08x12 - Finish Line

[bunniefuu]

KJ: When did I first
fall in love with football?

It was back when I was around


Ava:
Ready. Set. Hike!

Yes, KJ! Go, KJ!



KJ, voice-over:
I remember the day.

He's got it!

-Go, KJ!
-KJ!

Ava: Run, KJ!

KJ, voice-over: My heart
was racing so fast

while my little legs were
carrying me down the field

as fast as they could.

There was so much joy that day.

And then, uh, I grew up,
and the pressure set in.

All right, KJ. Come on.

Ava: Come on.
KJ: Set. Go!

Singer: ♪ Where do I start,
y'all know I'm him ♪

♪ No hate in my heart,
it's grit to the brim ♪

♪ Got me a parcel... ♪

Oh, come on. You
gotta reach for it.

That's all right, son.

Ready. Set. Go.

Singer: ♪ They ain't give me
no spot, had to carve it out ♪

♪ And this fire
inside me too big ♪

♪ Ain't no way
you can stomp it out ♪

Ava: All right. All right.
That's a little long.

Come on.
You gotta catch that.

♪ You don't know
what it's like ♪

♪ Say you can beat me ♪

-♪ All joking aside... ♪
-Set. Go.

♪ We all know the truth
gonna show in the light ♪

♪ The secret is
all in the mental ♪

Ready. Set. Go.

♪ This ain't accidental ♪

♪ Look at us, on top ♪

♪ I don't care if it hurt,
I won't stop... ♪

How's he doing?

He'd be doing a lot better
if his teammates could catch.

-♪ Work, work, work ♪
-Yeah!

KJ: Ready. Set. Go.

-♪ Work ♪
-♪ I'm goin' in ♪

♪ Work, work, work... ♪

Yeah, I don't think
that's on them.

♪ Work, work ♪

♪ I'm goin' in ♪

♪ They all talk ♪

♪ I'mma put in the work ♪

♪ Work, work, work ♪

Hey, uh, Coach Kenny,

you, uh, you leaving already?

You know, we still got
that big rematch.

Some of my assistant coaches
are still out there,

but I came here to see
Khalil Edwards,

and he's a no-show, so...

Oh, no. He's coming, sir.

He just... he had an emergency
this morning,

but he will be here.
I know it.

And trust, you don't
wanna miss out

on seeing that guy play.

I mean, he's got this
natural-born gift thing.

Also, Kwanjae and Ellis,

did you catch them
in the agility drills?

Look, I think they have
a lot to offer GAU.

If I didn't know any better,
I'd think you were their coach

rather than their competition.

I'm just looking out, sir.

You know, today is important
for a lot of people.

I can see that,

but is it important for you?

I haven't seen you
compete much today.

Uh, ye... yes, sir.
Of course it is.

All right.
Time to prove it, kid.

I assumed that KJ would be
in a more secure space

now that he knows we're here

and that we're getting
back together.

But you saw him out there.

What do you think the issue is?

I mean, the touch was
a little off on his throws

but it's probably because he
didn't properly warm up.

I think it's more than that.

I think that playing
superhero all day is

starting to take its toll.

And that's on me.

Hey...

we are here, we are fixing
everything one step at a time.

Yeah.

How'd your call with Jordan go?

Yeah, it was cool.

Babe?

Look, I didn't cry, if
that's what you're asking.

I mean, maybe a little
Denzel "Glory" tear.

Hey, I know it's not
easy asking another man

to take in your son.

But it was the best
decision for KJ.

So when are you gonna tell KJ

that you're not
gonna be here next year?

Definitely not now, not
after what we just watched.

No, he needs to stay
locked in on the scrimmage.

I mean, thankfully,
we got Khalil here now,

so we got all the pieces
to make it great,

but as for next year,

yeah, we'll have that
conversation tonight.

Hey, Dad, uh, I set up
a meet and greet

with some of the coaches.

Stop.
[Chuckles]

Look, I'll get to 'em.
I've already spoken to a few.

Yeah, but some of the coaches,
they just wanted...

KJ, I got this.

Now, will you please
go and get warmed up

for the scrimmage?

Uh, OK, yeah, cool.

Sweetie.

You feeling all right?

Me? Yeah, I... I'm good.

Really?

