All language subtitles for Carter.High.2015.HDRip.XViD-ETRG

BAILIFF:
All rise.

Judge Kendall presiding.

You may be seated.

Gentlemen,

all the evidence in this case
indicates to me

that your true motive

was the most common
of all motives for crime,

and that is greed.

And despite all of the media
and public attention

that this trial has received,

today, here in my courtroom,

you are nothing more than
a bunch of common criminals.

And for that reason,
I intend to make it

very clear here today

that even rising star athletes

are not above the law.

When I call your name,
would you please stand?

("Everlasting Bass" by Rodney O
and Joe Cooley plays)

(echoing):
� Yeah �

� Bass �

� Rodney O �

� Bass �

� DJ Joe Cooley �

� Ba... ba... ba-ba... �

� Ba-ba... �

� Bass, bass �

� Ba... ba-ba... �

� Ba-ba... bass �

� Yeah, yeah �

� Ba... ba... bass �

� The bass that's in your face
sho'nuff shrugs your face �

� Just like you got sprayed
by a can of Mace �

� You see your speaker
is movin' �

� Everybody is groovin' �

� My song moves along... �

(laughs)
What's up, D?

What you getting into tonight?

(laughs)

Man, you a fool.

I can't believe
we tied that game tonight, man.

Tied?
Shit, I feel like we lost.

(engine revving)

(cheering)

That'll be two dollars, dawg.

Man, nah, dawg,
that was a tie, man.

Break yo' self, fool.

(laughs)

Man, your ass
play around too much.

Always trying
to act like a gangster.

Thanks, dawg.

Man, what... what you doing?

Come on, dude.

Thanks, dawg.
(chuckles)

-� Make the ladies say �
-� Oh �

-� King of my �
-� Castle �

-� Causing much �
-� Pain �

� You dumb shrimp wimps,
it's you I tame �

� So to the R to the O
to the... �

� �

Freddie... it was just a tie.

(school bell rings)

Ah. Good game this weekend.

-It was a tie.
-See, that was good, though.

That should keep...

people's focus.

How do we get a tie, anyway?

Well, the, uh, score
we had and the score

the other team had was the same.

(giggling)

Now, I know...

your blind ass
ain't trying to be funny.

All right, y'all settle down,

everybody take a seat.

When the bell rings I will

pass out your
weekly grade reports.

-� �
-Derric, stop. No.

Damn, Derric, let's go.

Get off of me.

-Stop. Let's go.
-Stop.

I know you see those people
coming. Let's go.

Move.

Mo... Get back.
Let's go.

Man.

I'm-a chill here till lunch.

That's in ten minutes.

I'm-a holla at you later.

� Piece of my love... �

This is the last time.
For real.

� Girl, it's true... �

Hey, do you know what they're
having for lunch, though?

� Baby, you can't have
all of me �

� 'Cause I'm not
totally free... �

Jay, you decide on a school yet?

-Not yet.
-Nope.

Come on, fellas,

I need something
for the school paper.

You should be able to see
where they're going with them

thick lenses you got on.

With your blind ass.

(school bell rings)

What's up?

Oh, it's nothing.

I'll catch up with you later.

All right, cool.

Mr. Bates,

I think you gave me
the wrong grade.

All right.
Well, let's see.

(clears throat)

Uh...

(clicks tongue)
Here we go.

Yeah, see, here it is.
Uh, the third week

you failed to complete
a homework assignment,

so I've given you an NC.

-A what?
-NC. It simply

stands for, uh, "not complete".

So, I didn't get a grade
for the homework?

Athletes don't get
special treatment in my class.

Special...
I did the homework.

But you didn't complete it.

WOMAN:
I just wanted you to know

that whenever Derric is late

it is for
a legitimate reason, okay?

-Whenever Derric's late?
-Yes, whenever Derric is late.

-Well, Ms.... -I don't...
Hey, Gary. How you doing?

-How you doing, Ms. Evans?
-Oh, I'm doing just fine.

Hey, let Derric know that
I handled that for him, okay?

-Okay. -Let him know
that the money is under

-the bread box, all right?
-Yes, ma'am.

-Gotcha.
-All right. Well, I'll see you.

-All righty.
-Okay. Bye, now.

(alarm blaring)

Okay, so are we good?

I mean, do you need
a note from me or something?

(mouths)

-(alarm continuing)
-� �

(laughs)

Coach, they didn't have tuna
so I got you turkey.

With peanuts on the side.

I ain't eat peanuts
since my days at PV.

Yeah, bad luck, right?
Oh, no, no, I heard.

Hey, remember...

when I hired you and you claimed

to be an offensive coordinator?

Yeah, you said, "I sure hope you
know how to stop a good offense,

because you're now
my defensive coordinator."

Look, Coach, I know

we can't expect to give up
24 points and win the game.

-And defense... -And defense
wins championships. I know.

MAN (over P.A.):
Coach James, please report

to the principal's office
immediately.

But do you know why?

Oh, good afternoon, Coach James.

How you doing?

Just fine.

Never expected to see
that tie this past weekend.

Um, you know, a Dallas team

hasn't won state
in football since...

1950.

Have a good one, Coach.

Whoa.

(chuckles)

Okay, who started it?

I said

who started it?

It was a accident, Coach.

So, how are you gonna
accidentally

start a food fight?

Oh.
I thought you was

talking about
the fire alarm earlier.

(school bell rings)

Mm-hmm.

All right.

Come on, I don't have all day.

(knocking)

What's up, Coach?
See you watching game film.

Look... I just
wanted to apologize

for the whole
food fight incident

and apologize

for me and the other teammates.

Son...

do you know why we, um,

study game film?

To find our mistakes.

See what we do well

and where we need

improvement.

Or...

to find the tendencies

of our opponent,

good or bad.

You...

don't have the, uh,

luxury to rewind your life.

So make good choices

the first time.

Any word back
on that summer incident?

Not yet.

(film starts playing)

(school bell rings)

(indistinct conversations)

But you did do the homework?

Yes, sir.

And you didn't get
a grade for it?

As for now, I got a zero.

Mr. Russeau,
I think it would be best

if we have Gary taken out
of Mr. Bates' class

before it's too late.

Well, now, we got a policy

about letting students
transfer out of classes.

Especially this late
in the six weeks.

I definitely understand,
but I'm asking you, please,

to make an exception

under the circumstances.

Please.

PK:
W-Wait a minute,

where your money at, homeboy?

I got something
better than that.

What the hell is that?

-Get out of jail free card.
-Hey, let me get one...

-Shoot the damn...
-Keep your voice down.

Shoot the dice.

All day.

(indistinct conversations)

-(clears throat)
-Come on, dawg.

Are you gonna shoot the dice
or blow the damn dice?

-Shit. -Same... same stuff,
every time. -(hisses)

Pass this, come on.

Mmm, mmm, mmm.
Now, come on.

Man, swing it my way.
You got love for me, PK.

-Cool, cool.
-You can have it.

Now, don't get scared now.
What you shootin' for?

I got five on it right here.

Nine, my point.
We...

Nine. I see that.
I like nine.

Get up, Derric.

My bad, Coach.

Your bad?
Your bad?

Yes, sir.

Haven't I told y'all?

You do not shoot craps
in my locker room.

For all y'all
who was shooting craps,

y'all grab the dice
and roll for your points.

Say, Coach,
I-I was just watching.

Oh, you was just watching?

Okay.

Well, I'm-a cut you a break.

For those who're just watching,
y'all roll one dice.

Uh-uh, uh-uh, Derric.
Uh-uh.

Get your ass over there,
assume the position.

� �

Jessie, we've been watching you
practice. So, what makes you

all so good as a team,
besides your speed, of course?

I'd say our discipline, 'cause
soon as those lights come on,

only goal that we focus on
is getting it done.

-Blue 80. Blue 80.
-20, 20.

What makes us so good? Me.

(indistinct chatter)

All we know is my speed--

that's 100 miles per hour.
(laughs)

Nah, let me stop playing.
Competition.

Everything we do,
we compete. Every time

we touch this football field,
we compete, compete, compete.

No, we don't take it easy
during practice. (laughs)

I mean, Coach wants us to,
but, uh, no.

We too busy trying
to knock each other's heads off.

Don't show your coverage!
Don't show your coverage!

All right.

There he is. There he is.

Hey! Hey, now!

What if somebody gets hurt?

-(man whooping)
-(yelling in pain)

Hurt, somebody else step up.
That's the way it go.

-(whistle blowing)
-And that's it.

All right, all right,
bring it in.

-(indistinct shouting)
-(whistle blowing)

-Bring it in.
-(Vonner shouts)

� Yo, it's game time, come on,
lit like gasoline �

-Come on. -� Come on, they ain't
got the right frame of mind �

� They ain't even got
the athletes �

� Does the star shine bright
on the Friday night lights... �

Listen to me.

