Average Joe (2024)

[bunniefuu]

(grand orchestral fanfare playing)

(singer vocalizing)

(projector whirring)

-(crackling)

-(rumbling)

(wind blowing)

(animal bellowing)

(running hoofbeats)

(grunting, snorting)

(engine roaring)

MAN: Come on!

Come on! Come on!

(bellows)

Come on, boys!

Let's go faster!

Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!

Get alongside it!

Can you picture it?

I mean, what a way

to start the movie, right?

Except... it's not exactly

how it happened.

All right, boys!

It's camel tonight!

I wasn't wearing

the Jockey underwear.

-Joe!

-What? It's the truth.

Well, you can't tell them that.

That's why I added

the Jockey underwear.

(laughs uncomfortably)

Look, if you're serious

about turning this

into a movie...

that last thing I want

is it making me out to be

some sort of choir boy.

I mean, you ask anybody

who knows me,

I was a hellion of a kid

who nobody wanted.

I was always in trouble,

or causing it.

So...

...if you told me that saying

a prayer on the 50-yard line

was the thing that was

gonna get me

in the biggest fight of my life,

you can't tell me that God

doesn't have a sense of humor.

We don't-- we don't know how

this thing's gonna play out.

I mean,

we're still waiting to see

if the Supreme Court

is even gonna hear the case.

But...

whatever happens,

the one thing everyone

needs to know is that...

it's all her fault.

What?

That... that is not true.

You're being way too humble.

You're the one who taught me

that there are still things

worth fighting for.



("Megaforce" by 707 playing)

You ready?

I had just gotten

kicked out of Jefferson.

Oh, wait.

Maybe it was Baldwin.

DENISE: No, it was Jefferson.

Baldwin was later.

JOE: Oh, that's right.

That's right. Thanks, hon.

CHRIS: What'd you do this time?

Put Ex-Lax

in Ms. Jakobiak's coffee.

Awesome!

Yeah, man. She gave me

three detentions last week.

She deserved it.

-Wanna come over for dinner?

-Yeah.

My mom's making tuna casserole.

(tires skidding)

-What's wrong?

-Look. Over there. It's her.

The new girl.

She was in my class today.

JOE: What?

(sighs dreamily)

I'm gonna marry her.

Joey, you've gotta go over there

and tell her that I love her.

Why can't you just go do it?

Come on! Go over there

and see if she likes me, okay?

Fine.

("Innocence of Love" playing)

JOE:

As I walked up the drive,

I swear, time slowed down

like one of those

cheesy romance movies.

We have the innocence

of love

(exhales deeply)

We hold the--

-YOUNG DENISE: Wait.

-(record scratches)

That's not even close

to how it happened.

-It's not?

-No.

That's exactly

how I remember it.

No. No, what I remember is...

I was playing in the yard,

minding my own business, when...

Will you marry me?

You're creepy.

Mom!

(lock clicks)

Okay. Maybe you're right.

But you can decide later

which way to film it.

(sighs)

Well? What'd she say?

I'm gonna marry her.

What? No. I am!

(breathing rapidly)

("She's the Medicine"

by Hot Mute playing)

JOE: See, I told you.

It was my very first fight.

All because of Denise.

(boys grunting)

Off my lawn!

Hey! Hey!

Get off my lawn!

Oh, baby, don't make me.

Got it?

Did you miss naptime? Okay.

So, why don't you focus

on dinner?

We'll go to bed afterwards.

-It's okay.

-(child crying)

What happened?

Got in a fight with Chris.

MOTHER:

Joseph Anthony Kennedy!

You're gettin' mud

all over my clean floors!

JOE: So when my birth mother

gave me up for adoption,

she was told I was going

to an older, wealthy couple

who lived on a farm

and couldn't have kids.

As you can see,

that was a big lie.

Just eat.

(school bell rings)

(echoing slam)

JOE:

Oh, I hated school.

Hated it.

So I found other ways

to educate myself.

("Call It a Day"

by Leon Creek playing)

Yep. I was a pool hustler.

Good game.

-JOE: For a 20% cut...

-Thanks.

...the bartender was

happy to look the other way.

Best math class I ever had.

While it lasted.

(engine idling)

MOTHER:

Get out.

JOE: When no one in the church

directory would take me in,

my mom found a family friend

who offered a more...

hands-on approach.



MOTHER:

Let's go.

(spits)

Bring your gear, boy.

You small and deaf?

I said bring your gear!

(seabirds squawking)

(chuckles)

Who taught you

how to use a knife?

We got lines to pull yet.

-Move it.

-I'm trying!

-You talkin' back to me, boy?

-I said I'm trying!

And I said you're talking

back to me, boy!



Maybe nobody ever taught you

any respect.

You ungrateful little b*stard.

(grunting)

(grunts)

-Never disrespect me.

-JOE: No. No. No!

MAN:

What did I say?!

-(thudding blows)

-Never disrespect!



(indistinct chatter)

Oh, my heavens.

-Joey.

-Jesus, Mary and Joseph, son.

JOE:

My mom swore she didn't know.

But it didn't matter.

Something inside me had changed.

And no one would ever

knock me around like that again.

Not without a fight.

(dog barking in distance)

-(door slams)

-(woman screams)

(muffled yelling in distance)

MAN: All you do

is you stay at home all day!



(muffled yelling continues)



I-I'm sorry.

Can I come in?

(yelling continues in distance)

You... like grape?

They're my favorite.

(snorts) Mine, too.

Thanks.

What happened to your eye?

My sister hit me

with a Barbie doll.

(giggles)

Does it hurt?

Nah.

-(glass shatters)

-(woman screams)

Can I ask you something?



Does it work?

What?

Praying.

I saw you through the door.

I hope so.

(yelling continues in distance)

(woman screaming)



Don't worry.

We're safe in here.

You still think I'm creepy?

I guess you're not so bad.





(birds chirping)

DENISE: Joe claims he fell

in love with me at first sight.

It was his letters that

made me fall in love with him.



(muffled yelling in distance)

They let me see the real Joe.

The one that wasn't

always in trouble.

He has this sweet side that

most people don't get to see.

Oh, I'm sure those letters

are super cheesy.

(giggles) No, they weren't!

No, they-they were what

got me through those nights.

Knowing that...

that you were there...

as much as you could be.

MOTHER: This is an expulsion,

not a suspension.

Do you know the difference

in those two words?

-Yeah, but is this necessary?

-Just take care of it.

(sighs)

How 'bout you and me

go camping this weekend?

