Original subtitles

[Vick] Kyree's a true player.

He had two sacks.

We gotta put a little Scottish here.

You look around, you see one of our best players

not out here right now.

Kevon King being suspended

hurt me more than anything.

[Kijafa] If Daddy lose the game,

he gotta wear a Hampton shirt all week.

[Gordon Ross]We already have a personal foul

on the Spartans.

We got 12 penalties.

I can't continue to let things linger.

[Ross]The Pirates just

ramming it down the Spartans' throats.

Everybody's under evaluation.

Defense can't stop nobody. Damn!

Somethin' has to change.

[theme music playing]

[overlapping chatter]

[Vick] Yeah, yeah.

Good afternoon, everybody.

This hasn't been the easiest day

to walk around in terms of everything,

includin' the hat that I got on right now.

I lost a bet to the wife

who's a Hampton alumni.

So... yeah.

Quite honestly, I didn't think I was gonna lose the bet.

Man, I was like 100% sure it'd be the other way around.

Workin' through kinks of everything right now.

But makin' it look good for the moment.

And now, I-I need my...

So, this is kinda what I think about this situation.

-[hat thunks] -A'ight.

Let's go.

This week, I'm spendin' more time with the defense.

And I expect us to come back

and feel good about how we gonna defend Wofford.

It's all about growth. It's all about improvement.

And at the end of the day, we believe.

Thank you, guys.

-[reporter] Thanks, Coach. -[Vick] Sure.

[upbeat music]

[Mordecai] Got a whole new season comin'.

[Vick] I say, you throw one at me at conference

-and watch what you feel like. -That's what I'm sayin'.

-We're gonna finish strong. -Oh, I know.

The MEAC has the teams, Norfolk State, Delaware State,

Morgan State, Howard, North Carolina Central,

and South Carolina State.

[Craig]The MEAC is an all HBCU Conference.

When MEAC play starts, it is a fresh slate.

If you win out in a MEAC,

you can still win the Conference,

you can still make a Celebration Bowl,

which is a goal of a lot of HBCU teams.

-[overlapping chatter] -[Vick] TG...

we gotta get some stops. We gotta get some stops.

-Be ready to go this week. -Yes, sir.

Close left, close left, close left.

I wish I'd have looked at Steve's track record

as a D Coordinator last year.

Bang his box, right? Smash his field.

That was my inexperience.

Steve was the Defensive Coordinator here

for the last four years.

And being young and being a green coach,

kinda looked at it as, when it was four and eight,

why would I retain him as a Defensive Coordinator?

But that was a mistake I made.

Shit, we gonna get Steve to help out on defense.

It looked like shit this week.

-Like, yo. -That's real.

[overlapping chatter]

What up, baby?

Yo, who is this handsome guy?

You're a dressed up man over here.

What's up, baby? How you feelin', man?

-Good. How you feelin'? -I'm good, man.

Ain't been easy.

Seein' Senator Aaron Rouse

bein' my big, little brother.

Like, I'm just so proud to see him.

And also gives me insight, how to improve our defense,

because he comes from a defensive background,

having that background at Virginia Tech.

I'm tryin' to find where my man corners at, man.

-[whistle blows] -[Vick] Yeah!

When I get a team full of guys like him,

-that's bought in, good kids... -[Rouse] Yeah.

Yeah.

-[coach] Ball! -[player] Ball!

You can't...

[Vick] Nate won't be here next year.

It's about 40 of 'em.

Yeah. No playin' 'round here no more.

I'm making position changes.

I'll demote you mid-season.

I'm doin' what's best for my team.

Our best running back, Kevon King,

goin' to the league, the scouts be out here,

got in a fight in front of the AD

after the Wagner game. Sit down for two games.

The offense, I ain't even worried about the offense.

It's defense I'm worried about.

If shit looked crazy this week,

I'm about to put some other people

in position that's goin'. You know what I'm sayin'?

Hey, I ain't afraid to do that in year one.

[Rouse] You got to.

I don't care if it looks like we're desperate.

We are desperate to win.

Never want to make changes mid-season,

but I definitely need to see the defense improve.

Sometimes, you gotta do what's best for the team.

Even Senator Rouse, you know, is seein' it from afar.

Nope.

Yep. Yep. Yep.

[Vick] It ain't personal at all.

This is what's gotta happen.

[upbeat pop music]

-[Kijafa]Hey, Tez. -[Mitez]Hey.

Whatchu gettin' ready for?

[Kijafa] I have a podcast tonight.

-Ooh. -Yeah.

You gotta let me know how that go.

-I sure will. -I like stuff like that.

[Kijafa laughs] I know.

[Mitez]Kijafa... I call her my bonus mom.

She's been around all my life.