Nothing worth having...

is gonna be easy.

You just can't show up

and think, "That's it."

Ain't nothing free, fellas.

Nothing.

Now it may appear that way,

but don't be deceived.

Coach, you got anything?

Yes, sir, I do.

I'm gonna need my defense
to stay with me

-at the closed practice.
-(groaning)

-Oh, man. -All right, okay,
okay, all right, listen.

Yeah.

Make sure you stay out
of trouble

and be a leader,

not a follower, all right?

-COWBOYS: Yes, sir.
-All right, come on, come on.

-Bring it in. -Bring it in here!
Bring it in here!

All right, "Cowboys" on three.
One, two, three!

ALL:
Cowboys!

Good job.
(whoops)

-Hey, have fun, PK.
-Good luck.

Where are my Cowboys at?
Where are my Cowboys?

Listen up. Listen up. Listen up.

Have y'all ever heard
fans cheering,

"Come on, offense,
hold that line"?

COWBOYS:
No, sir.

Have you ever heard fans yelling
"Offense! Offense!"?

Or holding some signs

or messing
with some mess like that?

No, sir!

-Derric, what they yell?
-Defense, Coach.

-They yell what?
-COWBOYS: Defense!

-They yell what?!
-Defense!

Have you ever heard
"Offense wins championships"?

No, sir!

-Yes. Yes.
-Coach?

Huh? What's up, Rod?

Crowd don't get loud
for the offense.

It's a distraction.

And the quarterback gonna
tell you to be quiet.

-Man... -Oh, no, no, no.
He all right. He all right.

Come-come... come here, Rod.
Come-come here.

Now, you see that fence
down there?

Yes, sir.

I want you to sprint-- not jog--

sprint to that fence
and find me a marble

and do not come back
until you do, you understand me?

Yes, sir.

'Cause your buddies here

are gonna be running
until you get back.

-Oh, man!
-Man! -Coach!

Let's go! On the 50!

-Man.
-You better run, boy!

You won't be starting.

On the 50. Let's go!

(whistle blows)

(click, whirring)

VONNER: Guys, the game is all
about adjustments.

Okay, now we win the game
when we adjust

to what they're gonna do before
they even adjust to it.

It's about adjustments,
goddamn it.

What the hell did he just say?

Man, he talking about
adjustments and adjusting.

-We got to adjust...
-Watch here on this play.

...so we can adjust that ass
just like that. -(laughter)

Hey, come on, y'all! Derric,

what's so important you want to
share with the rest of the team?

Coach, we just over here
talking about adjustments.

All right, let me worry
about the adjustments.

You worry about learning 'em.

All right, I'm gonna let you
all go home early.

PLAYER:
What? Early?

VONNER: Listen, when you guys
go home tonight,

make sure you get some rest.

All right, quit chasing
them girls all night.

There's gonna be plenty of time
for that in college.

All right? Let's go.

(crickets chirping, dog barking)

(sighs)

You okay?

I think... I'm losing them.

(scoffs, sighs)

You know, all these years,

I've never seen you take a game
so serious.

It was only a tie, Freddie.

Jessie's parents--

they said he got probation
for stealing that T-shirt.

What?

Football should...

Football is supposed
to build character.

It's got to prepare these boys
for life.

I mean, that's why I do this.

And you are doing a great job.

Well, not if my boys
are stealing T-shirts.

It was during the summer.

Look, you-you can't protect them
forever.

All you can do is instill
good morals

in 'em and hope that they stick.

Is that enough?

It's a start.

What about state?

State will take care of itself.

You just make sure these boys
have the best opportunity

they can to further
their education.

For free.

Always want something for free.

Uh-uh.

Mm-hmm.

(crickets chirping)

(indistinct radio transmission)

(sighs)

WOMAN (over radio):
Suspect's in a very light

Jeep Wrangler eastbound.

(indistinct radio transmission)

Driver's license
and insurance, please.

Carter High School?

-Sir.
-(laughs)

Well, I've been watching y'all
since y'all were freshmen.

(laughing)

Hey, we going
to state this year?

-Oh, no doubt. -For sure.
For sure. -All right.

I'm sure happy to hear that

'cause I'm gonna be
right up front, too. (laughs)

But, man,
I got to ask you a question.

Now, what happened
with Duncanville?

WOMAN (over radio):
4-38. 4-38.

We have a robbery in progress
at 1030 West Camp Wisdom.

POLICEMAN:
4-38. Show me

en route, Code 3.

Hey, listen,
I'll holler at y'all.

-Sir.
-Slow this car down.

-Yes, sir. -Going 20 miles
over the speed limit.

-Yes, sir. Thank you. -Good luck
on the game this weekend.

Sir, thank you.

Thank you, sir.

-Hey! -(loud, energetic
percussion playing)

Hey!

� Cowboys, are you ready? �

� Cowboys,
are you ready? �

� I said, are you ready? �

� I said,
are you ready? �

-(pep rally continues faintly)
-I understand that,

but the school improvement
program is set up

to provide a productive
educational opportunity

for these students.

I'm not debating that, sir.

I'm simply saying I've been
using the same grading system

for the last three years.

(chanting)

Hey!

(hooting)

RUSSEAU:
The school improvement plan

calls for these kids
to get a grade sheet every week.

And I give weekly grade sheets!

There ain't no way in the world

you can give these kids
a grade average

using symbols such as
"NC"s and check marks.

� Fuh dee-oh �

-� Fuh dee-oh �
-� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh � -� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh �
-� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh � -� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh �
-� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh � -� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh �
-� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh � -� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh �
-� Hey! �

-� Fuh dee-oh � -� Hey! �

Down center, hut!

(grunting)

(whistle blows)

(cheering, whooping)

(indistinct chatter)

CLERK:
That'll be $19.95.

Fo' sho'. All right.

-I got you.
-How y'all want to do it?

-Want to go...
-No, I got that.

-MANAGER: Hey, what's up,
fellas? -What's up?

-How's everything going?
-Good. -Good. -Good, man.

Hey, good luck
in them play-offs this year.

-Oh, sure. -For sure.
-My man, my man.

Check this out.

We're gonna do this one
on the house.

-Oh, word? -Oh, man...
-On the house.

-What?
-My man, my man.

-Man, thank you.
-My man, hey.

-Hey, appreciate that, man.
-My man, hey. Appreciate it.

Hey!

Enjoy. Enjoy.

Hey. Bring us back
that state championship.

-Not a joke! You'll see.
-My man.

(chanting):
Oh-oh-oh, D.W.C.

Oh-oh-oh,
D.W.C.

Oh-oh-oh, D.W.C.

Oh-oh-oh,

D.W.C...

� Down, down with the sound �

� Down,
down with the sound �

� Sound, sound, sound... �

� Down, down, down �

� Down with the sound �

� D-D-Down with the sound �

� Down, down with the sound �

-� Sound, sound, sound �
-TEENS (chanting): Hey, CC!

Too bad, too bold!

Hey, CC!

� There's a place in Dallas
known as Oak Cliff �

� Where you can tell the raff
from the riff �

� It's full of them boys
lookin' for the beat... �

Too bad, too bold!

Hey, CC!

Too bad, too bold!

Hey...!

What's going on?

They say he failed
his algebra class.

Well, did he?

He said he passed.

Then who said he flunked, then?

The UIL.

(indistinct chatter)

-(car horn honking)
-What you doin', dawg?

Come here, come check
this out, man. Come here.

-Get up, dawg.
-Man, listen to this right here.

REPORTER (on radio):
...everybody's talking about it.

If you haven't heard the news
story, the breaking news:

the Carter Cowboys,
they've been disqualified

from the play-offs

for apparently using
an ineligible player.

Now, we're gonna keep you
up to speed and up to date

on the latest information
on the Carter...

� I can see it �

� I can see it �

� Clear as the summer's day �

� Damn, I can feel it �

� I can feel it �

� It's standing
right next to me �

� The pain
and the time is right �

� To let it wash over me �

� Uh, the spirit of a champion �

� I gotta let
this ship run free. �

(door opens)

That's your report card?
Let me see that.

No, no, no, Coach, look...
he did pass.

He got a 72 in Algebra.

Gary, you change the grade
on that paper?

Nah, Coach.

That's the grade I got.

Did someone else change
the grade on that paper?

Coach, that's my grade.

Nobody changed nothing.

Why the hell are they saying
you failed, then?

Supposedly,

the UIL received
an anonymous letter saying

he was ineligible.

That's bullshit.
He passed, goddamn it.

(phone ringing)

Hello.

Yeah, this is he.