Just the two of us.

Really?

You're not...

you're not mad at me?

No.

Yeah...

-That'd be cool.

-Right.



JOE: We spent

two whole days together,

cooking over a campfire,

looking up at the stars.

It was the first time

I ever felt

like he was really my dad.

JOE:

What's Mom doing?

Joey... there's something

I gotta tell you.

What's going on?

Going on a little trip.



Mom, we just got back.

You're sending me away?

I thought we had a good time.

Joey, you're outta control.

It's the fighting,

the suspensions.

And now you're

getting expelled again?

You brought this on yourself.

Joey, get back here!

Please come back.

If he tries to hurt you...

...write to me.

I'll find a way back. Okay?

I'm gonna marry you, remember?

Wait. Just a second.

-Joey, come on!

-Just let him say goodbye.

I wish we'd never adopted him.

I'm sorry about the color.

I love the color.



(sobbing)



(engine rumbling)

BOY: Oh, what a moppy boy.

Look at this kid.

Look at this guy.

Look at his dad.

(chatter continues indistinctly)

GIRL: Is that a trash bag?

(laughs)



Aw. Is this

from your girlfriend?

(excited chatter)



And you must be Joey.

Name's Ben.

Now, you may be new here,

but we don't handle things

with our fists.

You understand?

Come on. Inside.

I thought I was fighting

because...

because I was angry.

But...

now I can see it was...

to stop the pain.

BEN: I know it's not easy

ending up here.

But all that fighting

isn't gonna

stop the turmoil

between your ears, son.

Until you're ready

to let go of that anger...

...it's just gonna keep

eatin' you up inside.

Well... I'll call you

for dinner.

(birds chirping)



(insects chirring)

Mom!

Mom, I'll stop fighting,

I promise!

I just wanna come home!

Joey?

Joey!

Sorry, Ms. Roberts.

I know it's early.

You don't know, do you?

Joey, they moved.



-(creaking)

-

Mom?

Dad?

Mom!

Is anyone here?

(anguished screaming)



(screaming continues)



-(dialogue inaudible)

-

(cicadas buzzing)

I want you to look out there

and tell me what you see.

I don't know.

Bunch of rocks.

What else?

I don't see anything else.

Well, look closely.

(sighs)

I see...

...an ugly tree.

Yeah.

It is ugly, ain't it?

But you know something?

Everything else has died away

except that tree.

It's got scars, sure, but...

it's also the toughest

son of a g*n out there.

You're that tree, Joe.

(cicadas chirring, buzzing)

You sayin' I'm ugly?

(laughs softly)

I'm saying that you

are a survivor.

But you can't do it alone.

Neither could that tree.

Only God can heal

all that hurt and anger.

Why would God care about me?

Nobody else does.

Because God

doesn't make throwaways.



Maybe you should give him a try.

JOE:

So I did.

DRILL INSTRUCTOR:

How lucky am I not to be related

to any of you maggots?

We have reached an all-time low

because you turds smell

like shame and sadness!

And your mommies

ain't gonna show up here

with milk and cookies

to make you feel better

about yourselves!

Because I am your mommy now!

JOE:

I didn't have many options

after the boys' home, so...

I decided to turn my love

of fighting into a career.

Did you just say something,

recruit?

-Sir, no, sir!

-That's what I thought!

The Marine Corps

is your last chance!

One, two, three, four,

United States Marine Corps!

God, you call these push-ups?

The Marine Corps

don't want you, recruit!

They don't want you!

DENISE: Dear Joe, I'm finally

gettin' outta this place.

I don't quite know

what I'm gonna do yet,

but I'm hoping

to make something of myself.

-Like you are.

-Why don't you just quit?

-Go ahead and quit.

-Sir, no, sir.

JOE: Dear Denise,

Sorry I've been MIA for a while.

I don't think I've ever

been this tired in my life.

It's the hardest thing

I've ever done.

-Crawl!

-Move it, recruit!

I love my job.

DENISE:

I'm excited,

and so nervous at the same time.

I wonder if that's

how you felt, too.

My three-legged dog can do

better jumping jacks than this!

JOE:

This is the first thing

I haven't been able

to hustle or steal.

I've had to fight every step

of the way and earn it.

That's pretty cool.

DENISE:

Anyway, here's my new address.

Please write soon.

P.S., I hope they aren't

being too hard on you.

One, two, three, four,

I love the Marine Corps!

(insects chirring)

We out here

sweatin' our asses off

and you would think

that they would give us

some decent chow.

Well, if this unit

isn't gonna respect me...

...I ain't got no respect

for this unit.



You stomp on that flag.

Go on!

Are you deaf?

I gave you a direct order!

Go on and stomp on that!

Go on, now!

What y'all sittin'

your asses around for?

Stomp on that flag!

That's right.

Stomp on that flag.

Kennedy!

You dare disobey a direct order?

JOE:

Sir, no, sir.

DRILL INSTRUCTOR:

You think

you all high and mighty,

Kennedy?

Sir, no, sir!

This private will not

disrespect his unit flag, sir!

Get your a*s over there

right now!

Sir, no, sir! This private

takes great pride in his unit

and will not disrespect

his unit flag, sir!

Then you will get down

and you will give me push-ups

until your arms fall off!

-Do you hear me?

-Sir! Sir, yes, sir!

Get on the ground

and give me push-ups!

Let's go!

Come on, now!

Oh, you call those push-ups?

My sister can do better

push-ups than that!

You can make this stop, Kennedy.

All you gotta do is

go over there

and stomp on that flag, Kennedy!

Get over there

and stomp on that flag.

Sir, no, sir!

Oh, you something special,

don't you think, huh, Kennedy?

Come on, now!

Those aren't push-ups!

Think you're

some kind of hero, Kennedy?

-Sir, no, sir!

-Did I say you could stop?

Did I say you could stop?

What are you doing?

You can make this stop, Kennedy.

All you gotta do

is stomp on that flag!

Well, look at the trouble

you're causing, Kennedy!

Look at the trouble

you're causing!

Did I say you could stop?



Get up!

MARINE:

Oorah!

-Oorah!

-OTHERS: Oorah!

(overlapping shouting)

-Oorah!

-Oorah!

-Oorah! Oorah!

-Oorah! Oorah!

-Oorah!

-Oorah!

-Oorah! Oorah!

-Oorah! Oorah!

-Oorah!

-Oorah!

-Oorah!

-Oorah...

MAN 1: Thinkin' about

taking that new job.

