Original subtitles

♪ ♪

Arliss: For most of us,

the dream of becoming a champion remains a fantasy.

But for a special few, it is very much a reality.

We cheer them. We live through them.

Athletes are our last warriors.

My job is to make their dreams come true.

(water splashes)

My name is Arliss Michaels.

I represent athletes. These are my stories.

♪ I don't know what it is that makes me love you so ♪

♪ I only know I never wanna let you go ♪

♪ 'Cause you started something, oh, can't you see ♪

♪ That ever since we met, you had a hold on me ♪

♪ It happens to be true ♪

♪ I only wanna be with you ♪

♪ I just wanna be beside you everywhere ♪

♪ As long as we're together, honey, I don't care ♪

♪ 'Cause you started something, oh, can't you see ♪

♪ That ever since we met, you had a hold on me ♪

♪ No matter what you do ♪

♪ I only wanna be with you ♪

♪ ♪

Today's lecture is entitled, "Responsibility vs. Reality."

Let's take a hypothetical.

Let's say there's a mythical collegiate football team

that has just won back-to-back national championships.

(cheering)

Now, on that team is a junior all-American quarterback

who must decide whether to forgo his senior year in college

and enter the pro-football draft

where he will be a sure number one draft choice,

make millions of dollars, drive a Viper, and buy his mom a home,

or stay in school and risk injury.

(cheers)

Now, this presents a moral dilemma for our young quarterback.

Should his loyalty be to his family,

who could use his newfound wealth?

Or should it be to his legendary football coach and esteemed athletic director?

I'm sorry to interrupt your class, Mr. Michaels.

Coach. Monsignor.

Excuse us, Arliss.

Coach Duffy has an announcement he wishes to share.

The floor is all yours.

I just wanted to say that Carl McNamara

is this year's winner of the Stuhldreher Award.

It's given to the country's outstanding college quarterback.

(cheers)

Of course, the award is named after Harry Stuhldreher,

who later went on to become one of this country's leading statesmen.

And, oh, by the way,

he stayed on through his senior year

and he graduated. Hmm?

Continue on, Mr. Michaels.

Eh, sorry to interrupt.

Please, come by any time.

Thank you.

(church bells ringing)

How'd that test go?

Mr. Michaels, it's not an easy decision.

Of course it isn't. Call me Arliss.

Arliss, if I do decide to turn pro,

would you want to represent me?

Carl, I can't answer that.

The Association prohibits me from discussing business.

As a guest lecturer,

I can only offer guidance and advice.

However, if you do decide to turn pro,

I would advise you to sign with someone you trust.

A mentor. You know Kirby.

- Hey, how you doing? - Good.

Congrats on the award.

Oh, thanks.

A lot of awards banquets on the horizon for you, Carl.

- Hope you got a good tuxedo. - Tuxedo?

I ain't getting married.

Still, I know just the guy for your haberdashery needs.

Kirby, why don't you take him to Big Skinny's?

Big Skinny's. Let's go, see ya.

Sorry to have broken in on your class.

The coach insisted.

Why do I get the feeling Coach Duffy hates my guts?

I think he thinks that you've been influencing

some of the younger players to leave school early over the past few years.

Excuse me, but all those students left on their own.

Besides, it hasn't hurt him too much.

He's won back-to-back national championships.

Well, that's a tribute to his coaching ability.

And to his recruiting ability?

And now that brings me to my next topic... the TV deal.

The negotiations with the network have me troubled.

Troubled?

You're the only athletic director in the country with a network TV deal.

Well, I've reviewed the figures in your proposal,

and I think we can do better than 27 million.

Better than 27 million?

We think that 40 million would be a more righteous figure.

40 million? Isn't gluttony a sin?

(chuckling)

Oh, when I think of the number of agents

who would give their right arm

for the pipeline to our football program that you so enjoy.

Your belief in me is deeply appreciated. I don't know what to say.

Say 40 million.

(church bells ringing)

Arliss: On my forays to college towns,

I adhere to the strict rules that govern my visits.