Yeah.

I see.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

Who was your algebra teacher?

Mr. Bates at first.

Then I transferred
to Dr. Abby's class.

(footsteps approaching)

Freddie, you need
to eat something.

They gonna try their best
to make sure we don't play.

Can they really do that

if he's passed the class?

They're conducting
an investigation,

whatever that means.

Baby, you always taught

that defense does what?

Hmm?

Defense.

Defense does what?

(exhales)

Wins championships.

Coa...

Coach,

I don't think I heard that
loud enough.

Defense does what?

Wins championships!

Exactly!

And as long as they're
investigating, it ain't over.

That fat lady ain't sang yet.

Now, you go on out there

and you defend your boys

and you win us state.

You hear me?

-MAN: You guys just hear?
-No comment.

REPORTER: It was nearly an hour
after the ruling

by the commissioner in Austin

that the official word reached
Carter High School.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Would you mind, uh,
giving a statement

on the mood here at Carter High?

It's crazy how even in 1988
racism still exists.

So you think
this has something to do

with the school
being predominantly black?

I bet you if this school
was mostly white,

none of this stuff
would even be happening.

Well, if he didn't pass
the class...

How you know he failed?

So far, those are the reports
that we've been receiving.

Well, as far as I know,
he passed.

And those are the reports
we've been receiving.

Well, there you have it.

Carter has, in fact,
been forced to forfeit

their final three games
due to an ineligible player.

That puts Carter out
of the play-offs

and South Grand Prairie in.

They done it to us, and
it's the worst way to go out.

Always been told if they
can't beat you on the field,

they want to beat you
in the classes, so...

They can't do...
They wrong about it.

I mean,
how can they do it the day

before the game?
That's what I don't understand.

JAMES: So what am I supposed
to tell my boys?

You say he passed.

Here's a report card shows
he passed.

But the UIL say he failed.

Well, after the UIL got
its mysterious phone call...

-I thought it was a letter. -In
the beginning, it was a letter.

Then it was a phone call.
Whatever. Whatever it-it was,

after that,
Bates' records came through.

Didn't he transfer out
of Bates' class?

Yeah. But then his records
transferred with him.

So, um...

so Abby has a 72.

The UIL has a 68.

And what does Bates have to say
about all this?

-I said no comment!
-But, Mr. Bates...

-But is it true you alerted
the UIL... -No, I have...

-I said I have no c...
-But, Mr. Bates, don't you worry

about your safety? What about
repercussions from the students

-at Carter High? -I am
absolutely not worried about

my safety. These are
wonderful students, and I'm...

-Let go of my door!
-(clamoring)

JAMES:
Mr. Russeau has informed me

that this matter

is being taken up in the court.

However,

the DISD

refuses

to foot the entire bill.

And there's a meeting tonight

in the auditorium

to discuss

the options.

According to the, uh,

UIL,

we're not allowed to practice

until they get this thing
figured out.

So, Coach, what we 'posed to do
if we can't practice?

You stay focused!

You, of all people,
you're a senior!

You stay focused!

And, look here,

don't let this obstacle

make y'all lose sight
of the real goal,

which starts
after you leave here!

Champions!

Champions.

Champions this, champions that!

Oh, they throw that word around
nowadays like...

like it ain't no big thing
anymore, like it...

like-like it ain't special!
Well, goddamn it,

I'm tellin' you, it is special!

It is a big thing!

A champion walks onto
this field, and you can feel it!

You can see it!

A true champion

is a champion in the heart.

And that's something.

That's something that nobody

can ever

take away from you.

That's something...

...that only you

can give away.

-(indistinct chatter)
-WEST: Okay, okay, okay. Listen.

I understand
everyone's frustration.

But at this point,
we're simply waiting

for the district
to give us the go-ahead.

Look, all I know

is that these young boys
should not be punished

for some grown man mistakes.

And as parents, we should
make sure that doesn't happen.

Well, you know what, no matter
wherever the blame lies,

there is not a child
at Carter High School

that is responsible
for what happened.

Nevertheless, it's the children
at Carter who are being punished

by DISD's failure to do
what we pay them taxes to do.

Okay, whoa, whoa.
Un-Unfortunately,

DISD is dropping the ball.

But we're here tonight because
we need to take legal action.

And the sooner we get a
restraining order motion filed,

we can start
with the proceedings.

MS. EVANS: Oh, so, what,
you need some money? Hmm.

I mean, so what is our guarantee
that this legal stuff

-is gonna work anyway?
-WOMAN: Right.

The only guarantee I can give
you is that my staff and I

will fight as hard
in the courtroom as those boys

fight out on the field.

That's the only guarantee
that I can give.

Whatever.

This is my community, too.

And believe you me,
it's not about the money.

It's about those boys,

those young men right there,

knowing that their hard work
wasn't in vain.

And them knowing
that they have a village

that will come to their aid
no matter what.

That's what this is about.

(applause)

So all those in favor

of seeking
a temporary restraining order

that would possibly allow

Carter to remain
in the play-offs,

-stand up.
-(applause)

WEST: And for the record,
UIL stands for?

University Interscholastic
League.

And what exactly do you do
for the UIL, Mr. Winston?

I investigate complaints related

to the No Pass No Play law
in DISD.

Okay. So is it fair to say
that you received a complaint

regarding Carter High School?

That's correct.

And when did you receive
this complaint, Mr. Winston?

At the end of the six weeks.

Hmm. Well, if I am, uh,

correct,

I believe that Carter
was declared ineligible

about four or five days
after the end of the six weeks.

So, four or five days,
Mr. Winston?

Yes, I'm...
I believe that's correct.

Hmm. And where...

No, who did this complaint
come from, Mr. Winston?

Mr. Winston.

Uh, well, sir, we, uh...

(chuckles)
we normally

don't reveal the source
of our complaints.

(chuckling): Oh, "normally."
Will you tell that

to the Carter community and
all these Carter kids who are

-Your Honor, I object. -being
affected by your hasty decision

-to disqualify their school?
That's far -Counsel...

-from normal circumstances, sir.
Your Honor, we have -Counsel...

reason to believe
that the source may be the same

-individual that we attempted
-Counsel,

-to subpoena but was assured
-I advise you

-by the UIL and
-to settle down

-other investigative authorities
-before I hold you in contempt

-that that would not be
necessary. -of this court.

-And furthermore, Your Honor...
-Counsel!

How you ain't see all this
comin'

with them big-ass glasses
you got on?

No. But I did see

-your girlfriend... -RUSSEAU:
Attention, faculty and students.

I've just been informed
by the Dallas superintendant

that our football team has been
reinstated into the play-offs!

(cheering and applause)

So congratulations to
our football team and good luck

-in the play-offs.
-(cheering and applause)

(screaming, cheering)

ALL:
Hey, CC!

Too bad, too bold!

Hey, CC!

Too bad, too bold!

Hey, CC!

Too bad, too bold!

Hey, CC!

Too bad, too bold! Hey!

REPORTER: Well, I have
just confirmed that Carter has,

in fact, been reinstated
in the play-offs.

Apparently, the UIL received
some kind of anonymous letter

to recheck one
of the students' algebra grade.

He actually passed the class

on his report card, but there
was supposedly some kind

-of miscalculation due to him
transferring -Yes!

-from one class to another.
-Yes! Whoo!

-As of now, Carter -That's
what I'm talking about, baby.

will be marching on
in the play-offs.

Play-off bound, play-off bound.

Since the reports
are conflicting,

that, uh, at this point,

uh, we need to turn the, uh,

investigation over
for a hearing, that is.

Not an investigation
but a hearing,

uh, to the executive commission
in Austin.

And until that's resolved,
Carter High School

will retain their position
as a contender in the state, uh,

uh, tournament tonight.

ALL:
Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day
our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,
the power,

the glory, for ever. Amen!

(cheering)

COMMENTATOR: Edwards takes
the pitch around the right end.

He's inside the five-yard line.
Touchdown, Cowboys.

A spectacular flip into the end
zone. Hall under center

for the Cowboys. A little play
action. He's looking down

the right sideline. He's
got a man open. It's Grant.

He's to the ten, the five.
Touchdown, Cowboys.

-(whoops) A rocket goin' on.
-Wildcats deep

in their own territory.
Quarterback number 12

back to pass.
He rolls around the right end.

He's looking downfield and...

-It's picked off!
-Oh, got it!

That's number two, Edwards.

(cheering)

(indistinct chatter)

-(car engine starts)
-Ooh, that's a mattress, baby.

That's a mattress.

(indistinct chatter)

-Oh, money gone, baby.
Money gone. -Aw.

Come on. Get that,
get that, get that.

(indistinct chatter)

(blows whistle)

I'm gonna ask y'all
one more time.