'Cause I saw you
struggling earlier

during drills.

I promise it's all good.

I just need some time
to warm up, like Dad said.

Ma, you don't need to worry, OK?

I'mma turn up for the showcase.

Cassius: See, I told you.
It's gonna be fine.

Gotta stop worrying.
It's all good.

Ava: I will always worry.

KJ: Can we just make sure
that the coaches have

{\an8}plenty of ice waters
in their tent?

{\an8}And, uh, let's have a few bottles

{\an8}that are room temp just in case.

Thank you.

Yo, aren't you supposed
to be out here

warming up for the scrimmage?

Hey, come on, man.
I just got that one.

{\an8}Dude, I've been here 20 minutes

{\an8}and you ain't
stopped moving once.

{\an8}You got your moms and pops
here to help now, plus me.

{\an8}It's time for you to stand
down and get locked in.

{\an8}Look, I'm just trying
to make sure that

{\an8}everything goes well today.

{\an8}And it won't for you
if you don't get

{\an8}your head in the right place
in time for this scrimmage.

{\an8}Look, I know we cool and all
now, but that don't mean

{\an8}I'mma take it easy on you
out there on that field.

Wait. Did you just admit
that we're friends?

No, I said we're cool.

No, you said "cool and all,"
which encompasses friends.

Bro, you be cool
with the mailman,

that don't make you homies.

[Chuckles]
Whatever you say.

[Scoffs]
Bro, what's really going on?

Why I feel like you
looking for any excuse

not to go out there
and handle business?

{\an8}[Chuckles]

{\an8}Well, fool, that's...
that's crazy.

{\an8}Is it? You forget
I know you now.

I know how that brain
of yours works

and how much pressure you
been putting on yourself

to go out there
and show up and show out

in front of all these coaches.

{\an8}I already heard you sucked
in the one QB drill

{\an8}you did participate in.

{\an8}OK, so you going
for brutal honesty.

{\an8}So now what?
All of a sudden,

{\an8}you scared to QB a game
in front of all these coaches

{\an8}in case your best
ain't good enough?

{\an8}You want real brutal honesty?

{\an8}Get your head out of your a*s
and remember what's at stake...

{\an8}the dream, your dream, the NFL.

{\an8}And the next step to
that dream is out there

{\an8}with all them D1 coaches.

{\an8}KJ, this is your moment to shine.

{\an8}And what if I don't shine?

{\an8}What if you do?

{\an8}Bro, we started
this thing together.

{\an8}Now let's cross
the finish line together.

{\an8}You're right.

It's game time, all or nothing.

{\an8}Let's work.

[Exhales]

{\an8}Come on. I had
to get him the wings.

{\an8}That's his favourite.

{\an8}I don't why you needed
me to come with you

{\an8}to get my dad's food.

{\an8}You could've done
this by yourself.

{\an8}Right. And then
I would've missed

{\an8}the beautiful opportunity
to hear you complain.

I mean, you know it's
music to my ears.

-Ha ha.
-Mm-hmm.

Look, you know how you needed

{\an8}a moment to yourself
once you got released?

{\an8}Your dad just needs
the same thing.

What do you mean?
He's had plenty of space.

The only time
I was up under him was

{\an8}to get him updated
on what he missed

{\an8}while he was gone, what
happened when I was detained,

{\an8}caught him up on
some "Love Island" tea

{\an8}because even though he
pretends to hate it,

{\an8}he really loves it,
and then I also went...

{\an8}Ah.

{\an8}[Chuckles]

{\an8}I guess you are right.
[Chuckles]

{\an8}Plus, he just... he did not
want you sitting in the house,

{\an8}stuck all day, especially
after the week you had.

{\an8}He wanted you to get out,
live your life, be a kid.

{\an8}Oh, is that what you're doing?

{\an8}Because it seems like
all this running around

{\an8}you've been doing is
to keep yourself busy

{\an8}so you can avoid Breonna.

{\an8}Look, ain't nobody
avoiding nothing.

{\an8}I'm just taking care of what
needs to be taken care of.

I know things between you
and Miss Breonna are

still kinda stressed,
and I just hope

it's not on account of me.

No. Why would you
think that?

I mean, OK, a lot has happened
for all of us this week.

