking themselves,

is tonight the night

that Mike Flynt will finally get a chance

to secure his name in the history books?

[announcer] It's a beautiful night here at Jackson Field,

the final game of the season where the Sul Ross Lobos,

5-5, take on their rivals,

the 10-0 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs.

It's a sold-out crowd

where everyone has come to see Mike Flynt,

the 59-year-old linebacker

who has been plagued with injuries all season.

[game announcer] And now the 2007 Sul Ross Lobos.

[announcer] And if Mike Flynt plays tonight,

he will be the oldest college football player

to ever step on the gridiron.

Buckle your seat belts. This should be a good one.

[whistle blows]

5:43 left in the first quarter.

Tight left. [indistinct] Ready!

[announcer] Still 0-0.

The Lobos offense backed up again,

deep in their own territory.

Watch that tight. Watch that tight.

Come on now, Cap! Here you go, Kyle!

[announcer] Kyle Braddick under center.

Green 18.

[announcer] That Bulldogs defense shifting.

Ooh! Big hit! And Willie Simmons...

It's alright, Kyle!

[announcer] ...with a huge hit on Braddick,

his third sack of the night.

The Bulldogs' All-American linebacker.

Let's go!

It's alright! It's alright!

[announcer] That will bring up a big third down

and long.

Braddick, back under center.

Gonna send a man over in motion.

Left side, drops back.

From the center...

Picked off. That's Reefer, free safety for the Bulldogs.

Down near the sideline, cuts back at the 10,

into the end zone.

Touchdown, Texas Lutheran.

Just like that, the Bulldogs

get on the board first with a pick six.

Braddick was looking for Jeremy Cartwright

who is five catches away

from the school record of 80 receptions.

Easier said than done going against this Bulldog defense.

[suspenseful music playing]

1:45 left to go in the first half.

Bulldogs still up 7-0.

And if this Lobo offense

can't find a way to score or get into field goal territory,

this sold-out crowd may not get to see Mike Flynt

get into the final game of the season.

You got this, men. Let's go.

[announcer] Here's the snap.

Jeremy Cartwright, he makes a move inside.

Ball! Ball! Ball! Ball!

[announcer] It's loose! Scramble for the ball.

[clamoring]

That's Lobos'! That's Lobos'!

That's Lobos' ball! That's Lobos' ball! Lobos!

[announcer] The Bulldogs have it!

[disappointed groans]

[announcer] With 1:25 left in the first half,

you've gotta wonder, is time running out

for Mike Flynt and this Lobo team?

Is that ball broken? You don't like it? Forget it.

Get out of my sight. Get out of my sight.

Hey, we're still in this! We're still in this!

[announcer] 1:25 to go in the first half.

You get the feeling that Hot Rod Harrison

won't waste this opportunity.

Shotgun snap. Harrison looking down the middle.

Caught at the 25.

Inside the 20. Down to the Lobos' 18-yard line.

Harrison's gonna hurry up to the line of scrimmage,

working with three wide receivers.

24. Watch 33! Watch 33!

- Cover two, cover two. - Fernie Acosta trying

desperately to get his Lobo defense lined up.

Harrison has been all over the field tonight.

Quarterback draw. Up the middle.

Gets one block. Spinning at the ten.

Leaping at the five.

Into the end zone.

Touchdown, Bulldogs.

- Hot Rod Harrison. - Oh man!

[announcer] And that will end the first half.

The Texas Lutheran Bulldogs dominating, up 14-0.

And after a journey that has taken nearly 30 years,

the senior, Mike Flynt, finds himself

with only one half a football left

before the clock strikes midnight.

Hey, Flynt.

Listen, uh, I'm gonna need your help.

Alright? Just follow my lead.

- Yes, sir. - Alright.

[sighs]

Y'all just quit on me!

In front of the entire country, you quit!

It is the final game of the season,

the last game some of you will ever play!

Are you gonna play this game or are you gonna lay down and die?

Hm?

Let me know what you decide

'cause I am leaving here until you figure it out.

Coaches, let's go.

[locker door opens]

[indistinct chatter]

[coach] Leave these boys to it.

