Signing Tony Raymond (2025)

[bunniefuu]

[audience cheering]

[Richard Sherman] It's

your boy Richard Sherman,

and word on the street

is the number one defensive end

prospect in the country,

Tony Raymond,

may be looking for a new home.

[Harry Douglas] I've seen fire,

I've seen rain,

but never in my life have I seen

anyone bring that pain

like Tony Raymond,

aka Country Hurt.

That boy Tony Raymond,

he is him.

[Woman] Whoever wants

to land Tony Raymond,

they better be

bringing the green.

[Man] He's not just special,

man,

Tony Raymond is generational.

Forget NIL, any quarterback

that lines up across

from Tony Raymond,

they better have good

health insurance,

because it's not

going to be long

before this kid's

playing on Sundays.

[sweeping instrumental music]

If Louisiana University loses

a five-star prospect

like Tony Raymond,

I'm telling you,

this is a program that's

hanging on by a thread.

This may be something

that snaps that thread

and sends

this program spiraling.

[audience cheers

coming from computer]

[clicks]

We stunt. Our bandit

covering their slot receiver

will be on their quarterback in

two seconds with this blitz,

and they've got no backside help

because their running back

has to pick up our linebacker.

Yeah, that's some good sh*t.

Except if the safety doesn't

get over the top quick enough,

we leave that slot receiver

wide open,

and he's taking it

to the house, bro.

[Walt] But we disguise it.

I got a plan for that.

I don't think Coach Marshall

is gonna go for it.

Well, how about I talk to Coach

about it? Let him decide.

No way.

I'm the defensive coordinator.

You work for me

before you work for Marshall.

Look, Walt,

just focus on special teams.

You're gonna get your shot

to move up one day.

It took me a while, too.

It's a good idea, Chris.

Keep working on it.

[players shouting]

[Quarterback] Down, set, hut!

Hey, Kevin, come here.

What's up, Coach?

You're coming out of

your backpedal too quick.

That's when he's beating you.

You stay in it

a step or two longer,

and then you got him.

Trust your feet, man.

I gotcha.

[Walt] Yeah? Okay, let's see it.

-Let's run it back.

-[Quarterback] Down, set, hut!

There we go!

That's what I'm talking about!

Rusty Mansell here.

All eyes are on

the nation's top rated

defensive end, Tony Raymond.

Rumor has it he's gonna

open up his recruitment,

because Louisiana defensive

line coach Rich Akers

has been hired

as the defensive coordinator

at conference rival TU.

-Coach McFadden.

-What's up, Zach?

I'm sorry to interrupt, man.

Coach Marshall wanted me

to let you know he needs you

to take care of Sunrise Service

tomorrow morning.

-Seriously?

-That's what he said, yeah.

Okay.

-[Zach] And I have more news.

-Yeah?

I just got promoted

to grad assistant.

They said we'll be

sharing an office.

There's barely enough

room in there for me.

Yeah, yeah.

It'll be cozy, I guess.

Don't grad assistants

usually handle Sunrise Service?

Yes, but Coach wants me to

oversee some hype videos

that we're sending out

to the recruits, so...

-[Walt] Hype videos?

-Yeah.

Congrats. Good to have you.

We'll bounce

some ideas off each other.

That's okay. I don't really

want to coach special teams.

I want to be

a coordinator one day.

Yeah, you and me both, kid.

[Chris] So, we stunt.

Our bandit covering the

the slot receiver will be

on their quarterback in

two seconds with this blitz.

They got no backside help,

because the running back has to

cover our mike linebacker.

[Coach Marshall] Yeah, yeah,

yeah. I see it. No, I like this.

I like this a lot, Chris.

Put this in the package.

This is great work, man.

This is really good.

-[Chris] What's up, Walt?

-Hey, Walt.

-[Walt] Hey, Coach Marshall.

-Can you get that door for me?

What else can you do

out of this thing?

[Chris] Well, we can have

the cornerbacks

press the wide receivers.

[Donna] It's bullshit,

but this is how the game works.

My dad always said, if you're

not trying to get an edge,

-you're not trying at all.

-Yeah, well, I'm not your dad.

Now, what's that

supposed to mean?

I appreciate him helping me

get my foot in the door,

but I got to do some of this

my own way.

Donna, I'm a good coach.

I know you are, baby,

but sometimes

you gotta create

your own opportunities.

By what? Stealing ideas

from other coaches?

-[Donna] Maybe.

-Come on.

I hate to say this, but

most coaches at this level

think just like that as*h*le

who stole your blitz package.

And if you're not gonna

join them,

you got to find another way

to beat them.

Yeah.

[whistle blows]

[Walt] You missed study hall,

you were late to weights,

you skipped a class,

you missed a mandatory meal,

and now you're all

standing out here with me

in the freezing cold

for Sunrise Service.

It's time to get

your souls right.

We're going to start the day

with one of my all-time

favorites, the bear crawl.

[players grumble]

[Walt] Oh no, no, you complain,

we'll be here all morning.

If you handle your punishment

with dignity and grace,

this will all be

over before you know it.

-Grab some grass.

-[blows whistle]

All right, let's go. Let's move!

[Walt] How do you like it

out there?

-[Coach Donovan] It's great.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, it's small. Thank you.

-Thank you.

You know, it's a small town,

you know.

-A little different?

-Yeah.

I'm so happy for you.

And it's about damn time.

I know you're gonna

turn things around.

They hired the right dude.

Thank you. Thank you. But, you

know, a head coach is nothing

without a solid staff, though.

-No doubt.

-That's why I'm here.

Hm?

I want you as

my defensive coordinator.

Coach. Ah, wow. Oh.

Oh, I really appreciate

the offer. That means a lot.

I would love that.

I would love that.

You deserve it.

But, you know, take your time,

think about it,

talk it over with your wife.

But getting you on the staff

is my top priority.

Even when I was coaching

back in Texas,

I knew you had

the mind for the game,

and I knew you had the heart.

Coaches like you would take

the program to the next level.

Well, it's an honor to be

considered. Thank you, sir.

[Donovan] Yeah, it's all good.

Well, I got to get back out

on the road

and sign some damn players.

[both laugh]

Oh, speaking of that,

I heard Coach Akers

is leaving you guys for TU.

He was recruiting

the Raymond kid, right?

Yeah, but he's committed to us.

Yeah, but that's not gonna

keep the sharks from circling.

I'm headed over to Alabama

to see for myself.

-I ain't afraid to aim high.

-No, you got to.

I heard Akers and TU

are making some crazy promises

to the boy's father

in order to get him.

But if they do land him,

watch out.

That kid's a beast.

He's like J.J. Watt,

Lawrence Taylor,

and Michael Strahan had a baby.

That'd be

one crazy-looking baby.

Yeah, but it'll bust your a*s

coming off the edge, though.

A step back?

Donna, it's

a coordinator position.

It's way better

than what I'm doing here.

But here, you play

for national championships.

There, you'll be lucky to get

some shitty little bowl game

in Shreveport every few years.

It's not even in

the same league.

This isn't where I belong.

And CSU is?

It's in the middle of nowhere.

I want to be a coordinator.

I want to work for a program

that has values.

And Coach Donovan--

-Values?

-[Walt] Yeah.

It's about winning

championships, Walt.

Those are the values.

You can't quit now.

A coordinator at a

second-tier school like CSU

-would k*ll to be where you are.

-Really? Running Sunrise Service

while half the staff

is on the road recruiting?

They'd k*ll for that?

Daddy pulled a lot of strings

to get you here.

You can't bail now.

As a coach, your father,

of all people, would understand.

What he understands is

that this is a business.

And you don't move up

by going backwards.

Actually, a good

defensive back does.

Ha-ha.

-Look.

-[Walt] What?

Just give it

one more season. Okay?

Look, we have friends.

The town is nice.

It would be crazy

to leave this for CSU.

Another year might just be

more of the same.

Maybe you should talk

to Marshall.

[Walt] And say what?

I don't know. Tell him

to give you another chance.

Tell him to send you

on the road.

If you don't take your shot,

you'll never know.

You should talk to him.

Maybe I will.

[instrumental rock music]

Morning, Coach.

Morning, Walt.

What can I do for you?

I want to try

and sign Tony Raymond.

-He's already committed.

-For now.

Yeah, well, Coach Cook

is heading to Alabama tomorrow.

Well, no offense, Coach, but

I think I'm the better option.

-[Crew Marshall] Is that right?

-Mm-hmm.

Do tell.

Coach Cook, he's a great guy.

Um, but he's from California.

-And I know these people.