And I know I didn't
always come across

as her biggest fan,

but the fact that she helped
get my dad released

after the way I treated
her at your dinner

earlier this week says
a lot about her as a woman.

And she really loves you.

I'm... I'm not so sure
about that... that last part.

I mean, what, I'm... I'm
not the same Coop

she fell in love with
in law school.

I'm finally getting
back to myself.

And I got a new journey
I need to start on.

I'm just not sure if it's
fair to drag her on it.

Well, there's a difference
between taking somebody

on a ride when you don't
know where you're going

versus having somebody
with you on a journey

when... you have
a clear destination.

Wow. Dinsberg has no idea
what they're missing out on.

But before I start
this new journey,

there's some things from...

Here you go.

My past I need to face.

I think we both do.

KJ: All right. Let's go.
Let's go.

Let's get it. Let's get it.
Let's get it.

[Players speaking excitedly]

Let's go.

Hey, do you have a second?

Uh, hey, yeah. Yeah, sure.

Look, I'm really sorry
for blowing you off like that

earlier today.

I mean, hell,
we can just add that

to the many things
that I'm sorry for

when it comes to you.

Look, I was just thinking...

Before you start telling me
how big of a jerk you acted,

I wanna say,
we're actually all good.

No apology necessary.

I was so angry at you,

and then I realised that

it wasn't my heart
that was broken.

My feelings were just hurt.

There is nothing
"just" about that.

I'm really, really sorry, Tori.

When you first came to Beverly,

I was an emotional wreck
from my cheer injury,

and you really helped me
get through that.

You were my best friend,

and that's why I felt betrayed.

Yeah, and you were
my first friend.

I don't think I would've survived

that move from the Bay
if it wasn't for you.

But I screwed up
as your boyfriend

and even more so as your friend.

I really wish
I could just undo it all.

We can just chalk it up to
high school growing pains.

[Both laugh]

Yeah, there's, uh,

there's been a lot of
that going around.

You made some mistakes,

but you're not a horrible person.

You were a great friend,

and, hopefully, we'll
be able to get back

to that point again,
but in the meantime,

I do wish you all the best

and I want you to go
after whatever it is

that you want, even
if that includes Amina.

Don't act so shocked.

I was never your person,

and I realise that you
weren't mine,

and that's totally cool.

But we both know who yours is.

Good luck out there, Oakland.

Voice of ICE agent:
We're gonna need you

to come with us.

Voice of Ms. Perez:
Come with you where?

Get... get...

get your hands off of me.

I already told you, I'm
allowed to be here legally

under DACA.

Voice of Amina:
Let her go!

[Sound of students screaming]

Man: Amina?

[ICE agents shouting]

Amina?

Sorry. Sorry.

Hey, Coach.

I wasn't expecting anyone
to be here on a Saturday.

I was just passing through.
Uh, forgot my laptop.

Um, why are you here?

I'm not really sure.

I guess testing out a theory.

I'm hoping that what went
down with ICE the other day

doesn't overwrite

all the good
I've experienced here.

I don't know.
I don't know.

Well, who says what went
down the other day

wasn't a good thing?

Um...

No, no, no.

What... what I meant was

that what you did
opened a lot of eyes.

It opened mine,

and you did a good thing,
a brave thing.

Anybody would've done what I did.

And that's what we'd all
like to think...

that given the chance that
we'd be just as courageous

as you were in the moment.

But you know who doesn't
have to wonder about that?

You.

[Chuckles]

You are a remarkably
brave young lady,

who performed
a remarkably brave act

for Ms. Perez
and those students.

Just make sure that factors
into your processing. Yeah?

Yes, sir.
Thank you.

Hmm.

All right. Well, shouldn't
you be at that, uh, showcase

with your knucklehead friend
Khalil and Coach Baker?

You didn't hear?

Coach Baker's sister went into
early labor this morning,

so he's not at the showcase.

He's at the hospital
with her right now.

Wait. How... how she's doing?

Well, she's fighting
for her and her twins,

but doctors said it would've
been a different story

if Khalil hadn't found her
and helped stabilise her

until the paramedics arrived.

Khalil Edwards?

Yeah. That's why he missed
most of the showcase

this morning.

He was literally saving lives.

Not too bad for
a knucklehead, right?