Was it worth it?

(panting)

Weren't even doin' nothin'!

We just threw dice!

(chuckles)

Nah, you was gamblin'.

(chuckles) And gamblin'
don't build character.

Gamblin' makes you rely
on luck or chance.

Football ain't about relyin'
on luck or chance.

Football is about making
good decisions,

good choices
on every single play.

Now, if you can't learn that
and apply it to your life,

you're wasting my time
and your time.

Why you think we have a tie
on our record?

Because...

we had the same score
as others...

as the other team.
(panting)

Oh, no. No.

The choices we made.

Like you, Derric.

You saw fit to hit a man

when he was five yards
out of bounds

-(blows whistle)
-and give them

excellent field position.

Or you, Jay.

When you chose to try
to pick up a fumble

instead of falling on it
like we practice all the time.

And you, son. You make

a good play and then decide

to celebrate for 15 minutes.

That is what a tie is.

WINSTON:
All we need you to do

is sign the affidavit.

Look, Mr. Winston, this...

(sighs)
this was not my intention.

I-I simply confided in a friend

about a conversation
that I had with my boss.

Right. And that conversation led
to an investigation,

-which I'm trying to conduct.
-An investigation?!

You had the school disqualified!

What difference
does that make to you?!

Now... you can...

sign the affidavit,

or I'll subpoena your ass
to testify!

Your choice.

(birds chirping)

Okay, we, uh...

we're waiting on a phone call.

So, uh, let's, uh...

All right,
everybody off the school bus.

(sighing, mumbling)

� �

� �

As of now,
we've been declared...

ineligible again.

And we're waiting
on a phone call to...

to see exactly what's going on.

So...

just hang out.

Stay loose.

� �

(typewriter clacking)

What's going on?

I thought we were checking out
and going to the game.

They just declared Carter High
ineligible again.

(chuckles):
You're kidding me, right?

I advise you to put
that coffee down and help us

-prepare these motions.
-But the judge already ruled.

WEST:
Against the UIL.

It's from the T.E.A.

That's got to be, like,
double jeopardy or something.

All right, folks,
we have exactly 45 minutes

before the courts close--
it's gonna take us at least

that amount of time
to make it through traffic.

We're gonna need
at least three motions.

And honestly, guys...

I don't know what to expect
when we get there.

You mean if we get there.

It's kind of hard to fight

when you can't even
identify your enemy.

So we're gonna...
we're gonna prepare

a bullet for all their asses.

JAMES:
All right.

We're back in.

A judge issued
a temporary restraining order

that will allow us to play.

But...

the game is rescheduled
till tomorrow.

(scoffs, exhales)

So go home.

And stay out of trouble.

I'm heading to Austin
for the hearing.

But tomorrow is it.

Tomorrow?

We don't even get to practice
'cause they keep kicking us out.

Now they want to reschedule
the game till tomorrow?

Listen, you have
every right to be upset.

Man, come on, Coach.

Tomorrow night there's gonna be
some people across the field

you can take
that frustration out on.

Especially that quarterback.

I thought everything
was taken care of.

What's going on now?

(sighs)

This is what you call
political football.

So what's the adjustments?

I guess the adjustment is,

don't give them nothing
they can use against you.

Or better yet,
stay out of politics.

JAMES:
The hardest thing

is not knowing
if we'll be playing or not.

Now, I hate they have
to go through this.

You think the boys
gonna be okay?

You know...

baby...

on that field...

they have this

certain intensity
in their eyes

that I've never seen before.

I mean, it's like they're,

they're really locked in,
focused.

(Mrs. James chuckles)

I mean, as long as they're
on that field, baby,

I mean, they're so good
it makes me nervous.

State?

State?!

-State?
-(laughing)

They'll beat the Dallas Cowboys
the way they're playing.

-Give me some! Give me...
-I heard that!

Give me--
Hit me again! Hit me!

-(laughing): Okay, Coach!
-(laughing)

Yeah!

Good to see you smiling again.

Yeah.

ANNOUNCER 1: Man, feel
the atmosphere tonight.

Everybody's ready.
I'm ready, I'm ready.

You ready?

ANNOUNCER 2:
Round two of the Texas State UIL

Football Play-offs

with the Carter Cowboys
taking on

their cross-county rival
Dallas Samuell.

It looks to be
a good one tonight.

� �

Cowboys inside
the ten-yard line,

lined up in the, uh,
wishbone formation.

Give is to Edwards
up the middle.

He's pushing his way through.

He hits a wall
at the five-yard line,

but he breaks free--
touchdown, Cowboys!

ANNOUNCER 1:
His feet never stopped moving.

Edwards just powered
his way through.

It looked like he was,
he was down at the five,

but he kept fighting his way,
busting through

and touchdown, Cowboys.

FANS:
Defense!

ANNOUNCER 1: This crowd is
behind this Cowboy defense here

as they're looking for a stop.

FANS (chanting):
Hold that line, defense,

hold that line!

Hold that line,
defense, hold that line!

ANNOUNCER 2: Samuell quarterback
under center.

He looks.
He looks out to the flats.

The ball's hit by Maston
and finds the hands of Armstead!

Armstead is down the sidelines,

and he's gonna take it
all the way.

(Announcer 1 whoops)

ANNOUNCER 1:
Tipped by Maston,

intercepted by Armstead
like a thief in the night.

Sweet Jesus, that boy can jump!

ANNOUNCER 2: And touchdown,
Cowboys, Jessie Armstead!

ANNOUNCER 1: Armstead has
been the man on this defense

all year long.

COWBOYS (chanting):
CC! CC!

CC!

(all cheering)

-CC!
-CC! CC!

FANS (chanting):
Carter! Carter!

Carter! Carter! Carter!

Carter! Carter!
Carter!

Carter! Carter! Carter!

Carter!
Carter! Carter!

Carter! Carter! Carter!

Carter!
Carter!

Carter! Carter!

Carter!
Carter!

Carter! Carter...

(fans continue chanting)

All right, we ready?

Yeah.

(fans cheering)

JAMES:
What's, what's the holdup?

I don't know.

� Lift every voice �

� And sing �

� Till earth and heaven ring �

� Ring with the harmony �

� Of liberty �

� Let all rejoicing rise �

� High as the listening skies �

� Let us march on �

� Till victory is won. �

(all cheering)

You got a letter
from Notre Dame.

(sighs)

It upsets me to see you
go through all this.

'Cause in my eyes...

you're still my little baby boy.

How's Gary doing?

� Jungle boogie �

� More bounce �

� Jungle boogie �

� More bounce �

� Relax your mind, let your... �

I know this is hard for you,

because it's hard
for me and your father.

But we're both here
if you need anything.

I keep thinking
I'm gonna wake up

and it's all just
gonna be a nightmare.

Everything happens
for a reason, baby.

Come on, let's get
something to eat.

(on TV):
Mike Adams reporting.

And now for the latest news
on Carter High School's

road in the play-offs.

The Carter Cowboys
are winning on the field,

but will soon have to win
in the courtroom again.

Plano Independent School
District has entered

into a lawsuit on the side
of the Texas Education Agency.

Plano East would advance

if Carter High
is declared ineligible.

CHEERLEADERS (chanting):
Go, go, Cowboys, play!

Go, Cowboys, go...

ANNOUNCER 1:
It's the quarter final game,

and Carter takes on Marshall.

It's gonna be their biggest

challenge of the year.

(fans cheering)

Hall under center, play action.

Looking down the left sidelines.

He's got Grant.

And it's caught!

(Announcer 2 whoops)

ANNOUNCER 2: Laid that ball
in his arms like a daddy

laying his son down for a nap.

(fans cheering)

ANNOUNCER 1:
Okay, here we go.

It's fourth down for Marshall.

And this could be
their final play of the season.

Quarterback drops back.

He's looking down.

He's got Odell Beckham
and it's caught!

ANNOUNCER 2:
Lord have mercy!

ANNOUNCER 1:
Touchdown, Marshall,

and the tide has just changed.

After a big return by Grant,

the, uh, Cowboys' backs
are against the wall.

After three unsuccessful tries,
they're facing fourth down

with under 30 seconds to go,
trailing 18 to 14.

Okay, Cowboy fans,
it all comes down to this.

It's fourth down.

Hall back to pass.

He's got Allen
across the middle!

Allen's to the sidelines.

He's down the left sidelines

and he could go all the way--
is he in?

Waiting on the call
from the refs!

-He's in! He's in!
-(whoops) Yes!

(fans cheering)

ANNOUNCER 1:
And he's gonna be ruled out,

just shy of the goal line.

Time-out, ref!

Time-out!

Come on, bring it in!

Everybody, bring it in!

Way to go!