Hey, what's up, man?

MAN 2:

Hey, is that Joe?

("Beggars Can't Be Choosers"

by Tiago Guy playing)

JOE:

Becoming a Marine

was the proudest moment

of my life.

And I finally felt worthy

of the woman of my dreams.

Hey, Joe. Good to see you.

Given your leftovers

Still, I'm happy to receive

See me smile

while you lead me on

JOE: There's only so much

you can put in a letter.

I guess we both

started leaving things out.

Some bigger than others.

In this game,

a natural loser

Born to be made use of...

JOE: I've taken a lot

of punches in my life...

but that was by far the hardest.

A little love

is better than none

(song fades)

(engine idling nearby)



(closes box)

(splashes)

I didn't know you were gonna

propose that night.

-Surprise.

-(laughs softly)

So I married her cousin.

It made for some pretty

awkward family get-togethers.

JOE: Just as my marriage

was falling apart,

I got deployed

to go fight overseas.

It seemed a bit more of an

honorable way to end things.

Or at least that's what

I told myself.

The Iraqi insurgents

lit the oil fields on fire

to try and slow us down.

Uh... the smoke, at times,

was so thick

you couldn't even see your hand

in front of your face.

But I-I guess you'll have to

light that scene somehow, right?



-(lights click)

-(electricity buzzes)

-JOE: Hey, Frankie?

-FRANKIE: Yeah?

JOE: I bet you

I could lasso a camel

-from the back of a Humvee.

-(scoffs) Yeah.

MAN (on radio):

Enemy contact! Enemy contact!

Inside the perimeter or outside?

MAN (on radio): Incoming!

Incoming! Gas! Gas! Gas!

(cacophonous a*tillery fire)

You see 'em?

I can't see anything, man!

I can't see with this mask.

(thunderous expl*si*n)

-(banging on door)

-JIMMY: Denise!

Hang on!



(toilet flushes)

-(pounding on door)

-Denise!

I'll be right there!

JOE:

Dear Denise,

I know it's been a while, but...

-Get down. Get down!

-(g*nf*re)

...I don't know who else

to reach out to.

-(heavy a*tillery fire)

-I hope you're happy.

You're not thinking

of leaving me, are you?

(whispers): You'd never see

your kids again.

DENISE:

Please don't worry about me.

You got enough

to worry about over there.

Just come home safe.

JOE: Right now, home seems

a million miles away.

I gotta get out!

I gotta get outta here!

-(screams)

-Frankie, no!



Frankie!

(g*nf*re slows, distorts)

("Survival"

by Sanctus Real playing)

(singer vocalizing)



I got lost on the way...

JOE:

Dear Denise,

I feel like I'm losing a little

more of myself each day.

DENISE: I know what it's like

to lose yourself.

Sometimes I wonder

if God still hears me.

JOE:

I'm trying to hang on.

DENISE:

I pray God hears me

'cause I don't know

what else to do.

JOE:

I hope you're okay.

Whoa, I want more than

I want more than survival

More than survival

JOE:

Dear Denise,

Thank you for the letter.

I appreciate you praying

for me, but...

God seems like a fairy tale

over here.

And I feel like I'm dying

a little inside every day.

Yeah

I want to live

like a child...

JOE:

The one thing w*r will do

is show you

what you really care about.

Please keep writing to me.

It's okay.

It's gonna be okay.

JOE: You're the only thing

keeping me grounded.

I want to live like a child

To run life wild and free

DENISE:

We're gonna be just fine.

Mommy's here.

We're gonna be just fine.



More than survival

I want more

Yeah, I want

more than survival

Oh, whoa

I want more

Yeah, I want

more than survival.

I never got that letter.

(inhales deeply)

Took me three tries to escape.

And for the first time,

we lost touch.

For nearly ten years.



(insects chirring)

(Denise sighs)

-Happy birthday, stranger.

-Oh, God!

(scoffs)

-Joe?

-You didn't think I'd forget,

did you?

Joe Kennedy?

(cries joyfully)

-Oh, Joe!

-What?

You scared the heck outta me!

Yeah, I did. I'm sorry.

What... (laughs)

What in the world

are you doing here?

Well, I haven't heard

from you in forever.

So I just wanted

to check up on you.

What happened?

It's, um...

It's a... it's a long story.

Well, hey, can I, uh,

can I take you out

and celebrate your special day?

There's that caf

around the corner.

We can get a bite.

-Now?

-Yeah, why not?

Uh, I mean...

you aren't embarrassed to be

seen with me like this?

You look amazing.



(laughs)

-This is crazy.

-(Joe chuckles)

What do you say?

Yes!

You know, you're lucky

I didn't mace you.

I know.

Probably not a great idea

surprising you

in a dark parking lot.

DENISE:

And I had to stop writing you

'cause I just couldn't

take the risk.

(train whistle blowing

in distance)

I had no idea

how bad it had gotten.

-How'd you get through it?

-(laughs)

I prayed.

A lot.

He cut me off

from everyone, Joe.

And if I reached out

to anybody for help,

he'd manage to turn them

against me, too.

If I had known, I would've

found a way home

and kicked his a*s.

(laughs)

Is that still your answer

for everything?

(Joe chuckles)

Well, it...

it's kinda my job now.

Okay. Stop. That's--

That's enough about me.

Tell me--

Tell me more about you.

I heard things

didn't work out with Nancy.

Yeah. Yeah, we weren't...

we weren't a great fit.

And me being overseas

for so long,

that didn't help either.

What was it like over there?

A lot of pain and suffering.

Yeah. I...

I'm sorry. I hope I didn't...

No, don't...

Don't apologize.

You're what got me through it.

Me? (laughs nervously)

What-what do you mean?

I wanna show you something.

Come on. Come on.

Yeah. Just-just right here.

Just right here.

What are you...



You kept 'em.

These letters...

...they're what kept me

fighting to get back...

to you.

I'm glad you're back.

Hmm.

(fireworks whistle)

(echoing booms)

Wait. Hold on.

I don't remember any fireworks.

(laughs)

That's how I remember it.

(imitates firework explosions)

(Denise laughs)

("True Devotion"

by Kristin Diable playing)

JOE:

It only took 27 years,

but we finally got hitched.

I always knew

it would happen eventually.

The kids had grown up

and moved out,

so we went from

being empty-nesters

to regular old lovebirds.

You don't have

to wait, mmm...

-Yes. Yes.

-You need to just let me.

Oh, okay. Fine.

You take it.