-Thank you.

[Walt] You know,

I'm comfortable with them.

And I'm hungry. I need this.

And the team needs Tony Raymond.

Yeah, well, Walt,

you'll forgive me

if I'm a little hesitant here.

See, it's been two months since

that conference championship.

And I'll tell you what,

I still have nightmares

about Isaac Pittman,

who you whiffed on.

He just lit us up. You know?

How many touchdowns did he get?

Two? Three. It was three. Yeah.

So there's that.

Yeah, well,

that's not gonna happen again.

[Crew laughs]

I, I realize that to climb

the ladder around here,

I have to prove my value

as a recruiter.

I mean, I don't

even know if you know,

TU is throwing everything they

got to try to land this kid.

Yeah. They're recruiting, Walt.

That's what Akers does.

That's why I hated like hell

losing him to TU.

He's just an absolute

insufferable prick to be around,

but the man, he can recruit.

I can beat him.

-You can beat him?

-[Walt] Mm-hmm.

Well, that's the thing, Walt.

I'm not sure you can.

Now, look, you know a big reason

that you are here is

your father-in-law.

He said you had talent,

and you do.

You absolutely do.

You know this game.

Unfortunately, at this level,

sometimes that is not enough.

Look, Walt, we're one of

four or five, maybe six teams

that every single year

can legitimately say

they have a shot at

the national championship.

I tell you what,

it gets ugly up here.

You win or you go home to mama.

-Understand?

-Yeah.

-Okay.

-Okay what?

Okay, I'm gonna

give you a chance.

Go sign that country boy.

Because you're damn right

we need him.

For his size, I ain't never

coached anybody

that can run that fast.

-Right?

-Mm-mm.

[Crew] Strong as an ox.

You sign him, we'll start

talking about a promotion.

You got four days

until signing day.

-This is your chance.

-Yeah. Thanks, Coach.

This is it, though, right?

You whiff on him,

you f*ck this up?

You'll be coaching my son's

middle school football team.

I'm not joking.

-They're not good.

-[Walt] Okay.

Hey, you're gonna get

a phone call from a booster.

You'll talk before you go, yeah?

[Walt] Yeah, yeah.

Go get this.

Name's Chip. Nice to meet you.

Walt McFadden. Nice to meet you.

So I normally like to handle

business with recruits myself,

so I don't have

to involve you guys directly,

but this Tony Raymond's

so hard to nail down

and actually talk to,

we're gonna need

to be able to act immediately

when situations arise over

in Alabama this week.

-So here's 50K.

-Got it.

Obviously, what we're doing

right now isn't allowed,

but if we're gonna

sign Tony Raymond,

we need to grease the wheels

of commerce.

Okay.

I hear he's a good kid,

but a bit of a free spirit.

Normal sh*t might not

work with him.

Nobody even knows

where he is right now.

Oh, I'm gonna find him.

I can taste

the national championship.

-We are so f*cking close!

-We are.

I got approved by

the Titletown Collective

for a mill in NIL money for him.

We got a car dealer

out in Dadeville

that's gonna have him

be a spokesperson.

Just call me when you find him,

and I'll be there to handle NIL.

Gotcha.

Walgreen burner special.

Won't work after signing day.

[laughs]

You make this happen, your stock

will go through the damn roof.

-What's that?

-Cash for my trip.

[Donna] How much? Let me see.

50,000.

50,000. How you gonna

compete with TU with that?

You need to ask

for 100 at least.

I think I'm gonna be all right.

Mm-hmm. Be careful.

Don't be over there flashing.

Oh, gonna make it rain in 'Bama.

[Donna] Making it rain

commitment letters?

You know it.

[Donna] I've got

a good feeling about this.

Me too.

Just remember, you gotta dig

where no one else is digging.

This is the power five, baby.

Not that little school you just

turned down a few hours ago.

You're too good to be

a special teams coach forever.

I know.

Come here.

Dear Heavenly Father,

please give Walt the strength

to overcome any

obstacles in his way,

and counsel him on helping this

young man make the right choice,

a choice that will lead to great

things here at Louisiana.

And Lord, we just ask that you

give Walt the courage...

[instrumental rock music]

[Radio DJ] Carl Dukes, back with

you, and on the line is Jojo.

[Jojo] Hey, man, y'all think

that Raymond boy's

still gonna sign with LU?

[Carl] Jojo, I'm hearing he's

considering other offers now.

And what a huge potential blow

to Louisiana University.

[Jojo] Man, it's more about

the Jimmies and the Joes

than the X's and the O's.

For the kids

coming out today, man,

it's about

"Where can I get the bag?"

If I was coming out

of school right now,

man, I'd be making

more as a freshman

than I did my

first three years in the league.

I just know the money these

guys is making today, man, is

crazy.

[indistinct announcement on PA]

-Put me in, Coach!

-Mr. Raymond.

Coach McFadden,

thanks for taking the time

to meet with me today.

Call me Dale. And man, time.

Time's all I got.

I'm swimming in it.

Sorry, Dale,

poor choice of words.

[Dale] Nah,

poor choices are all mine.

Tony's about the only good

things that ever come from me.

Probably turned out

the way he did

'cause I've been in here

for the last six years.

-Well, still, he's your boy.

-That's what worries me.

[both chuckling]

Well, you look like you used to

play some ball back in the day.

[Dale] I was fast, liked to hit.

But I didn't have enough

discipline, as they called it,

to commit to that

athletic lifestyle, I guess.

[laughs]

-Obviously.

-How often do you see Tony?

Oh, he came and saw me

about a month back.

Uh-huh.

You know, he, uh, he knows I got

his best interests at heart.

Well, I wanted to pay you the

respect of meeting you in person

and letting you know

that I'm hoping to convince Tony

to come to Louisiana.

-Yeah?

-[Walt] Mm-hmm.

Well, all right, then.

I mean, you got some ba*ls

coming here, I'll give you that.

Now, I know all this

college recruiting stuff

is a big hustle.

But I can appreciate a hustler.

I was one of the best.

[laughs]

[laughs nervously]

You think I'm a hustler?

[Dale] Well, you're in a

max prison in Alabama,

because you think

it might help you convince

an 18-year-old boy to go to

the college where you coach.

So I'd say you're

a Division I hustler, baby.

Look, Dale, we want Tony.

We want him bad.

So if it comes up, if he

talks to you about college,

I want you to put in

a good word for us.

Okay.

And in return?

In return, he'd be at one of

the top programs in the country

for getting players

into the NFL.

[Dale] Huh.

[laughs]

That's good. I'd like

to belt on that a second.

Oh, okay.

[Dale] You see, another coach

got word to me,

said they could shave

some time off my sentence,

if I help influence Tony

to go to his school.

Said the head of

the Alabama parole board--

[softly] Said the head of the

Alabama parole board is an alum.

-Oh, that's a hell of a promise.

-Well...

You got anything like that

in your playbook?

We haven't drawn

that one up yet.

You seem like

a straight-up fella.

So I want to be

straight with you.

You get me out of here,

and I'll get you Tony.

Otherwise, it might get ugly

for you here in Alabama.

[TV Anchor] All right,

we are back,

and signing day

is around the corner.

A lot of focus is on

two-time Alabama 5A State

Defensive Player of the Year,

Tony Raymond.

Now listen, champ, this kid

is a generational talent.

expl*sive strength.

What really sets him apart

is his athleticism.

-Total freak of nature.

- [Commentator 2] Yes, he is.

But a very quiet kid,

stays low-key.

They call him Country Hurt,

because he's from the country,

and he'll put a hurtin' on you.

[Commentator 1] Indeed.

If you ever find yourself in

Rutledge, Alabama,

you gotta stop

by Rooster's Barbecue.

[sports talk radio

plays in diner]

Let me guess.

You a college coach.

That I am. How you doing?

I'll be better as soon

as y'all all get out of town,

and things get back

to normal around here.

You're driving that kid crazy.

-You know Tony?

-Maybe.

Well, how about I buy your lunch

and you give me some insight?

Heh.

You know what? I'm not

turning down a free lunch.

Okay, Walt McFadden,

Louisiana University.

Man, Eugene Ledford.

University of f*cked-up sh*t.

Eugene Ledford?

State rushing record?

Eugene Ledford? You went

to Bama. You're a legend.

Yeah. Till I blew my knee.

And I tore every ligament

in that m*therf*cker.

And now I fix air conditioners

for a living.

Well, that's good.

But them schools,

they spit you out like trash

when you can't

help them no more.

I mean, no insurance to fix

the sh*t that they break.

-No nothing.