I can talk to athletes,

but not about the virtues of joining my agency.

And I most certainly cannot buy them meals or gifts.

Oh, $800?

Fellas, I'm a student!

Well, haven't you entered Big Skiny's raffle?

No. What raffle?

Oh!

Salesman: Write your name down.

Can I get in the raffle?

No.

Dig in.

Ah! No cheating, turn around.

All right.

And the winner is...

Carl McNamara!

You've just won an $800 gift certificate to Big Skinny's Big and Tall!

Congratulations.

Chalk him up, Umberto!

(Umberto whistles)

This is great.

I've never won anything before.

Arliss: What attracts me to the collegiate game?

I can answer that in one word: tradition.

Prime-time Saturday nights?

Enough football under gloomy, gunmetal gray skies.

It's time to put the two-time national champions under the lights.

Live, every Saturday night, for 10 weeks.

Excuse me, Monsignor, 10 weeks? You play 11 games.

We're negotiating to give the SC game to HBO.

What? It's the centerpiece!

It is part of the All-Saints Weekend package from Rome.

Rome?

Yes. We start off on Saturday with the SC game.

And on Sunday, the Holy Father will be saying Mass from the Vatican.

Top that all off with the Prince Naseem,

Oscar De La Hoya championship fight.

Sort of a Christian vs. Lions triple-header.

With a touch of salvation thrown in.

This is unbelievable.

Of course, if you want to bid on the whole enchilada, it's still negotiable.

Yeah, how much are we talking?

40 million for the season.

Jesus H...

You're out of your... mind, Arliss!

40 million for 11 games?

Including that titillating home opener against Cal Poly.

Oh-ho-ho. The mustangs look very tough this year.

Look, this team is gunning for an unprecedented

third straight national championship.

Now, if you want to go through fall pushing ice dancing,

I'm sure we can shop the package elsewhere.

Okay, wait a second.

We have to know if Carl McNamara

is coming back for his senior year.

If he's not, then you can lop 20 percent off that figure right now.

I have no reason to believe Carl McNamara's not coming back.

Of course, the ultimate decision will be Carl's.

And the good Lord's, if he's a fan of this team.

And I have his personal assurance that he is?

- (phone ringing) - Oh, excuse me.

(ringing continues)

Oh!

Hello.

It's Coach Duffy.

Hello, Coach.

Yes, yes, right away. We're just finishing up here.

Thank you.

He wants to see you.

(mouths)

Great, great.

Well, until we get a guarantee

that Carl will be coming back for his senior year, we can't close the deal.

Man: I can't do it, Coach, I'm not smart enough.

What position did you play for me, Manny?

Offensive tackle.

Oh! Offensive linemen have to learn intricate blocking schemes.

Then they have to work in tandem to stop two tons of charging beef,

all the while thinking, Manny, thinking,

of how they're gonna turn them this way

and that way and every which way.

O-linemen, are the smartest players on the field.

So, don't you tell me you're not smart!

You're lazy, maybe, I'll accept that. Yes, lazy!

I want you to get up, and I want you to get on out of here,

find yourself a map, and make your way to the library!

Yeah. Thanks, Coach.

Hi.

Come on in, Arliss.

Seems like a good kid.

Manny Makalapua. He's one of my ex-players.

He's never gonna be a nuclear physicist, if you get my meaning.

Hell, he'd probably even flunk one of your classes.

But you know, that kid is in his sixth year at school...

and he's still grinding it out.

Why? Because...

he knows I want my players to graduate.

It's important to see things through.

Oh, isn't it though?

Coach, I don't know why...

Wait a minute.

(jazz instrumental playing)

Oh, yeah. (chuckles)

I danced to that song the night I first met Emma.

God love her.

She'd play that for me after every home game win.

I'd get home and she'd play it and we'd laugh.

♪ ♪

(music stops)

Not much laughter around the house these days.

We all felt your loss last year, Coach.

Arliss, I don't like you. I don't like what you represent.

What I represent?