True devotion is learning

how to love you as you came

Oh, I'm learning

how to love you.

Hey, Helen. This is Joe.

Is Denise available?

-(marching footsteps)

-(recruits chanting)

She what?



(engine starts)

Can I get you anything else?

Another pillow?

I'm fine.

(thunder rumbling)

She wasn't fine.

(thunder rumbling)

It's been an honor.

I had to be there

for Denise after her TIA.

Lieutenant!

A transient ischemic attack.

I had had a mini stroke.

Babe, we don't have to get

into that if you don't want to.

No.

No, I think it's an important

part of the story.

(clock ticking)

Okay. What is wrong?

If you have to ask,

then you don't understand.

The truth is, uh...

after the TIA,

I was an emotional wreck.

It's not about what I said.

It was how I said it.

Nobody wants bologna for dinner.

You need to just make

an effort to hear me.

I was struggling with anxiety,

and anger, and depression.

Add to that some PTSD

from my first marriage

and you don't need

to be a therapist

to see that we were in trouble.

You what?

I... I quit my job.

Don't you think we should've

talked about this?

I've been struggling

for months and...

...it's like you didn't notice.

Oh, how would you even know?

Huh? I can barely get you

to look at me anymore.

I didn't know how to handle it.

And... in true Joe fashion,

I just made it worse.

This isn't about you, Joe.

I'm hurting,

and all you're doing

is pushing me away.

I feel like I-I'm living

in this house

with a complete stranger

for months.

-I'm trying.

-And I just want my wife back.

I said I'm trying, Joe!

What do you want me to do?



Nothing.

Do nothing, Joe.

Don't.





PREACHER: How many of you

out there today

feel like you're trying

so hard to hold on?

JOE:

I felt completely lost.

PREACHER:

But the harder you try...

JOE:

I was losing the woman I love

to this thing

I didn't understand.

(sighs) And I was desperate.

PREACHER: I'm asking you

to come down here

so we can pray for you.

All you have to do...

is give God a try.



Hey, God. It's Joe.

I know it's been a while.

I'm sorry about that.

But I really need you.

You know that surrender's never

been an option for me, but...

I can't do this alone.

Please help me.

I can't lose Denise.

I can't.

So...

if you could somehow

fix things for her,

with us...

I promise you...

I'll dedicate

the rest of my life to you.



Please, God.

Please.

I'm sorry, babe.

(Denise sighs, sniffles)

DENISE:

I couldn't believe he did that,

and put God

above everything else.

With everything

I'd been struggling with,

and my first marriage,

I... I don't think I was gonna

be able to trust any other man

until they were willing

to put God first.

I mean, I-I know that's why

God brought her into my life.

(clicks tongue) And...

Um...

Yeah.

(birds chirping)

Morning!

Morning.

You play football for Northlake?

Oh, no.

You have any interest

in coaching?

I-- Not really.

It's terrible pay,

and more hours

than you can imagine, but...

I got a feeling we can use

someone like you.

Just think about it.

JOE: Said he was

the athletic director

for your school district.

-Big smile?

-JOE: Yep, that's him.

(laughs)

He asked me if I was interested

in coaching football.

What?

Well...

you want me

to follow up with him?

Nah. Don't worry about it.

I'm gonna grab a shower.

("Let Me Live My Life"

by 707 playing)

Hey, Coach.

Let me live my life

You're up early, Coach.

Good morning, Coach.

I wanna live my life

Good evening, Coach.

(song fades)

(gentle organ music playing)

Hi.

This Smiling Sam character

just won't take a hint.

He's stalking me.

DENISE: I think stalking

may be a little strong.

No, he's definitely

stalking me at this point.

Well...

maybe you should

consider his offer.

Coaching? Honey...

only time I've ever played

football is in the Marines.

And we kept score

by counting broken bones

at the end of the game.

Oh. Right.

Oh, they were fine.

(chuckles softly)

-I mean, mostly.

-Uh...

What?

I'm just wondering if maybe

you're being given

this opportunity for a reason.

It sounds like a bunch

of the boys on that team

are growing up in situations

pretty similar

to what you had to deal with.

Maybe God thinks

you'd make a good mentor.

PREACHER:

Proverbs 3, 5, and 6

says to trust in the Lord

with all your heart.

When we surrender

our lives and plans to him...

he will lead us on a path

that is far greater

and more beautiful

than anything

we could ever imagine.

(grunts, sniffs)

(sighs)

Can you hear me?

It's time for you

to stop running.

(dramatic music on TV)

I'm talking to you.

MAN (on TV):

We're a family!

And I know that might

scare some of you

because you've never

been part of a family.

But I think that's why

God brought us together.

To show the world

that with a little faith,

just a little faith,

we can do anything.

(cheering on TV)



All right, God.

All right.

I'm all in.

Win or lose, I'm gonna give

you thanks after every game.



(tires screech)

I'm in.

Oh, yeah.

(indistinct chatter)

Oh, yeah! That's what

I'm talking about.

Come on. I see you!

That's your captain, huh?

He could use more structure

and discipline.

-That's what I hired you for.

-(laughs) Good luck with that.

These boys can't even

spell "discipline."

Number 13

should be your captain.

HEAD COACH:

Johnson? The kicker?

Sam, this is your experiment.

So let's give it a try.

Can't wait to see

how this one works out.

Let's go, boys!

Bring it in!

Hustle!

This is Coach Kennedy.

He is a retired

Marine drill instructor.

He has joined our staff

and he's gonna be making

changes to the program.

Starting with team captain.

Can I have your captain's

jersey, please?

Is this for real right now?

You can earn it back.

What, this a joke?

(laughs)

Coach, who is this guy?

Johnson.

You're captain now.

(whistle blows)

HEAD COACH:

Take a lap!

Great first impression.

("Play With Fire"

by Sam Tinnesz playing)

ANNOUNCER: Wolverines

are looking strong tonight,

and continue to have

a great season.

I love the smell of gasoline

I light the match

to taste the heat

I've always liked

to play with fire

Mm, yeah, mm, yeah

Mm, yeah

Play with fire

Mm, yeah, mm, yeah

I've always liked

to play with fire

Yacht money wired,

no denying

I've always liked

to play with fire.

ANNOUNCER:

And that's the game, folks.

Where you going?

ANNOUNCER: ...just the second

defeat of the season.

There was just no opportunity

to get into

a good rhythm tonight.

(announcer

continues indistinctly)



Please. J-Just hear me out.

I think I can fix this.

Liz, please. Don't.