Coach, I'll catch it.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, baby.

(tapping shoulder pad)

You sure will.

And look.

Regardless of what happens

on this next play,

we had a hell of a season.

A great season!

But you know what?

We've always had a great season!

So right now we all
got a choice to make!

I want y'all to know

there's this little thing
called, uh, destiny.

And you don't get it by, like,
sitting around, waiting for it.

It doesn't come to you

by chance!

It's a matter of choice!

It's something

you got to go out and get!

So what you waiting for?

-Go on and get it.
-(players clamoring)

ANNOUNCER 1:
What is this?

Armstead is running
onto the field.

ANNOUNCER 2: Armstead is
lined up at tight end.

Hall back to pass and catches
Armstead across the middle!

Touchdown, Cowboys!

They've done it again!

Jessie Armstead,
All-American linebacker,

checks in at tight end.

Hall drops back,
runs a little tight end dump.

And the Cowboys are on their way
to the semifinals.

REPORTER:
A district judge has blocked

the Texas Education Agency
commissioner

from determining
Carter's eligibility.

He's also stopped the UIL

from knocking Carter
out of the play-offs.

That should be a lot for a team

that, since the beginning
of the play-offs,

has not known
if they are in or out.

ANNOUNCER:
And we're live

from Darrell K. Royal Memorial
Stadium in Austin, Texas,

for this state 5A
semifinal game

between the Odessa
Permian Panthers

and the Carter Cowboys.

ANNOUNCER 2: You know,
I heard from a little birdie

that Odessa was trying
to persuade Coach James

to play this game in Odessa.

ANNOUNCER:
Hall spins away from a tackle.

He's got Jones
down the left sidelines.

And Jones scampers
into the end zone.

ANNOUNCER 2:
Sweet feet.

ANNOUNCER:
Touchdown, Cowboys.

And it's blocked.

ANNOUNCER 2:
Oh, he blocked it.

ANNOUNCER: And there's
a scramble for the ball.

ANNOUNCER 2:
Get it! Somebody jump on it.

ANNOUNCER: And it's gonna
be Panther ball.

Cowboys inside the red zone.

Hall looks across the middle,
and he's got Grant.

Touchdown, Cowboys!

ANNOUNCER 2:
Carter Cowboys on their way

to their first ever
state championship.

ANNOUNCER:
After a 14-to-9 victory

over 5A powerhouse
Odessa Permian,

the Cowboys are moving
into the state championship

to face Converse Judson.

� �

� �

JAMES:
A lot of things...

have been out...

of our control...

but we got...

the opportunity...

to choose...

what happens...

from this point on.

JESSIE:
All right, fellas.

This is it.

For us seniors,
it's our last chance.

Last opportunity.

Yeah.

Like Coach James said,

we worked hard for this.

We earned this.

This is ours, not theirs!

Let's go get what belong to us.

Damn the T.E.A.

ALL:
Yeah.

Damn the UIL.

ALL:
Yeah.

And damn them fools
across the field from us.

Hell yeah!

'Cause tonight is our time.

� Fuh dee-oh �

� Fuh
dee-oh �

� Fuh dee hoes �

� Fuh dee-oh... �

� Fuh dee-oh �

� Fuh dee-oh... �

� Fuh dee-oh �

� Fuh dee hoe... �

� Fuh dee hoe �

� Fuh dee hoe... �

JAMES:
Hey, hey, hey, cut that out!

I found out what
y'all been saying.

That's enough of that.

You done got me as
an accomplice in this nonsense.

Everybody in Dallas
yelling that mess.

You knew what the hell
they was saying.

DERRIC:
Man, "red dogs" on three.

One, two, three.

ALL:
Red dogs!

� �

� I'm back in this bitch
with a vengeance �

� And no, I'm not
here by mistake �

� I'm hungry,
I'm just here to eat �

� And I see it's
a lot on the plate... �

-� �
-(cheering and applause)

-� �
-(cheering and applause)

ANNOUNCER: Carter Cowboys
are the state 5A champions.

ANNOUNCER 2:
State champs, baby.

ANNOUNCER:
A Dallas team has not won

the state championship
since 1950.

Feeling proud right about now.

'Cause we-we went through
some hard times to get here.

Feeling proud.

We knew if we kept playing
football that we would be here,

but we didn't know
about all the UIL stuff.

That's the only thing that's
kept us out of here is UIL.

And now we're here,
and we did it.

Thinking about it,
having fun and... (chuckles)

I'm ready to just jump off
the top of the building,

hang from up there right quick.

� CC, too bad, too bold �

� Oh �

� CC, too bad, too bold �

� Oh �

� CC, too bad, too bold �

-� Oh... �
-JAMES: Hey.

All right, all right,
all right, all right.

(players whooping)

I just want to say...

just want to say this.

As that clock was counting down,

I realized...

what I wanted...

out of coaching
after all these years.

This championship means a lot.

But what I want...

what I need...

is for you all to leave here...

and be successful.

Be successful in every
endeavor of your lives.

Now listen to me, boys.

This is not the end.

This is just a beginning.

And I want to...

I want to thank you...

from the bottom of my heart.

So, "champions" on three.

ALL:
One, two...

Whoa, whoa-whoa, Coach.

JAMES:
Come on in.

No, come on in.

-Come on in.
-(cheering)

Come on in here.

(whooping)

Come on in here.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Listen. Listen, boys.

This gentleman...
this gentleman right here...

fought for us...
in the courtrooms...

so we could continue
to fight on the field.

(cheering, whooping)

JAMES:
Please.

Guys...

you're fighting
for what's right.

There's a goal of team sports,

and you all have
accomplished that goal.

To see so many young men

face and overcome the adversity
that you all have

is nothing short of a miracle.

You all have made
so many people proud.

Including myself.

-Yeah. Yeah!
-Right.

Carter High, thank you
for a hell of a season.

A hell of a season!

ALL:
Yeah!

(whooping)

Whoa, hold on, hold on now.

Hold on.

Okay.

I would like to say
on behalf of Carter High

and the Carter High football
team, thank you, okay?

And from one great defense
to another defense,

I would like to present you
with the game ball.

(cheering)

CC!

VONNER: Oh, oh, no, no,
you got to join us.

-Come on, Royce.
-JAMES: Come on in here now.

(cheering)

JAMES:
"Champions" on three!

ALL:
One, two, three, champions!

(whooping)

� Oh �

� CC, too bad, too bold �

� Oh, CC �

� Too bad, too bold �

� Oh �

� CC, too bad, too bold �

� Oh �

� CC, too bad, too bold �

� Oh, CC �

� Too bad, too bold �

� Oh �

� CC, too bad, too bold... �

� �

DERRIC:
Man, you heard from Jay?

GARY: Oh, I hollered at him
day before yesterday.

You know he been busy
with school and shit.

But he said he gonna catch up
with us after graduation.

� Tweedledee, Tweedledum... �

Man, you sure
Vincent's still here?

Yeah, here that fool
come right now.

Crazy fool.

-What up, D?
-What up?

'Sup, baby?

Man, I know one of y'all finna

get out of the car
and get this food.

-Man...
-You gonna take our order?

-You paying?
-Paying?

Exactly. Get out the car
and get the food, man.

Hollywood D.

(laughs)
Hollywood.

-Ooh!
-Ungrateful ass, man.

Oh. Season over with, fellas,

so this, uh, fringe benefit
stuff gonna have to cease.

You know
we appreciate you, dawg.

Friend benefits,
that's the difference.

-Whatever, man, same thing.
-Trying to tell you.

I be trying to tell him, G,
he don't listen, though.

(laughing)

(engine starts)

� Last time we got busy,
your body got numb �

� And now you're beatin'
like a big bass drum �

� You're in position. �

KEITH: Can y'all believe we
actually won state, though?

Bam. Look, loc, you gonna
have to hold up, a'ight?

'Cause you messing up
my concentration.

They still treat me like
a celebrity up there, Jay.

Ah, for real?

Man, will y'all please shut up.

He actually got robbed
the other day.

They took money from everybody
up there except me.

-(door opens)
-Oh, for real?

I see you're on
that pool table again.

Dinner's almost ready.

-And you're welcome to stay.
-PK: Oh, okay.

-PK: Thank-Thanks, Ms. Campbell.
-Thank you, Ms. Campbell.

Uh, s-say, Mama, you, uh,
you got $20 I can borrow?

-Boy, what did you do with
your allowance? -(snickering)

KEITH (whispering):
Shut up.

(laughing)

You done.

No, I-I got some notes...

PK:
Cash only, homeboy.

None of them pink passes.

Shit, I can take
a couple of those, man.

Your ass got some money?

I mean, not right now.

Right.

What I thought. Yeah.

I got robbed and got more money
than both of y'all.