I love it. Like, it's just one big family,

all together.

[Kijafa] One second, Tez.

Do y'all hear that ding?

-[man] Yes. -Is that the alarm?

-[phone chiming] -Sorry.

Hold on, it's-it's Daddy.

Hey, babe.

If the, um, the alarm keeps chimin'?

Bypass all. Okay, thank you. Whatchu doin'?

Okay. All right, baby.

-Bye. -I'm very excited to see him.

[Kijafa] After the Wofford game,

Mike is comin' home for the bye week.

He definitely needs a few days to unwind,

to relieve some stress,

to be with his family, so we can build him back up

so he can go finish the rest of the season.

And win!

How do you like it? How do you feel like

the agency is treating you?

How do you feel like it's goin' so far?

I feel like it's goin' really good.

I mean, each time I get a job from them,

it goes up and up and up more.

Mitez, he is the model, the actor of the family.

He is absolutely stunning.

I couldn't ask for a better stepson.

I want you and Mike to do a shoot together.

-[Mitez] I do. -[Kijafa] Like, you know,

-his regular gear... -Mm-hmm.

[Kijafa] and you how you come, you know,

-fashionable. -[Mitez] Yeah.

I knew I was gonna act at a very, very young age.

Of course, I saw my dad playin' football.

And you know, my dad tried it.

He saw it wasn't for me, he let it go.

So, now that he sees the vision

of my career, he's excited, as well.

So, I show him, like, look what I'm doin' now.

I'm manifestin' the same way you manifested your career.

Do you feel like it's a good thing

or a bad thing, when people hear your last name?

Even with my AC, that's the first thing she said.

Like, what are you gonna say

when people find out you're Mike Vick's son?

It's like, what else am I supposed to say?

-[Kijafa] Right? -What am I supposed to say?

People are gonna like me for who I am,

regardless if they know or not.

[Kijafa] Absolutely.

[birdsong]

[funky upbeat music]

[Kyree] Pass! Pass! Pass!

Pass!

[players grunting]

[Marcus] Kyree?

Kyree's a beast. Kyree a beast.

We lost on defense last week.

This week, I'm lookin' for guys who can come in

and just make a difference. Bring that enthusiasm.

But this is for players and coaches, man.

We gotta bring it.

Wish I could get him right.

Kyree earned his scholarship.

Now it's up to Kyree to keep his scholarship.

And I don't think it's a issue

of Kyree not being able to do it,

it's an issue of Kyree wanting to do it.

Kyree, his story is amazing, bro.

He, he on grind mode.

Like, he came from Virginia Tech.

Man, he went to Cincinnati.

It was like, he'll be your best pass rusher.

This season, he had some ups and downs

with nagging injuries.

Kyree's toe. Yeah, he out. Kyree out.

He's made a ton of plays.

[players grunting]

[Vick] All right, let's go, baby.

But then, you know, he got a ton of penalties,

hands to the face, linin' up offsides.

And I'm talkin' about in big moments.

-Offsides. -Face mask.

[Vick] Kyree! Why you so anxious?

The ball is goin' to snap. Just wait.

Kyree gotta play with more discipline.

Love Kyree's passion.

[grunting]

I know that he loves the game.

But Kyree can't control his emotions.

[Kyree] Get the [bleep] outta the way!

What the [bleep], bro?

And that's what it all boils down to.

Sometimes, like, I get carried away.

-[player] Hey, hey! -I didn't do that on purpose.

[player] Chill the [bleep] out.

Let's go!

Football is definitely an outlet

for me to let my emotions out.

When I'm out there, it's just like a switch.

I turn that switch on and don't nothin' else matter,

but I just gotta learn to control my emotions 24/7.

They're 'bout to fight.

[Kyree]Growin' up, I went through a lot,

dealin' with where we gonna stay,

how we gonna get stuff done with bills and everything.

So, I'm goin' out there to make a difference

for my family.

It's a lot of pressure,

because no matter what ends up happening

after this season, I still have to compete for my scholarship.

Don't get discouraged.

Kyree has all the tools to be successful.

But if Kyree can't control his emotions,

he just can't play football.

At some point, it has to register.

[grunting]

-[whistle blows] -What the [bleep], bro?

Is he all right? 'Cause... shit.

That shit hurt like a bitch.

Again? What is it? Now, it's like his knee.

It's always somethin' with him.

[Vick] Hey, yo! Hey, hey! Hey, listen.

Hey, good work today.

Y'all should be thankful we got this far.

We got six games ahead of us that can define our season, man.

Let's stay locked in.

Stay persistent in our search for greatness.

All right, let's get up outta here.

[team shouts]

[birdsong]

Game time. Feel good? Yeah, feel nice.