[door slams]

You know...

Damn it, guys, I feel beat up.

I've spent the last few months

just getting the crap kicked out of me.

Sometimes-- No, not sometimes, pretty much all the time,

I just wanna say I'm done.

I'm done with the pain.

I'm done with the achin' bones.

I'm done with the torn muscles.

But you know,

every day, there's this five-minute span of time

where I tell myself it's worth it.

It's worth it.

And it's in that five minutes I remember why I came back here.

It has nothing to do with ego, boys.

It has nothing to do with how badly I botched

my senior season back in 1971,

which, by the way, was so long ago,

your parents were young enough to be watching Big Bird on PBS.

[laughter]

That five minutes is about this right here.

Us, a team.

I came back here to be on a team

because there ain't nothing better than being on a team.

[group murmurs]

[Mike] I came back here

to be with you all before I even knew who you all were.

I came back to cheer for you, Jeremy,

when you make your 80th catch of the season for a TD

which you have yet to do but you will do

when you get back out there tonight.

[gentle, hopeful music playing]

I came here to see you make those 25 tackles, Fern-man.

- Huh? - Yes, sir.

I came to look you in the face, Kyle,

and wonder how a man who gets sacked so often

can still look so pretty.

[laughter]

I even came back for you, Stanton.

Because five, ten, 20 years from now,

you're gonna forget any beef you and I had between us

but what you will remember is that we fought side by side.

There's one thing that I've learned

in my sometimes glorious, sometimes miserable life,

and that's... [chokes up]

[inspirational music building]

...we're not defined by our successes.

We're defined by our regrets.

And I've had a ton of them.

As a teammate,

as a husband,

as a dad.

Hell, you boys,

you're too young to have any regrets yet,

ones that really matter anyway.

So don't let tonight be that first regret.

Don't let tonight be the night that you regret

for not being there for your brothers.

[teammates murmur in agreement]

When I come back in this locker room,

after the game, I will be an empty shell,

because my very soul, my spirit,

will be left on that field.

Now, forget about making this a game

that we'll always remember.

Let's make this a game they'll always remember.

[cheering and applause]

Let's make this game their regret.

[cheering]

- Okay, let's go! Let's go! - [cheering]

Hey yo!

They're gonna know our name. They're gonna feel our pain.

'Cause that's the name of the game.

That's the price of fame.

We're here to make war, not settle the score.

So we're gonna do it for Mike

and we're gonna do it tonight!

They're gonna know our name!

They're gonna feel our pain!

[all chanting] They're gonna know our name!

They're gonna feel our pain!

They're gonna know our name!

They're gonna feel our pain!

We're doing it for the old man!

[cheering]

[crowd cheering]

[dramatic music playing]

[cheering]

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

- You ready for this, old man? - I'm ready.

- Watch this. - I'm watching you.

- Let's go! Come on! - Go, J!

You need an invitation? Go!

[announcer] Bulldogs set to kick off.

Jeremy Cartwright takes it at the goal line.

He's at the five. Gets a block.

He's at the 10. To the 15!

To the 20!

Go, Jeremy, go!

[announcer] To the 30!

Jeremy Cartwright

returns the opening second half kickoff!

A hundred yards!

Are you kidding me?

- Know my name! - PAT! PAT!

[announcer] And looking towards the sideline,

- this might be it. - Hey!

That's you, Flynt.

Come on. This is your time. Go, go, go!

[announcer] Yup. Here he comes. Mike Flynt.

And everybody's on their feet here tonight.

[chanting] Mike! Mike! Mike!

This is all for you, Mike!

[announcer] The 59-year-old linebacker

who sacrificed so much to get here.

Now my being here finally means something.

It already has, brother. It already has.

You go!

[uplifting music playing]

[Mike] Here we go!

[announcer] Mike Flynt,

who's battled injuries all season,

is gonna be the oldest football player

- to ever step on the gridiron. - [whistle blows]

Nice of you to join us.

Thought maybe you'd change your mind.

Not a chance.

[babbling]

Mike, do not let him inside.