(laughs)

Yeah, whatever, PK.

Say, man, is y'all
hiring up there?

Man, I doubt it.
We got enough fools up there

getting paid to do nothing, man.

But I can hook y'all up, though.

-Man.
-(chuckles)

Man, dawg, somebody gonna
blast your ass for real,

you keep running around
with that little toy.

This toy can get your ass paid.

Hey, man, PK, you're
crazy, man, for real.

(PK clicks tongue, groans)

Say, you... you talking
about robbing?

Kinda.

Oh, "kinda"?

It'd be robbing me.
Well, I mean, not robbing me.

You robbing the store.

Man, hell no, PK.

That shit's stupid, man.

That shit dumb, man.

Nah, man.

Nah, you stupid, dawg, for real.

And I'm telling you
this shit's easy.

Two to three minutes, in, out.

(laughs)

� More bounce �

� Jungle boogie �

� More bounce �

� Jungle boogie �

� More bounce �

� Jungle boogie �

� More bounce �

� Relax your mind,
let your conscience be free �

� And get down
to the sounds of EPMD �

� Well, you should keep quiet
while the MC rap �

� But if you tired,
then go take a nap �

� Or stay awake and watch
the show I take �

� Because right now,
I'm about to shake and bake �

� The E-R-I-C-K
is my name I spell �

� Thanks to the clientele,
yo, I rock well �

� I'm not an MC
who talking all that junk �

� About who can beat who,
sounding like a punk �

� I just get down,
and I go for mine �

� Say "check one, two,"
and run down the line �

� To the average MC �

� I'm known as the Terminator �

� Funky beat maker,
new jack exterminator �

� Destroy and employ �

� When your rhymes
are not void �

� Never sweatin'
your girl-- why, P? �

� 'Cause she's a skeezoid �

� When I'm on the scene
I always rock the spot �

� I grab the steel
with the crown on top. �

(insects trilling)

(trash bag crunches
into Dumpster)

Get your ass back in there

and don't say a word.

(laughing)

Hey, man, PK, chill out

before they find out
you in on this, man.

(PK continues laughing)

What you doing?

What's up with the pantyhose?

I told y'all to wear
stocking caps, man.

(laughing)

Hey, PK. For real, man.

This is your bright-ass idea
anyway.

-Okay, okay, okay, okay.
-You owe us, man.

-For real, man, come on.
-Okay.

Y'all sure is takin' a long time
gettin' this place cleaned up.

Maybe if we had a little help...

Any time the manager leave, you
act like you can't do nothing.

But eat them damn fries.

Nigga, you ain't nothing
but a shift manager.

-SHIFT MANAGER: Which means...
-Get your hands up.

...when the manager's gone,

I'm in charge.

As a matter of fact,

since day one--

day one--

you've been fucking up.

Everybody get your ass
on the goddamn ground!

You, too, man, get on the floor.

Uh-uh, uh-uh. You.
You get your ass up, big boy.

Uh... uh...

Uh... ooh...

I... I'm...

I'm just... uh... uh...

-In charge?
-Yep.

Mr. HNIC.

(whispering):
Shut up.

Ah...

I'm just, I'm just
a shift manager.

Yeah. Yeah, right.

Now shift your ass over there

and put the money
in the goddamn bag!

Come on, hurry up!

(choking back laughter)

Come on, big boy.

Yeah, all of that, too.
Come on.

Come on!

Yeah.
And then that, too. Come on.

Come on, big boy.

-Get your fat ass to the ground!
-Ah!

-Don't y'all move.
-Come on.

(door opens, shuts)

REPORTER: The Carter Cowboys
won the state championship

a month ago, and you could've
held a convention

on the sideline of
the Cowboys' practice field.

That's where recruiting
coordinators gathered daily

to catch a glimpse of the team

that could produce more recruits

than any other team
in the state of Texas,

maybe even the nation.

This year's Carter team

appears ready to climb
the ladder of success.

That leaves only one thing
left to say:

this is a class by itself.

(engine turns off)

I told y'all.

Just like clockwork.

CARLOS:
Man, Keith,

how long you been working here?

About a week.

So y'all go ahead,
get suited up.

� �

Say, PK:

give that toy to Los.

Run with this.

Man, this real?

Don't worry,
it ain't even loaded.

Hey, man, for real.

All y'all, this the last time,
all right?

-(laughing) -Y'all taking this
shit way too far, man.

All right, nigga.

� �

PK:
Get in.

Get back in, jet.

Go on. Go, go.

Go on. Go on.

� That chick there a starter �

� Brewster go to Carter �

� She gon' let me get it �

-� Soon as she drop off her
daughter... � -Damn, fellas!

Ooh, look like y'all had
a nice Christmas, huh?

Yeah. It was a'ight.

Excuse me, Derric.

Hey.

You mind if I wear your jacket
till last period?

I'm a little cold.

I ain't even trippin', baby.

-(giggles) Thanks.
-Mm-hmm.

Mmm-mmm-good.

Oh, I was just, uh,

admiring the jacket.

Is that all?

And I was wondering

if there was any more
room for me

-in those jeans.
-(giggles)

Maybe.

ALL:
Damn!

It's like that?

Must be the shoes.

(laughter)

Girl... ah... I want to...

Hey, I just want to know,

is there any room for me
in these jeans?

And I was wondering if you
ever heard of a peppermint.

(whooping, laughing)

Say, dawg, I guess it ain't
the shoes, then, huh?

-(laughs)
-Hey, i-it's all good, dawg.

Real talk, man.

All right, then, dawg.

Breath mint, dawg?

"Nice Christmas"?

What you mean,
"nice Christmas," dawg?

Man, what you talkin' about?

Thought you knew, brah.

Knew what?

("Flash Light" by Parliament
playing)

� Now �

� I lay me down to sleep �

� Ooh �

� I just can't find a beat �

� Flash light �

� Oh, I will never dance �

� Flash light �

� Flash light �

� Flash light �

� Bah-dah-dah-dee �

� Bah-dah-dah, ah-dah-dah-dah �

� Oh, it's no use �

� Flash light �

� Red light �

� Neon light �

� Ooh, stop light �

� Now I lay me down to sleep �

� I guess I'll go �

� Count the sheep �

� Oh, but I will never dance �

� Oh, don't make me do it �

� Dance, sucker �

� Ooh, ha-ha, get him... �

No less than 18
Carter football players

are headed to four-year colleges
or universities

on full scholarships.

Just one more area

where no other high school
can beat Carter.

I almost... I almost got you.

You couldn't keep up, boy.

-Nah, man.
-You couldn't keep up.

I ain't gonna never let
no old man get me.

Who you calling "old"?

-Come on, baby.
-Come on, I still got it.

-Shoot.
-Old man, old truck.

(laughs)

That's what you think.

-That was a damn good workout.
-Pretty sweet.

You know why we come out here?

Not only does it make us
better athletes,

but it makes us better men.

Now, you made your choice
when you decided to

suit up and play
for the Carter Cowboys.

I don't know.

I guess what I'm saying is...

Hold on. Come on. Whoa.

If you didn't have football...

what would you be doing?

Get in the truck.

� �

You want the receipt in the bag
or with... All right.

Thank you. Have a nice day.

(video game beeping)

(snorts)

(Ms. Pac-Man dying sound)

Got another quarter?

(unzips)

(urinating)

(thuds loudly)

-(zips)
-Damn!

You scared the hell
out of me, brah.

(water running)

(water shuts off)

So what's up?

My-my manager still
out there, dawg.

(sighs)

-Thought you said he's supposed
to be gone. -Shit, he is.

This nigga out there playing
goddamn Ms. Pac-Man, brah.

You said this was
gonna be easy, dawg.

How long you think
he finna be here?

You don't know.

I don't know.

Walk in, get the money,
then we good.

-G...
-That's what you said, D.

G, if Keith and them
can do this shit, I know we can.

Whatever, dawg.

Vincent, go on,
get behind the counter,

let's do what we gotta do.

Y'all sure about this?

Yes, I'm sure.

All you gotta do
is go up to Vincent

and get the money.

I'm-a take care of the manager.

You in or you out?

(Ms. Pac-Man game beeping)

Nigga, give me all the money!

Get your punk ass on the ground.

You, too, bitch.
Get on the ground.

-Get on the ground!
-Hurry up!

Move!

GIRLFRIEND:
"Just one more game."

-Save that shit for later.
-"This is it,

-the last..."
-Shut the fuck up.

Get your ass on the ground!

Come on.

Man, you niggas done
lost y'all damn mind.

Jay, I'm telling you, dawg,
it's easy.

Ain't like we really
robbing the place anyway.

All we gonna do is walk in,
get the money, and we...