We 'bout to go get this. We 'bout to take it from them.

We won't be denied today.

This is an opportunity for defense to step up,

show what they can do, and beat this team.

I need to see improvement all across the board.

-[player] We fired up! -[team] We fired up!

[Ross] I'm Ross Gordon.

We welcome you to South Carolina for NSU football,

where the Spartans take on the Wofford Terriers today.

[Makai]The mindset going into the game

against Wofford is cut back on the mistakes,

cut back on the penalties.

Hey, let's be disciplined.

Keep the penalties down, we got a chance.

[Ross] Defensive start Kyree Moyston

did not travel with the team today.

We're told he's dealing with a foot injury.

It's frustrating not getting the opportunity to play

when you're hurt because I'm trying to put this stuff

on film for my family.

I don't got a whole lot of time to waste.

If I can move, I'm tryin' to go.

All right, let's go, baby. Set the tone, right here.

[Ross] Otto Kuhns drops back.

He's looking end zone. And he fires a strike

to Elyjah Mitchell for a touchdown.

-The Spartans jump on top. -[Vick] Keep the energy up!

[Otto]We kinda got a rhythm as an offense

and showed ourselves that we can move the ball at will.

Good job, baby. Good job.

[Ross] Wofford trying to answer.

They break contain, and this is gonna be a huge run

for a big gain right down the teeth of the Spartans' defense.

[Vick] We gotta wake up.

[Ross]Wofford looking deep down the sideline,

and it's complete for a touchdown.

And just like that, we're tied.

[Vick] Let's go, man. As soon as we get an opportunity

to do somethin' great, bro, we give it away.

Just do your job, man.

[Ross]Wofford, dropping back to pass.

Looking deep, and no one is home

in the middle of the field.

Makai Frisby looking out of position on that play.

You feel you're giving it your all.

You start getting a little exhausted mentally.

You start forgetting your assignments.

Coach Garvin's system's really complicated.

It's too many changes being made a lot of the time.

[Vick] We need a safety in the middle of the field.

That quarterback shouldn't be thinkin'

about making that throw.

[Ross]And Wofford takes it in for an easy score.

[Vick] I'm sick of this shit, bro.

Man, it was just one big ball of confusion.

I felt like some players were playing out of position.

Hey, Jabo, what coverage is that?

Why the safety ain't in the middle of the field?

I told TG that this past weekend.

Find somebody who's gonna do it right.

Hearin' and feelin' Coach Vick's frustration on the sideline

was definitely like an eye-opener

in the sense that we're not able to put it together

is definitely frustrating.

[Ross]It's Wofford, 14-7 at the half.

Let's [bleep] go!

[Vick] The next 30 minutes

is the most important 30 minutes of your football life.

This is an opportunity for guys to step up,

to show what they can do.

-Trust yourself. -[team] Yes, sir.

-[Vick] Do you believe? -[team] Yes, sir.

-[Vick] Do we believe? -[team] I believe!

We don't want to lose to them.

We feel we're better than them.

Take it out there. Let's go finish.

[player] Let's go!

About to find out who really wants it.

-One, two, three. -[team shouts]

[Ross]Makai Frisby makes a tremendous play.

[Makai]I told the people I was gonna go after the ball.

And that's what I did.

You think I should switch the coordinator?

I'm gonna have to shake this shit up.

Kevon, this can't be happening with you right now.

I guess y'all don't want me to play tomorrow.

The MEAC championships starts with Homecoming.

We gonna do some Homecoming ballin'.

[Vick] Let's go, D. Let's go.

[Ross]The Spartans come out on defense

to start the second half.

-[Vick] Nice, Makai. -[Ross]And Makai Frisby

makes a tremendous play to pull down the interception.

[Vick] Great job, baby.

Being on a big stage like that, goin' to make plays,

not just me, for everybody, especially Coach Vick.

I told the people that I was gonna go out there and ball.

Just makin' the people that are proud of me proud.

And that's what I did.

[Vick] We gotta capitalize on this. Let's go.

[Ross]Kuhns back to pass. He's looking deep

up the middle for Cam Thomas.

And that's complete for a touchdown.

We're tied here in South Carolina.

My goal is just to get the ball to our play-makers

so that our athletes make plays.

[Vick] Good job, baby. Good call.

[Ross] Wofford, looking for Moore.

Throws a screen. And it's a missed tackle.

And that's going to be another Bulldog first down.

O.M.G! Yo!

[Ross] Wofford back to pass.

Back shoulder and it's complete for the touchdown.

We gotta get somebody who gonna look back

to find the ball and trust in their self.

Everybody hasn't played in the defense we were playing.

And the defense, you have to really study to know.

Everybody has to understand what you're doin'

on the defense for it to work.