Robbing young men of their once-in-a-lifetime college experience

for your own self-interest.

Ah, well... (chuckles)

Hell, I guess I understand why the monsignor has you on campus,

helping to renew that TV deal.

A TV deal that you used for a recruiting pitch.

"Hell, if your son comes to this school,

You'll be able to watch him every week on national TV."

There's not another college, Coach, in the country that can say that.

I want you to stop influencing Carl McNamara.

Now who's looking out for their own self-interests?

Aw.

I guess what I want is the impossible.

I want all football games played on natural grass.

I want linebackers wearing their letterman jackets instead of earrings.

And I want a ban on all bowl games

named after rental cars and corn chips.

I know what you're thinking.

You're thinking, "This guy's a dinosaur."

(chuckles) I guess.

But think, Arliss...

this school has got a chance to do something

that no other school has ever done...

Win three consecutive national championships.

That's a legacy I want this school to have.

I'm not saying, if Carl wants to turn pro, he shouldn't leave.

But let it be his decision, not yours.

(Arliss moaning)

Oh, yeah. Oh, that's good.

Oh, oh, don't stop.

Oh, that's good. That's so good.

(over intercom): Arliss, Tom here.

Tom, I bring you good tidings, my peacock friend.

It appears Carl McNamara will be staying in school.

Well... (chuckles) now we're talking.

You're right, we're talking more money.

I want an eight million dollar bump.

Eight million more?

You said the contract was worth 20% less without Carl.

I'm saying it's worth 20% percent more with him.

I'm using your numbers, not mine.

Look, you got the two-time national champion

with the most beloved college coach in the country.

It's not like we're dealing with that asshole Barry Switzer here.

Man: Hello. I'm here to see Arliss Michaels.

Do you have an appointment?

No, no I don't.

Okay.

Just one second.

Tom, that eight million will increase the likelihood

that the team will play in a bowl game on your network.

Not bad, huh?

Arliss, you're evil.

Tom, you're on the clock.

There's someone here to see you.

I got a Swiss Army knife to do my toenails.

It's got a scissors to cut them.

It's got a toothpick to clean them.

But it's amazing. There's actually people that buff toes for a living.

(chuckles)

Mr. Javert, shouldn't a man who investigates

college athletic violations be at... a college?

I have been. For the past seven months, I've been frequenting

the same college campus as you've been.

I teach a business ethics class there.

Somebody more cynical than I would say

that's like Dracula leading the campus blood drive.

There's nothing wrong with an agent being on campus

so long as he doesn't actively recruit players with eligibility remaining.

Section 11, paragraph eight, item 6-A of the Association's rule book.

You know our bible.

Now, Mr. Michaels, isn't it true that you also negotiated the school's TV deal?

Yes, gratis.

I make it a policy never to commission any of my work

that benefits institutions of higher learning. I just...

Especially when it can funnel potential clients your way.

I didn't hear the word "allegedly" anywhere

in that sentence, Mr. Javert.

You know what's interesting? One football program gets one huge TV deal,

all of it's games on network TV.

Now, I would think that's an incredibly unfair

recruiting advantage, wouldn't you?

What bothers you most?

That the network is willing to pay it,

that the Association doesn't get a cut of it,

or that it's legal and you are powerless to stop it?

I don't know if "powerless" is exactly the right word, Mr. Michaels.

If I find enough violations,

then I have the power to put this entire program on probation.

Probation means no bowl games.

Probation means no TV appearances.

No bowl games, no TV appearances,

no TV deal.

Well, I'll let you finish up your toe maintenance.

Oh, by the way,

that's a very nice suit you're wearing.

Thank you.

Did you get it at Big Skinny's?

No, I have all my suits made.

It's nice.

Arliss: Universities with size and stature

are the frequent targets of the petty and spiteful.

But it's easy to ignore accusations

so long as one's character is above reproach.

Okay, he's gone. Listen, I need you to take over my class.

Anger Management or the Gender Sensitivity class?