Man, I'm still on probation

for a $15 T-shirt.

My teacher'd kick my ass.

I made a promise, dawg.

Not to mention my old man.

Hell no.

It's like being back
on the field, dawg.

It's a trip.

We walked into this one place,

and the chick at the register,

-she knew us, right?
-Fine, too.

So I asked her,

"What would you do

if we was gonna rob this place?"

Shit. She said,

"Give you all the money

"and anything else you wanted.

Anything."

So D said,

Well, we robbin' it, baby.

(register whirring)

Then wrote her phone number
on one of the bills.

-(chuckles)
-Just like that?

-Just like that.
-Just like that.

It's nothing.

-Ah...
-What's up, fellas?

-(laughter)
-Man...

Where your big-ass bifocals at?

It's nighttime.

They're called "contact lenses."

They kind of work like glasses.

(chuckles)

I will miss this fool.
For real.

I'm gonna miss you, dawg.

Got your ropes and everything.

A'ight, dawg.

A'ight, G.

(laughs)

-(exhales)
-Take it easy, dawg.

Ropes and chains...

What you gettin' into tonight?

-Yeah.
-Uh, chillin'.

-Got a 9:00 to 5:00
in the morning. -Oh.

So, uh, tell your girlfriend

-we can't kick it tonight.
-Ooh!

-(laughter) -Boy, I'll spur you
in the back of your head.

(all laughing)

-A'ight.
-A'ight, man.

Oh, man...

Look, straight up:
what you gonna do?

Barbecue or mildew?

Do you know you can ask
your mama for money whenever?

-Shit, you, too, G.
-But you think I'm finna

go to my mom's to ask for money

to shake you niggas up
in a dice game?

-Ha!
-OPM, dawgs.

OPM.

Jay, look.

It's probably gonna be
the last one.

Is you in or you out?

Last one...
Damn, how many has it been?

Asking too many questions,
huh, my boy?

Ha!

Meet me at 1:00 if you're down.

It's barbecue or mildew,
big boy!

(laughter)

-1:00.
-Let's ride, G.

(car doors close)

(knocking)

JAMES:
Come in.

Hey, how you doing, son?

I'm all right.

I was, uh,

I was driving by
and I saw your truck, so, um,

(sighs)

I thought I'd stop by
and check on you.

Yeah, well, relax.

Hey.

You didn't stop by to apologize
for something, did you?

(laughs)
No, sir.

I guess you're

a little nervous

about going off to school.

Well...

You're gonna be okay.

You've made a good choice.

Sir?

You couldn't
stay here forever, son.

(sighs)

Listen.

You just remember

everything you learned.

And make room

to learn more.

And stay humble.

Stay humble inside.

(quiet laugh)

Appreciate it, Coach.

And, uh,

by the way,

they say we're gonna have
a better team next year.

(scoffs)

We'll see.

� All right, you kids get
to bed, I'll get the story �

� Now, here's a little story
that needs to be heard �

� Word, word, word, Rick �

� Y'all tucked in... �

Derric!

Gary!

(engine starts up)

(tires screech)

� Where laws were stern
and justice stood �

� And people were behavin'
like they ought to-- good... �

Hey, Derric, Gary!

� Misled by another little boy,
and this is what he said �

� Me and you, Ty,
we gonna make some cash �

� Robbin' old folks
and makin' the dash �

� They did the job,
money came with ease �

� But one couldn't stop,
it's like he had a disease �

� He robbed another and another
and a sister and a brother... �

VONNER:
Hey, hey, Coach?

Hmm?

I got it.
I got it.

Your defense is your offense.

Now, a good defense
leads to an easy offense,

which puts the offense
in a better position.

(laughs)

Mm-hmm.

It's, um,

it's a mindset, Coach.

"As a man thinketh in his heart,

so is he."

You can only defend

something that you
already possess.

So the more

the team believes
they're already champions,

they have already
won in their mind.

And now have something

to defend.

Hence,

defense wins championships.

Yeah.

� Sirens sounded,
he seemed astounded �

� And before long,
the little boy got surrounded �

� He dropped his gun,
so went the glory �

� And this is the way
I have to end this story �

� He was only 17
in a madman's dream �

� The cops shot the kid,
I still hear him scream �

� This ain't funny,
so don't you dare laugh �

� Just another case
about the wrong path �

� Straight and narrow
or your soul gets cast �

� Good night, good night,
good night �

� Knock 'em out the box, Rick,
knock 'em out, Rick �

� Oh, boy, that Uncle Ricky
is really weird �

� Knock 'em out the box, Rick,
knock 'em out, Rick �

� I know, right,
what does he mean �

� Straight and narrow
or your soul gets cast? �

� I don't know, I think he be
crackin' up or something... �

(exhales)

Driver's license and insurance.

(chuckling)

Nah, man, I'm just trippin'.

(laughs)

DISPATCHER:
Be advised, suspects are armed.

Stand by for description.

Hey, why don't you
do me a favor?

Will y'all sign this
for me, please?

-Absolutely, yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.

Suspects in the video store
are two black males

-about 17 or 18 years old. -You
got, you have a pen on you, sir?

Oh, sorry about that.

Here you go.

One is about six-two
or six-three...

OFFICER: Carter High School,
State Champ!

Other suspect is stocky
and about five-nine...

Now, you're going
to Tennessee, right?

-Yes, sir, the Vols.
-(laughs)

Suspects are armed and...

And you're going to U of H?

Oh, yes, sir.

-(laughs): All right, ah...
-Yes, sir.

The suspects were last seen
heading westbound...

(laughs) Hey, I'll be looking
out for y'all, all right?

-I'm so proud of you.
-Thank you.

-And proud of the neighborhood.
-Yes, sir.

-Appreciate that, sir.
-We all proud of you.

Yes, sir.

Y'all have a good one, okay?

-Yes, sir, thanks.
-You, too.

Suspects were driving
an '87 or'88

candy-apple-red Corvette,
no plate at this time.

Man.

� See, we can never �

� Oh �

� Stay strong �

� Stay �

-� Strong �
-� Stay strong �

� Oh... �

� Never �

� It's never you �

-� So if I am hurting �
-� Stay strong �

� Stay strong �

� We here, we in here �

� We salute, we salute �

� So hard, so hard �

� Oh, hard �

� We come �

� So far �

� Baby, the night's so cold... �

This was gonna be the last one.

� In a room so dark �

� And the light is so... �

And they're both pregnant.

(footsteps approaching)

(keys jingling)

GUARD:
Edwards?

-You made bail.
-(gate sliding)

� �

(gate sliding)

(gate closes)

� �

� �

WEST: Believe me,
I'm not saying that the boys

are not guilty of something.

I just want to make sure
that you know

that these are not your typical
aggravated robberies.

Royce, I understand
that boys will be boys.

And you know
you're much better suited

to decide their fate
than some emotional jury.

The rule of law affects
not only those involved,

but those who observe.

(laughs)
Come on, Joe.

You know, we both
know the rules of law.

I just want to make sure that
if my request for probation

is nowhere close
to where you're leaning,

just give me an opportunity
to prepare my client.

That's all I'm asking you, Joe.

(smacks lips)

Fair enough.

(doorbell ringing)

If they ring this doorbell
one more time...

(doorbell rings)

Do they not have
any consideration...?

I got it, baby, I got it.

I got it, I got it.

All right.

(doorbell rings)

(doorbell rings)

MAN:
Coach James?

Have any of your players
told why...?

If you press my doorbell
one more time

and disturb my wife,

I promise you that will be the
last microphone you ever hold.

Today here in my courtroom,

you are nothing more than
a bunch of common criminals.

(gallery murmuring)

Criminals that went out
and pulled guns

on innocent,
hard-working citizens.

You terrified them.

You took their money.

And you did this because
it was simply an easier way

to obtain money
than to actually go out

and work for it.

And even though you never
shot or killed anyone,

as defendants before this court,

you communitively have committed

in the last six months

more armed robberies

than Bonnie and Clyde did
in their entire life.

(gallery groans)

When I call your name,
would you please stand?

Mr. Evans.

Son, when it comes
to violating the law,

it simply doesn't matter

that you can run a football
down the field.

And for the robberies
you committed,

I sentence you
to four 20-year terms

-in the State...
-MS. EVANS: What? No!

-...in the State Department
of Corrections, -No! No!

all to be served concurrently!

(bangs gavel)

Order in the courtroom!

(gallery sobbing, murmuring)

Order in this courtroom!

MS. EVANS:
That's too much!

I will have order.

-You don't do that!
-Order in the courtroom!

-No! That's my baby!
-Order in this courtroom.

No! That's not fair!
(crying)

Order, please,
ladies and gentlemen.