I'm coming for you, old man. You best dig in

or get out the way.

[announcer] The Lobos have struggled protecting

this year. They've had two field goals blocked.

[grunting]

[announcer] Kick is up.

And good!

It's seven on the board for the Lobos.

14-7 is the ballgame.

Nice hit, kid.

[announcer] Mike Flynt going toe-to-toe

with Bulldogs' All-Conference linebacker Willie Simmons.

Thirty years later and this guy is still all fight.

And all of a sudden, folks, we got ourselves a ballgame.

Out route on the play. Big hit by the Lobos!

Here's Braddick, back in the pocket, throwing right.

- [grunts] - Sacked one more time!

I'm here all day!

[announcer] Big drop by Braddick, into the end zone.

Incomplete! And nobody can put points on the board.

Braddick in the red zone, crossing route.

Caught. Run out of bounds.

- Beautiful! - Yeah!

[announcer] Despite the Lobos

putting seven on the board,

it's a defensive struggle.

Nobody giving an inch.

[indistinct cheering]

[crowd cheering]

[announcer] Braddick again in the pocket.

He's taken to the turf. Oh! Did you see that?

How is Braddick getting up from these hits tonight?

Keep going!

It's alright, Cappy! You got it!

[announcer] Two heavyweights going at it here tonight.

Nobody giving an inch.

The Bulldogs back to work on offense.

Trying a specialty play, reverse near side--

Oh! Big hit by the Lobos!

- Alright! Now we're rolling! - That's it!

Yeah! We're in this! We're in this!

[announcer] Lobos put seven on the board

but they still trail by seven.

It's 14-7 Bulldogs in this physical football game.

Blown up on the play!

[whistle blows]

The Lobos hit them in the backfield.

[Mike] Chains. Let's go.

[announcer] They're gonna bring the chains out.

I don't think he's got it.

[announcer] Could be a fourth down and...

- Yeah, he's short. - Bulldogs are just short.

They've got a big decision to make here.

And look who's coming on the field.

Quarterback Hot Rod Harrison.

Back on the field. Bulldogs are gonna go for it.

Oh! You've got to be kidding me.

Five-two stack.

Hey, hey. Fern-man. Fern-man.

Listen, this guy's hard to bring down.

You gotta wrap him up around the legs,

drive until he goes down. Got it?

- Yes, sir. - Hey, believe it.

Yes, sir.

[announcer] If the Bulldogs pick up the first down here,

they will run out the clock and take away any hope

of a Lobos winning season.

Everything we trained for right here.

Five-two stack. Five-two stack. Ready?

[announcer] Well, this is it. Fourth down and inches.

Harrison breaks the huddle

and brings his offense to the line.

You gotta believe the Bulldogs will look

to their All-Conference quarterback

to pick up this first down.

Let's go, Fern-man! You got this!

[announcer] If the Lobos defense

can hold the Bulldogs here,

the Sul Ross offense will get the ball back...

[chanting] Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!

[announcer] ...with great field position

and time left on the clock.

[indistinct shouting]

[announcer] Shotgun formation. Here's the snap.

Harrison on the fake. He's gonna keep it.

Heads for the line.

Oh my gosh, what a hit!

Fernie Acosta with the biggest stop of his life

has just given the Sul Ross Lobos a second chance.

[inspirational music playing]

[Weston] Let's go!

Here we go, Lobos!

Let's go, offense! Let's go!

[announcer] Fifteen seconds left on the clock.

Lobos with a second chance, now in scoring position.

Hey, Jeremy, make sure you get out of bounds.

[announcer] Time enough for two,

maybe three plays if they're lucky.

No room for mistakes here.

The Lobos with a chance to tie it up

and to take this game into overtime.

[Mike] This is it!

[announcer] With 15 seconds left

and no timeouts.

Shotgun snap.

Cartwright, trying to get out of bounds.

Doesn't make it!

Let it go! Back on the ball! Back on the ball!

[announcer] And the clock is still ticking.

Ten, nine, eight.

He's trying to get the guys back to the line of scrimmage.

- Come on, Flynt. - Seven! Six!

