Original subtitles

REPORTER: Coach Royal, I'm Casey Addison from The Daily Texan.

ROYAL: Hello. Hey, sit down.

REPORTER: Thanks for meeting with me.

Sure. Sure.

Coach, I'm writing a story

about legendary Texas football players,

and you're a legend yourself.

Was I a player?

Why, yes.

You were a great football player

for the Oklahoma Sooners in the late 1940s.

I'll be doggone.

I knew that.

But you coached UT

and won three national championships.

Yes.

Texas had 30 All-American players

while you were coaching.

Which one had the greatest impact on you

and the program?

Freddie.

Freddie Stein mark.

I'm sorry, Coach,

but Freddie Stein mark wasn't an All-American.

No.

But he was my All-American.

You see,

a player's skills and character

are influenced years before I ever meet him.

I gain the benefit from all the other coaches

who instilled fight and grit in their hearts.

MUZZY: The Rough Riders' creed,

"I will play hard and clean, and I will not be a quitter!"

(1960s MUSIC PLAYING)

What's most important IS courage.

It's not a disgrace to be beaten.

The greatest disgrace is to quit or to turn yellow.

You got that?

ALL: Yes, sir. Let me hear it again.

Yes, sir

Now, get your butts out there and practice hard.

Stein mark.

Stay here.

(SIGHS)

You did good last game.

You scored a lot of touchdowns.

But you would have done better if you'd run in a straight line.

You get to the end zone quicker.

You zigzag too much.

My dad taught me to run that way.

When you play for your father's team

on Tuesdays and Fridays, you can zigzag.

On Mondays and Saturdays, you run a straight line.

You got that? Yes, sir

Get out there.

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

Wind sprints, let's go!

GLORIA: Oh, look, Sammy wants some peas. Come on.

You want a little pea?

FRED: Come on, Sammy.

GLORIA: All right, I want you to finish the whole thing for me. Okay?

If you're gonna be a great player,

you gotta get some meat on those little bones.

How did my boy do at practice today?

I scored five touchdowns.

Six.

Our guy's gotta work

a little bit harder out there on the field

because he's always the smallest one.

Isn't that right?

I try as hard as I can.

What makes a winner

is learning that they can always try harder.

Is that enough Parmigiano?

Yes, Mama.

Maybe a little bit more. Hmm?

We gotta get you to Notre Dame.

That's right. Great education and great football.

Give me a kiss. Huh? Come on.

That's my guy.

RED: When I took this job,

they told me that you haven't won

a division championship in 25 years.

Haven't beaten Lakewood in 15 years.

The pure and simple fact is you all are pathetic.

But not for damn long.

We will beat Lakewood,

we will win the conference championship,

and we're not stopping there.

Anybody who doesn't get on board with my plan

can move your sad sorry ass

out of my eyesight now and forever!

Are there any questions? Good!

Now, we got a new kid here from California.

And he may be

just what the doctor ordered for this team.

He's gonna be carrying the rock a lot for us this season.

Any questions?

I didn't think so.

Now we prepare for war.

Out on the field! Now!

Now! Now!

Not a minute to waste.

ASSISTANT COACH 1: Let's go.

Go! Go!

ASSISTANT COACH 2: Hustle up!

Finish strong!

ASSISTANT COACH 1: Let's go, gentlemen. Pick it up!

Freddie Stein mark. Glad you're part of the team.

You'll really help us this year.

I wish I was back in California.

It's pretty nice here in Colorado.

This team's nowhere near as good

as the one I was on there.

It will be.

Yeah, sure it will.

Now that you're on the team, I say state championship.

You haven't won your division in 25 years.

You're talking state championship?

You're nuts.

(1960s MUSIC PLAYING)

Go!

(PLAYERS CHEERING)

ASSISTANT COACH 2: atta boy, Freddie!

(PLAYERS APPLAUDING)

(BOTH PANTING)

You're really fast for a big guy.

We can use you this year.

DEBBIE: Just pretend like you've gone to school here all your life.

Like anywhere else,

the jocks and the cheerleaders rule the school.

And the jocks are mostly jerks.

Except one. Freddie Stein mark.

He's sweet, he goes to mass every day,

and he is, by far, the cutest boy you will ever see.

He broke every scoring record

both in basketball and football.

I don't like sports.

You don't have to like sports to have a crush on Freddie.

You just need a pulse.

MALE STUDENT: Hey, Freddie!

He looked at you.

He's okay.

FRED: Go.

DEBBIE: He's here every day after his regular practice.

His dad trains him pretty hard.

Time!

Maybe it's not his dad.

Maybe it's what he wants to do to get better.

All I know

is he is exceptionally dreamy.

Time!

(PANTING)

11.9. Great! Great!

Do it again.

He stares at you every day and never says a word.

Maybe he's shy.

The most popular kid in school is shy?

I doubt that.

Well, what do you think it is?

Maybe it has something to do with him being so religious.

No.

Boys that go to mass every morning can't talk to girls?

I don't know.

Hustle up. We still got five more.

Be right back.

(STAMMERING) You have to start the car.

Here. No, I can't.

(CAR ENGINE STALLING) No, I don't want them.

Debbie! This is so embarrassing.

Hi. (MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO)

Hi.

(STAMMERING) You know, we were just looking for a...

Picnic.

Picnic area for a bunch of girls...

Surprise party.

For a surprise party for a bunch of girls.

Do you wanna go out sometime?

What?

Do you wanna go out?

Go out with me?

Yeah.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah, that would be great.

Great. When?

I don't know.

How about tonight?

If I run about 20 more reps, I might get the car.

Tonight.

I'll just have to ask...

All right. Some other time.

No, tonight will be fine. Right?

Yeah? Hmm?

Yeah.

Great. What's your address?

It's 2678 Pear Blossom.

Oh. Nice area. Thank you.

How about 7:007

7:00 is perfect.

It's perfect. Great.

Thanks, Debbie. Uh-huh.

Okay, I'll see you then.

Okay.

Please start the car.

(1960s MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO)

LINDA: Is this your car?

No, no, it's my dad's.

I have to get it back by 8:00 tonight.

He has to be at work at 9:00.

What does he do?

He's a Denver policeman.

At least, that's his night job.

During the day, he's a security guard.

Hard worker.

Very.

My mom, too. She's a clerk in the hospital.

I'm gonna take you to my favorite spot.

Okay.

FREDDIE: I can see my whole life,

present and future, from right here.

Look, there's Wheat Ridge High field, where I'm playing.

Yeah.

There's Boulder, University of Colorado,

where I might be playing

if Notre Dame doesn't offer me.

And there's Denver, the Broncos.

That is, if the Chicago Bears don't draft me.

I don't know that much about football.

You will.

(CROWD CHEERING) (MARCHING BAND PLAYING)

MALE FAN 1: Let's go, farmers!

Let's go, Freddie!

Fifteen straight times

you mullets have lost to this team.