Announcer: Welcome
to the Beverly vs. Crenshaw

Championship Showcase.

It's game time for this
highly anticipated scrimmage

between two L.A. powerhouses,

the moment we've
all been waiting for.

Thanks.

Jordan's not here
to coach your team,

so I'm gonna have one
of my assistants

step in for you guys.

The hell you will.

Their coach is right here.

I thought you couldn't be
associated with the showcase

because it's unsanctioned.

Bobby: Something I learned
along the way is that

sometimes you gotta deal
with the legalities later.

But right now, my boys need me.

You know it's OK to say you
learned that from Coach J.B.?

Don't get benched
before we even start.

[Laughter]

-Home team calls it.
-Heads.

Referee: Heads it is.
Beverly will start on offence.

KJ: Thanks.
Khalil: That's cool.

We don't need the head start.

Oh! Oh, so you talking
smack already.

You know it.

KJ: All right. Let's see
if you can back it up.

Cassius: Fellas, it has been
a long journey

leading up to this point.

Safe to say it's been
a week from hell for everybody.

Bobby: Now,
you have been tested in ways

that most grown men
would crumble under.

But you stood in the
face of that adversity

and you didn't blink.

You watched as a damn
invasion unfolded

in front of you
and didn't bat an eye.

It takes real-life
situations, hero moments,

like raising your voices
as a generation

to stand up for each other.

Bobby: Or stepping in to help
save a pregnant mother

reminds us that life is a gift,

and that begins with the moment
we have now.

Cassius: Now, I'm not
gonna tell you

to go out there
and play this scrimmage

like it's a championship game
or to take no prisoners.

Bobby: And I'm gonna tell you.
Remember the game you love.

The game that you
were born to play.

And remember the gift
that God gave you.

Now, get out there,
have some fun,

and enjoy the moment.

Cassius: Let's get it!
Bobby: Bring it in!

Hey, Chargers on me,
Chargers on 3.

KJ: Eagles on me,
Eagles on 3.

-1, 2, 3.
-Eagles!

Chargers!

KJ: Let's go! Let's go.

Let's go. Let's go!

[Players speaking excitedly]

Singer: ♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪
[Blows whistle]

Announcer: Beverly starts
the day on offence

with junior Kingston Jeremy
at quarterback.

♪ I'm goin' lights out... ♪

KJ: Hey,
we got 2 wide, 2 wide.

Ready?

Singer: ♪ I live the life
these... dream about ♪

♪ They won't admit it... ♪

Set. Go.

♪ All that capping in your
rapping ♪

♪ Boy, you never did it,
I could never get this up ♪

♪ That's cause I'm
too committed ♪

Announcer: 20 yards.

That's one heck
of a start for this offence.

-Whoo!
-That's how you do it!

Announcer:
It's definitely mother-approved.

Hey, Khalil, nervous where?

I got ice in these veins. Ha ha!

All right, bro.

Ready? Break.

♪ Shine bright like a diamond
with the lights out... ♪

Ready.

Set. Go.

♪ The world is mine and you know
I want it right now ♪

Ooh.

♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

[Cheering]

Singer: ♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

KJ: Hey, that was luck,
Khalil.

Yeah, luck is when
skill meet opportunity.

Plenty more where that
came from, my boy.

♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

[Captains shouting commands]

Ready. Go.

♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

[Whistle blows]

-Whoo!
-Yeah!

Announcer:
With that quarterback keeper,

Beverly evens things up.

Let's do this. What's up?

Come on, now.

♪ I'm goin' lights out... ♪

Set. Go.

Singer: ♪ Lights out,
lights out ♪

♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

♪ Lights out, lights out ♪

♪ I'm goin' lights out ♪

Announcer: Touchdown, Chargers,

on a beautiful pass
from Khalil Edwards.

That's the end
of the second quarter.

This rematch from the playoffs

is everything you thought it
would be,

with Crenshaw taking a 7-point
lead into halftime.

[Indistinct chatter]

These boys out here
balling today.

That's why I wanted to
get you guys out here.

There is some great
talent on both squads.

And Jordan told me this
Khalil Edwards kid was good,

but I didn't know he could
spin a football like that.

That is kudos to Jordan.

I mean, he saw a kid in need,

wanted to help turn
his life around,

and as a bonus, got one
hell of a QB out of it.