(exaggerated laughter)

Aw...

(laughter continues)

Now what's he doing?

(whistle blows)

All right, team, load it up.

Let's go. Come on.

Every plate we got. Let's go.

Everything we got.

Double time. Come on.

Hustle! Hustle! Let's go.

(clanking)

There we go. There we go.

So, team,

what do you think of Johnson?

I think homie just got benched

by his boo.

-(laughter)

-JOE: I know, right?

I mean, who lets his girl

disrespect him like that?

I mean, maybe...

maybe he's not fit to lead.

-That's enough.

-No, no. I apologize, Coach.

I really blew it.

I picked the wrong guy

to captain this team.

He is so weak...

that I bet he couldn't pull

that sled five yards,

and I sure know

he's not gonna be able

to pull it to the 50-yard line.

Gimme your captain's jersey.

Let's go, Johnson.

I want you to prove us wrong,

so then you can earn this back.

You got it in you?

Then let's go.

Prove it to us, Johnson.

Just five measly yards, Johnson.

-(laughter)

-Johnson!

-Is that all you got?

-Kennedy! That's enough.

No, no. Let's let 'em.

Come on. Laugh it up at Johnson.

-Let's go!

-(exaggerated laughing)

Kennedy! I said that's enough.

Does he look

like a leader to you?

-No.

-No, sir.



(grunting softly)

You sure about that?

(grunting)

I got you. I got you.



All right, y'all, we're goin'

on three. We're goin' on three.

One, two, three.



-(whistle blows)

-JOE: Huddle up!

This team...

will never get a win

if you don't have

your captain's back.

He didn't quit on you

and you won't quit on him.

Family never gives up on family.

-Understood?

-ALL: Yes, sir!

-I didn't hear you!

-ALL: Yes, sir!

Rub some dirt on it.

(soft laughter)

-What are we?

-Family!

-Who are we?

-Wolverines!

-What are we?

-Family!

-Who are we?

-Wolverines!

-What are we?

-Family!

-Who are we?

-Wolverines!

(yelling)

(all join in rallying cry)



DENISE:

When Joe started coaching,

it expanded our family.

(boys cheering)

-No!

-(all groan loudly)

("Let's Get Together"

by The Fever Dreams playing)

BOYS:

One, two, three!

(grunting shouts)

(whistle blows)

Set, hut!

There we go. Nice.

We got this. Do those.

JOE: We were teaching these guys

a lot more than just football.

Joe still doesn't

have this right.

JOE:

Set! Hut!

Drive up.

Go home.

There we go.

(cheering)

Come on, come on,

it's now or never

(crowd cheering wildly)

So come together, come on

Get together, come on

I know you're livin'

a fast life

Slide. Slide right.

But you're

carryin' a heavy load

You say no one can help you

but they just might

Get you where you wanna go

Come on

Come on, come on,

it's now or never

We ain't ever

gonna get there, friend

So come together, come on

Hey, get together, come on

Oh, yeah-ah

Come together, come on

Oh, let's come together,

come on

JOE: I never thought of my job

as training football players.

To me, my job was to teach

young guys how to become men,

and set a good example.

Well... most of the time.

Oh, let's come together,

come on

Down, up! Down, up!

Hey, Coach!

Can we pray with you?

A free country.

("Let's Get Together" continues)

Come together, come on

(groaning) Oh...

Oh, let's come together,

come on

(grunting) Oh, boy.

It'll be all right, Coach.

Just-just rub some dirt on it.

(laughter)

-What are we?

-Family!

-Who are we?

-Wolverines!

Now come together, come on

Yeah, get together, come on

-What are we?

-Family!

-Who are we?

-Wolverines!

One, two, three!

Wolverines!

(all cheering)

(crowd cheering)

ANNOUNCER: That's another

Wolverine victory!

(cheering fades)

God, you are awesome.

Thank you for the privilege

to play this sport that we love.

Thank you for watching over

these players tonight

and protecting them

during the game.

Thank you for giving them

the talent to play this game

and get 'em home safe tonight.

Bless their families. Amen.

BOYS:

Amen!



-(knocks)

-Denise?

Could I see you in my office

for a minute, please?

Sure, Bruce.

(Denise sighs)

So I'm supposed to tell the kids

they can't pray with me?

Well, that's what

the district is saying.

They're worried it looks like

you're forcing them to do it.

Forcing them?

Oh, come on. That's the dumbest

thing I ever heard.

I guess I was wrong about this

being a free country.

Come on, Joe.

You know it's not that simple.

There's more.

They want you to pray

in the locker room

where the kids can't see.

What?

What do they want me to do,

pray in the broom closet?

Are you kidding me?

They want me to hide like I'm

committing some sort of crime.

-Joe.

-No, I mean, do you not see

how absurd this is?

Well, apparently the district

got another call,

so everybody's

just a little bit on edge.

For a 15-second prayer.

You know it doesn't matter

where you pray.

Yeah, but you know what?

It matters to me.

Okay. I'm not the enemy here.

I get it. It's not fair.

Nobody cared for years.

Now they do.

This is what the district,

as your employer,

-is asking you.

-(sighs)

Joe?

Joe, wait... I'm talking

to you. What are you doing?

JOE:

I'm praying.

Right.

(chuckles)



(crowd cheering)

JOE: Blast 'em!

Blast 'em! Blast 'em!

21! 21! 21!

Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!

-(boys grunt)

-Let's go, baby.

Go, baby! There we go!

There we go! Come on!

Let's go!

(cheering)

ANNOUNCER:

Touchdown, Wolverines!

What a play!

Great game tonight, fellas.

Great focus.

Way to play.

Way to hustle.

ANNOUNCER:

Staying focused on the game,

and attacking where it counts.

Standout play by Kennedy

for that first-quarter touchdown

really set the tone

for the game.

With that risky

two-point conversion,

they ex*cuted before the half...

-Coach! Can we pray with you?

-Hey, fellas. I'm sorry,

but not tonight.

This is my fight, and I'm just,

I'm sorry you're getting

pulled into the middle of it.

Doesn't look like

he's gonna comply.

-Kennedy!

-Not sure. We'll see.

Kennedy!

School district gave you

a directive.

You are not to pray

on the field.

Maybe do your job

and get them in the locker room.



(sighs)





God, forgive me for wussing out.

From now on,

I'm gonna kneel right here

on this 50-yard line

like I promised you.

No matter what.



Whoa.





(crowd cheering)

ANNOUNCER:

Wolverines, and what a play!