The tide will turn tonight.

This game.

Now,

get out there and kick their butts!

(CROWD CHEERING)

(WHOOPING)

PLAYER 1: Nice hit, Freddie!

(CHEERING)

There we go.

LAKEWOOD QUARTERBACK: Set, hut!

PLAYER 2: Go, Bobby!

Come on. Come on!

Come on, Bobby!

That's it.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Yeah!

PLAYER 3: Come on, Freddie!

MALE FAN 2: Yeah!

(CROWD BOOING)

Come on. Get him.

This is your team. Get them ready.

Offense! Huddle up!

FREDDIE: (PANTING) All right, guys.

We will not lose this game.

This streak ends now.

We have 57 seconds to go 82 yards.

Not a problem.

Right? ALL: Right.

(LOUDLY) Right?

ALL: Right!

Let's go out and do it!

(ALL CHEERING)

Come on!

What do I do?

Just give the damn ball to Freddie.

Down. Set. Hut!

Come on, Freddie!

Go! Go! Go! Freddie, go!

Go! Go! Go!

Run! Freddie, run!

(PANTING)

(BUZZER SOUNDING)

Oh, my God!

(ALL CHEERING)

Yeah! That's all right!

Well done, young man.

Good game. Thank you, sir.

Never seen anybody your size

do as much damage as you do out there.

Thanks. You do a lot of damage yourself.

Wish I had your size.

You'd be dangerous.

Hey, you want a ride?

Nah.

Your dad's always there, watching.

Every practice, every game.

All my life. (LAUGHS)

Did he play when he was younger?

He was an amazing athlete,

the best in every sport he ever tried.

If he hadn't gotten in a car accident

and banged up his knee, he would have been

a Major League Baseball player for sure.

So he's like one of those dads

living his failed dreams through you.

He just wants me to give everything I have

in whatever I do, all the time.

School, sports. It's all the same to him.

I've seen a lot of dads like that.

What matters to us both is for me to get a scholarship.

We don't have a lot of money for tuition.

I'm sure you're gonna get plenty of offers.

So far, nothing.

I bet you don't have that problem.

So many, I don't know what to do with them all.

Must be nice.

Hey, you ever hear of Army's two great running backs,

Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis?

They were called Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside.

That's us.

Sounds good, Mr. Outside.

Okay, Mr. Inside.

Hey, one more thing.

Lakewood used to be the number one team in the state.

You know we're not gonna lose a game

for the rest of the year.

Sounds good.

FRED: I appreciate you taking my call, Coach Crowder.

Just wanted to make sure you got my letters.

Well, I will tell him you said that, sir. Thank you.

(FRED LAUGHS)

Tell him he's also a 4.0 student.

165, with room to put on more.

Well, I assure you, sir.

He weighs more than 145 pounds.

A junior college.

Well, thank you anyway.

Who's next?

The Air Force. They recruit smaller players.

I have to study.

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

(DOOR OPENS)

You wanted to see me, Coach?

The University of Texas.

What about it?

Mike Campbell, their defensive coordinator,

is somebody who trusts my word.

And he thinks a little different than most coaches.

University of Texas? Me?

No guarantees, of course.

Did they show any interest?

Well, he came up yesterday to recruit Bobby.

Oh, well, that's why. (SCOFFS)

Hold on now.

I made Iron Mike watch a season worth of film.

You got his attention.

Okay. What do I do now?

They want you and Bobby

to fly to Austin this weekend to meet Coach Royal.

You need to sit down, son?

No, I have to go. I have to tell my dad.

Now, wait.

I'd be careful about getting hopes up.

They meet with a lot of kids without making them an offer.

Right.

It means a lot they want to see me.

Thanks, Coach.

University of Texas.

Doesn't look real.

Been a lot of great football played here over the years.

Never thought I'd see this place.

If I have anything to do with it,

you'll be playing here.

But it's not up to me. You ready to go meet him?

Yes, sir.

All right.

Freddie Stein mark.

Yes, Coach, that's me.

Watched film on you again this morning.

You run like you got a school of minnows in your pants.

Thanks.

I like the way you attack.

I try to teach my kids

to drive through the ball carrier.

Not just lay him on the ground.

Looks like that just comes natural to you.

I'm thinking about you playing some safety

and maybe returning punts.

How's that sound to you?

Maybe you need some time to decide.

Um...

No. No, sir.

What is it, son?

Well, every other coach just thought

I was too small to play.

ROYAL: (CHUCKLING) Too small.

Well, I'm 5'10".

I was an okay college football player.

Okay? (LAUGHS)

He quarterbacked the University of Oklahoma

to an undefeated season in 1949.

ROYAL: Mike.

You want me to play here for you?

Son, I'm offering you a scholarship

to attend the University of Texas and play football.

How can I be more plain?

You will not regret giving me the chance, sir.

Becoming a Longhorn and part of this football team

is a dream come true.

Give me my hand back now, son.

Sorry.

As for you.

(SIGHS)

Well, I figure you Colorado boys can be roommates.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

All right. That's all for today, boys.

We'll be seeing you back here in two months. All right?

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Sir, Coach. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you.

(LAUGHS) Wait for it.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(FREDDIE AND BOBBY WHOOPING)

Never gets old. (CHUCKLES)

Thanks for the ride.

Why didn't you call?

I kind of wanted to tell you in person.

So, what happened?

I can't believe that place.

Everything is bigger and better in Texas.

And that means?

Coach Royal, he, um...

He offered me a full scholarship.

What?

I'm so happy for you, son.

You worked so hard for this.

Answered prayers.

Yes.

Answered prayers.

FREDDIE: So now, I have to look at everything

in a totally different way.

Over there, Wheat Ridge is where I used to play.

University of Colorado.

No, thanks. You had your chance.

Nope.

And Notre Dame had their chance, too.

You know, I wanted to go there all my life.

Till now.

My dream is to play them some day

and show 'em what a terrible mistake they made.

You know what? Forget the Broncos.

I'm going with my first choice now,

Chicago Bears.

Coach Royal believing in me makes me think

anything is possible.

I have a surprise for you.

Uh-oh.

Oh, no. It's a good surprise.

Uh-huh?

Actually, it's a great one.

It's too dark.

It's an acceptance letter. From Texas.

What? How'd that happen?

I applied and was accepted.

Well, what about your plans to go to CU?

No. You and I are part of a bigger plan.

Well, I know, but I didn't know you were going to...

No, no. Spanish is my major.

They have the biggest department in the country.

I thought your parents said

there was no way they would ever let you...

I am very persuasive. (LAUGHING)

Yes, you are.

Yes.

(LAUGHS) You're going.

We're going to have the best time in Austin.

I can't wait to get started. Yeah?

FREDDIE: Texas!

LINDA: Yeah! FREDDIE: Whoo!

Gentlemen,

impress me.

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

CAMPBELL: Drop it! Drop!

Come on, move those feet. You can do better than that.