So, it was a lot of confusion.

Damn, we get beat on the same shit every week, bro.

[players grunting]

That's two third-and-tens they converted with a run.

The definition of crazy is doing the same things again.

And that's what I'm watchin'.

[Tory] I don't think the camaraderie

was what it should've been on defense.

The togetherness wasn't there.

I'm tired of seeing the same guys

not gettin' pushed lookin' like trash.

[Ross]Wofford at the four-yard line. Handoff.

And he dives through the Spartans' defense

into the end zone. Wofford has sealed it,

and the Spartans are gonna lose once again.

[Vick] Hell, no.

[Makai] Losin' like this to Wofford

was definitely heartbreaking, definitely disappointing.

The team that we know we're supposed to beat.

It's just a lot of regrets.

The Wofford loss was just like all about

the position that they was put in on defense.

It was about the scheme.

You know, it's my job as a coach

to put them in the best positions possible.

Regardless of what I have to do, I'll do it.

All right, look, man, here's the deal.

The first half of the season, let's just admit it,

right now, we [bleep] suck.

Players and coaches.

We had opportunities to win

every game we damn near been in, right?

[team] Yes, sir.

I want y'all to go back and look at every game

and figure out, what can I do better.

The good part about it is we can still win the conference.

But we gotta pull together.

I'm gonna make some decisions

that's gonna be in the best interest of this team.

And I mean this when I say this, man,

I love y'all, man.

Let's get our prayer. Get a prayer.

They're doin' the best that they can.

And just not livin' up to the challenge of it.

And that's why that speech was sort of from a different place.

Because I kinda knew what was comin'.

You know, I been around all levels, AD Webb.

That's our seventh game?

I know what it's supposed to look like.

Let me handle it. I got it. Watch this,

we gonna be different. We gonna be different

come the conference play.

It's hard to lose any game.

But Wofford was a key game

to really truly evaluate our staff.

So, it's very important for Coach Vick

to really assess what could've been the change,

or the shift, or the culture to get to the win.

Yeah, yeah. We're gonna figure this out, man,

ASAP.

I'll make it strong. All right.

[DeMarcus] They only average 40 a game, they got 187.

-[Vick] Yeah. -[DeMarcus] Two forty-eight...

Do you think I should switch the coordinator?

[intense music]

[Vick] I'm gonna have to shake this shit up.

[upbeat music]

[Vick] Have your dosage this mornin'.

The reason why I let you stay home

is 'cause I ain't want you to go to school

and get nobody else sick.

One, two, three.

After the Wofford game, I was emotional on the plane.

I just wanted to get back home to Florida,

enjoy the time with my family, and make the tough decisions

that I think is gonna have to be made.

Michael, so, how's school goin'?

Good.

What's good? Good or great?

-Great. -[bottle cap cracks]

That's what I like to hear.

[Kijafa]Everyone's excited that Mike's back home.

Mike definitely needed a few days

to be with his family.

[Vick] What's your favorite subject?

[Mike] Maybe science.

[Vick] Science was one of my favorite subjects, too.

Hmm, interesting.

[Vick chuckles]

It's interesting, science.

Science is very interesting.

How are things goin' with you?

Well, it's goin' real good.

I am shooting for a student-run magazine on Sunday.

-[Vick] You been stayin' busy. -Yeah.

-Congratulations. -Congratulations, that's good.

[Vick] Mitez is my first born.

Our relationship is different.

He's a man. We can talk about different things.

The road that he's on is not the easiest.

But he's starting to get more jobs, more opportunities.

Is there anything that I can do right now to help?

Just keep supporting me. That's it.

[Vick] Yeah, for sure.

'Cause your dreams, your goals are your dreams and your goals.

And I can't tell you how to go accomplish that.

You gotta find it out. But I'm pretty sure

if it's somethin' in between, you would let me know.

-You know what I'm sayin'? -Mm-hmm.

[Vick]It feels really good to be home.

Get a chance to catch up with my kids

and pull back into them for a little bit.

[Kijafa] London, have you learned anything new

about football lately?

[London laughs] No.

[Vick] Why not?

[London] I don't know what's going on.

-[laughs] -[Vick] I know.

London's been to enough football games.

You know, I think London knows more about football

than what she actually claims.

This is what you need to know.

First down, touchdown, interception, fumble.

-Come here. -I know fumble.

Win.

[all laugh]

[upbeat orchestral music]

[Vick] Hey, yo, can you talk in like an hour?

I can call you right back.

I thought about it and spoke about it

with the Norfolk State administration.

We agreed with the decision that changes gotta be made.

They gotta be made for the best interests

of the football team.

So, I decided to let go of our Defensive Coordinator,

and two other coaches.