-Sorry, that's rough.

Mm, so I used to date

Tony's mama cousin, Kayla.

[Walt] Oh, so you're family?

She gave me

a nice little love tattoo.

-Woof.

-[Eugene] Yeah.

Let's just say they

a passionate people.

[chuckles] Obviously.

I also coached Tony

in peewee football.

Got his little a*s tough.

-He a really good kid, though.

-Any advice?

You know what?

There's a few things.

One, don't pull up

to Tony's house

-if his stepdad's not there.

-Okay.

[Eugene] You get there

and it's just mama,

ain't no telling

what you're going to find.

-And she be packing that heat.

-A g*n?

Yeah, man.

She what you call country crazy.

But Otis kind of keep

her somewhat calm.

But if you pull up

and you don't see

that station wagon out front,

you turn your a*s around.

And number two,

you got to be real.

Just like you is right now.

You got to relate.

And everything else

will take care of itself.

Got to relate.

Number three, you got

to be gangster, bro.

Every coach in this town

would k*ll to sign Tony.

You got to be willing

to do the sh*t

that them other dudes

ain't got the ba*ls to do.

You got to let your ba*ls

drop from your stomach.

ba*ls drop from my stomach.

Hey, man. [clears throat]

You got a g*n?

-Now you're thinking.

-[slurps empty drink]

[hip hop music]

Man, you sure about this?

100%.

[g*nshots]

[music continues]

[g*nshots]

[flat tire rolls on pavement]

-Oh, my God.

-[whistles]

-[Man] What the hell, man?

-She tried to k*ll me.

Tony Raymond's mom

tried to k*ll me.

-What?

-Son of a b*tch.

[Walt] Lucky I got out of there.

Well, what happened?

I pull up.

I get out. I wave hello.

And she's standing on the porch

with a. 38

like John Wayne

in a house dress.

Jesus. Yeah, I heard she was

crazy, but damn.

You call the police?

No. No, can't sign the kid

with the mom in the slammer.

Yeah, that's true.

You can bet your a*s

I'm not going out there.

-No way, man.

-He ain't worth dying for.

Gentlemen.

[intense instrumental music]

Oh, Coach Marsh has got you out

here in the trenches, huh?

-Trying to fill my shoes?

-What's up, Rich?

Ah, you know,

just out here building a team

that's about to take you all

down next season, baby.

Ha ha. We'll see about that.

You know, I gotta say,

I'm a little insulted

they sent you out here

to try to beat me.

I mean, what are you

gonna sell Tony on?

Your new revolutionary

punk coverage package?

What are you gonna sell Tony on?

Those gas station aviators?

Ah, I'm just

messing with you, man.

Yeah.

Anyway, I actually have been

meaning to reach out to you.

I just been, whew, just been

so busy since I got to TU,

you know? It's like

the great James Brown once sung,

"Gotta pay the cost

to be the boss."

Speaking of which,

Coach Marshall's gotta be

pissing himself about me

taking Tony to TU, huh?

You haven't taken anything yet.

Come on, man.

That kid'll follow me anywhere.

-You're wasting your time.

-We'll see.

We'll see. Anyway, I gotta

keep on moving. You know me.

[Walt] Mm-hmm.

Oh, say hey to Donna for me.

Sure wish I would've

married as well as you.

Daughter of a coaching legend,

give me a fast pass

to the big leagues?

Sign me up.

-[Walt] f*ck off, Rich.

-[Rich] Okay, now.

[Walt] Did you guys

hear about the sh**ting?

Don't go anywhere near

Tony Raymond's place.

[instrumental rock music]

[engine approaches]

-Hey, man! You Coach McFadden?

-I am.

-[kills engine]

-I'm Ronnie Raymond.

-Dale's brother. Tony's uncle.

-Oh, good to meet you.

[Ronnie] Look, man.

Look, I ain't got nothing

against you personally.

I just come up here to tell you

that you got to

stay away from Tony.

Now, my brother says

he told you the same.

So I'm a little confused about

why you're here.

Look, Ronnie,

nobody's gonna be able to get

-Dale's sentence reduced.

-[Ronnie] Oh, it's gonna happen.

That's the asking price

for Country Hurt.

A school gets Tony, my brother

gets let out the jailhouse.

Bing, bong.

[Walt] Uh-huh.

And you got this in writing?

We're negotiating it.

This coach means what he says.

These coaches are desperate men,

and Tony is like a drug to them.

He's like crack

in shoulder pads.

I know all about crack.

[sniffs]

Okay.

-What? That guy?

-Look, man.

If it's been promised,

it's gonna by God happen.

That school's giving Tony

two million a year in

that sweet NIL money.

With me as a street agent,

b*tch, I'd get ten percent.

Don't look all butthurt.

I'm telling you and all

them other sumbitches.

Out of town.

By sunset.

Or all hell's breaking loose.

[engine fails to start]

Try it again.

-f*ck around and find out.

-[engine starts]

F-A-A-F-O!

[rustic instrumental music]

[barking]

[sizzling]

-Hello. Otis, right?

-Good afternoon.

Coach Walt McFadden,

Louisiana University.

-Nice to meet you, Coach.

-[Walt] Yeah, nice to meet you.

Otis? Hey, Otis.

I asked you not to cook those

fish today. They f*cking stink.

-Who is this son of a b*tch?

-Uh, it's Coach McMadden, Sandy.

Uh, McFadden.

Uh, hello, ma'am. Hi.

Get the hell back!

She don't like strangers

pushing up on her, now.

Right. Oh, sorry. Um, I'm Walt

McFadden, uh, from Louisiana.

Crappy school.

Well, we actually think it's a

pretty, pretty good school.

Uh, both academically

and athletically.

Well, of course you do,

'cause you work there.

I'm sure you're sick of

seeing all us recruiters.

But, um, Tony's

a special kind of talent.

Like, once in a lifetime.

That's why he's our

number one defensive recruit.

We want to help him

get into the NFL.

And, and these NIL deals, uh,

they're pretty special nowadays.

They allow athletes

the opportunity to make

some money based on their name--

-Name, image, and likeness.

-Exactly.

[Sandy] Really? You don't say?

Well, guess what, Coach?

I've been hearing that sh*t

about 150 times this week.

What, are you

reading from some manual?

"How to Be a Full of sh*t

Coach?"

No, ma'am,

I don't have a manual.

Like, your school must not

think very much of my son

if they sent you here.

-She don't mean that, Coach.

-Oh, I know what I mean, Otis.

I mean, I'm 45 years old.

I think I know

what the hell I mean!

Ms. Henderson, if I just had the

opportunity to speak to Tony,

-I'm sure that--

-The one who came last week?

He said if Tony

went to your school,

that y'all would get us

some kind of aid or something,

you know,

to help us get some things.

Oh, yes, ma'am.

Uh, we've been known

to step in and offer

a little bit of help

to a family in need.

No! We ain't no charity case.

We ain't on welfare.

My husband works.

So screw you with

your adoption sh*t.

I just said that you

could help us get some things

with that endorsement money

and whatnot.

Right. We're happy

to help however we can.

No! Coach, look at me!

My son will make a ton of money

for your college on

those TV deals!

I ain't stupid.

I graduated college prep.

[Otis] She's good

when she take her pill,

but they make her sleepy,

so she don't always take them.

She shot at a coach

over the summer.

Looks like somebody got

a hold of your car, too.

Oh, yeah.

Wrong place, wrong time.

Yeah, I know how that is.

I'm just trying to figure out

how I can get back out

on that lake.

Had the motor die.

Me and Tony love to fish.

I mean, in between

fixing up the house

and trying to make

an honest dollar,

it's hard out here, you know?

-Thank you.

-[Otis] Yeah.

You can finish that one.

I gotta, uh, get up to the store

and get some more.

Turn these crappie over

in about two minutes.

[Walt] Okay.

-Damn. I'm fresh out of cash.

-Oh.

-Probably should get some chips.

-Yeah.

And, pfft, I'll be damned

if I ain't just

about out of gas, man.

Oh.

Fill 'er up.

-Tony gonna like you.

-Yeah. Is he here?

[Otis] Nah, he ain't here.

-[Walt] Can we call him?

-He won't answer.

He said he tired

of everybody bothering him.

[laughs nervously]

Okay.

[folksy instrumental music]

[chickens clucking]

[sizzling]

Hey. Where'd Otis go?

Uh, to get beer.

We're having a fish fry.

Him and Tony? They fish

like they bein' paid for it.

Uh, you know, I-I met,

uh, Tony's dad this morning.