Where was he this morning?

Um, saving Olivia James' life.

-Wait. Liv?
-Mm-hmm.

Is everything OK?

It is now thanks to Khalil.

I mean, not only can
he spin a football,

but he is great
under pressure, too.

Coach Kenny:
That's good to know.

All right, man.

All right, Coach. Thanks.

Hey, Auntie Coop, uh,

you weren't back home when I went

to check on my dad,
so just making sure

you're OK.

You said something earlier about

facing the past,

so I did.

And I was reminded that

even our toughest days
are still blessings

because we learn our own
strength through those moments.

Look, you have faced a lot
in your past, Auntie,

and I know it wasn't ever easy,
but it all made you

the badass that you are today.

So just keep that in mind
while you're processing

or whatever you're doing.

Love you.

Hey.

How's your dad?

Great. Great, actually.

He was just released today,

so he's at home taking a nap.

That's really great news.

I'm really happy for you guys.

Thank you.
That means a lot.

Have you been here
the whole game?

No. I came to support...
the guys.

So listen, I still owe
you a big apology

for my part in...

No. Let's not make
it about the boy.

A couple years from now,
this will all be whatever.

You're home, your dad is home.

Let's keep it about that.

Thanks, Tori.

Plus, you know, it
could've been worse.

You could've acted like
a treacherous b*tch,

tried to have me committed,

or cheated with two
of my boyfriends

before eventually marrying
one of them, so...

I guess.
[Both laugh]

I'm glad we did this.

Yeah, so am I.

Well, I'm gonna catch
the second half.

I'll see you later.

Wait. Where are you
sitting for the game?

On the South Crenshaw
side. You?

Bro, save some for
the rest of the game.

Trust me, man, I got
plenty left in the tank

to smoke you in the second half.

Pssh. All right.

[Indistinct conversation nearby]

Wait, you realise they're...

they're sitting next to
each other and smiling?

Yeah, I don't know
what's going on, bro.

Just... just be cool
and wave.

Hey, what... what's Amina
even doing here?

She's going through
enough right now.

Are you serious right now?

Bro, she's always gonna
show up for you.

Announcer: The clock ticks
in the third quarter,

with Beverly up 21-14
and driving.

Kingston Jeremy has been
a man on fire

in this second half.

Eagles: Break!

Khalil: Hey, defence,
yo, he's gonna keep it

every time he bootlegs right.
He don't like to throw that way.

Hey, just 'cause you know
what's coming

don't mean you can stop it.

Yeah, you lucky
I ain't out there.

My fault, Coach.
I'll be quiet.

Nah. Nah, keep talking
'cause I'm 'bout to put you

out there on defence
to stop your friend.

He's not my friend, more like
a workout acquaintance.

But, Coach, I'm your QB.

You are a two-way player.

Now, you get out there

and you show those
coaches that you are

the best pure athlete
on this field.

-Yes, sir.
-Right.

Announcer: Looks like
we have a substitution

by South Crenshaw.

Khalil Edwards is going back
to where his season began

and flipping over on defence.

Oh, this gonna be fun.

Chargers: Break!

[Players saying commands]

Announcer:
Kingston has dropped back.

Looks like he's going for
the hail Mary.

Aah! Aah...

Announcer:
We have an interception.

Khalil Edwards wasted no time
reminding us

of his two-way player skills.

[Groaning]

Announcer: He's slowing up.

It appears there's an injury
on the field.

No, no, no, no, no, no!

Kingston Jeremy is down.
[Whistle blows]

Yo, something ain't right.

[Whistle blows]

[KJ groaning]

KJ, you good? You good?

KJ: Aah. I don't know.
I don't know.

Cassius: What happened?

My shoulder. I think
I tore it. Aah!

[KJ screams]

Ava: It's OK, honey.
We'll get through this.

Cassius: Any idea what
the injury is?

Based on my examination,

I'd say it's a pectoral tear.

Trainer: But I can't say for
sure until he gets an MRI.

We need to get him to
the hospital right away.

-Yeah.
-What's the recovery time?

Cassius: It's gonna be
hard to say.

Depends on
the extent of the tear.

Hospital.
Now, Coach.

-Yeah.
-Thank you for your help.

Cassius: Thank you.