(all cheering)

Great work! Great work, guys!

Great work! Good job!

All right! Great game, fellas.

Great game!

Way to hustle tonight.

You told him, right?

Yep.

Don't do it, Joe.

You know what this means.









(birds chirping)

(cell phone vibrating)

Is that yours?

Yeah, I think so.

Who is it?

What is going on?

(Joe grunts)

(cell phone vibrating)

(beeps)

-Hey, Caleb.

-(over phone): Hey, Dad.

-Everything all right?

-Yeah.

You just gotta turn on

Sports Overtime.

-You aren't gonna believe it.

-Yeah, okay.

-I love you.

-I love you too, son.

Yeah, bye.

Turn on the TV.

All right.

NEWSWOMAN: ...in the world

of high school sports,

but overnight,

football Coach Joe Kennedy's

-social media post...

-Oh, my Lord.

...went viral,

claiming he expects to be fired

for taking a knee in prayer

after Friday night's game.

-(phone beeps on)

-Hello?

-(indistinct chatter on phone)

-Who is this?

Yeah, you know what?

Yeah, I think you should hang up

before I say something that I'm

really gonna have to pray about.

Yeah, that's right.

-NEWSMAN: ...to the point

where we must ask... -Jerk.

...what freedom is next

to be sacrificed on this

altar of so-called tolerance?

(cell phone vibrating)

And it once again

calls into question...

Hey, listen, buddy, I suggest

you forget this phone number

before I--

Yeah, who's asking?

NEWSMAN: ...that Coach Kennedy

risked his life to protect...

Yeah, I got it.

...as a Marine

and a combat veteran.

If these rights

are no longer safeguarded

for every American,

it will be of grave concern to

the state of the union, Karen.

Powerful commentary, Raymond.

Thank you.

We're gonna follow this story

as it continues to develop.

You the Liberty Bell guy?

First Liberty. Yes.

Steve Ford.

-Semper Fi.

-Semper Fi.

-Come on in.

-Thank you.

The bottom line is this:

I believe they violated

your rights.

But if it goes to trial, these

cases can take years to litigate

and there's no guarantee a judge

is gonna rule in your favor.

You up for that kind of fight?

I've been fighting

my whole life.

This is an entirely

different type of fight, Joe.

Normally, I would advise you

to talk things over

with your wife.

But she works for the district

and that can make things

complicated for the both of you.

If you decide to move forward.

Yeah. She'll be on board.

Okay.

Okay. We've got your back.

Let me know if you wanna

file the complaint.

Okay.

(Denise sighs)



Pretty awkward position

you put me in, Joe.

Didn't wanna include me

in this decision?

Uh... I didn't think it was

gonna be that big of a deal.

Oh, it's a big deal.

How do you think the

superintendent looked at me

when I didn't even know my

husband had filed a complaint?

I guess I thought you'd be

more supportive.

Did you even consider

how this might affect my job?

Coaching may be

a part-time thing for you,

but this is my career.

Would have been nice

not to be blindsided.

All right, hold on.

You know what they're doing

is wrong.

I'm just trying to do

the right thing.

The right thing for who?

I've worked really hard

to get here.

Now thanks to you,

I'm doing damage control.

Come on. Denise...



(sighs)

Get you anything else?

No, just... (clears throat)

just the check.

MAN:

Education, not indoctrination!

You got it?

Coach is wrong!

Keep religion out

of our public school!

Keep it out of school!

Hey, guys, focus on the game.

Ignore them.

Focus on the game.



(shouting continues)

(game buzzer rings)

Stay focused!

Ignore all this craziness.

Let's go. Stay focused.

Let's go. Stay focused.

-Come on.

-We got you, Coach.

No matter what. Family.

(marching band plays

in distance)

Surprised to see you here

this evening.

Just supporting the team.

If I were you, I'd be

embarrassed to show my face.

Look at this.

Enjoy the second half.

SAM:

This is a mess.

This mess is on you.

I'll take care of it.

JOE: Stay focused. Head in

the game. Head in the game.

You guys are doing great.

Down by a score, come on.



You see those signs? Huh?

You hear the things that

they're yelling at us?

Hey, I know you're fired up,

but please just do not engage.

You're darn right I'm fired up,

because these boys

don't deserve this.

How are they supposed

to concentrate on this game

with all that crap

going on out there?

Look, Joe,

this is gonna get ugly.

People are gonna be

coming for your head.

Just waiting for you to lash out

or make a wrong move,

and the press will rip you

apart if you lose your cool.

He's right, Joey.

Ben?

Been a long time, son.

It's all right, Steve.

Wow.

What are you doing here?

Well, I was just sitting in

my La-Z-Boy watching the news,

all of a sudden, I see your mug

causing trouble again.

But this time,

it's for something worthwhile.

I don't know, Ben.

I mean, maybe this whole thing

was a bad idea.

You're following orders.

It's just they're coming

from a little higher up

than you're used to.

Yeah, but...

but why me of all people?

I mean, you know me

better than anyone.

I'm no saint, Ben.

No. But you're a fighter.

Always have been.



You remember that ugly tree

I showed you way back when?

Saying I'm still ugly?

Joey, that tree's

still standing.

You know why?

Because God has a plan

for that tree.

So he made sure that it got

just enough water

so it wouldn't dry up.

Just enough wind

so it would learn to bend

and not break.

God has been preparing you

for this fight

your whole life, Joey.

I am so proud of you, son.

(Joe sighs)

Good man.

-Hey, come meet the team.

-All right.

You might be able

to inspire them.









I'm so sorry, Joe.

But it's my job as head of HR

to inform you

that you are hereby terminated

from your coaching position

for insubordination.

Would you please stop

telling people I fired you?

But you have to admit

it makes for a better story.

-Right?

-Okay.

Thankfully, the school district

did not make me fire

my own husband.

JOE: Meanwhile,

I learned that going to court

is nothing like what you see

on Law & Order.

I had to sit there and listen to

this lawyer spew lies about me.

Oh, I wanted so badly to

stand up and throat punch him.

But my lawyer wouldn't let me.

COURT OFFICER:

Please rise.



JOE:

One judge actually said

that he was forced

to rule against me

because of today's

political climate.

(echoing thud)

Which is a complete

load of garbage.

I hate this part.



So this is the new-look

Warren Elementary School,

and what we found was that

children learn better

with natural light,

so we added all these windows

here and here.

And you see

all these windows here.

This actually helps

the children to...



DENISE: Once people learned

that Joe was my husband,

it got ugly.