Every time I try to talk to you, you got a phone call.

Coaches, talkin' to coaches.

That was my man who just called.

He was like, I'm callin' to check on you.

You had to make some tough decisions this week.

Yeah, but that comes along with it.

You know, very tough decision.

All across the board, I'm lookin' for growth.

We set the tone on offense, but on defense,

I really felt like...

I didn't see what I needed to see.

You know what's so crazy, man,

Terence bein' one of my good friends,

you know, I told him, like, at the end of the day,

I'ma always be there for you.

If I can help you, or whatever.

And our paths might cross down the road.

[Kijafa] So, how did that feel like,

havin' to let go of, like, a friend?

It was hard. It was hard.

But I gotta do what's best for the team.

[Kijafa]In the first half of the season,

I know Mike expected to do so much better.

So, it's been challengin' to watch the team struggle,

and watch my husband struggle.

At times, when you put them in the best situations,

as coaches. But for us to still be able

to go win the conference, I think that's really cool.

I love that you're really holdin' onto that.

Like, we can still win the conference.

Yeah, I mean, our goal for the team

was to win the MEAC championship.

[Kijafa]We all knew that as a head coach,

you have to make tough decisions.

The coaches are his friends.

But he has to take the necessary steps

to try to make his team win.

I just respect Coach so much for that.

[Vick] Whatchu think?

I think you're doin' a good job.

A leadership. It's a learnin' thing.

[Vick] Yeah, absolutely.

I see you like developin' into a new person.

♪tense music♪

[Craig]When you're giving up that many points,

the way you're givin' it up, and guys are wide open,

there's huge holes on the field,

it doesn't leave you with much of a choice.

Somethin' has to change.

[Vick]You gotta be cold-blooded in this game, man.

These things are gonna continue to happen

until you change it.

[Dr. Webb] After Wofford,

a lot of decisions had to be made.

That's the turning point in your season.

So, really refocusing and rededicating

on what your team should look like

goin' into the second half of the season.

What I love about Coach Vick is he uses his opportunities

for himself to learn.

[Ross]I think the coach is sending a message to everyone.

This is a measured and calculated move

to put this team in a better space.

Pretty much all hell 'bout to break loose.

-Move! -[body thuds]

I didn't do that. [laughs]

-[players shout] -[Vick] Oh, Jesus!

Yo, chill out! That's stupid!

[upbeat music]

[clattering]

[Vick] Stand back. The master's at work.

[Kijafa] Mike, who taught you to cook on the grill?

[Vick] I've been grillin' for years.

You were not grillin' before me.

-Yeah, I was. -Wh-When?

Since we been out in the hood.

Time's movin' really fast.

I just want to have a good time with the family.

I'm just tryin' to make every moment count.

-Bear with me now. -[clicking BBQ starter]

When I get back, man, I know

it's the conference championship chase

and pretty much all hell 'bout to break loose.

Who wants cheese?

[Mike] I'll eat some cheese!

[Vick] Michael, go get the cheese out the...

Uh, why?

[Vick] Bro, go get the cheese.

Please.

-[Vick] Please. -Please.

[Vick] I ain't gonna say it no more.

London, how's the hunt for colleges goin'?

[Vick] Yeah, what's the schools?

-I'm interested to know. -[sighs]

Clark, Atlanta, Georgia Tech,

Hampton, Howard, LSU, NYU.

[London] The last one I'm not saying out loud

'cause I don't want to tell anyone I'm applying.

If I get in there, I'll just, I'll tell y'all.

That's like, embarrassing if you don't get into a school.

Guess what. There's a lot of colleges

I wanted to go to to play football.

But you can't feel embarrassed when it don't happen

like you're a failure, or somethin'.

[London] So-- [screams]

There's a lizard!

Bein' home is everything.

The only hard part is knowin' that I gotta leave again.

There's five weeks left,

and I'm gonna give these five weeks my everything.

I think I'll be there.

[Vick] How can you miss it?

I'll be there for the game.

[Vick] It's gonna be an upset.

We're gonna upset them.

[birdsong]

[upbeat music]

[reporter] How's your day going, Coach?

It's goin' good. You know, obviously good to be back.

[reporter 2] There was a lot of speculation

around the changes of your defensive staff.

Can you kind of give us some clarity on that?

Not gonna sugarcoat it.

I expect, you know, a certain standard.

Coach Steve Adams is gonna take over

as Defensive Coordinator.

I'm excited because

I feel like I gave

our defense a second chance.

So, I run at the MEAC championship

with a clean slate. Starts with the game this week.

Homecoming, South Carolina State.

[Ross]South Carolina State is the blue blood.

It's a standard in the level of success

that you want to be at year in, year out.