OK, KJ, let's get
you to the hospital.

Um, I just... I need
a minute alone, please.

Hey, listen to your mother.
We gotta get going.

I need a minute alone.

I get it, but you heard
what the trainer said.

Yeah, I heard what he said!

Can I just get a damn minute,
please?!

Yeah, OK.
Be ready when you are.

This is all my fault.
I did this.

No. It was a fluke injury.
Those things happen.

I knew that he was
pushing himself too hard

the last 6 months,
and I let it slide.

If I hadn't been
so focused on winning

and saving my job, KJ
wouldn't be hurt right now.

Let's just take a beat.

Ava, I let my ego
drive this whole thing.

Now our son's future's
in jeopardy.

Enough.

Yes, part of the reason that
you conceived this showcase

was to fight for your job,

but you also provided
an opportunity

for our son and those boys
to play at the next level.

Your ego didn't drive
this. Your love did.

-Yeah, but I was...
-I am not finished.

Your son is sitting in that room,

and he is hurt, he's scared,

and he's angry.

And I know one thing
for sure is that

he is going to need his father,

so don't you dare make
this moment about you

and your guilt.

How's KJ?

Physically, not great.

Doctor thinks it
might be a torn pec.

Emotionally?

Even worse.

He snapped on both his parents
and wants to be left alone.

Amina, he says he wants
to be left alone.

That's the last thing he needs.

Hey.

I busted my a*s to get
ready for this today

to make sure it was a success,

and then it all just fell apart

right when my dreams
were in reach.

I mean, none of this is fair.

I put in so much work.

I... I just did
the right thing.

And it was all for nothing.

Just like that, just like that,

my dreams are gone.

[Inhales and exhales deeply]

Are you done acting
like a whiny little b*tch?

Wait. Excuse me?

What happened to you today
was messed up, Kingston.

But since when
do you just give up?

[Scoffs]
I don't know...

if I'm ever gonna be able
to throw again, Amina.

I mean, what the hell
am I supposed to do now?

Good. Good.
Anger is good.

Now, damn it,
I want you to fight.

I get that everything
in your life

has come easy for you
up until this point, but...

Wait. Easy?

My life was uprooted
from Oakland,

my parents separated.
What are you...

Yet you came here and thrived,

brought your team within
an inch of a championship.

And the last time I checked,

aren't your parents reuniting?

Try again.

Do you know how much work
I put into this,

how much blood, sweat,
and tears I put into this?

Football is my life.

No. Football is your dream.
It is not your life.

And the dream isn't over yet, KJ,

not until some doctor
tells you it is.

And I do know
how hard you worked.

You pushed yourself
for the past 6 months,

and it turns out it was

too much wear
and tear on your body.

You've had to learn a tough
lesson, and I'm sorry.

But do not... and I mean
do not give up. Not now.

This is just a setback.

No. You... you just
don't get it.

Tell me, what is there to get?

You wanna sit here and you
wanna feel sorry for yourself.

Who wouldn't? But I
can't let you do that.

This week has taught us all

that there is nothing
that we can't get through,

and that includes an injury.

Every single one of your
dreams is still within reach.

Coach Kenny: She's not wrong.

Hey, Amina.

Hey.

I'll give you two some privacy.

I'm done here.

She's passionate, huh?

[Exhales]

Mind if I have a seat?

[Heavy door buzzes open]

Hey, Ms. Ruth.

Tamia.
[Laughs]

Mm. You haven't
changed one bit.

It's so good to see you.

Yeah. I'm... I'm sorry
it's been so long.

Ohh, Trust me, I got
nothing but time.

[Chuckles]
Relax, baby.

A sense of humour goes
a long way in this place.

Right.

What are you... what
are you working on?

It's a puzzle
my grandbaby Maya got me

a few years ago.

I guess I can't call
her baby no more.

She's 10, going on too grown.

I mean, Shawn always said
she had a old soul

inside of that body.

You know, losing him
shattered my heart

into a million pieces,

but every now and then,
putting this together,

seeing his precious smile
makes me feel whole again.

That's beautiful.

Congratulations on law school.

I am so proud of how you
turned your life around.

Thank you.
I only tried to do

what you asked me to do that day.

You asked me to live out
my wildest dreams.

You more than tried,
my sweet girl, you did!