Oh. No, don't you

listen to a word

that that cheatin', stealin'

c*cksucker says, all right?

I-I've tried to keep Tony

from going up there,

but it's hard to

break a boy from his daddy,

no matter how big a f*ck-up.

Oh.

I had one of those daddies, too.

[Sandy] Oh,

I'm sorry for you, baby.

Oh. We're the sum

of our scars, right?

Amen to that.

It's good he's got Otis, though.

Yeah. I just don't know

what I'd do without him.

I mean,

he's taught Tony so much.

And it's hard out here with

all these dumbass rednecks.

One thing I learned,

nobody wants to mess

with a crazy woman.

[both laugh]

-[Sandy] You hear me?

-Yeah.

I'm just messing with you.

I'm not that crazy. I mean,

maybe I am. I don't know.

But anyway, I always taught

Tony, don't take no sh*t.

-[Walt] Words to live by.

-Mm-hmm.

For damn sure.

Hope I didn't

offend you earlier.

What? Oh. No.

No, that wasn't what

I was talking about. No.

Look, I'm gonna be

honest with you.

I haven't seen Tony in days.

Like, he might be in California.

He said that he's been thinking

about a school out there,

that maybe he wants to

get away from everybody.

Kind of like his mama.

California? He told Coach Akers

he was gonna sign with us.

Oh, well, that boy just doesn't

like to disappoint people.

You know what?

Maybe he just needs to...

see how much you want him.

No one's gonna look after your

son like we will, Sandy. No one.

I just want the best for my boy.

Life is so hard here.

Well, you're a survivor.

That's obvious.

[Sandy sighs]

Well, look at that.

I need another drink.

Come on inside

and talk to me for a minute.

Okay.

Okay...

[Sandy] Come on.

Show you around.

This is the castle.

[Walt] This is nice.

[Sandy] Oh,

you're just sayin' that.

Okay. All right.

Come on in.

Make yourself comfortable.

I'll get the party.

-Party in a bottle. There we go.

-Oh, oh, oh.

[Walt] Okay.

-[Sandy] Cheers.

-Cheers. [laughs]

-Here's to friendship.

-[Walt] To friendship.

Oh, that burns so nice.

That really does it, huh?

Mm-hmm.

It'll put some

hair on your chest.

I hope it doesn't

put any on mine.

Yeah.

I'm looking at you,

and I'm thinking about

how you want my son

to play at your school.

Yes, we do, ma'am.

And I'm just wondering

how you play the field.

Down, set, hut!

[both laughing]

But seriously,

you ever had yourself

some real Southern cooking?

You know, I know you Louisiana

men think you're the sh*t,

but once you have

our kind of spice,

oh, you never go back.

So what do you think?

You want to join me for

some wh*re-d'oeuvres?

Oh, I actually,

I'm gonna check on the fish.

Your husband Otis

told me to flip them

every two minutes, so...

What? No! They should burn

so nobody eats them.

Oh, look at you. You are so shy.

It's sweet. So guess what?

We're gonna play a game.

It's called hide and seek.

Remember that one?

Yeah.

[Sandy] You come looking for me,

and when you find me,

maybe I'll be

wearing less clothes.

Okay! here we go!

One, two, three, four, five,

six, seven, eight, nine, ten!

[Sandy] Ready or not, here you

come! Where are you going?

Oh, you're back.

Everything all right

while I was gone?

Yeah. Yeah, it's fine.

All right.

Then let's eat some fish.

Okay.

[Walt] This is great, Otis.

[Otis] Me and Tony

caught these last week.

-[Walt] Yeah?

-[Otis] Mm-hmm.

-[Walt] You guys are close, huh?

-That boy's like my own.

Well, this

has been really great.

Spending this time with you,

but...

I'd sure like to talk to Tony.

I mean, we can try and find him.

-What?

-I believe he's out fishing.

That's great. That's great.

I love to fish. Let's go.

Ah, motor's shot.

Now, I do know somebody's

got a good one for sale.

But other than that, I...

I don't know what to tell you,

because, uh, Tony ain't

coming back here tonight.

He'll be out camping. [chuckles]

That boy'd rather sleep in

a tent than his own bed.

But we get the motor,

and we can find Tony?

Oh, yeah.

[instrumental rock music]

-[car horn honks]

-[car doors close]

Crowley!

[Crowley] Big O!

What do you know, boy?

All right. Whoop. There it is.

-[Otis] That's the one?

-That's the one right there.

When I tell you this thing

right here can run,

this thing right here

can flat-out run.

Like, like, like Tony Raymond,

like...

Get out. Get out there, right?

So, only thing is, it, uh...

It just got a little water

in the fuel line.

Got to get that water out.

And, uh, got to flush out

the carburetor a little bit.

Yeah. But I can have this

ready for you by tomorrow.

-Oh, uh, Coach McFadden.

-Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

-How you doing. It's Crowley?

-Crowley.

-Crowley. Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

Any chance we can have

that running by today?

-Heck, I can flush a carburetor.

-Yeah. No. It's more than that.

We need some plugs.

Got to get the plugs and...

the crankshaft. That's gone.

-It's gone?

-Gone.

And you told him

about the manifold's shot.

O told you about that.

So, um, other than that...

She's solid. Solid.

Yeah,

I trust Crowley here, Coach.

I mean, anybody else, I just

don't know what I'm getting.

The thing looks like

it's on its deathbed.

[Crowley] Oh, no. No Coach,

she just needed a little TLC.

That's all.

-Okay.

-Yeah, but bones good.

Okay. We'll come back

and get it tomorrow?

Yeah. Yeah, it'll be ready.

It'll be ready tomorrow.

-[Walt] Okay.

-Okay?

Uh, Coach?

I'm gonna need a deposit.

Oh. Yeah.

'Cause I'll be working on it

around the clock, right?

Sure. How much?

[electric guitar noodling]

Um, just... Just give me

half the selling price.

Just give me $2,000.

You want...

You want 4,000 for that?

That's a damn good engine,

Coach.

[Crowley] O, talk to him.

[laughs] Right. Okay.

Well, hey,

if we're gonna find Tony,

we're gonna want the best, uh...

boat motor money can buy. Yeah.

Let's do it. Half the four.

Yeah. All right.

So, um, Otis?

You ready to roll, brother?

You know it, baby.

Roll? Don't you want to

get working on that now?

sh*t, Coach. It's quitting time.

[motor crashes on ground]

[Crowley] f*ck it.

We'll get it later.

Come on. Let's go, baby.

[Walt] What? What's...

What do you mean by later?

-Mm-hmm!

-[revs engine]

All right. All right.

There you go right there. Oh.

So, look here, Coach.

If you sign Tony, you'll be able

to get us some tickets

to the game?

-Oh, yeah, definitely.

-Season tickets?

Bradford State and 50-yard line.

O, come on, now.

-Has a nice ring, too.

-[Crowley] Real nice.

-Okay. Tony gonna like you.

-I hope so.

Yes, sir.

Come on, drink up, Coach!

Oh, well, you know what,

uh, Crowley?

We actually had some beers

over at Otis'.

So I think I'm good.

I think I'm good.

[dramatic chord]

[Crowley] Oh.

Hey, no problem, Coach.

If that's how you feel.

I mean, I can have a sip. I'll

have a sip. I can have a sip.

[Crowley chuckles]

-[Crowley] Yeah!

-That's that fire water, Coach.

Coach?

You stomping with the big dog!

[imitates howling dog]

-[Crowley] Come on.

-[Walt] Okay.

[Otis] Let's go play some cards.

[Crowley] Yep, yep.

Let's go, Coach.

I'm ready to win some money!

[hip hop music]

I got something to say.

I'll call.

[chuckles]

It must be my lucky night.

[chuckles]

[Crowley] Damn, Coach.

That's too bad.

I know you want to

get that back.

I know you do. You ain't

a quitter. I know that.

-So tell O to run it back.

-Run it back.

Run it back!

Run it back. Faces and aces.

Let's go!

[siren]

Hey, Otis.

-Evening, Deputy Chisholm.

-Crowley.

I need to talk to your friend

over there, fellas.

What can I do for you, ma'am?

Coach McFadden,

you're under arrest.

What?

[Chisolm] Come on.

Let's go. Let's go.

[Walt] Okay. Okay.

[Chisolm] Bye, Otis.

Enjoy your evening,

Deputy Chisholm.

Damn.

Tell me again.

What did I do exactly?

Hm? You fired a g*n inside town

limits without a proper permit,

and a concerned witness

took a video of it.

You in a heap of mess.

It was an empty field.

How is that ill*gal?