Come on, pop up.

Hope Coach is right about you.

Yes, sir.

Better keep up

with your Colorado buddy, Mitchell.

He's here because of you.

Come on! Move those feet now.

Come on, Mitchell! Quit dogging it.

That was awesome, Bobby. Doing great, buddy.

Stein mark, you're up.

Let's go. Come on. Let's see some hitting.

UT FOOTBALL PLAYER 1: Let's go, now!

Set, hut!

(ALL CHEERING)

CAMPBELL: Who's next? Reynolds, go!

Nice pop for a Colorado boy.

UT FOOTBALL PLAYER 2: Set, hut!

There you go, Freddie. Good hit.

Oh.

(PANTING)

(DOOR OPENS)

Hey. Want a burger?

BOBBY: No.

What's the matter?

My brother Mark joined the army.

Why are you so upset?

You ever hear of a little place called Vietnam?

Yeah, but not everyone who joins the army is sent there.

He's training to be a helicopter pilot.

I'm going to get a beer at the rectory.

You want to come?

A beer at the rectory?

Yeah.

Some priest named Father Bomar

invites the football players over to get away, relax.

Have some brews.

A priest?

(SCOFFS)

Yes, altar boy, a priest.

(DOOR CLOSES)

They use the freshmen as cannon fodder.

Since we aren't eligible till sophomore year,

they don't care how much the varsity pounds us.

I'm worried about you getting hurt.

Me? I'm invincible. Never been hurt in my life.

My roommates tell me that football players

are the targets for every girl in this campus.

You can't possibly be worried about me.

Well, you were treated special in high school.

And if you end up being a star on the team,

which I know you will,

they're going to treat you like a god.

♪ I can't see me loving nobody but you ♪

♪ For all my... ♪

Stop. That's too much, stop. (MUFFLED SINGING)

Freddie! Freddie!

They moved me to a more advanced Spanish class.

Congratulations.

My teacher, very good-looking.

Really?

Yeah. Jealous?

Hey, Captain. Good to see you.

Do I know you? Freddie Stein mark.

I'm a freshman. I'm on the team.

Welcome aboard, young pup.

It's Bill Bradley.

One of the top quarterbacks in the country.

He's going to lead us to a National Championship.

(LAUGHS) Young pup?

Upperclassmen don't normally even talk to freshmen

till spring practice next year.

Oh, so he honored you?

Yeah, I guess he did.

Let me lay this out as plain as I can.

A 6-4 record is unacceptable for Texas football.

This year, things are going to be a little different.

No, a lot different than anything we've ever done here before.

Gentlemen, football doesn't build character,

it eliminates the weak ones.

We're about to weed out the weak.

Come on, come on, come on. Let's go, boys. Get them up.

ROYAL: We got 200 players

fighting for a spot on a 100-man roster.

CAMPBELL: Come on.

Get that butt down, Mitchell.

ROYAL: That means, by the end of this two weeks' spring practice session,

100 of you are going to quit,

get hurt,

or we'll kick your ass out of here

for not being good enough or not working hard enough.

Faster. Double. Double time. Let's go! Double time.

We are going to stay here all day.

ROYAL: No one is guaranteed a spot or a starting position.

Each week, you will be rated.

Come on, Stein mark, get up there!

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

ROYAL: Some of you who played this week

won't be in the same spot next week.

Move! Move! Faster. Let's go! Faster!

ROYAL: Last spring,

we didn't wear pads until the second week.

Or get into the nutcrackers or eye-openers until ten days in.

This spring, we start now.

(PLAYERS CHEERING)

CAMPBELL: Come on, come on, come on, come on.

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

Happy hour.

I don't think I'm pushing these boys hard enough.

(CHUCKLES)

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

ROYAL: You ran 30 off this week alone.

That Stein mark kid. I can't make him sweat.

The more I push him,

the more he answers the call.

I don't know what they're putting in the water up there in Colorado,

but we could sure use some of that down here.

(CHUCKLES) Okay, Frank, we'll do that.

(1960s MUSIC PLAYING)

FREDDIE: All right. Let's see what you got.

Show me. Yeah, that's right. Lighten your feet.

Yeah, I'm ready.

Oh! Wheeler's pass, intercepted by Stein mark,

takes it back all the way!

Oh, it's a monster tackle!

Wheeler takes Stein mark down. The last-ditch saving tackle.

(YELLING)

LINDA: Stop. Stop.

Stein mark is down. (LAUGHING)

This summer went by too fast.

Mmm. Not fast enough.

I can't wait to start practice and play for real.

You know, you got nothing but football on your mind.

That's not true.

Hmm?

It's not.

Gentlemen, we're going to implement a new offensive set.

It's called "the triple option."

Now that means we're primarily going to be a running team.

And I guarantee you

no one we play this year

will have ever seen this offense.

Now, quarterbacks.

Bradley, Norwood,

Street, Phillips.

How you read the defense

and make instantaneous decisions

will determine whether this system works or not.

So, we're going to try you all.

And whoever can best handle this challenge,

runs the show.

Okay?

All right, let's give our quarterbacks three.

Let's get to work.

PLAYER: Let's do it, come on!

Down, set, hut!

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Bill, where are you going?

Down, set, hut!

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Smart play, James.

Set, hut!

Man, that kid's got an arm.

Yeah, he's a little slow on the read,

but he can throw.

Set, hut!

We're either going to go 10-0 or 0-10.

We sure as heck ain't gonna go 6-4.

(JAMES SINGING)

Fast Freddie.

Hey, slick.

Boy, you showed them how it's done out there, little dink.

Little dink?

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Hey, you and me need to stick together.

You lead the defense, I'm going to lead the offense.

I'm a long way from leading anybody.

Hey, bubba,

I know a gamer when I see one, all right?

Give us a couple years,

you and me are going to be running the show.

I won't be running the show.

And you got the number one quarterback in the nation

in front of you. Ooh!

Just a matter of time, Fast Freddie.

FREDDIE: Hey, Bobby. Hey.

Hey, what's the matter?

They're moving me to offensive line.

Guess they're trying to make me quit.

Look, I don't want your Pollyanna bullshit now.

Okay.

But you're not going to quit.

Why is that?

Because you promised your brother you wouldn't.

CAMPBELL: Stein mark.

Coach Royal wants to see you. In his office.

Yes, sir.

Come on in, Freddie.

Sit down.

We don't have a defensive back,

including upperclassmen,

who understands their position as well as you do.

Hell, it's like you got a second sense

of where the damn ball is going

before it even gets there. (LAUGHS)

We think you may be the toughest kid

we got on the team.

Thank you, sir.

We're moving you up.

Starting safety.

You'll be the first sophomore starter

I've had since Tommy Nobis.

And he was the greatest player I ever coached.

I'm honored, sir.

ROYAL: All right.

Now, there's a lot on you, son.

We wouldn't be making this move

unless we knew you could handle it.

Yes, I can. I definitely can.