-Order in the court.
-That is not justice,

to take our babies away!

(indistinct lamenting)

Mr. Edwards,
would you stand, please?

For the robberies you have
committed, I sentence you

to three 16-year terms in the
State Department of Corrections,

all to be served concurrently.

You may be seated.

You may be seated.

Mr. Campbell...

Jessie, do you have a statement?

Do you have anything
that you can tell us?

JUDGE: Son, I believe
you have some serious

psychopathic tendencies,
and, frankly, you scare me.

And for that reason,
I am sentencing you

to four 25-year terms

in the State Department
of Corrections,

all to be served concurrently.

Be seated.

Mr. Allen,

for the robberies
you have committed,

I sentence you
to three 13-year terms

in the State Department
of Corrections,

to be served concurrently.

Be seated.

Mr. Williams.

For the robberies you committed,

I sentence you
to three 14-year terms...

(lamenting)

(louder): ...in the State
Department of Corrections,

all to be served concurrently.

� �

� Ooh �

� Oh, Lord �

� Uh-huh �

� Sometimes you can
trust nobody �

� And it's hard �

� To understand �

� The people
that you love the most �

� Will knock you
where you stand �

� So you do all you can �

� To take away the pain �

� Cover it up when all
the world has to offer �

� Until all you feel is shame �

� But you know I'm... �

� I'm holding on �

� To God's good grace �

� But you know I'm... �

� I'm holding on �

� To God's good grace �

� Oh, yeah �

� Folks will turn
their backs on you... �

REPORTER:
Some who were better able

to control their emotions...

� And they'll kick you
when you're down �

� Make you feel
like the sun won't shine �

� Until you're not around �

� So you do all you can �

-REPORTER: ...reactions to
the prison... -(TV turns off)

� To hide away the fear �

� You cover it up when all
the good time can bring you �

� Until you disappear �

� But you know I'm... �

� I'm holding on �

� To God's good grace �

� But you know I'm... �

� I'm holding on �

� To God's good grace �

� I'm holding on �

� To God's good grace �

� You know I'm... �

� I'm holding on �

� To God's good grace �

� And no matter... �

� No matter what
I'm going through �

� I know �

� No matter how lost I get �

� I know �

� I know... �

JESSE JACKSON:
I am... somebody.

� Ah... �

Tone. Tone. Rhymefest.

� I could give them the codes �

� To every lock �

� They still wouldn't
figure me out �

� I could turn myself in �

� Run to the cops �

� They still wouldn't
shut me down �

� I'm a mastermind... �

� I ain't who they said I was �

� I kept messing up
'cause I was scared I was �

� The preachers, the teachers,
the cops, they all got to me �

� I was the leader in the crowd
pretending not to be �

� You ever feel or ever felt
like we've been �

� More conditioned,
poor positioned �

� Poor people make
poor decisions �

� You ain't who
you thought you was �

� You're who you're taught
you was, hood brought us up �

� Till the cops caught us up �

� Yeah, they was anxious
to tell us that we ain't shit �

� People that supposed to help
tell you what you can't get �

� They tried to tell Malcolm X
to be a carpenter �

� They even tried to tell Barack
he was a foreigner �

� They told me my career
was dead, call a coroner �

� Then we rolled "Glory"
on they ass, I'm a warrior �

-� We want to give music �
-� Yeah �

-� Trauma, we live through it �
-� Yeah �

� Don't think the pain and
setbacks is all it is to it... �

You know, as time has passed,

I haven't always made
the right decision,

but I have come
to understand that...

one mistake or making
an ill-willed decision

not only affects
that particular person,

but it affects those that
are around him as well.

I can still hear the screams
from the courtroom.

I would never play ball again.

Today when I look back,
I'm proud of where I stand.

But you have a choice:

not to make the same
mistake that I did.

Mama brought... brought...

raised me and my brothers
in church,

and one of the things I knew

that I had to give
my life to Christ

in order for me
to be able to stay out,

in order for there
to be balance,

'cause I was not gonna go back.

Actually, uh, a couple years
ago, I played in the NFL,

and, uh, a lady asked me
to hold her baby, you know?

And her husband was like, "Them
guys you played with at Carter,

they were some criminals,
weren't they?"

I'm like, "They were
identical to me,

and you asked me
to hold your baby."

It wasn't no difference
in me and them.

I just made the right decision
at the right time.

If I would have gotten
in that car that one time,

then I would have got 20 years
in a maximum-security prison.

And they were looking for...

trying to, uh, tie me in
with something like that.

� A soda can �

� Yeah, I walk like Jesus,
Chi's my Bethlehem �

� When I step in the room,
niggas know to stand �

� Understand? �

� Last year of King's life,
everybody hated him �

� They assassinated him,
then we celebrated him �

� Yeah, that's what
them niggas did �

-� Guess who sold his legacy �
-� Who? �

� His fuckin' kids,
they made us choose �

� Between fame and integrity,
friends or celebrities �

� Then they flashed 'em in �

� In black light
to steal your memories �

� I sold my soul to the
dealership for an Infinity �

� It didn't last forever,
but it had all the amenities �

� Don't let the leeches
steal your energy �

� Come on, gangsta,
that's your inner G �

� Them niggas ain't your squad,
them is frenemies �

� We can make the whole world
bow to the symphony. �

� �

MAN:
No jail cell can contain me,

no graveyard can hold me,
no lie can stop me

because I am... somebody.

No chatter, I really matter.

I am... somebody.

Down with it? Can't quit it.

Ain't gonna turn around
'cause I matter.

I am... somebody.

Through it all, let nothing
break your spirit.

Your back, maybe,
but never your spirit.

JACKSON:
I am... somebody.

� �

(man grunts)

MAN (whispering):
'88 Carter raid.

(grunts)

'88 Carter raid.

(grunts)

'88 Carter raid.

(grunts)

'88 Carter raid.

(grunt echoes)

� Back then in '88 �

� Yeah, money,
we flexing our weight �

� Carter Cowboys,
we never let down �

� We dinosaurs, we ancient �

� I sit at the job
on the scene �

� With a lean that is mean
that'll make Joe Greene leave �

-� My squad is the best �
-� Yeah �

� Gorillas are us �

� '88 Carter raid,
down, set, hut �

� Smash on the team,
and we were passionately elite �

� No need for the nurses,
just bring a couple roses �

� 'Cause Jessie 'bout
to go in deep �

� And G got his own
and, no, we can't get along �

� So you from the other side �

� If you didn't come from... �

� I mean, act well �

� I got a chick
with a mean half-step �

� In a group, they call us
the calicoes �

� They groove with the band
while the band play �

� Groove me, baby �

� Headed off
to that sneak street �

� For them drag races
and that dice game �

� PK got the dice flame �

� And keeping it cool
for the nice dame �

� We hop in the bus
and Cowboys are us �

� We come just to bang �

� We hope there's a nurse,
we hope there's a nurse �

� We hope there's a nurse �

� No need to go bus, homie,
stick to your lane �

� Yeah, you know who done came
in this beesh �

� Hey-oh �

� Fuh these hoes... �

� Fuh these hoes �

� Fuh these hoes... �

� Fuh these hoes �

� '88 Carter raid... �

� '88 Carter raid �

� '88 Carter raid... �

(grunt echoing)

� Look, we taking our time �

� Stepping on the field,
that turf �

� We stepped on cold,
understand we own it �

� They want to holla back,
Coach James �

� Ain't never let us down,
we comin' without a warning �

� And bein' after,
we gotta hit another lick �

� 'Cause the riches,
they just steady callin' �

� And hold up,
let me get back on it �

-(laughing)
-Wait a minute.

� '88 Carter raid, yeah... �

� Ain't nobody better than us �

� Ask Carlos, we got to rock
that blue, that red �

� And say, huh,
what it is, homie �

� Nobody get passes,
they're not normal �

� And see,
our city we all for it �

� So let's get it on
just like Marvin �

� '88 Carter raid �

� '88 Carter raid... �

� '88 Carter raid �

� '88 Carter raid... �

� '88... '88 Carter raid �

� Ah... �

� Listen, I'm from the city of
the T, Cadillacs and Capris �

� Golds in our mouths,
you don't know about the South �

(laughs) � You don't know
about the South �

� I said I'm from the city of
the T, Cadillacs and Capris �

� Golds in our mouths,
you don't know about the South �

(distorted): � You don't
know about the South �

� Fuh these hoes... �

� Fuh these hoes �

� Fuh these hoes... �

� Oh... �

� '88 Carter raid �

� '88-'88 raid-raid �

� '88-'88 Carter raid �

� Fuh these hoes... �

� Fuh these hoes �

� Fuh these hoes... �

� Fuh these hoes �

� Oh... �

� �

(song ends)