They need to snap the ball.

Five! Four!

- Here comes the snap. - Come on now! Come on!

[announcer] The Lobos, shotgun snap.

Braddick in the pocket. He's looking right side.

Cartwright, back of the end zone.

[echoes]

[suspenseful music playing]

It's caught! It's caught! Touchdown!

Touchdown, Lobos! Touchdown, Jeremy Cartwright!

And with that touchdown, Jeremy Cartwright

breaks the school record with 80 receptions on the season

and brings the Lobos one point away from tying this game

and sending it into overtime.

You have got to be kidding me!

Field goal unit, let's go!

- Come on, son! Let's go! - Tie this up!

[announcer] Mike Flynt,

the oldest man to play the game.

Alright, boys, here we go.

[announcer] For what might be

the last play of his life.

Alright, all you.

Get one for me, buddy, and then we're tied.

[announcer] The Lobos one point away

from tying or losing their final game of the season.

[player] Long night, ain't it?

[announcer] You can't write it. It's just real life.

[player] Get set! Get set!

Hey, you wanna watch out, Mike!

Call 911! Killin' an old man's a crime!

[announcer] Mike Flynt and this Lobo team

with a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Let's tie this up. Let's put a man on the moon.

- Come on! - Boy, after all this,

all the hits tonight,

all the defense and last-minute score,

it will not matter at all for the Lobos

if they can't knock down this extra point.

Set!

[announcer] It's a bad snap! It's on the ground.

[indistinct shouting]

[announcer] Braddick's got to pick it up.

He's looking for anybody.

Now being flushed out right side.

[commentary mutes]

[tense music playing]

[announcer] Willie Smith is chasing him.

And here comes Mike Flynt!

[grunting]

- Oh my goodness! What a hit! - [cheering]

Mike Flynt, the 59-year-old,

just frees Braddick into the end zone

- for the two-point conversion. - Yeah!

[announcer] The Lobos win!

The Lobos win!

[triumphant music playing]

Yeah, Mike! Yeah!

[announcer] The 59-year-old Mike Flynt

returns to the field and makes a key block

to get the Lobos the win over the Bulldogs.

And what a moment for Mike Flynt and his family,

all in attendance tonight.

What a moment.

You can't write it any better than this.

[crowd cheering]

[crowd chanting "Mike!"]

[team cheering]

Mike! Hey, man.

- That's for you. - Oh. Thanks, Cappy.

Great game, man. It was a close one.

[Kyle] It was!

- [player 1] Good job. - [player 2] Thank you.

- Hey! Fern-man! - Hey, Mike!

I want to introduce you-- Ow!

You call him Mr. Flynt.

I taught you better than that.

- Yes, ma'am. - Perdón.

- Nice game. - [speaking Spanish]

- Oh, there you are! - Hey! [laughs]

- Y'all in one piece? - Baby, when you win,

nothing hurts.

- Hey! - Good job, Dad.

- Oh, darlin'! - Daddy, good job!

Oh, thank you for coming! Hey, Mama.

This is for you.

Oh!

[laughs] Michael!

Your daddy would be so proud of you.

Oh, Mama.

[gentle music playing]

[music intensifies]

I love you, son.

I love you too.

I'm so sorry.

[tender music playing]

[laughs] Good. Hey, let's get on home.

[Micah] At 59 years old,

my dad became the oldest player to ever play the game.

And while he left everything on that field,

this time, he knew what was most important

is what was off of it.

- You got nothin' better? - Really?

[Micah] Show me!

Alright. Alright. Alright! There it is.

[uplifting music playing]

[music fades]

["The Rubberband Man" by The Spinners playing]

[reporter] Thirty-seven years ago, Mike Flynt

was a starting linebacker at Sul Ross State University.

This is Mike Flynt today, 59 years old and a member

of the 2007 Sul Ross football team.

♪ Hand me down my walkin' cane ♪

♪ Hand me down my hat ♪

Oh no.

- Hey man. - Michael.

- What a pleasure, sir. - Nice to see you.

Oh it's so good to meet you.

I still think you're crazy.