ROYAL: Good.

Because this season it's going to be Texas smash-mouth football.

Offense and defense.

Can't wait.

Glad to hear it.

(CROWD CHEERING)

JOE: After a very disappointing first contest

with Houston,

we'll see if the Longhorns

and their newfangled triple option offense

can get untracked here at Tech.

That was a bold gamble which did not pan out.

No question.

Coach Royal is on the hot seat.

PHIL: The fact is, the fans are restless.

If they don't win this game today,

you can just about write this season off.

Here you go.

BILL: Set, hut.

JOE: Bill Bradley is really struggling with this offense.

PHIL: And yet another turnover.

Oh, my God.

BELLARD: 86, cover the flat.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

One, two. (GROANS)

ROYAL: Take a knee.

MEDINA: Listen up.

ROYAL: You are embarrassing me,

the coaching staff,

your family,

the University of Texas, its fans.

But most of all,

you're embarrassing yourselves.

Where in God's good earth is your pride, gentlemen?

Is that how you want people to remember you? Mediocre?

There is a hell of a fight going on out there.

We ought to get in it.

CAMPBELL: Let's go!

(PLAYERS AGREEING)

BILL: Down. Set, hut!

Aw! Damn it!

JOE: More of the same here in the second half, Phil.

I don't know what Coach Royal

was thinking with this offense.

PHIL: It's a bit of a train wreck, Joe.

(SIGHS)

Where's Street?

Street!

16!

CAMPBELL: Street!

Yes, sir?

Get your helmet on. Yes, sir.

CAMPBELL: Defense, get ready.

Get in there.

Yes, sir.

Hell, he can't do much worse.

What is this? We've got a change here, Phil.

New quarterback?

Coach called you out.

PHIL: Joe, it looks like a desperation move to me.

James Street is raw and unproven.

JAMES: What the hell are you doing? Let's go.

Y'all want to play some Texas football?

All right. All I ask is you guys

stick with me one play at a time, all right?

Can we do that? PLAYERS: Yeah.

Down. Set, hut!

JOE: Street pitches it to Koy.

For a big gain!

There you go.

JOE: There goes Street. Spin move.

Touchdown, James Street.

FREDDIE: He got it.

Set, hut!

JOE: Touchdown, Steve Worster.

I guess he just needed the right quarterback

to make the triple option work.

Good read, James.

JOE: That might be the end of Super Bill Bradley,

one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

Replaced by a fourth-string quarterback

we've never seen before.

JOE: Despite a strong second half,

Texas is win less in the first two games

of the last two seasons.

And that hasn't happened in 72 years.

First to arrive, last to leave.

I like how quiet it is before everybody gets here.

What you reading there?

Chemical Engineering.

You are one of the darnedest players I've ever seen.

Sure wish I had a lot more like you.

Yes, sir.

Looks like we're the only ones left on the team

that still get our hair cut every week.

(LAUGHS) Yeah, yeah. You could be right.

Who is that young woman I see you with all the time?

That's Linda, my girlfriend.

We've been together since her junior year.

Hmm.

I first laid eyes on Edith in high school.

Fell in love faster than a hiccup.

Well, I hope we end up together

as happy as you and Mrs. Royal.

Thank you, Freddie.

(LAUGHS)

I need to stop by and see you every day.

You just make me feel better about things.

Anytime, Coach.

My office.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Bradley's not here.

Probably already transferred.

(PLAYERS MURMURING)

(PLAYERS QUIET)

BILL: Come on, slick.

Throw me a pass.

I'm looking for a new position.

Let's go, gunslinger. Run her to post.

Hit me.

Yes, sir.

Hut.

(ALL LAUGHING)

(LAUGHING) (PLAYERS CHEERING)

You all right, bubba?

Our quarterback! Hook 'em!

(ALL CHEERING)

Let's get to work.

(PLAYING UPBEAT MUSIC)

JOE: It's Stein mark again.

Up and over. Touchdown, Bertelsen.

PHIL: Stein mark on the return. He's got blockers, Joe.

He's out to the 50.

He could go all the way!

Touchdown! Whoo!

JOE: Street with a keeper.

He gets hit. Spins!

Oh, another touchdown for the Longhorns!

This triple option offense,

which sportswriters are now calling "the wishbone, "

has changed this Texas team.

PHIL: And defenses don't know how to stop this offense.

The Longhorns will not be denied.

JOE: Street to Speyrer.

On the end-around.

He breaks it up field. Touchdown, Cotton Speyrer.

Amen.

PHIL: Another vicious hit

by Stein mark at the line for no gain.

JOE: Well after a horrendous start,

Texas have outscored their opponents 320 to 134.

PHIL: And has won the Southwest Conference championship.

JOE: What an amazing season for Stein mark.

Leading the league at interceptions

and being named all Southwest Conference safety.

PHIL: And if it was my vote,

Texas would be number one in the country.

(GRUNTS)

I've been looking for you.

What is it?

Bobby just found out his brother got killed in Vietnam.

(SIGHS)

(1960s MUSIC PLAYING)

...in the name of freedom must stop.

End the war.

PROTEST LEADER: We are sick and tired

of our brothers dying thousands of miles away

fighting useless wars.

Hey, man! First Amendment.

Right to free speech.

To hell with your free speech.

Let him go. We've got plenty more.

Hey, war lover.

War lover.

FREDDIE: Bobby! Bobby! Bobby! Hey! Hey!

Hey, it's me. Hey.

Mark's... I know.

(SOBBING) I'm so sorry.

Come on, let's go.

ALL: (CHANTING) No more war! No more war!

He had such great plans for his life.

He was everything I wanted to be.

And nothing has ever hurt this much.

(SNIFFLES)

Tell me why God takes my brother so young

with such a great life ahead of him.

I don't think anybody can answer that question.

You know,

just because you're not a religious person

doesn't mean you can't pray at a time like this.

If I did pray,

it would be to ask God to bring my brother back!

I understand.

Look, I'm sorry. I didn't meant to yell at you.

Don't be sorry.

You have every right to be mad and yell all you want.

Doesn't do any good.

Nothing does any good.

FREDDIE: Can you believe a man just walked on the moon?

No.

It didn't even seem real.

Everything's changing so fast.

Yeah. In two years we'll be graduating.

And then?

NFL.

And?

What do you mean "and"?

Is it still a boy and a girl?

No, it's three boys and a girl.

(LAUGHING)

Three?

All right, fine. How about four?

No. Three.

Four.

Four.

Thirsty.

Ow! You okay?

(GROANS) Yeah, it's nothing.

You sure?

Bruised it playing softball.

ROYAL: I hope you don't read this bull-crap.

We do not care what other people write about us.

We don't care what people think we can and can't do.

Only those of you right here can tell that story.

And, gentlemen,

I'm counting on it being a great story.

(CROWD CHEERING)

PHIL: The University of California

should be a good first test.