-You got a permit?

-Wasn't my g*n.

[Chisolm] Don't matter.

[chatter on police radio]

Where are we going?

Where do people who endanger

others with g*ns usually go?

-[Walt sighs]

-[Chisolm chuckles] Whew!

News gets out about

you being arrested,

sh**ting g*ns, and

playing in ill*gal card games

and drinking whiskey

with the locals?

Might not be too good for

your school's image, I bet.

I mean, could get a man fired

and bring unwanted attention

to the program.

What do we do to make sure

that that doesn't happen?

Well, I'll tell you what, Coach.

I got a boy.

Plays nose guard,

but doesn't have a chance

to play for a fancy school

like Louisiana

just 'cause he ain't as big

as the other kids.

-How about a smaller school?

-No.

He's got his heart set on

playing for a big-time program.

And he loves Louisiana.

Always has.

Thing is,

him and Tony are best friends.

You give him a scholarship,

getting Tony to sign

would be that much easier.

I get your son a scholarship,

and then you won't report this?

Everybody wins.

[insects chittering]

[engine approaches]

[Ronnie] Look at, look at,

look at what I found!

[engine idles]

What's up,

coach who loves to party?

How'd you know I'd be here?

Who you think called Johnny Law?

It's just, I'm just

trying to do my job, man.

Well, you need to walk

your happy a*s

over to another town

and do your job there!

'Cause you are a stranger

in a strange land, my friend.

I just got one question

for you, Ronnie.

Huh?

I said I got a question for you.

-What?

-Why the Enduro?

'Cause, dude,

sometimes I got to be off-road,

and sometimes

I got to be on-road.

[rock music]

[Ronnie] Eat my dust!

Come on, Coach. Get in.

[soul music playing

on car stereo]

Where the hell have you been?

I thought you just had to go

and get that boat motor

from Crowley's?

We was just riding around,

Sandy.

Yeah, I was just playing cards

with the fellas, Ms. Henderson.

Oh, you were playing cards,

were you?

-Oh, yeah, and Otis won big.

-He did, did he?

It wasn't anything.

[Sandy] You ain't

gambled in years!

Then you get with this son of a

b*tch and you blow our money?

-Calm down, Sandy.

-[c*ck g*n]

Don't you tell me

to calm down, Otis!

Y'all two are

just like some wild dogs,

running around and stirring up

sh*t. Well, guess what?

You can damn sleep outside

like dogs!

You try and come

into this house tonight,

and I will blow a hole

in your asses!

I'm gonna blow a big hole.

It's gonna be bigger

than your as*h*le.

Yeah, you stupid dogs.

You stupid f*cking dogs.

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

I used to have a

little problem with gambling.

Don't you come in now!

Big problem, actually.

-Where you going, Coach?

-Motel.

Coach, all that liquor

you had at Crowley's?

If you get a DUI,

your career's over, man.

That deputy

has it out for you, man.

She probably staked out at the

motel right now just waiting.

Sit your a*s down.

All right.

-Where do I sleep?

-We'll figure it out.

[instrumental mariachi music]

[snoring]

-[phone rings]

-[Donna] Hey.

-Hey. You still awake?

-[Donna] Am now.

-Oh, it's been a long day.

-[Donna] What's wrong?

Nothing. I'm just checking

to make sure you're good.

[Donna] Is everything okay

with Tony Raymond?

It's complicated.

[Donna] You can't

mess this up, Walt.

I'm not.

Look, the only time

I want to hear from you

is when he signs.

You gotta get this done.

Your whole future is

riding on this. Our future.

Okay, great. I'll just, I'll

call you on signing day, then.

-Good night, babe.

-[phone beeps]

You're a great

motivational speaker.

-Mm.

-You'd make a hell of a coach.

-Yeah?

-Mm-hmm.

-You got a position for me?

-I can think I have a couple.

Now, if he signs this kid,

you're gonna have to send him

on the road more often.

It's funny you say that.

I got this recruit I've been

wanting to talk to in Alaska.

[laughs, giggles]

[Walt sighs]

-[urinating]

-[Sandy talking inside]

[Sandy making loud

orgasmic sounds]

[Otis continues stabbing ground]

It's cold out here.

Got a work jacket over there.

-[Walt] Ah, thanks.

-Uh-huh.

My jacket's still at the motel.

You're one

heck of a snorer, man.

Yeah, I've been told

I can bring the walls down.

[Walt] Ground's pretty cold

to be digging holes, no?

Sandy's been on

me about getting us a fence up.

Says she wants some

more privacy, you know?

For her nerves.

Seems like you got

a ton of privacy.

[birds chirping]

She used to be

so nice and funny, man.

We used to laugh.

She ain't been the same

since we lost Leah.

Who was Leah?

We had a daughter.

And when she was three,

Sandy took her to

the pond behind our property.

And Leah would play in

the water a little,

you know, splash around.

And then she slipped and

went under just for a second.

Sandy grabbed her,

pulled her up.

Didn't think nothing of it.

But a week later, she was gone.

Viral infection from

the water going up in her nose.

And there wasn't anything

anybody could do.

And the doctors

really tried too, man.

I am so sorry, Otis.

I had no idea.

It isn't something

we talk about a lot.

You just gotta keep on going.

Keep getting up, you know?

Yeah, I can't imagine how hard

that was for you all.

We get by, Coach. We get by.

But seeing how Tony

has been blessed has really

meant something, you know?

[Walt] Oh, yeah.

I'm sure it has.

Yeah.

[Walt] I'm sorry

for getting you in trouble,

last night,

for us playing cards.

I didn't mean

to stress Sandy out.

Nah, Coach. Me and Crowley

were playing cards.

I don't know what

you were playing.

[chuckles]

Yeah.

Too many c*ck, I guess.

But you're here

to tell about it.

So look, after I finish up

these last few holes,

I gotta ride over to Mount Zion

and do some painting.

You like painting?

Crowley helps me some days,

but he's working on the motor,

so...

Uh, yeah.

Yeah, I'll help. I'll help.

You're good peoples, Coach.

Here.

Finish up these last two holes

while I go load out.

[Otis] Here come

one of your brothers.

You mind getting rid of him?

I ain't in the mood to talk

to none of y'all right now.

[dramatic acoustic guitar]

Morning.

Is this, uh, is this

the Raymond residence?

[accent] Yup. They ain't here.

They down there visiting A&M.

Said he probably

gonna sign with them.

-A&M?

-[Walt] Mm-hmm.

I just spoke with him

a couple of days ago.

[Walt] Yeah, surprised us, too.

-I'm sorry. Who are you?

-I'm a cousin.

Played a little ball

back in the day.

-Seriously? Why A&M?

-Eye of the beholder.

Thanks a lot. I'll try and

give him a call a little later,

but do me a favor and

tell him I stopped by, okay?

-Coach Bobby Langley.

-Cousin Duane.

Nice to meet you, Cousin Duane.

Y'all come back now. You hear?

[Walt] I'm gonna get a coffee.

You want one?

[Otis] One sugar, one cream.

[Walt] Thank you.

Have a good day.

[Walt] Hey, Coach!

-There he is. What's up?

You know,

another day in paradise.

I feel like a bounty hunter.

Right? Tony's so elusive.

-He is, man. He is.

-[phone rings]

I'm sorry, this is the missus.

I gotta take this.

Catch you later?

Okay, yeah.

I'll see you around.

-All right.

-[Walt] Okay. Bye, Coach.

[Donovan] Hey, baby. What's up?

Ah, there's the greatest special

teams coach in the country.

How's that extra point package

coming along?

Well, I promised him

a position on the kickoff team

when I see him later, so that

should put me over the top.

Yeah? I don't know how that's

gonna happen.

-He's having dinner with me.

-Sure he is, Rich.

Oh, come on, man. Wake up.

He's committed to us.

I just had breakfast with

his high school coach.

-It's all over but the shouting.

-[Walt] Okay. Okay. We'll see.

[sighs]

-Cousin Duane?

-Oh, hey.

Why'd you tell

me Tony left town, man?

-Oh.

-Cousin Duane?

-[Bobby] Cousin Duane.

-Cousin Duane?

Tony Raymond's cousin.

What? No, this dude

coaches at Louisiana.

-I was kidding, man.

-Louisiana?

You son of a b*tch.

Son of a b*tch!

-Hey, hey, chill!

-What's going on, man?

I'll tell you

right after I kick his a*s.

I wasted my entire morning

because of you.

I drove halfway to

the airport in Birmingham

until I found out

Tony was still here.

And now you

wanna fight about it?

This ain't gonna be no fight.