(people whispering)



DENISE: I was told

I should've been fired, too.

I finally had my dream job

and, overnight,

I lost the respect

of my colleagues and friends.



Suddenly, I was a target.

And...

(inhales deeply)

I became resentful.

(Joe clears throat)

I was gonna ask about your day.

Well, I can't tell you

because...

apparently I'm a conflict

of interest everywhere.

I'm being attacked on all fronts

because you refuse to take

a knee in the locker room.

You sure this isn't because

part of you likes the attention?

DENISE:

Where I used to turn to God,

I struggled

with resenting him, too.

PREACHER:

So we can pray for you...

DENISE: I just couldn't

understand how Joe and I

were on completely

different pages.

PREACHER:

...and watch how he steps in...



I didn't understand then why

he was doing what he was doing.

And, uh, I didn't know

how to tell her.

You're appealing to

the Supreme Court? Seriously?

Yes. Seriously.

We can't quit now.

Steve says what

the Ninth Court did today

would make it possible

for anyone

to be fired for even

the tiniest religious display.

Okay, I-I love that you wanna

defend and-and protect everyone,

Joe, but God doesn't

need you to defend him.

I'm not defending God.

I'm defending

the people of this country.

Yeah, the same people

who are sending us hate mail.

Some of them who are Christians

who don't

think you need to be praying

on the street corner.

That is their right.

To have a different opinion.

And like it or not, I am

fighting for those people, too.

I need to finish this.

Well, I hope it's worth it.



(Joe sighs)



(truck door opens, closes)



(mellow blues music plays

over speakers)

WAITRESS: Can I get you boys

anything else?

JOE: No, I think we're good.

Thanks, Abby.

I suppose you're gonna want

to pray over your coffee.

Well, as long as you promise

to be offended.

All right, that's it.

I'm outta here.

Thomas.

Please.

(Thomas sighs)

Look. First thing you need

to understand is that...

I never asked those kids

to pray.

Or invited them to pray

with you?

No.

Not even once?

Not even once.

Was never about them.

You didn't make it where

those kids

felt like they needed

to pray to play?

Absolutely not.

That would've been so wrong.

Oh, come on.

You weren't trying

to convert them?

No. Never.

Look, I'm a Marine...

and the Constitution

means something to me.

Our religious freedoms, they...

they belong to

every single American

no matter what they believe,

and I don't want anybody

taking those away from us.

Doesn't matter to me

who you believe in,

whether it's God or Allah or...

unicorns.

So it is just

the principle of it.

It's always been

a freedom thing.

Can I get some cream?

(sighs)

Thank you.

You're like Peter.

Peter who?

Peter the apostle.

Oh, right. Right.

Uh, I'm not, uh...

I'm not much

of a biblical scholar.

That's all right.

That's okay. It's...

Let me put it another way. Um...

If Jesus were Batman,

Peter'd be his Robin.

Got it.

When Jesus was arrested,

they asked Peter three times

if he knew Jesus.

All three times,

he denied knowing him.

You were asked three times

by the school district

to stop praying.

But instead of

denying your faith...

you did what Peter couldn't do.

You stood by

what you believed in.

Faced the consequences.

Hmm.

You know, you...

you say you don't

believe in God, but...

you sure know a lot

about the Bible.

A lot of people

are raised as Christians...

but get turned off by...

bad experience.

Yeah.

Yeah, it's unfortunate,

but I understand.



Look, have...

have you ever had a bad

experience at a restaurant?

Who hasn't?

Right.

Don't let one bad meal

keep you from being fed.

So as I'm sure you all know,

we've had trouble

at the high school

with one of our employees.

And we've had to--

Sorry I'm late.

I missed the email.

No, you didn't.

I'm afraid you can't be here.

This is about your husband,

and we're gonna be a while.

Why don't you, uh,

why don't you

take the rest

of the afternoon off?

So the decision was made

to hire legal counsel.

Right. Okay.

Oh, hey.

Denise just walked in,

so I'll talk to you

tomorrow, Steve.

Yeah. Thanks.

What's going on?

Uh... (chuckles)

Supreme Court turned us down.

Joe, I'm... I'm so sorry.

I mean, maybe...

maybe this is a good thing.

-Maybe we can finally start--

-No.

-You won't believe this.

-What?

They're actually gonna

give us a second chance.

Mm-hmm.

Steve said he's never seen

this happen in his career.

I mean, a second chance?

I thought the Supreme Court

either takes the case

or they don't.

Apparently, they think

the lower courts

made some mistakes.

They practically handed us

a roadmap to hear it next time.

Next time?

I can't do this again, Joe.

It's been three years

of our lives

turned completely upside down.

Y-You've promised me

it was gonna be over soon.

Yeah, but that was before we

knew the lower courts messed up.

(stammers)

I have tried to be patient.

-Have you?

-I have.

Because I've needed you

more than anyone by my side

but it doesn't feel like

you've been there, Denise.

Are you kidding?

I...

I have been there.

I... I have been

the collateral damage

to this whole thing,

and-and now you wanna do it

all over again.



Just stop fighting, Joe.

For-for once in your life.

You're just dragging us

through this whole mess

because you refuse to surrender.

This is me surrendering.

I don't know how else

to make you see.

Yeah, we're getting

some backlash,

but people from

all over the country

are sending in letters

of support, thanking me,

thanking me for taking a stand.

Aren't we more important?

I can't stop. Not now.

You can't or you won't?

I can't.

-(sobbing)

-I'm sorry.

And I can't keep

hurting you either.

-I'll go.

-No.

Joe!

Wait. That doesn't solve it.

Please.

Joe, wait!



-(clattering)

-(grunts)

Joe. Joe?

Joe! Joe.

Joe! Are you okay?

(grunts) Yeah.

What happened?

Joe.

I can't stop.

What?

I promised God that

if he'd heal our marriage,

that I would do

whatever he asked.

And making this stand

is what he's asked of me.

And it...

should've been our decision

from the start.

Not just mine.

And I never meant to hurt you.

I hope you can forgive me

for that.

'Cause I can't do it

without you.



It took you falling on

your head to figure that out?

(laughs) Yeah, it did.

-(sniffles)

-(sighs)

(sighs) I love you.

JOE:

I thought I had lost her.

Again.

It's like God intervened

at that very moment.

Coincidence?

(laughs softly)

I mean, I did ask you to fix

the handrail several times.

But I didn't.

(both laugh softly)

Denise.

Yeah.