JOE: There hasn't been this much excitement

about Texas football in a long while.

Even ABC is anticipating

a number one versus number two showdown

at the end of the season.

And right now that would be Texas versus Arkansas

for the 100-year anniversary

of college football.

JOE: Stein mark! A loss of three.

PHIL. The Campbell twins join up on a tackle!

JOE: Street, scrambling again.

He's in trouble, but he gets out of it!

Touchdown!

JAMES: Yeah, baby.

(PLAYERS PANTING)

You all right?

Fine.

JOE: Final score. Texas, 17 to nothing.

A great defensive effort led by Freddie Stein mark.

Your leg's still bothering you.

It'll be okay.

You got to see Medina.

He never healed anybody.

His whole job is to tape you up and send you back out.

I'd hate to see you play at 90%.

Good stuff, man.

PHIL: Texas Tech has gotten the better

of the Longhorns in the last two years,

but with James Street at the helm

and Freddie Stein mark in the secondary,

this Longhorn team has a completely different look.

JOE: It's 28!

Stein mark again with another interception.

Revenge is sweet.

Texas crushes Tech 49107.

PHIL: And they'll next face arch-rival Oklahoma,

led by power back Steve Owens.

JOE: It's a war of wills now. Power versus power.

PHIL: And the Sooners are counting on Owens

to carry the bulk of the load

but Freddie's got something to say about that.

Come on!

(CROWD CHEERING)

JOE: And the Longhorns prevail in a slug-fest. 27 to 17.

Smell that?

Yeah.

Wait, isn't that illegal?

Why are you still limping so badly?

I'm not.

Don't act like you're not in pain. I know you.

I'm getting better.

It's not getting better. You have to go see a doctor.

I'm doing all right out there.

I see you. Trying to hide your limp on the field, too.

Look, if I wasn't doing the job,

I wouldn't be playing.

If it's still a problem after the Arkansas game,

I'll have someone take a look at it.

That's not for another month.

I'm not going to miss this season, Linda.

It's going to be special.

I know it.

Stubborn.

Stubborn boy.

JOE: It's Speyrer on the reverse.

He's going to throw it. It's a long one to Peschel.

What a grab. Touchdown!

(FREDDIE GROANING)

PHIL: Stein mark took a big hit there, Joe.

It looks like he might be hurt.

He's going to shake it off.

JOE: Well, he's a tough kid.

JAMES: Set, hut!

JOE: Street with a keeper.

Scrambling again. Touchdown!

Stein mark on the coverage.

PHIL: Freddie got beat on that one, Joe.

How's it feeling?

It's fine.

JOE: What a catch! Touchdown!

Texas has this wrapped up 49 to 12.

PHIL: And now they are the number one team in the land.

JOE: Arkansas' number two.

Phil, this could be the game of the century.

Hey, Freddie.

Didn't know you came in this early.

What happened to you?

You look like you've been run over by a truck.

It's this way after every game.

You know what it's like out there.

It's different for me. I'm the one who's doing the hitting.

Yeah, I got 11 of you bastards coming at me every play.

And most a hell of a lot bigger than you.

(STEVE GROANING)

How's that leg of yours?

Pain is pain.

Comes with the territory.

You got that right.

All I care about now is the Arkansas game.

That's why we're here.

To play for all the marbles.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

(BOTH SIGHING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

How's the leg, Freddie?

It's not bad.

It just keeps getting banged up. I'll be fine.

Seems like it's getting worse.

Everyone is a little beat up this time of the season.

Montgomery is the best quarterback we play against.

When he watches the film,

he's going to see that you're vulnerable.

And he will attack.

I know all his tendencies.

I'll be in the right place at the right time.

I promise! Coach, I will not let you down.

(SIGHS)

Even at 90% I want you out there.

You're the heart of our defense.

And hell, you boys only allowed

three touchdowns all year.

After we win this game,

we'll have three weeks before the Cotton Bowl.

If it still hurts, you see a doctor, okay?

Yes, sir.

My leg will be perfect New Year's Day.

PHIL: Welcome to The Big Shootout!

Or as many have been saying, college football's

Game of the Century.

FANS: (CHANTING) Texas! Fight!

There's not an empty seat here in hostile Razorback Stadium.

Two undefeated teams,

number one Texas versus number two Arkansas,

battle for the National Championship.

(CHEERING)

JOE: Arkansas present the Longhorn defense

with their toughest challenge of the year.

PHIL: But no team this year has figured out

how to stop the potent wishbone offense.

What we got here, Joe,

is two great offenses versus two great defenses.

JOE: And despite the bitter rivalry,

coaches Darrell Royal

and Frank Broyles are good friends.

PHIL: Maybe not from the opening kickoff

to the final gun today, Joe.

And this game has received SO much attention

that even the President is expected at any moment.

JOE: I have never seen one game

receive so much publicity.

Hey.

Can you hold up one more game, little dink?

Wouldn't be if I couldn't.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

If you want to help, keep their defense on the field, huh?

I'll see what I can do.

(BOTH LAUGH)

PHIL: The helicopter, Marine One, is landing.

President Nixon will soon be Joining this raucous crowd.

Here we are.

Wheat Ridge boys. (WHOOPS)

Playing in front of the President

of the United States in the biggest damn game ever!

All part of the plan.

(LAUGHS)

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.

Let's go, boys!

I'm going to set the tone of this game

right here, right now. (FANS CHANTING)

On three. One, two, three.

PLAYERS: Texas!

JOE: And here we go. Texas, first series on offense.

Set. Hut!

JOE: James Street.

Hands off to... Fumble! Arkansas recovers!

PHIL: Holy cow. First play right off the scrimmage.

I'd hate to say the crowd was already a factor,

but maybe they are.

And just as the President arrives.

Glad he didn't see that.

I wish I hadn't seen it.

Unbelievable.

(PLAYERS GRUNTING)

JOE: Touchdown!

Arkansas draws first blood.

JAMES: Hut!

JOE: Street going back for his first pass of the day.

Going for Speyrer.

Under thrown. And intercepted!

(CHEERING)

Street rolls to his left.

Completion to Speyrer.

Fumble!

A scramble for the ball, and Arkansas recovers again.

Stein mark with a big hit.

Street, going for Speyrer.

And again, another interception!

PHIL: What a disastrous start for the Longhorns, Joe.

Damn it! PHIL: There's two interceptions and two fumbles,

and the first half isn't even over.

(CHEERING)

(PLAYERS GRUNTING)

JOE: And Texas, stuffed once again at the line.

MONTGOMERY: Set, hut!

JOE: Montgomery to Johnny Rees.

Tackled by Stein mark. A gain of five.

There you go. Nice hit, Freddie.

Nice hit.

Darrell, Stein mark is really struggling.

I'm thinking about it.

JOE: Third and 10 on the Texas 22.

Down!

Set! Hut!

JOE: Montgomery. He's looking downfield.

Great protection.

Dicus is right there, wide open!