[hits Bobby]

-Hey, hey, hey. That's enough.

-f*ck you, Rich!

You know Tony's not even

seriously considering you guys?

You know

you're just being hustled

by his crazy family, right?

You know the stepdaddy's

conning you

and his mom is batshit crazy.

If you think spending time

with them is gonna help you,

-then you're a damn fool.

-Go to hell!

Here's the deal.

You're gonna get in the car

and tell Coach Marshall Tony's

not interested. You got me?

[g*n c*ck]

[nervous laughter]

Easy, man. We're just...

We're just working out

a little dispute, that's all.

I think we just worked it out.

So you're just gonna sh**t

anyone, Mr. Henderson?

Nobody's been shot.

Yet.

Come on, Dusty Road.

You got a lot of work

to do today.

[Walt groans]

-[punches Bobby]

-[Bobby] Son of a b*tch!

Uh, one sugar, one cream.

Good day, gentlemen.

[bluesy instrumental music]

You always

carry that g*n on you?

Don't keep it on me, Coach.

Keep it under the seat.

[engine starts]

-Pretty good with a brush there,

Coach.

-[Walt chuckles]

-Appreciate the help, man.

-Oh, anytime, Otis.

[sentimental instrumental music]

[Walt] Where's my car?

[TV Host] The question every

college football fan

across the country is asking,

where will Tony Raymond sign?

The country's top-rated

defensive end

out of Jackson Central Alabama

has seemingly gone underground!

No one has spoken to him

in days, including his mom!

I don't know where he is.

And if I did,

I wouldn't tell you.

When he makes up his mind,

y'all will know!

Right now, y'all

are getting on my nerves.

[Walt laughs]

So go away.

[Host] Mama coming in hot!

-[snoring]

-[Host] I tell you what,

whatever school lands this

punishing defensive end

will have a dominant defense

within two years.

Well, this kid is tough,

he's big.

[Tony Raymond] This is crazy.

Tony!

That's me.

Walt McFadden, assistant coach,

Louisiana University.

-It's nice to meet you, Coach.

-Nice to meet you.

No offense, but I've been hiding

from y'all the last few days.

But I figure if you're here with

Otis, you must be okay.

[snoring]

-Y'all go fishing?

-No, we painted a church.

Glad I wasn't around. He'd have

had me out there with y'all.

Well, I'm glad I could

take your spot.

-Maybe we can go tomorrow.

-Heck yeah.

Crowley's fixing the

boat motor as we speak.

-That might take a while, Coach.

-[Walt chuckles]

-So, you like it at Louisiana?

-I do. It's a great place.

Yeah. All those campuses

are pretty nice.

-What's the word? Idyllic.

-Yeah.

I could use me some idyllic.

-[sighs]

-Man, I don't know.

I'm getting offered

all this money

to do ads for

chicken restaurants,

car dealerships, a hunting

lodge, a private jet company,

and I can't even keep up.

Well, just stay true to

yourself. All the rest is noise.

But I think

you know that already.

Yeah.

You know, playing football

kept me out of trouble.

When my daddy got locked up,

all I wanted to do was

to fight everybody I could,

and the field's the best place

for me to do that.

But now with all this, it just

feels like it's a business.

Yeah, I know it does, but...

...the second you step on

that field, all that goes away.

And that's the best part.

Yeah.

Yeah, all the noise goes away.

All right.

Well, get some sleep, Coach.

Look worn out.

I'll see you later.

Okay. We'll get some breakfast.

Maybe we'll catch a few.

Yeah. You know it.

[sighs]

[freewheeling hard rock music]

[crashing noise]

[Walt] Oh!

Otis!

[engine hissing]

Tony?

Oh, damn.

Sandy! You okay?

-[Sandy] Hi, Coach.

-Are you hurt?

[Sandy] I'm sorry

about your little car.

Oh, it's okay.

What the hell happened?

[Sandy] I don't know.

I felt like somebody

was chasing me.

-Who?

-A cop.

Oh, was it?

Well, he had those blue lights

flashing, so I think so.

-And you got away?

-[Sandy] Obviously.

Oh boy, Coach.

Wait, hey, hey.

Easy, easy, easy, easy.

[Sandy] I think

I may have overdid it.

Okay, okay, okay.

Easy, easy, easy.

-Just lean back against the car.

-[Sandy] Oh, no.

[Walt] How many of these

did you take?

A bunch.

Don't tell nobody,

but I stole them from my mama.

-Your mama?

-[Sandy] Yeah.

Yeah, she always

got the best sh*t.

But she needs it on account

of living with my daddy.

Uh-huh. And um,

the ones that you had before,

-here, where are those?

-Oh, those? I flushed those.

I mean, Coach, they made me

feel so sleepy. I can't even...

I don't know.

I just, when I don't take them,

then I just feel like

k*lling everything I see.

[Walt] Okay, okay.

You know what I think?

I think...

I think you need a little help.

Let's get you inside

and get you warmed up. Come on.

[Sandy] Coach, I...

I'm so sorry.

I shouldn't have tried

to seduce you the other day.

I mean, it just would

have cheapened everything.

It would have ruined

our friendship, right?

It might.

I'm sorry.

At the end of the day, I can't

be with nobody else anyway.

-Otis is a good man.

-[Sandy] He is.

-He is.

-[Sandy] He loves me and Tony.

Oh, he's too protective

of the boy.

'Cause you can't wrap him up

in bubble wrap, can you?

[Walt] No.

-[Walt] Okay.

-[Sandy] Okay.

Good night, Coach.

No, no, no, no.

We're not doing that. Come on.

[Sandy] I'm just resting

my eyes, Coach.

Oh, no, no. Get up, Sandy.

Yep. Put your arms up.

One, two, three.

[Sandy] Oh!

It's like a horsey ride!

[Walt] That's right. Yee-haw!

Coach, you have to walk.

Ah, it's my bed.

[Walt] Yeah. Okay.

Okay, there you go.

Oh, God! Okay. Yeah. Okay.

Get into bed now.

[Sandy] I'm trying.

Hey, come on. Get up. Crawl up

there. There we go. Okay.

[Sandy] Oh, you're a

good man, Coach. Hug.

[Sandy] Thank you.

Get your hands off my wife.

I go get us some barbecue and

this is the sh*t I come back to?

Oh, Otis.

Get out of here.

No, she took a bunch of pills

and she fell asleep.

You're just like all the

other sharks come around here.

She passed out

and I brought her in.

Go home before I get my g*n.

Okay.

[Western-style

instrumental music]

Huh!

Well, well, well,

the mysterious coach.

Hey.

Funny, I chased this very hunk

of junk earlier tonight,

except there was

a blonde lady driving it.

She going to pick up the

scholarship you promised my son?

Oh, sorry, I haven't

forgotten about that.

Look, I got evidence.

I got pictures, I got videos.

Hell, I got your car

running from me tonight

with your prize recruit's

mama driving it.

You won't be able to get hired

to coach a rec league

after I'm done with you.

[Walt] Look, I'm working

on something. Mm-hmm.

-Just give me a day or two.

-[Chisolm] Well, you better be.

Or your sh*t

is gonna come crashing down.

-Boo!

-Dang.

[both laughing]

-Run me my sh*t.

-Mm-hmm.

[Walt] Okay.

Hey,

I put coffee in there already.

Thank you.

You should go apologize

to that man, Otis.

He was only trying to help.

You're just so jealous.

It didn't look right, Sandy.

No, I'm telling you.

Nothing happened.

We was just talking.

And half of it was him talking

about how much he likes you.

Look, I took all my mama's pills

and I passed out.

If it wasn't for him,

you would have found me

-on that ground last night.

-I don't trust these guys.

They'll do anything

to get to Tony.

-Maybe he ain't like the others.

-Maybe he is.

You make my head

want to explode.

[somber acoustic guitar]

[text whooshes]

[Sandy] You trying to get that

piece of sh*t out of jail?

What's wrong with you?

You b*stard!

Let me at him, Otis!

Otis, come on! Come on!

You can't let him out!

No! No! I won't

live through that again!

No! No! Why do you

treat me like this?

-Come on! Let me out!

-[Walt clears throat]

What the hell's going on?

I just came out here to

see if I could find Tony,

and she attacked me.

Because she heard I was trying

to get the dad out of prison.

-She does not like that dude.

-Just leave it alone.

Tony's gone dark, man.

I gotta find him.

-[Walt] You're not...

-[thumping sound]

-[muffled yelling]

-What's that?

Yeah, that is a surprise.

It's gonna make my life

a whole lot easier.