I think if we go win the championship,

then I don't think we talk about the last five games at all.

-Thanks, Coach. -Thanks, Coach. Appreciate it.

[upbeat percussive music]

♪I ain't never did it like this Before♪

♪All the majorettes Gonna hit the floor♪

[Alauna] Homecoming at a HBCU

is one of the greatest celebrations ever

because it's a time for alumni to be proud of their alma mater,

and come back and celebrate with the people

they came out of the university with,

but also the current year.

Class of 2002.

Class of 1994.

I started here in '71.

Here at Norfolk State University,

we have one of the biggest homecomings in the area.

Behold the green and gold!

It's almost like a family reunion.

You have the band, you have the cheerleaders,

you have alumni cheer, the alumni band.

You have concerts,

comedy shows, step shows.

The performance of athletes coming back out.

So you have a community filled with people

who have pride in the university.

[Alauna]You're supposed to win the Homecoming game.

If you don't win the Homecoming game,

it kinda makes the rest of the week pointless,

because that's the big event.

[upbeat music]

[overlapping chatter]

-[Vick] Behold. -[team] The green and gold.

Man, y'all know what time it is.

-Are we prepared? -[team] Yes, sir.

-[Vick] Do we believe? -[team] Yes, sir.

Hell, yeah.

Today marks a new chapter for this season.

I wanted to get everybody together

and let 'em know, look,

look at it as a new beginning.

Couple changes. Nobody blink.

The coaches getting fired, the decision has been made.

I gotta trust in my head coach at the end of the day.

[Makai]It was definitely heart-breaking.

Coach Jabo was my guy. He was my position coach.

I feel like he taught me a lot to become the player I am,

elevated me. But Coach Adams,

him being the Defensive Coordinator

for the last four years, it was just a easy transition.

One thing I just want to touch on...

is us being resilient.

Throughout the season, things don't go our way,

we start off a little shaky, we tank a little bit.

That's when I want us to come back stronger.

If I throw an interception, that's when I really locked in.

You won't get me again. Now I'm playin' keep away.

Go seize the moment, a'ight.

[upbeat music]

[players chatter]

Have a good one, baby. Let's go win this MEAC.

You might be a athlete, Otto, you might be.

How you feelin', Evan? Ready to go?

-Yes, sir. How was the bye week? -Good, man, it was good.

Got to spend some time with the family.

Bye week is over. Time to get back

and facin' the former MEAC champs, South Carolina State.

As I've been sayin' all year,

try to play mistake-free football.

And with some changes on the defense,

I'm anxious and motivated to see

what we look like moving forward.

[Steve] Set it. Good, nice job.

[Vick] Coach Adams back home.

Smash, go chase. Smash, go chase.

Because what's gonna happen if you surf

and he's tryin' to pop outside, nobody's gonna be in that B gap.

You're a smart-ass coach to be able to go

from offense to defense in one season.

[Steve] Here we go. Let's go.

Over, over, over.

I've been a Defensive Coordinator here,

and the Assistant Head Coach for the last four years.

So, I know these guys.

Good job keyin' the tackle.

That's all you gotta do, man. It's that simple.

Terique's been with me for five years.

Long's been with me four years.

They know my system in and out.

[intense orchestral music]

-[grunting] -[Steve]It's a deal where

I can put in a simple game plan,

that they can go and execute.

We have a plan for the rotation, guys.

Relax. Everything is gonna be all right.

[whistle blows]

[player shouts]

Can I ask you--

[Kevon] I was gone for a few weeks.

It really was frustrating

because I know my talents and my abilities.

I could've definitely helped the team out.

But I have to finish strong for my senior year

so scouts can at least draft me

or I can just move up the draft board.

All right?

[Vick] Uh-huh.

My conversations have been about him growin' up.

Want him to come back, be a better teammate.

I want him to come back and be a better person.

I just want him to finish strong.

These last five weeks being the most

important five weeks of his life.

[Steve] When we go... Kyree.

Kyree, you got the twos this time, okay.

Y'all are gonna alternate.

[players shout]

Twos, go! Twos, go! Run off!

[solemn music]

[whistle blows]

[Vick] Kyree ain't gonna play doin' that.

He ain't gonna play.

[Steve] Come here, Kyree.

I was gonna put you with the twos

this rep, and the ones next rep.

And then, you go and jump offsides.

Because look, you're gettin' emotional right now.

Don't get emotional, man. Just do your job.

You can be the best in the conference.

But that's what happens is you get so worked up

and so [bleep] emotional

that you haven't learned to channel that anger.

And once you [bleep] channel that thing, man,

you're gonna be unstoppable.

-You know what I mean? -I got you.

I do have extra aggression at practice,

because I'm tryin' to dominate.