How'd... how'd you hear
about law school?

[Chuckles]

I'm in prison, not a cave.

[Ruth laughing]
Yeah. Right.

News from the neighbourhood

still makes its way through here.

Yeah. You know, I...
I got into law school

so I could be a resource
for my people...

to help folks like Shawn.
[Inhales and exhales]

Instead, I... I kinda
lost my way.

You helped my boy plenty
when he was with us.

And he's resting now,
so you can let that go

and stop punishing yourself.

Have you...
stopped punishing yourself?

I'm a mother. It's
a little different for us.

My... my niece, she just
reminded me that

some of the toughest parts of
our past are still implicit.

Those things make us who are,

and you are part of the reason
I am who I am today, Ms. Ruth.

You wouldn't let me throw
my life away for Tyrone.

And I'm not gonna
let you do that either.

Thank you, but my fate is sealed.

I've made my peace with God.

Good. But you don't have
to keep your peace

or live it out in here.

Like... I'mma get you out of
here one day, Ms. Ruth.

I mean that. I don't care
how long it takes.

You've always had
so much fire in you.

Hopefully, you have someone
special in your life

to enjoy the quiet moments with.

I did. But I also think
I kinda messed that up.

There ain't never anything
too messed up that

you can't piece it
back together again.

Uh, Coach Kenny,

uh, I appreciate your company,

but this is starting
to feel just a little weird.

[Chuckles]

Are you not gonna say anything?

I was trying to respect
your space,

but it is getting kind of weird.

[Both laugh]

[Groans softly]

Look, bruh, this is your
first major injury,

but I promise you
all is not lost.

Look, torn rotator cuff.

And this... torn ACL,

and this, broken
ring finger twice.

Damn!

Really?

That's... that's on me.

I shouldn't... shouldn't
have said that. Sorry.

And don't have me get
into all the sprains

and fractures I had, man.

All that to say,
there's almost no injury

that you could have that
you won't come back from

if your heart is
in the right place.

It worked for me.

Honestly, I don't know

where my head or
my heart is right now.

Mm.

Have you ever seen
the movie "Brown Sugar"?

"Brown" what?

Rom-com, best friends,
Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs.

Nah, that's not
really ringing any bells.

Oh, come on. "We're...
we're finna celebrate."

"Celebrate what?"

♪ "My divorce" ♪

-Nah.
-Nothing.

-Nah.
-This guy.

Man. I'm getting old.
[Both chuckle]

Anyway, Sanaa Lathan plays

this hip-hop journalist,
who begins every interview

with one simple question:

When did you fall in love
with hip-hop?

OK.

So I ask you...

When did you first
fall in love with football?

Had to be around


Ava: Ready. Set. Hike.

Yes, KJ! Go, KJ!



Cassius: He's got it!
Ava: Go, KJ!

KJ, voice-over:
Yeah, I remember the day.

[KJ chuckles]

I was at Bushrod Park
in North Oakland with my folks.

My heart was racing so fast

while my little legs were
charging me down the field

as fast as they could.
[Chuckles]

That day was filled
with so much joy.

[Cassius and Ava
speaking excitedly]

And then, uh, I grew up,
and the pressure set in.

[Inhales and exhales]

But, uh, yeah, that is

when I fell in love
with football.

And ever since that day,

football has always equaled joy,

home, family.

Sounds like it's safe to say that

your love for football
has never gone anywhere,

even with the pressure.

No, sir. Not at all.

Good. That's how I knew
you'll make your way back.

Your injury, everything
you've been through,

none of that has changed
your love for football,

and I'm telling you, man,
with love that deep,

you'll do everything
you can to fight for it

and make your way back.

Yes, sir.

Anyway, I guess this
is as good a time as any

to let you know that when
you do make your way back,

you'll have a full
scholarship waiting for you

with me at GAU.

Wait.
[Chuckling]

Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait a minute.

Wait. What?

Listen, man, I've
watched enough tape

to know that you're
a talented QB.

I mean, I knew that
before I got here.

But what I saw when I
did get here was

you making sure that
every other player

got their shine.

That's the type of
intangibles I look for

in a QB at GAU... teamwork,
leadership, sacrifice.

Y... yeah, I mean,
I was just doing

what needed to be done.

But not everyone would.