And he lets it go!

Touchdown, Arkansas Razorbacks.

PHIL: There is nothing going right

for Texas right now, Joe.

Mr. Referee, he was blocking on me

when the ball was in the air, and that's against the rules.

JOE: Now, hold on a minute there, Phil.

I see a flag.

Flag. It's coming back.

ARKANSAS PLAYER: Come on!

PHIL: You know what, Joe?

I believe Tom Campbell convinced the referee

that he was interfered with.

How does he get to call that?

REFEREE: He was blocking...

ARKANSAS COACH: They're the number one team

in the nation. I understand.

But you don't make a call like that

with something like this. (BOOING)

Not in a game like this, you can't make that call.

PHIL: Worst half of football

the Longhorns have played all year.

Arkansas have figured out how to stop this wishbone.

JOE: And at the end of the first half,

it's Arkansas 7, Texas nothing.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

RANDY: I'm wide open after every five yards.

Hey, slick. I can get open out there. I promise.

All right. Well, if your number's called

and you're open, I'll get you the ball.

You going to be all right?

One more half.

CAMPBELL: Listen up!

Everybody up.

I'm not gonna stand here and tell you

what you're doing wrong, what you're doing right.

By God, you wouldn't be playing if you didn't know that.

Men, I want you to think about

all the years we spent together.

The practices.

The weight room.

The heat.

The sweat.

The vomit.

The Medina drills.

So difficult, every one of you at some point wanted to quit.

As you see,

it was all for a purpose.

To get ourselves

to this place,

for this great battle.

Don't let all those hours

you put into this endeavor go to waste.

In about one hour,

a gun is going to go off and end the game.

And at that point,

the world will know

that the 1969 National Champions

were the University of Texas Longhorns.

FREDDIE: That's right.

Now give me three.

TOM: Come on, let's go! (PLAYERS CHATTERING)

What you say, boys?

All right. One by one, let's go.

Play by play, let's go.

Hey, let's go get them, Fast Freddie.

PHIL: They've spotted the ball inside the Texas 30-yard line.

So that was a pickup of two

on that last running play, Joe.

JOE: And it's Arkansas.

Second down and eight on the Texas 29.

Dicus and Rees split through the left.

Montgomery, back to pass.

And he hits Dicus on a crossing pattern.

He's got some running room.

He's on the ten, five.

Arkansas, touchdown!

The Razorbacks strike first in the second half.

PHIL: Stein mark had a shot at him,

but he couldn't get there in time.

Freddie's a step behind.

PHIL: A demoralizing score for the Longhorns,

who are now down 14 to nothing.

Hey! It's your time, slick.

BELLARD: Let's go, Texas.

Just watch me.

JOE: Second and nine for Texas on the Arkansas 44.

Street goes back. He's in trouble.

He breaks free. He almost goes down.

And there he goes.

He's at the 30, the 20, 10.

Touchdown, James Street. What a run!

PHIL: You can't hold a good man down, Joe.

We've been seeing that scrambling artistry

from James Street for the last two years.

And now we can pull within seven.

JOE: Wait a minute, Phil.

Look there. Texas is going for the two-point conversion.

PHIL: That's a big risk.

If they fail, that makes it

a two-possession game instead of one.

JOE: Coach Royal rolling the dice on this one.

It's Street, he fakes left.

Spins, goes right. And he's in there!

Two points, Texas.

Arkansas 14, Texas 8.

PHIL: Darrell Royal, the riverboat gambler,

wins that bet.

The number one team in the land is back in the game.

Let's go, come on.

JOE: Montgomery goes back and hits Dicus again!

A 21-yard gain.

(GROANING SOFTLY)

Down.

Set! Hut!

JOE: There's the throw. And it's too long.

But we have a flag.

PHIL: There was a hold.

Stein mark was going to get beat,

and he grabbed his jersey to save a touchdown.

I've got holding, number 28.

PHIL: So, with that penalty,

that's going to be a 15-yarder.

That's going to move it all the way from the 24

down inside the 10-yard line to the 9, Joe.

JOE: I've never seen him do that before.

He's finished. Take him out.

Get in there.

Freddie!

FREDDIE: You can do it, Rick.

JOE: Rick Nabors, the backup safety is in.

PHIL: Joe, I believe that's the first time I can remember

he's being pulled from the game for not doing his job.

At least he saved a touchdown.

I'm sorry, son. I hated to do it.

The right call.

Bring your kinnies!

Come on, now. Stiff it up!

JAMES: Set! Hut!

JOE: Montgomery, looking for Dicus. He throws it.

Interception!

Danny Lester.

He breaks the tackle and returns it back

all the way to the 25.

PHIL: That's a big break for the Longhorns.

They dodged a bullet.

Montgomery and Dicus were on a roll.

Offense, on the field.

JOE: And here we go. With six minutes to go,

Texas needs to make something happen.

Time's running out.

And it's Street to Speyrer on the end-around.

He breaks it up field to the 40, 45,

into Arkansas territory.

Set! Hut!

JOE: Koy, with a quick hit to the inside.

A gain of a couple.

Worster again, off tackle. Maybe three yards at the most.

Third and five. Worster again. They didn't make it.

PHIL: Now it's fourth down

and the clock is still running, Joe.

Damn it.

Ref!

JOE: Time out, Texas. Fourth art about two and a half.

PHIL: Oh, this is going to be Coach Royal's

biggest call of the game, if not the season.

JOE: No doubt.

That veer should be there.

Fourth and two and a half.

Fourth and two and a half.

But with this field position, if we go for this

and don't make it, and give it back to them,

that's it, game's over.

We got four minutes left.

Right 53 veer pass.

Hey, Coach! Right 53 veer pass. You sure?

Hell yes, I'm sure. Run the play.

Yes, sir.

Yeah, I might be wrong, but I'm not confused.

Defense, get ready.

All right. Get in tight.

Randy, this one's coming to you.

Right 53 veer pass. On one.

You better be open.

I'm always open.

All right.

On one, on one! Ready? PLAYERS: Break!

Carry out your fate!

JOE: Here we go. James Street, over center.

Everybody on their feet here at Razorback Stadium.

Set! Hut!

(GRUNTS)

JOE: Randy Peschel! It's caught!

PHIL: He somehow came up with the ball.

Yeah, baby! (LAUGHS)

atta boy, Randy!

PHIL: Coach Royal gambling it all on that play.

(CHEERING)

How in the hell did he get behind them?

JOE: James Street and Randy Peschel coming through.

James!

JOE: They're now in scoring position on the 13.

PHIL: They're now in National Championship position, Joe.

JAMES: Huddle up! Huddle up!

All right, Darrell, you're a genius.

JAMES: Set! Hut!

JOE: Hand off to Ted Koy,

and he pounds his way to the two-yard line.

An 11-yard gain.

(ALL CHEERING)

And Bertelsen rams his way into the end zone.

Touchdown, Texas!