And sometimes, like, I get carried away,

and I lose focus.

Learn how to control that.

All right?

Kyree's a super talented player.

Hopefully, we keep seein' him progress,

keep growin' as a person, keep growin' as a man.

I'm gonna keep challenging him.

Hopefully, we get all those penalties under control,

because at this point, it's the next man up.

Kevon, this can't be happening with you right now.

This your future.

This could be the greatest story ever told.

Or it can be the biggest [bleep] embarrassment.

[upbeat music]

[overlapping chatter]

Hey, baby babes.

[muffled]

[sighs] How are you?

I'm good. How you been doin'?

I'm good, I'm good.

What's goin' on?

Goin' on? Little bit of everything.

-You practicin' now? -Yeah, I'm back at practice.

Ah, so, you're playin' Saturday.

Yeah, I'm gonna play this Saturday.

What's your grades lookin' like?

[Kyree] Grades.

I'm an amazing student.

That smirk says otherwise,

but I'm gonna let you slide on that right now.

[Kyree] My mom is real blunt.

And she's like that 'cause she wants me to be great.

If we win these next five games, we win the conference.

No matter what. It's like the playoffs.

So now, it's time for y'all to hustle.

I started off real good

-in my first game. -I know.

-It's been a little frustrating. -I know,

'cause it's been frustratin' for me watchin'.

I expect to see you on the field,

that's why we're here,

to get you a scholarship for next year.

So, I need to see you on the field this year.

Even with our losin' season,

everybody in the world want to play for Coach Vick.

So, it's like I'm not just competin' for this scholarship

with the people who are on the team.

I'm competin' with people everywhere.

So, I have a lot riding' on this season.

I really just need to get my mind right.

At practice, I was like a little irritated.

[grunts]

Yeah, that got me a little mad,

then people was like tryin', kept talkin' to me.

Just leave me alone.

They was trying to make you feel better.

That's what teams supposed to do.

I wasn't mad.

They make me feel nothin' but worse.

[chuckles]

Keep comin' up to me, like, calm down.

I'm not mad. You see what I'm sayin'?

You say that, but the look on your face

be sayin' somethin' different. Remember that.

And they only mean the best for you, so.

You're right about that.

They say you're supposed to play football

with emotion, but not emotional.

So, I gotta be more disciplined

and maintain my focus.

So now, I just need y'all to get out there

and hustle and win.

We're gonna win.

Or else I'm gonna have to suit up.

[chuckles]

[DJ] Norfolk State University, baby.

What's up? How y'all feelin' today?

[cheers]

[DJ] It's the 106, my brother right here.

[indistinct shouting]

[music thumping]

Hey!

This Homecoming is a great layout.

We haven't had the easiest last five weeks.

I'm trying to just soak in the moment, enjoy it.

Welcome to106 & Parklive.

We don't do this on the regular, right.

'Cause today ain't regular.

We goin' to do it for Norfolk State, though.

We gonna do it for NSU, though.

We gonna do it for NSU Homecoming.

I want y'all to make some noise for my homegirl,

-Miss Ashley Moss. -Go get 'em, girl.

Make some noise,

the official host of106 & Sports.

Make some noise for Miss Ashley Moss right now!

Hello, hello!

Wow!

[Ashley] The man, the myth, the legend,

Michael Vick!

-Oh, yeah. -[cheers]

Your talent is unmatched.

You could've taken that talent as a head coach

anywhere in the country, and there were offers.

But why this school?

People always looked at NSU like it wasn't the place to be.

And I hated that narrative for Norfolk State

'cause I used to come here and watch games when I was a kid.

And when I got the opportunity to be the head coach,

I was like, look, why not go and try to change lives

and change the coaching here.

And even with us being one-and-six right now,

I know it was the right decision

'cause we about to strive to win the MEAC.

We put Norfolk State on the map.

-This is just the beginning. -[cheers]

[Vick] During my time in the league,

a lot of players seen themselves in me.

And bein' at a HBCU allows me

to give back in the community, be a part of the community.

The community has supported me from day one.

Michael Vick is a cultural icon.

[Craig]He went to a city, a Black mecca, so to speak,

in Atlanta, where Black culture really embraced him.

And all of a sudden, he was on a platform of cultural relevance

that not a lot of people reach.

Mike was sort of the Allen Iverson of the NFL.

Few football players have a signature shoe,

are a face of a big brand, like Michael was.

We get identified with the ups and downs,

the highs and lows, the love, the hate.

And he's experienced it all

right before our eyes.

[Taylor]When you are like a part of a people

that are maybe refused, sometimes.

When you see a person who can dominate,

it makes you feel like we can do everything.

Who makes honor roll in school?

All right. That's what I'm talkin' about.