So you wanna be a GAU Condor?

[Chuckling]
I mean, yeah,

yes, sir. Of course.

And... and I won't let
you down.

Oh, I know.

[Chuckling]

Oh, by the way,
"Brown Sugar" ends

when Taye Diggs' character
finally realises that

the woman he's been in
love with the whole time

was his best friend,

but he was too scared
and hardheaded to admit it

and sh**t his shot.

-Hey.
-Hey.

You OK?

Yeah, it's the first time I've
been able to sit and chill

without feeling like there's
somewhere I needed to be.

It feels weird.

That's called peace.

And you, of all people,
deserve it.

I'll take that.
How are you?

I'm great.

Found a little peace of my own.

Yeah, I saw.

You and Meen gonna be
doing TikToks next.

I don't know about all that,

but crazier things have happened.

Mr. Edwards.

All right. What'd I do?

Ah, you don't see
sportsmanship like that

every day, especially on
the heels of saving lives

before most folks sit down
for breakfast.

Uh, thank you.

And I'm not the only one
who's impressed.

The Stanford coach
wants to talk to you.

We'll talk about that slant

you missed in the
second quarter later.

Y... yes, sir.

[Chuckles]

Oh, my God. Don't keep
Stanford waiting.

Yeah. Um, I... I'll
catch you later.

Yeah.

[KJ laughs]

Dad, Dad, we... we did it.

No, son. You did it.

You knew.

I wanted to let you have
that moment with Coach Kenny

for yourself.

Man, I... I couldn't have done
any of this without you.

I have never been
more proud of you.

And you have got the whole
world ahead of you.

And, um, I can't wait
to watch you conquer it.

You're...

you're not gonna be my coach
this senior year, are you?

[Exhales]

Um, no. But you're gonna be
in good hands with Jordan.

And you and I have had
one hell of a run.

And I'm... I'm
forever grateful for that.

Look, it has been a blessing

to be your coach all these years,

even bigger one
to be your father.

I will never stop
being either one in here.

I'm your coach for life.

[Chuckles]
Yeah.

I love you, Dad.

Come here, man.

Ohh!

Sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

[Chuckling]

[Sighs]

Look, don't you have to
go, um, see about a girl?

Wh... what do you mean?

I heard her in here.

Sounded just like your mom.
Do not let her get away.

OK.

Hey, um, can we talk?

Shouldn't you be at the hospital?

Nope. This is more
important right now.

I don't wanna be scared
or hardheaded anymore.

OK. Good for you.

Have... haven't you seen
"Brown Sugar"?

Sanaa Lathan is
a goddess, so yes,

but what does that have
to do with anything?

Well, uh, actually,
I... I haven't seen it,

so I'm not totally sure.
Hey. Wait. Ooh. Ow.

[Inhales sharply]
Um, wait, please?

Don't go.

What do you want
from me, Kingston?

You.

I want you.

I've been scared to
admit it for a long time,

but it's always been you.

I mean, since our
first kiss at the beach

to our last kiss at Dinsberg.

OK. You're hurt and clearly
not thinking straight.

No. No. I've
never been more clear.

Singer: ♪ Through
all the lows... ♪

You told me to reach
for my dreams.

♪ This is my promise,
to be by your side... ♪

Amina, you're one of
those dreams.

And I want you
to stand by my side

while we chase
all the other ones,

yours and mine.

♪ I saw forever... ♪

Seriously? Th... this is
what you want to talk about

while your eyes are
glazed over with pain?

I actually don't want
to talk anymore.

I just want you.

♪ It's always been you... ♪

Not pretend like before,

but I want you for real...

♪ Through all the highs... ♪

And forever.

Singer: ♪ This is my promise,
to be by your side ♪

♪ It's always been you ♪

♪ It's always
been you ♪

♪ Through all the lows,
through all the highs ♪

♪ This is my promise ♪

♪ To be by your side ♪

♪ It's always been you ♪

♪ It's always
been you ♪

♪ I want all the laughter ♪

♪ I want all the tears ♪

♪ Not just the days ♪

♪ Yeah, I want the years ♪

♪ It's always been you ♪

[Cellphone vibrating]

[Alarm]

OK, come on.

Oh.

Spencer, where the hell
you been, man?

Greg, move your head.