A 14-14 tie!

PHIL: And that's why Coach Royal went for two.

To set up kick and a simple

extra point in taking the lead.

He wasn't planning on playing for no tie.

JOE: And here's the kick.

It's up. It's good!

Texas leads 15-14.

PHIL: But there's still 3:58 left.

Plenty of time for Arkansas

to get back in scoring position.

Rick! Rick!

Keep Dicus on the inside.

Don't bite on his post move.

Got you.

You're doing great. One more stop.

I want Freddie in the game.

You sure?

All right.

We got three minutes to hold them.

Coach wants you back in there.

Come on, defense! Saddle up!

Freddie's going back in.

Let's go, Freddie.

Come on, son.

LONGHORNS FAN 1: You can do it, Freddie!

LONGHORNS FAN 2: Longhorns!

MIKE: Hey, welcome back, Freddie.

Hold them right here. Let's go!

JOE: Montgomery, back to pass.

Spots his favorite target Dicus.

And completes it again.

Hell, you can take Dicus, baby. Let's go!

JOE: Now the Razorbacks in Texas territory

at the 46, first and ten.

CAMPBELL: Stein mark! Hey!

Man, 80, man!

Guys, we have got to shut Dicus down!

I got him.

I got him.

Drop somebody.

PHIL: Joe, all Arkansas needs is another 20 yards,

and they can kick a field goal and win this game.

MONTGOMERY: Down!

Set! Hut!

JOE: Montgomery rolling left looking for Dicus.

He's covered tight by Stein mark.

He's got to throw it away.

PHIL: Great coverage by Stein mark.

That's it, Freddie!

That's my boy. FRED: Yes!

JOE: Second and 10 on the 46.

Set!

Hut!

JOE: Montgomery, looking downfield.

Dicus not open.

He goes for Rees.

PHIL: Interception!

Tom Campbell! What a grab!

Right there!

(ALL CHEERING)

(CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Yeah! Yeah!

Texas! (CHEERING)

PHIL: That's it they've done it!

JOE: Number one Texas wins

the National Championship, 75 to 714!

It's like a dream, right? National Championship!

It's why we came to Texas!

Congratulations, Darrell. Heck of a good game.

It's a game for the ages.

Could have gone either way. It could have, it could have.

Good luck to you guys.

Got it! BOBBY: Number one, baby!

Fast Freddie!

(BOTH WHOOPING)

PHIL: A game for the ages, Joe.

JOE: No doubt about that.

PHIL: What a battle it was.

They'll be celebrating in Austin tonight!

ALL: Longhorns!

(ALL WHOOPING)

(MARCHING BAND PLAYING)

(WHOOPS)

(WHOOPING)

Freddie!

Hey! (SQUEALS)

(LAUGHING)

You were right, National Champion!

Meant to be!

I know. All part of the plan, right?

I'm proud of you.

(GROANS)

The doctor, tomorrow.

And don't even mention the Cotton Bowl.

We're gonna be playing Notre Dame!

It's the first time they ever accepted a Bowl invitation.

They wanna prove they can beat the National Champions.

The doctor. Tomorrow.

That's it. No more interviews.

We've got to start preparing for Notre Dame.

Come on in, Freddie. I'll talk to you later.

(EXHALES) Sit down.

Your leg.

It's worse.

I'm sorry.

Don't be sorry.

I wanna play in the Cotton Bowl.

I think we have to have somebody good take a look at it.

Yeah. I know.

Everything I've done to make it better hasn't worked.

I don't know, maybe I should have held you out

a couple of games.

No way, Coach.

I wouldn't have missed one minute of one game.

I know.

Let me be clear.

We would not be National Champions

if you had not been out on that field.

You hear me?

Lance, will you get me Dr. Julian, please?

Dr. Julian, it's Darrell.

Listen, I need you to clear the decks.

Give my Freddie Stein mark the VIP treatment.

No, now.

Thank you. He'll be right over.

Dr. Julian's the best bone and joint doctor we have here.

He'll take good care of you.

I'm going to New York to collect the MacArthur Bowl.

Oh, yeah.

You gonna be okay?

Yes, Coach.

Thank you.

You're welcome, Freddie.

You ready to get right to it?

Yes, sir.

Okay.

This area, here, is the problem.

There are a couple of possibilities.

Bone spurs, coagulated edema.

But the most likely is that it's a tumor.

A tumor?

Tumors can be benign.

We've decided that the best course of action

is to send you to Houston M.D. Anderson Hospital.

It's part of the University of Texas Medical Center.

There are good hospitals here. Why go to Houston?

Because they got the best oncology department in Texas.

Oncology?

The study of cancer.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

FRED: Hello?

FREDDIE: Dad.

I just talked to the doctor.

They're sending me to a cancer hospital in Houston.

I think my leg is bad. Real bad.

Please don't tell Ma.

Okay, well, I have to tell your mother, son.

We're coming down there.

No, you don't have to go,

I'll call after I know anything.

When's your appointment?

5:00, tomorrow afternoon.

Okay. We'll see you there.

No, you don't have to go.

It would be a waste of time and money

if it turns out to be benign.

Son, we're coming.

How are you?

I'm okay.

We are gonna come and see you real soon, champ.

Tonight, we'll say our prayers together.

(SNIFFLING) Yes, Mama, we'll do that.

We'll do that.

Okay.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

(EXHALES)

(APPLAUSE)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

MAN: Since 1959, the MacArthur Bowl has been

presented by the National Football Foundation...

(WHISPERS) Coach Royal, you have a phone call in the vestibule, it's urgent.

MAN: It is annually awarded

by the National Football Foundation

to the outstanding college football team of the season.

Since it was first offered in 1959,

the trophy is looked upon as one of the most celebrated...

Thank you.

Doctor, it's Darrell.

Are you sure?

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Okay. Well, let's get him there as soon as possible.

We'll charter a plane, we'll...

No, I'm scheduled to come back tomorrow night.

Forget that. I'm going to the airport right now.

Yes, thank you.

Somebody here to see you.

Why didn't you call me?

How did you get here? I drove.

When I didn't hear from you,

I found out from the football office

that they flew you here.

I just didn't want you involved with all this.

Involved?

I'm a little more than involved, don't you think?

I'm sorry, I knew you'd wanna be here,

and it's a three-hour drive, I...

I would drive across the country for you.

You know that.

Whatever you're going through, I'm going through.

I know.

I'm sorry.

It's gonna be okay.

(SNIFFLING) Your parents are flying in.

I'm picking them up in a couple of hours.

Thanks.

I'll be outside.

Love you. I love you.

How are you, Linda?

Coach.

I thought you were in New York.

Ah, hell, I never liked those big cities.

If Coach is here, it must be serious.

DR. MARTIN: Well, Freddie, I'm going to lay it out to you,

as simple as possible.

We're going to biopsy your tumor.

Best scenario is that it's benign, we can drain it,

and you'll be out of here in no time.

