1 (YOUNG WOMAN) In Virginia, high-school football is a way of life. It's bigger than Christmas. My daddy coached in Alexandria. He worked so hard, Mama left him. But I stayed with Coach. He needed me on that field. Up until 1971 in Alexandria, there was no race mixing. Then the school board forced us to integrate. They combined the black and the white school into one - TC Williams High School. (ANGRY SHOUTING) That summer a black teenager was killed by a white store owner. and the city was on the verge of exploding. You've caused enough damage! This is MY store! (YELLING) Kirk, don't let Ray back you down! You're twice his size! If they keep on playing like that we'll lose every game! That wasn't so bad. Good, Gerry. I can see you've been working. Coach, with the schools integrating, the guys are worried about losing their starting positions. That's something we're gonna figure out. But you don't worry about that. Thanks, Coach. Hey, guys! It's coming down! They wanna burn the store cos that coloured kid got shot. Hey! Hey! You just get Sheryl to the school now, Herb. (YELLING) Get in the truck. Gerry, Alan, Ray, if you ever wanna play for me again, get in the truck. Now. You boys are gonna cool off, help me pack my things. Gerry, you mean well, but don't embarrass the Coach like that. I don't wanna play with any of those black animals. Whoa! I see him. Who are you? I'm Herman Boone, the new assistant coach. I'd say we got about all the help we need around here. Why ain't you with all your little friends, hollering? This was the time that was... arranged for me to meet with coach Yoast. I never miss an appointment. Well, maybe you just better reschedule. The school board decided to put you on my staff. I did not hire you. I came here to coach at GW. I didn't ask the schools to re-district. I didn't ask to be assigned to your staff, so we're both in a situation we don't wanna be in. But, Coach, I come to win. Win? Coach has been nominated to the Virginia High School Hall of Fame. 15 winning seasons. Well, I won a couple of times in North Carolina. That's double A ball. This here's Virginia. We play triple A. Well, what an opportunity for me to learn... from the best. (MAN) Are those people the movers? (WOMAN) No. Looks like they're moving in. (WOMAN) How many of 'em are there? (MAN) We're gonna be overrun by 'em. Mommy, where are you taking my teddy bear? Come on, honey. Awww! Where is everybody? Nicky, yeah. Here comes more of 'em. That's Dr Day, that negro from the school board. What's he doing here? That negro Herman Boone is gonna be the head coach at TC. My daddy's head coach! This is his Hall of Fame year. Nobody's taking away your daddy's place in the Hall. You can't take my daddy's job away! Enough, Sheryl. Sheryl! Ow! It's alright, Bill. I feel the same way. It's those agitators and race mixers I feel like taking a swat at. Troublemakers wanna torch the city. You want us to burn up like Watts? Every head coach is white. We had to give 'em something. It's the world we live in, God help us. I left North Carolina because I was passed over for a job I had earned. Gave it to a white coach, couldn't even tie his own cleats. You want me to do that to this man? I can't do that. Herman? Folks in Carolina say you marched with Dr King. Say you stood toe to toe with the Klan. Said you a race man. That's right. I'm also a family man. Black folks never had anything in this city to call their own, except humiliation and despair. Herman, I think you had better look outside. (APPLAUSE AND CHEERING) So you see, we need you, Coach Boone. Come on. Coach Boone, I'm Charles Campbell. My boy Julius. He could be the finest defensive end in the state if you push him. Heard a lot about your boy. You're an answer to our prayers. I'm not an answer to your prayers. I'm not a saviour or Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King or the Easter Bunny. I'm just a football coach, that's all. You our coach. You our coach! (CHEERING) (CROWD CHANT) Boone! Boone! Boone! (KNOCK ON DOOR) What do you want? Is Coach Yoast here? We're busy interviewing for head coaching jobs. Got 11 offers and certainly no time for you. Come on in. I've got an office out back. I can't even spell diplomacy. I'm sorry about the way things went down, but I am qualified to be head coach. You've been in five programmes in ten years? With five championships. It's not about me. I'm worried for my boys. I ain't gonna cook 'em and eat 'em. The best player will play. Colour won't matter. From the looks of this situation, I'd say it's about all that does. Yeah, you're right. We in a tough spot. I think it would go a long way to smooth things over if you stayed. Be a defensive coordinator, assistant head coach. Work under you? If that's the way you see it. Goodnight, Coach. It's been a privilege to have lived here as long as I have, coaching your boys. I'll be taking the year off, after which I'll be moving to Loudon, taking the head coaching job at Loudon High. Don't go, Coach! I say, boycott TC Williams. Tell 'em! Our boys aren't playing for some coach coon! He stole your job. I'm not playing for him. I'm sitting this season out. You sit right back in that chair, Gerry. I appreciate it, though. Boycott TC! Boycott the school! They can't afford to go to another district to play ball. They sit this one out, they risk their futures. Coach, I'm out too. I ain't playing for no thief. Don't make this harder for me than it is. If you go, I go. I only play for you, Coach Yoast. You can't leave us. (ALL) Coach Yoast! Coach Yoast! We'll be alright, Coach. I've coached these boys since they were your age. Seen 'em grow up almost like they were my own