No, the one I teach. I've got to take a leave of absence.

You want me to sub?

It's easy, you just hand them back their graded papers and give them this test.

Here, I got the trivia questions

Off the scoreboard at Dodger Stadium.

Arliss, I still have nightmares.

Nuns, rulers, understand?

Understand this... I can't be seen on campus for a while.

Now, get the monsignor on the phone for me, okay?

Pronto, Tonto.

Arliss? Well, now, what can I do for you?

Um, Monsignor, I just had a very interesting conversation you should know about.

Oh, is that a fact? With whom?

Uh, I'd rather not discuss this on the phone.

Is there somewhere we can talk?

Uh, well, how about in my office?

Your office? That'll be fine.

This investigation is serious.

If we go on probation, the network deal is off!

Just stay calm.

The Association has no proof,

and the network has nothing at 8:30.

(bell chimes)

Excuse me.

Yes?

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.

It has been 11 days since my last confession.

Big Skinny, the concept of confession is to confess sins,

not keep piling them up.

Okay, it's been 31 years.

Father, I have sinned,

sinned big-time.

Well, talk to me.

Javert, the Association, they came by, snooping around.

I'm afraid maybe I volunteered too much.

Javert's hooked Skinny.

He's singing like a bird.

Can we make this a conference call?

Continue, my son.

When the players had to have their clothes altered,

We had to make out an alteration ticket

with their names, who bought it, how it was paid for.

I had to keep them for inventory purposes.

You left a paper trail!

Is that Arliss?

Where are the tickets now?

Javert took them.

Jesus, what the hell were you thinking?

For your penance, Big Skinny, you'll do three Hail Marys

and drive your car into a giant eucalyptus tree.

- Now you got to speak with Javert. - Me?

I was under the impression you were our representation.

But perhaps, I should get someone else.

I'm listening. I'm listening.

Make this nasty situation disappear.

How am I going to do that? I don't know what he wants.

Well, will you find out?

And whatever it is, make sure it goes away.

Okay. I'm thinking of maybe...

Thank you. Thank you.

Mr. McNamara, swallow the gum.

(scoffs) You're kidding, right?

Ow! Not the hands!

Jesus, I gotta make a living with these hands!

You are one C-minus away from being academically ineligible to play football.

If I were you, I would take this class very seriously.

You know what? I don't need this anymore.

For me to get abused, I might as well make millions while I'm doing it.

But thanks for helping me see the light.

I'm out of here.

Carl? Carl McNamara.

- Joe Theismann. - How are you doing, pal?

I'm a big fan of yours.

Listen, I got to go inside. Lots of luck. Take care of yourself. Bye.

Thanks, Joe.

Rita: Which Dodger holds the record for most DUIs?

Rita.

Mr. Theismann, you're late!

I'm sorry.

Class, let me introduce today's guest lecturer, Joe Theismann.

Joe's here to talk to us today about life after football.

Uh, Mr. Mcnamara, are you in the class or not?

Yes, ma'am.

Great.

Leaving so soon? You just got here.

Got everything I need.

All my work is done.

Look, you hungry?

Nothing in regulations prohibits me from buying you a meal.

(chuckles)

No, no, no, no, thank you.

Thank you very much.

You crack me up.

You guys, so dogged, so determined.

Always looking to screw the big, bad schools,

but always leaving with a case of blue balls.

Yeah, you're right.

You know, up until today,

I had nothing but secondary violations.

You know, nothing but venial sins.

See, what I needed was one major violation...

one mortal sin.

Please, it's your copy. I can get more.

What is your problem?

Were you one of these squids in college who just hated sports,

jealous because the jocks got all the glory?

As a matter of fact, Arliss, I was a jock.

Yeah, in this school.

See, I've heard all of Duffy's bullshit before.

So this is personal.

Arliss, I wanted to graduate from this school...

but I lost my athletic scholarship when they,

uh, decided to drop cross-country.

See, I could have been the best cross-country runner

this school ever had, the best.