Yours too.

Oh! What the hell, man?

He's driving everybody crazy

with that prison release sh*t,

-so I silenced him.

-You promised it to him.

Yeah, ran his mouth so damn much

we would have gotten busted

even if I could have

pulled it off.

Let him out!

[muffled struggling continues]

Look, man,

I'm not gonna hurt him.

We just gotta get him out of

the way so we can do our work.

Now, look,

man, I've been thinking.

Yeah, seriously,

why don't you join up with me?

I mean, you clearly have

the inside track

with the crazies, huh?

I'll bring you onto the staff

if you deliver Country Hurt.

I need a good

outside linebacker coach.

Come on, man.

What do you say, man?

Come on, let's do this sh*t.

Power team!

Let him go.

What? You're not serious.

[struggling in trunk continues]

Jesus. So self-righteous.

[growls angrily]

Oh, you are dead meat, Akers.

And I can promise you this.

Tony ain't never,

ever going to TU.

I can promise you that, because

you are a Donnie Double Crosser!

A what?

You lied to my brother,

you b*tch-a*s b*tch!

You two can have each other.

Just untie your legs.

For f*ck's sake, Ronnie. Here.

You were right.

That b*stard was lying

about being able

to get my brother out of prison.

-No honor among thieves.

-You got that right.

I can't do it anymore.

I'm no good to you

or anybody, to Tony.

I just want to die.

[Otis] We'll figure this out,

baby. We'll figure it out.

She can't go on like this.

It's okay, Otis. I got an idea.

It's gonna be all right.

I promise.

[soft acoustic guitar]

["We Are Fine"

by Sharon Van Etten playing]

Trying hard to breathe

Head between my knees

Take my hand and squeeze

Say I'm all right

Whisper in my ears

Happy you are here

Everything seems clear

We're all right

We're all right

Tell me not to trip

Or to lose faith

You are walking

In my guiding light

Otis is gonna stay

with her for a while.

Mm. Good. Hey, man.

That is some cool sh*t

you just did.

Respect.

Thanks, Ronnie.

Yeah.

Now, we're gonna head

over to Crowley's for a minute.

I got somebody

wants to talk to you.

Okay.

[Ronnie giggles]

-Coach.

-Hey. Is she done?

Yep. Got that fuel line scraped,

carburetor flushed.

Thank you. Here you go.

[twangy acoustic guitar]

Here,

don't worry about it, Coach.

[Walt] I still owe you 2,000.

Yeah. No, no, you don't.

I mean...

It's a good-a*s motor, but it

ain't worth four grand, right?

[laughter]

Hey, Coach.

Hey, Tony.

Coach, I ain't

never seen nothing like it.

It's like the boy a

natural-born mechanical genius.

Mm-hmm. He's got the focus.

Might even be on that spectrum.

That's what gives me

my natural brilliance.

All right. She's ready.

That is amazing.

How'd you learn to do that?

Well, I took a motorcycle

mechanics class last year.

I can take a bike apart, put

the whole thing back together

and not really have

to think about anything.

It's just kind of nice

to let your mind go sometimes.

Yeah, sure is.

-I'm saving up to buy a bike.

-Oh, yeah?

Yes, sir. This right here,

a Stateline cruiser.

-[Walt] Ooh!

-[Tony] Pretty sweet, ain't it?

I'm not sure too many programs

are gonna be happy about you

rolling around on that thing.

[laughs] Yeah,

you got a point, Coach.

Maybe I'll get one

after I'm done playing.

I should have hired you

to fix the damn boat motor.

Ha-ha!

-Hey, uh, Coach?

-Uh-huh?

I just wanted to say

thank you for helping my mom.

Glad I could.

Otis said I could come see her

in the next few days.

I'm really glad

she's getting help.

Yeah, me too.

Hey, you want to go fishing?

[bike engine]

[peaceful instrumental music]

Otis teach you how to fish?

-Yeah. I love it out here.

-[Walt] Yeah.

-You two are close?

-[Tony] Yeah.

He became

my stepdad when I was 11.

I was real skinny back then,

scrawny, you know?

The kids used to tease me

about Otis,

because of his skin color,

and because

my dad was locked up.

-They don't tease me now.

-[chuckles] I bet they don't.

[Tony] Weird thing is,

I never really cared that much

about football.

I got pretty big in

the ninth grade.

Coach asked me to

come out for the team.

One place where I could knock

the hell out of somebody,

not get in trouble for it.

It's a lot of pressure

being in the spotlight now.

And everybody telling you

where they think you should go,

-what they think you should do.

-Yeah.

How great you can be,

how much money you can make.

Sometimes I think I might just

want to stay here and fish,

work at Crowley's,

fixing motorcycles.

Yeah, there's a lot of pressure,

that's for sure.

[Tony] You know, I had a guy

tell me the other day

that if I signed with their

school, they'd buy me a Ferrari.

I mean, what the hell

am I gonna do with that,

except look like an as*h*le?

[Walt laughs]

I mean, you can

always come back here.

Work at Crowley's, fish.

You know?

But with your talent

and the opportunities

that you're gonna have,

you're in a position to change

a lot of lives, not just yours.

I mean, I think you should...

I think you should

give it a shot.

See where it takes you.

Yeah. Yeah, I know, Coach.

I'm crazy,

but I ain't that crazy.

[laughs] No, you're not crazy.

The situation is crazy.

Look, Coach, what you, uh...

what you did for my mom

is pretty incredible.

I mean,

you might have saved her life.

I just...

I want to repay you for that.

Oh, no, Tony.

[Tony] Look Coach,

just hear me out on it.

I know you didn't do it

just to get me to sign.

But I mean,

I do want to be somewhere

that feels like family.

And after what you did,

I mean...

...you're family now, Coach. So.

[gentle, peaceful music]

What's Otis think about this?

He says it's a short time here,

a long time in the ground.

You should do what

your heart tells you.

-Smart man.

-[Tony] Yeah.

[Otis] Y'all must be

talking about me.

Coach.

Yeah, how is she doing?

Good.

Better than I seen

in a long time.

Good.

[Otis] I just wanted

to say thank you.

I think that place

will be good for Sandy.

Oh. Yeah, you're welcome.

I ain't gonna lie.

At first, I was hustling you

like I hustled all the

other coaches who come around.

I mean, I know what this

game's about, so I figured, hey,

I might as well take

advantage of it.

But once I got to know you...

I got to thinking

there's something different

about you, Coach.

I don't know. Um...

I started to feel like

all the others

the longer I've been here.

Nah. You ain't

like the others, Coach.

[Otis] What'd we catch?

[Tony] Cross those lines here.

Not much yet.

[Walt] Thanks, Otis.

-Hey, man.

-[Walt] Hey.

Thanks for bringing back my car.

That ain't all I brung you.

Step into my office.

-[muffled struggling]

-[Ronnie giggles]

Holy sh*t. Ronnie!

That'll teach this slick b*stard

to mess with me.

[muffled yelling]

He needs to stay on the

sidelines for a little while.

-You're just gonna kidnap him?

-He did to me first.

A self-defense kidnapping

in my book.

Besides, he needs

to go to prison

for trying to ruin

everybody's life.

[muffled screaming continues]

Coach McFadden? Hi.

Somebody let the cougar

out the zoo. Is that your wife?

[Walt] What? No.

I'm gonna let y'all conversate.

I got some cargo to drop off.

Mrs. Marshall. Everything okay?

[Judy] I hired someone to follow

my soon-to-be ex-husband.

I'm sorry, Walt.

But this is something

you need to know about now.

Crew Marshall is the

biggest as*h*le on the planet.

Now I have proof.

-Does he know you know?

-Not yet.

But maybe we could confront

them together. I love drama.

-Can you send me a link to this?

-Of course.

Thank you.

Thanks for showing me.

I know that wasn't easy.

Well, life's about to get

a lot easier

knowing I won't be married

to that b*stard much longer.

Maybe we should meet at Coach

Marshall's tomorrow around two?

Give him and Donna

a little surprise.

Deal.

And I know I probably

don't need to tell you this,

but if you play

your cards right,

you could get yourself

a nice promotion

and get Crew

tossed out on his a*s.

All for playing along

and keeping quiet.

The athletic department

doesn't want these optics.

Yeah, for sure.

You deserve to get something

out of this, so take it.

I know I am.

[reflective instrumental music]

Looks like you could

use some company.

Oh, what up, Coach?

Good to see you.

-Thanks.

-I'm headed back in the morning,

thought I'd come out

and say goodbye.

Been crazy a couple days.