Everybody should have their hand up.

[upbeat music]

Michael, watch out before they run you over.

They're grown men.

Ooh!

Think you could tackle another kid your size?

'Cause you gonna be stronger.

You're definitely gonna be stronger than him.

But what's more important?

Than being strong and fast?

Havin' the right what? Attitude?

[Mike] Yes.

-Who? -He wants you to talk to him.

Who said they ain't playin'?

Oh, what the hell, I-I don't want him to.

Let Ravon get his carries.

Let me see Ravon get some, too.

We're killin' this money.

I'm about to say somethin' to him.

We have a locker room full of young men

who want to turn it around.

Kevon. Listen, listen, listen...

Kevon, he gotta trust the process, like we always say.

And just get on board with what we're tryin' to do.

They said you said you weren't playin' tomorrow.

Did you say that?

Bro... come on, man.

[Vick] I'm gonna say somethin' to him.

Kevon. Listen, listen, listen...

They said you said you weren't playin' tomorrow.

Did you say that?

What's goin' on?

I tell you what...

And then, I'm like...

-[whistle blows] -Um... bro...

This can't be happening with you right now.

There's people here to see you.

It's your future.

You know the rest of the plays.

All right. All right.

[blows raspberry] My God!

[bleep] your money up, Kevon. Come on, man.

[upbeat music]

It's cool, I get to come hang with y'all for a few minutes.

If I could turn back the hands of time,

I'd be out there with you all on Satuday.

I think I went to one step show at Virginia Tech.

Just like my players, I'm tryin' to take in

as much of the Homecoming festivities as I can.

Day'lan, some of the kicking crew,

they invited me to come hang out with 'em.

-So, I figured, why not? -[announcer] All right,

for our first crew to hit the stage,

please give it up right now for Tau Beta Sigma sorority!

-[shouts] -[stomps]

[Vick]While I'm here, I got Jada.

London's in charge of Little Mike.

Kijafa, she's at a HU event.

They're celebrating their Homecoming

on the other side of town. It's lit.

[London] Jada, you look insane.

But the parents aren't here, yeah!

[all laugh]

It wouldn't be Jada if she didn't act like a kid.

But her and Michael are like the same person.

Like, Michael's crazy because Jada's crazy.

[Mike giggling]

To babysit Michael's the hardest thing in the world.

He's so bad.

I get in trouble more than him.

[exclaiming]

Okay, now, move.

-No, move! -[Mike thuds]

I didn't do that. [laughs]

[upbeat rap music]

Attack the ball, go get it.

Go get it.

[Steve] The preseason's over.

And it don't matter because we're 0 and 0 in conference,

and we got five opportunities left.

-[players grunt] -Yes, sir!

You go look at the games that we've lost,

-we've always been close. -[grunting]

If we just do our job and keep pushin' to get better,

everything that we said we want to do

is still in our grasp.

Homecoming, MEAC playoffs are right around the corner.

This is our opportunity to salvage our season.

You can feel that emotions are running really high

on the defensive side of the ball.

Everybody's tryin' to prove themselves.

They got like four interceptions already.

Lookin' good today, baby. Lookin' good today.

-[pads crunch] -[players] Ooh!

[Vick] Oh, Jesus! Whoo!

Shit, he got killed.

[players] Ooh!

[Makai]There's gonna be a lot of emotions.

Sometimes, we can get rowdied up...

[Vick] Hey. Hey, y'all.

-[pads crunch] -[grunts]

You're seeing the same guys every day.

You're eventually gonna bump heads with somebody.

[players grunt]

[Vick] Yo, chill out. Yo, chill out!

Hey, yo. Hey, Jack.

Get your ass over here.

That's stupid, Jack.

Good. Go on over there. Go on over there.

I love the competitiveness of our team.

Do I think we need to have more discipline in this moment?

Absolutely, yes. And you know,

there's no need for us to be buttin' heads with one another.

Take a knee. Take a knee.

Sometimes, I don't understand it, man.

I give y'all everything, all the ingredients

to go out and do what you're supposed to do.

Stay focused. Stick together.

'Cause you gonna need each other.

The football god's on our side, man.

This could be the greatest story ever told.

Or it could be the biggest [bleep] embarrassment.

[exciting music]

[players grunting]

-[all] Grace! -[laughs]

Y'all ready for Philadelphia.

Michael Vick and Desean Jackson...

[Kyree]He's goin' against one of his old teammates,

-just for braggin' rights. -Philly stage.

Can't ask for nothin' better than that.

They just let him out two days ago.

My dad has never got to see me play college football.

[Alauna] We are at Lincoln Financial.

It's a Philly showdown.

[Ross] The ball was tipped.

[cheering]

[closing music playing]