But it seems that the legendary Coach Duffy O'Bannon

decided that they need extra scholarships.

He needed them to fund his winning football team.

I'll see you around campus, Arliss.

What do you really want?

How'd you know to find me here?

The monsignor says you always light a candle for Emma on Saturdays.

Aha.

Why do I get the feeling that you're not here with good news?

Is this about Carl? You talked him into leaving?

No, that's not it.

The Association has been investigating the program.

Let them. What are they gonna find?

Unless you've done something I don't know anything about.

On October 9, 1994, Manny Makalapua, offensive tackle,

purchased a suit at Big Skinny's Big and Tall shop.

It was bought and paid for by...

Emma O'Bannon.

Any offer or provision of money or like items

that exceeds a student athlete's grant in aid

constitutes a major violation.

I know the damn rules.

It was for his father's funeral.

The boy didn't even have a blue blazer.

Emma, loved that kid.

She wasn't about to let Manny bury his father wearing Nike warm-ups.

Coach, you're preaching to the choir here.

But they're not just talking about probation.

They're talking about forfeiting games.

They're talking about possibly taking away your national championships.

I have never done anything illegal

to give me a competitive edge on the field!

Never!

I believe you.

(mutters)

(sighs)

Well, you're the advisor on campus.

If I were your client, how would you advise me?

Well, if you were my client, I would present you the options.

Either you tell them to take these allegations and shove them...

or resign.

Resign?

You mean, quit?

They've offered a deal.

They'll drop the story and the violations if you step down.

I've never quit anything in my life!

Coach, if you want to fight this thing,

I'll be with you every step of the way.

But it could get ugly.

You know the media.

They love stories like this, toppling icons.

They'll go after you.

They'll go after Emma.

Are you sure you want to go through that?

Arliss... (sighs)

I've got a big family. I got 75 players.

That's quite a legacy.

Yeah.

Oh hell, the monsignor and you are probably

already looking for my successor,

somebody who will keep the pipeline flowing.

That's not true.

You know...

all my life...

all I ever wanted to be

was the football coach at this great university.

I guess in that respect, I've been lucky.

How about you, Arliss?

Did you get what you wanted?

I want the impossible.

I want all games played on natural grass.

(snickers)

Dinosaur.

I gotta tell ya,

that I could coach until I'm a 100.

But then I would miss seeing

my grandchildren grow up.

Although I will be leaving,

I'm glad to say that Carl McNamara...

has decided to stay.

(applause, cheers)

It has been an honor being a head coach at this university.

And I wish the very best of luck to my successor.

He's got the greatest job in the world!

Man: Thanks, Coach Duffy!

Thank you.

(cheers, applause)

God bless you, Coach. We're all going to miss you very much.

Now tell me, are there any questions?

Will you announce the new coach today?

Have you decided on a successor for Coach Duffy?

The answer is no and no.

The answer is yes and yes.

What?

We have found a worthy successor.

He is the winningest living coach in collegiate history.

Did you know anything about this?

No, he didn't say a word to me.

We are so lucky, ladies and gentlemen.

I want you to give a warm welcome

to our new coach, Mr. Barry Switzer!

Barry?

Switzer?

Thank you. Thank you.

(cheers)

I can't tell you how thrilled I am today

to be here to accept this job.

Coach! Barry Switzer!

- Hey, big guy. - Welcome, Coach.

What are you, about a 44-long?

You got it, you got it.

Hey, Barry Switzer!

How's the Baron of the Bowl Games?

Listen, you need anything while you're on this campus, I'm your guy.

Arliss, you go to hell. You and your clients are to blame

for all my problems I had in Dallas.

Let me tell you something. I ever catch you on this campus again,

I'm gonna whip your ass, you understand?

Hey, sister!

Thank you!

Monsignor, what about our pipeline?

Well, I'll send you a postcard,

from Rome.

There's always Florida State.

Arliss: For my money,

there remains nothing as pure as big-time collegiate football.

My name is Arliss Michaels.

I represent athletes.

These are my stories.

♪ ♪