♪ Hey, y'all, prepare yourself ♪

♪ For the Rubberband Man... ♪

♪ You'll never heard a sound like the Rubberband Man ♪

♪ You're bound to lose control when the Rubberband starts to jam ♪

Straight up this is one of my favorite stories ever.

My guest is the linebacker for division three Sul Ross State.

I thought he was crazy. Absolutely crazy.

It's been part circus, part county fair, part revival.

Are you kidding me? You know,

but then I started to get excited.

We so appreciate you guys and your talents.

The whole thing has just been the most incredible experience.

It's an honor for us to tell your story.

And when you come on a set you know pretty quickly

whether or not you're working on something special.

- Thank you. - Cheers.

[men chanting] They're gonna know our name!

They're gonna feel our pain!

They're gonna know our name!

They're gonna feel our pain!

♪ Look, my only opponent is in the mirror ♪

♪ I know it's nobody really ♪

♪ I notice me starin' back and I know ♪

♪ It's nobody realer ♪

♪ I'm openin' my potential ♪

♪ Know I gotta deliver ♪

♪ So I take a breath and that whistle blow ♪

♪ Snap the ball and I'm goin' off ♪

♪ And that clock runnin', no time-outs ♪

♪ And I'm tryin' for it, don't care if that sun beam ♪

♪ They call me Icarus 'cause I'm flyin' towards it ♪

♪ My wings stronger, my heart fuller ♪

♪ My blood pumpin', clock tickin' ♪

♪ Crowd screamin' ♪

♪ Everything around me blurry ♪

♪ Runnin' over everything in my jersey ♪

♪ I ain't got time to think, no time to worry ♪

♪ These are the moments I train for ♪

♪ I can lift whatever, I can take whoever ♪

♪ I can run for hours like a hunter-gatherer ♪

♪ Got the competition straight gunnin' for me ♪

♪ Drop the shoulder, I'm runnin' towards 'em ♪

♪ Whole city got eyes on me ♪

♪ I'm just lookin' at the prize only ♪

♪ They gon' know our name, they gon' feel our pain ♪

♪ We gon' let it rain and I promise ♪

♪ I been through everything so I got it ♪

♪ I'm doin' everything that I gotta ♪

♪ They want to bow down, kiss the ring ♪

♪ You been a queen, you still a king ♪

♪ Your spirit broken and it's hard to fix it ♪

♪ When the beast awoken and it's time to witness ♪

♪ Really, life can bring you all kind of missions ♪

♪ Be strong enough to fight all conditions ♪

♪ Show the world, the little boys and girls ♪

♪ You can change your mind, you can change the world ♪

♪ They gon' know our name, they gon' feel our pain ♪

♪ We gon' let it rain and I promise ♪

♪ I been through everything so I got it ♪

♪ I'm doin' everything that I gotta ♪

♪ Yeah, doin' everything in my power ♪

♪ I'm tryin' to retire Mama, tell her the world is ours ♪

♪ I'm startin' to see the future ♪

♪ Vividly, gettin' clearer ♪

♪ My vision, no Nostradamus ♪

♪ So pressure, I won't allow it ♪

♪ Let me be honest, I want this ♪

♪ Gonna be a part of this, moment is larger ♪

♪ Wanna go farther but I feel pressure ♪

♪ All of this stressin', enemy on us ♪

♪ Tryin' to be the oracle with my moral code ♪

♪ Really wanna try to be historical ♪

♪ 'Cause I've felt lost before ♪

♪ Real talk, it was hard to let it go ♪

♪ Better understand that ♪

♪ Little bit of flame in the rap ♪

♪ It's swaying with the flow I got ice in my veins ♪

♪ And my name in these lights and they spellin' it right ♪

♪ It's been so many nights ♪

♪ I struggle with trouble and pain in my life ♪

♪ Was ashamed of my life so I came with the fight ♪

♪ And they payin' the price, I won't say it polite ♪

♪ They gon' know our name, they gon' feel our pain ♪

♪ We gon' let it rain and I promise ♪

[grand, dramatic music playing]

[music fades]