But the chance of that happening,

based on my reading of the X-ray, Is quite small.

It's most likely an osteogenic sarcoma.

Bone cancer.

If that's the case,

I'm going to have to amputate your leg.

We have no other choice.

Okay.

How far up?

DR. MARTIN: The hip.

Okay.

We'll see you first thing in the morning.

Yeah.

Thanks, Doc.

Thank you, Doctor.

(EXHALES)

Freddie, you and I have been through

some tough spots together.

Both of us have

been behind in life,

and we've come back. We've never given up.

You can't give up now.

Okay, Coach.

Whatever it is,

you will meet the challenge.

And I'll be here for you.

(BREATHING SHAKILY)

Yeah.

Thank you.

Freddie, don't get up.

Let me do it now.

(GRUNTS)

I may not get another chance.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

You know why we're having this meeting?

I think it's about Freddie.

Has anybody heard anything?

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

ROYAL: Sit down. Sit down.

Everybody sit down.

As you're all aware, Freddie's surgery was today.

I want you all to know the outcome

before you heard it from somewhere else.

They found a cancerous tumor,

the size of a baseball, on his femur.

Doctors told me they didn't know

how he could walk on that leg,

much less play football.

Of course, I'm sure

that wouldn't surprise anybody here.

They amputated his leg...

Damn. ...at the hip.

Men, your teammate is in the fight of his life.

And if there's anybody I know,

or have ever known, who's up to it,

it's Freddie Joe Stein mark.

That boy has never backed down against nothing or nobody,

and he won't now.

But he's gonna need all of you.

Your thoughts,

your prayers,

your support.

Hey, Coach.

Are they gonna let him out of the hospital

to come and be with all of us at the Cotton Bowl?

I'm afraid not.

Doctor said a minimum 30 days before he can leave.

But, men, he will be there with us in spirit.

He will be there with us.

(SOBBING)

(GROANS SOFTLY)

I'll never play again.

I won't be able to show Notre Dame

what they missed out on.

None of that matters now.

Look at me.

There is nothing my boy can't do.

You will beat this.

We'll do it together.

(SWALLOWS)

Okay, Mama.

GLORIA: (WHISPERING) You are so strong.

You're gonna be okay.

Love you, son.

FREDDIE: I love you.

GLORIA: Get some sleep.

Hey, hot dog.

When you get out of the hospital,

we're gonna go to our favorite parking spot.

That may be a while.

They said at least a month.

I've got nothing but time.

We're gonna get back to our normal lives. I promise.

Normal? (SCOFFS) Yes, normal.

We got plans, mister.

I can see our future from right here.

Right here.

There's Austin,

where we'll graduate May, a year from now.

(SIGHS)

Right there is Denver,

where you're gonna be coaching.

And there's our little house in Aurora,

where we're gonna live with our one girl

and three boys.

(SNIFFLING)

(BOTH WEEPING)

You're making a fast recovery. That doesn't surprise me.

Hey, Dr. Martin, this is my best friend, Bobby Mitchell.

BOBBY: Hi.

What are those for?

Oh, Freddie.

He's gonna be with us at the Cotton Bowl.

(CHUCKLES) Not on those, he's not.

FREDDIE: Please, Doctor.

No, I'm sorry, Freddie.

It's out of the question. Uh, you know...

Only way we could let you go is in a wheelchair.

Even that's doubtful.

You just had a major traumatic surgery.

I won't go in a wheelchair.

Then you're not leaving the hospital.

Can't you just let me try the crutches?

No.

Your system will be in recovery for weeks.

Just being upright puts too much pressure

on all your stitches.

I'd just like to try.

I'm sorry, Freddie, this is not up for discussion.

I'll be back to check on you tomorrow.

Nice to meet you, Bobby.

Doctor.

Hey, Bobby.

Let's prove him wrong.

BOBBY: Easy, easy. No, I'm good.

One, two.

Yeah. Okay.

One, two.

(GROANING)

All right, come on.

Maybe this isn't such a good idea.

Let's try it one more time.

Okay.

One, two.

One, two.

One, two.

ROYAL: Excuse me, Nurse.

I just went to Freddie Steinmark's room,

and he's not there. Is there something wrong?

Yes, there sure is.

We can hardly keep track of him.

He's constantly on the move.

Those two practice every day for hours.

I know some doctors do not support this,

but I think it's great.

There it is.

Thank you, Nurse.

Absolutely.

All right, end of this hallway,

then I'll get a break. (GRUNTING) Okay.

All right. Okay.

Yeah.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

DR. MARTIN: There's a rumor going around

that you've gone renegade on me.

FREDDIE: I don't know what you're talking about.

Well, this isn't the military,

and I can't order you off the crutches.

I can only strongly advise against it.

Dr. Martin.

How many patients of yours have lost limbs

due to bone cancer?

Well, I don't have the statistics.

There are many variances.

Please. I wanna know where I stand.

I read an article on how bone cancer

is one of the deadliest.

Hardest to cure.

Well, that's true, it is.

But I've had a number of success stories.

I'm asking you to be straight with me.

I need to know.

The survival rates for your form

of osteogenic sarcoma are not high.

Doctor,

I'm gonna ask you one more time,

and I'm begging you to tell me the truth.

How many patients who lost a limb

from my kind of cancer lived more than a year?

Very few.

(SIGHS)

Thank you.

(SIGHS)

(PLAYERS CHATTERING)

Bob.

Hey, little buddy.

McCoy's nothing. You're gonna own him.

I will.

It's your game, Woo Woo.

Tom.

I'm counting on you to shut down Theismann.

I'm planning on it.

Street. Hey, Freddie.

You know, their left corner's slow. Attack on his side.

You got it.

Welcome back, Freddie.

Hey, Mr. Inside.

Mr. Outside.

(SIGHS)

Hey.

Give 'em hell.

Yeah, I'll take care of it.

All right, men, let's listen up.

I don't need to say this,

because I know it's all in your heads anyway.

Let's go out there and win Freddie a game ball.

Yeah. (ALL CLAPPING)

Yeah!

(CROWD CHEERING IN DISTANCE)

(CROWD CHEERING)

There he is!

You ready? Let's go get 'em, boys!

(PLAYERS SHOUTING)

(WHOOPING)

(CROWD CHEERING LOUDLY)

Yeah, boy!

(CAMERA CLICKS)

ROYAL: We won that game.

And Freddie did get the game ball.

That kid had a tub-full of guts and courage.

And defying the doctor's odds,

he lived another year and a half.

He died on June 6, 1971.

His family and Linda by his side.

But he still lives in our hearts.

We honor his spirit before every game.

(PLAYERS SHOUTING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

Let's go!

I don't know if I tell you how proud I am of you.

It'd be kind of, you know, an understatement.

Afraid if I talk too damn long, I'm gonna choke up.

But we've got a guy that we love a lot.

Freddie, here it is for ya.

(ALL CHEERING)