What is it gonna take before

your husband gives up

this ridiculous crusade of his?

(scoffs)

You know, I-I really

don't appreciate your tone.

Don't ever speak to me about

my husband like that again.

You understand?



JOE: The district court

and the Ninth Circuit

both upheld their rulings

and-and we've been waiting

on pins and needles

to see if the Supreme Court's

even gonna hear the case.

So I took a job

to help pay the bills.

(grunts)

Yes.

I'm a gravedigger.

(dog whines)

The cool thing is,

I don't have to worry

about offending the people

I'm working around.

-Yeah? -STEVE: Joe,

they're taking the case.

("I'm On My Way"

by Evan Olson playing)

Now I see why I've always

been hiding behind my heart

I'm standing up tall

And I'm ready

to make a new start

New start

Yeah, I'm on my way

Hang up the phone

-Jump over...

-JOE: Denise!

-I'm on my own

-Joe?

Don't try to stop me

chasin' my dreams

What's wrong?

Joe... are you okay?

We did it.

We're going

to the Supreme Court, baby.

They're gonna hear our case.

-What? Joe!

-Yes!

Oh, thank you, Lord.

-Oh, Joe. Joe!

-(laughs)

Oh, God, you stink, hon.

You need a shower.

(indistinct chanting)



How crazy is this?

Hey.

I'm proud of you.

No matter what happens.



Hey, Coach!

How 'bout a prayer?

JOE:

God, you're awesome.

Thank you

for this crazy journey,

for Denise, for people

you put on our team.

Whatever happens, I'm grateful.

-Amen.

-Let me get this straight.

You're telling me

my client can't get in?

No, sir.

Fine. Hey, Coach. Hold up.

COVID restrictions.

They're only allowing

key personnel inside.

Press.

(Joe clears throat)

(sighs, scoffs)

This should be ill*gal.

After all these years, I can't

even attend my own trial?

-I mean, what a joke.

-Hey.

You've been fighting

your whole life.

Now's the hard part.

You gotta trust in God.

Let him finish it.

JOE:

I bet you were hoping to see

the Supreme Court case.

You know what?

So was I.

"Decision will take

a couple of months."

Heard that story before.

-

-(mower whirring loudly)

Lawyers are all the same.

Is this bologna?

Hurry up and wait.

-(mower powers down)

-(cell phone vibrating)

(cell phone vibrates)

Hello?



(sighs deeply)

(notification pings)

Here we go.

Here we go. It's in.

(sighs) Okay, Lord.

Your will be done.

"The Supreme Court rules

six-three in favor of...

...Praying Coach."



Joe, you won.

-We won?

-Yes!

We won! Ah!

-STEVE: Yes!

-JOE: We won!

We won! Ah!

STEVE: Wait, wait, wait.

Listen to this. Listen to this.

Gorsuch writes, "Respect

for religious expressions

"is indispensable to life in

a free and diverse Republic.

"Here, a government entity

sought to punish an individual

"for engaging in a personal

religious observance

"based on the mistaken view

it has the duty

"to suppress

religious observances

"even as it allows

comparable secular speech.

"The Constitution

neither mandates

"nor tolerates

that kind of discrimination.

"Mr. Kennedy is entitled

to summary judgment

on his religious exercise

and free speech claims."

You did it, Joe. (laughs)

We did it.



(slurping)

Oh, yeah. Thanks, babe.

Mmm.

("Unrestrained"

by Sanctus Real playing)

Hey.

We won.

If love is like a mirror...

They'll never take...

our freedom!

Oh, dear.

Sorry.

Joe...

Wants to run and hide...

You know... there's probably

a million other people

more qualified for this than me.

Well, I guess that just goes

to show that God can use anyone.

No matter how average

they think they might be.

Think they'll actually

make a movie about us?

I don't think so.

-Yeah. It's a long shot.

-Hmm.

Oorah.

-'Cause I want your love

-I want your love

-To be unrestrained

-Oh

-Tearin' down walls

-Tearin' down walls

Breaking these chains

-Wanna hear your voice

-I wanna hear your voice

-Callin' my name

-Callin' my name

Wanna feel your love...

Hey, everyone.

I'm the real Joe Kennedy.

If you're like me

and don't understand

all that legal mumbo jumbo,

my buddy Willie Robertson's

gonna explain

how important it was

to overturn the Lemon case.

Hey, y'all.

Here's the deal with Lemon.

In 1971, the Supreme Court

completely stacked the deck

against anything religious

appearing in public.

Monuments, prayer,

certain religious attire...

Everything was

on the chopping block

simply at a judge's whim.

Because of Lemon,

any judge could rule

that a public display of

religion was unconstitutional

simply because they wanted to.

It created a hostile environment

to religion nationwide.

What Coach Kennedy did,

and what the government

might not want you to realize,

is that Lemon is now as dead

as a duck

when it falls in the decoys.

Which means you now have

more religious freedom

than you've had

in the last 50 years.

Where nativity scenes

and menorahs were removed,

they can come back out.

Where all the monuments

of the Ten Commandments

were put into storage,

they can come back out, too.

Where prayers were once banned,

they're now protected.

And that's not just

for Christians.

Y'all means all.

Be brave

Stand up for freedom,

stand for truth

And don't be afraid

You got a voice

that you can use

So go on and speak out

The time is right now

If you wanna keep that

flame of liberty ablaze

Stand up and be brave

Whoa, stand up and be brave

Oh, oh

We're the generation

That has to make a choice

Will we push against

this evil

Or will we watch

while it destroys

What so many died to give us

This great country

that we live in

There's a heavy price

for freedom

And this is how we keep it

Be brave

Hey, stand up for freedom,

stand for truth

And don't be afraid

You got a voice

that you can use

So go on and speak out

-The time is right now

-Right now

If you wanna keep that

flame of liberty ablaze

Stand up and be brave

Oh, stand up and be brave

Yeah

Oh

We are the people

The red, white, and blue

Will you stand for me?

'Cause I will stand for you

We are the people

With different

points of view

Will you stand for me?

'Cause I will stand for you

Let's be brave

Stand up for freedom,

stand for truth

-And don't be afraid

-Oh

'Cause you got a voice

that you can use

So go on and speak out

The time is right now

If you wanna keep that

flame of liberty ablaze

Stand up and be brave

Oh, you gotta stand up

and be brave

Stand up for what's right

-Oh

-Stand up for what's true

And be brave

Be brave for your children

Be brave for your family

Be brave for your future

Be brave for your country

Be brave.

(song fades)