Yeah, you damn sure got

to love it to be out here.

[Walt sighs]

-Why you do it, Coach?

-[chuckles]

Days in some

tiny little town in Alabama

trying to convince

some 18-year-old kid

to come to your school?

I'm a product

of the system, man.

I came out of a tough

situation growing up,

and I made college football

work for me.

I don't know where I would

have ended up without it.

I guess that's really what

keeps me coming out of here.

There's no greater feeling

than when you get a kid who,

without football, would have

never went to college.

And that kid busts his a*s

and gets a degree

and a good job

after playing four years.

That's what it's all about.

Football is... gravy.

I love the life part.

-Life part.

-[Donovan] Mm-hmm.

-To the life part.

-[bottles clink]

Hey, Coach, uh, you're the one

from Louisiana University.

Yeah?

-My mom talked to you about me?

-Who?

She works for the Sheriff's

Department. I'm Kenny Chisholm.

[Walt] Nice to finally meet you,

Kenny Chisholm.

You, too.

I just want to let you know,

sometimes my mom, she can

get a little carried away.

Mm-hmm.

I always dreamed about

playing for Louisiana.

But too small, too slow.

But I'd love a chance just

to be a practice player.

I just want to be

out there with the team.

Well, Kenny, any school

would be lucky

to have a player like that.

Maybe we can

figure something out.

Tell me about your season.

See you around, Kenny.

Coach! I called you a few times,

but I never heard back.

-What's going on?

-Everything's good.

Okay.

But I told you to call

me when you established contact.

I got his NIL paperwork.

Oh. I'm not sure that kind of

thing is gonna persuade him.

You crazy? A million dollars?

I'm just trying

to tell you, man.

[Chip] Well, where is he?

I'll talk to him.

You know, he's kind of hard

to pin down, Chip.

Um, he likes fishing.

Why don't you try the lake?

-The lake?

-[Walt] Yeah.

What part of the f*cking lake?

It's a big f*cking lake.

You better sign this kid,

or your a*s is finished.

Yeah, I'm well aware.

[knocks on door]

[Walt] Morning, big guy.

Hey, Coach.

Just about to head to school.

-Today's the big day.

-[Walt] That it is.

If you'll just give me

five minutes,

there's someone

I want you to meet.

Coach William Donovan, one of

the finest men in the game.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Pleasure to meet you.

Pleasure to meet you, Coach.

[Walt] Otis,

do you mind if we come in?

Come on in, fella.

-After you, Coach.

-Thank you.

[suspenseful acoustic guitar]

[indistinct murmuring]

-Hey, babe! Missed you!

-[laughing] Oh, hey!

-Hey, Judy.

-Hey, Donna.

Don't you just

look fabulous today?

Thank you.

It's good to see you.

I missed you.

I missed you, too. Hey,

I tried to call you back.

Mm-hmm.

Why don't you

just come pick me up?

-Let's celebrate, huh?

-OK.

[Walt] OK.

[knocks]

There he is. Oh, come on, now!

-What did I tell you?

-Well done!

-You did it! Ladies, hello.

-Hey.

What a surprise this is.

[Judy] This is a

big moment for everyone.

We didn't want to miss it.

We thought it'd be fun if we

all celebrated together.

Our wives have been so

supportive of us

over the years, haven't they?

-100%. Absolutely.

-Oh, press conference time.

[TV Host] And now we'll find out

where five-star defensive end

Tony Raymond

will be playing next year.

Whoever lands this

generational talent

is gonna be celebrating today.

[Tony] I'd like to

make my announcement

about where

I'll be headed in the fall.

It's been a difficult decision,

but I feel good about my

choice,

and I appreciate all the people

who helped me

through this process.

Up until this morning,

I was planning to sign

with Louisiana University.

Was?

[Tony] I really like

Coach McFadden.

I thought it'd be a

good place for me.

But due to some

unexpected circumstances,

I've decided to sign

with the CSU Bobcats.

I'm really excited

about helping Coach Donovan

build a winning program there.

He does things the right way.

That's what I want

to be a part of.

Plus, CSU is a lot

closer to home,

so I'll be able to see

my family a little bit more.

-Thank you all for coming.

-[Host] Breaking news!

[giggles, laughs hysterically]

That's my nephew!

Whoo! Who's crying now?

What the hell is this, Walt?

You said you signed him!

CSU!?

I got you someone

so much better.

-[punch]

-[Donna] Oh my god!

-[Judy claps]

-[Donna] Jesus, Walt!

Yeah, yeah, I didn't sign Tony.

But I did sign you

a nice nose guard.

A little on the small side.

5'9", 160 pounds.

Not very strong, not very fast,

but he's got a lot of heart.

-Walt--

-Don't.

[Walt] His name

is Kenny Chisholm.

-[Crew] Who?

-Kenny Chisholm.

Signed, sealed, and delivered

to your fine university

for the next four years.

All expenses paid.

Coach, you just made my boy

the happiest kid in America.

You're gonna surprise

a lot of people.

You are so fired.

What is this, Walt?

What are you doing?

What are you doing, sweetheart?

And what are you doing,

sweetheart?

[Walt] You're gonna

resign tomorrow,

or I'm gonna go to every

sports network in the country

and tell them about your little

extracurricular activity here.

Happy signing day.

-Walt.

-Y'all deserve each other.

[Donna] Walt?

What's left

to talk about, Donna?

I'm sorry. I lost my mind, okay?

I made a mistake.

-Agreed.

-I don't want to lose you.

It didn't look like that

in the pictures.

We can fix this.

I know it won't be easy,

but will you please let me try?

Please.

I'm going in a new direction,

Donna.

You're no longer

involved in any future plans.

Your style is not gelling

with what I want to build.

-[Donna] Walt?

-But good luck.

You'll latch on somewhere.

There's a lot of action in

the transfer portal these days.

-[Donna] Walt, please?

-You'll be okay.

-Good luck.

-[Donna] Walt, come on.

[triumphant instrumental music]

-Tony!

-Hey, Coach. What's up?

-What's up?

-[Tony] It's good to see you.

It's good to see you.

This is the guy I was telling

you about. This is Jax.

He's the CEO

of Open Road Motorcycles.

He wanted to meet you before you

take off to school next week.

Now, I told him all about

your passion for bikes.

He wants you to intern for

his company next summer,

before you start practice.

You're going to be working

with the design team,

learning the whole business.

Am I right?

-Absolutely.

-Oh, man. Wow. That is awesome.

I can't wait. It's great to meet

you, sir. And thank you.

Absolutely.

Thrilled to have you, Tony.

Now that you've signed with CSU,

Open Road is gonna make

a new Country Hurt Cruiser.

Even want your help

with the marketing some.

Got a nice compensation package

for you.

It's a dream come true, y'all.

Thank you, sir.

-Coach, you're the man.

-[Walt laughs]

[Jax] Did you strip her

all the way down?

[Tony] Yes, sir.

[audience cheering]

[rousing instrumental music]

[athletic fight song]

Does it get

any better than this?

No, sir.

[epic instrumental music]

[music fades out]

-Nothing biting here.

-No.

Told y'all I got another spot

we can go to now.

[engine doesn't start]

-Son of a b*tch.

-You get the valves?

Think Crowley ain't

fix it worth a damn.

I think you running shitty gas.

That's what's going on.

There's worse places

to be stuck.

-Hey, Otis, pass me the worms.

-You got a bite?

[Walt] Looks like it.

Then we right where

we need to be.

Yes, Lord.

[all laugh]

["Right Where You Belong"

by Layup playing]

Don't worry

Falling off

The path you're on

'Cause you're bound to land

Right where you belong

The endless hours

And all the miles

That you've gone

Will always lead you

Right on to

Right where you belong

Right where you belong

Somewhere and somehow

You wound up

Wherever you are now

And it's right

Where you belong

In any direction you go

Down any road

That you follow

They all lead

Right where you belong

You feel the weeds growing in

The ground around your feet

And you're standing right

Where you're supposed to be

But you don't need a compass

Or know any geography

To know that where you are

Is right where

You're supposed to be

Where you're supposed to be

And I believe

Somewhere and somehow

You landed

Wherever you are now

And it's

Right where you belong

In any direction you go

Down any road

That you follow

And I believe

That somewhere and somehow

You landed

Wherever you are now

And it's right where

You belong

In any direction you go

Down any road

That you follow

They all lead

Right where you belong

I believe

Down any road

That you follow

They all lead

Right where you belong

I believe

Down any road

That you follow

They all lead

Right where you belong

'Cause you're bound to land

Right where you belong

[song ends]