kids. Almost. This is a heck of a time to abandon them to look our for themselves. So what're you gonna do? We gonna play some ball, y'all! Black inside! Black inside! Hey, yo, Petey! How many yards you gonna get this season, bro? I don't wanna brag, but I figure on at least a thousand. But I ain't one to brag. Them white boys won't play for no brother. Who needs 'em? From now on the Titans is powered by soul power. # He said soul power # (WHISTLE) Put your hand down. You smiling! Yes. Yes, SIR! Why are you smiling? Cos I love football. Football is fun. Fun, SIR! It's fun? Yes. You sure? I think... Now you're thinking. You think football is still fun? Uh, yes. Sir! Yes... no... No? Uh... It WAS fun. Not any more, though, is it? No... No. Not even a little bit. Uh... no. Make up your mind. Think, since you thinking now. Is it fun? No, sir. No. Absolutely not? Zero fun, sir. Listen up. I'm Coach Boone. I'm gonna tell you about how much... fun you gonna have this season. We leave for camp, Gettysburg College, August 15th, 7.29am. If you report at 7.30, you will not play football this season, you will be watching. You will wear a suit and tie. If you can't afford one, borrow one from your old man. If you don't have an old man, find a drunk, trade him for his. There isn't a bum on the street looks as raggedy as what I'm looking at. This is no democracy. It is a dictatorship. I am the law. If you survive camp, you will be on the team. If you survive. Check 'em in, Coach. I'm Coach Hinds, your offensive line coach. Yell out your name and position starting from the right. Petey Jones. Running back. THE running back, y'all. (UPROAR) Jerry Harris, quarterback. (CHEERING) Hallelujah, Rev! Rev? Just a nickname. And who, in the name of heaven, might you be? Louie Lastik, offensive lineman. Navy family. Just moved from Bayonne. Someone said football, so I come running. What's going on, everybody? (DOOR BANGS) With him calling the shots we'll be on the bench all year. He ain't calling the shots. You have disrupted my first team meeting in an unacceptable fashion. This is my team. You're with that or you're not. Let's talk football. Let's talk football. I run the defence... As a part of my team strategy. I never saw an assistant coach's name in the paper for losing. I want a job for Coach Tyrell. He's been with me for ten years. You don't get me without him. You're overcooking my grits, Coach. Alright. I will ALLOW Coach Tyrell to coach a special team, but I will have my eye on him. And you. (Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band's 'Express Yourself' intro plays) Good morning, Coaches. How are you? Good morning. Wanted to let you know what the offence is doing. Awful skinny playbook, ain't it? I run six plays, split veers. It's like Novocain. Just give it time. Always works. See you on the bus. Be patient, Bill. Your time will come. Herman, here we go. Here we go. How can I help you boys? I'm Gerry Bertier, the only all-American you got on this team. You want us to play, you reserve half the open positions for Hammond players. We don't need any of your people on defence. We're already set. Don't need my people? Your name's Jerry? Gerry. No, you must have said Jerry, like Lewis. That makes you Dean Martin. Ladies and gentlemen, got an announcement. We got Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin going to camp this year. Jerry tells the jokes, Dean sings the songs, and gets the girl. Let's give 'em a round of applause. (NO-ONE CLAPS) Where's your folks? Your parents, are they here? Where are they? That's my mother. That's your mama? Very nice. Take a good look at her. Cos once you get on that bus you ain't got no mama no more. You got your brothers on the team, and you got your daddy. You know who your daddy is, don't you? Gerry, if you want to play on this team, you answer me when I ask you who is your daddy. Who your daddy, Gerry? Who's your daddy? You. Uh-huh. And whose team is this? Is this your team? Or is this your daddy's team? Yours. Mm-hm. Get on the bus. Put your jacket on first, and then get on the bus. Dean? Fix that tie, son. (CHATTER) Listen up. I want everybody off the bus. Follow me. Let's go right now. Alright, everybody off the bus. I don't care if you black, green, blue, white or orange. I want my defensive players on this side, and all players on offence over here. Let's move! Let's move! Let's move! You and you, offensive bus. Sit together. You and you, defensive bus. Sit together. Get comfortable, because the person I sit you next to is the one you'll be rooming with at this camp. # Cos, baby, there ain't no mountain high enough # Ain't no valley low enough # Ain't... # Shut up. I don't wanna see your hello-y'all minstrel show singing on this bus. You too. Got that right. You can shut up too. (Norman Greenbaum's 'Spirit in the Sky' intro plays) . # When I die and they lay me to rest... # That's my bed. And that's his bed. I ain't looking at that for two weeks. Take it down. You can close your eyes for two weeks, all I care. You look at your wall, I'll look at mine. I'll look where I want, and I don't wanna look at that. Use your X-ray vision, Superman, and look right through it, cos it ain't coming down. FIGHT!! (YELLING) Bunch of tough guys. You look like a bunch of fifth-grade sissies after a cat fight. You got anger. That's good. You gonna need it, son. You got aggression. That's even better. You'll need that too. But any two-year-old can throw a fit. Football is about controlling that anger. Harnessing that aggression into a team effort to achieve perfection. Some coaches cut a player if they think he's not up to snuff, or when they think he's hurting the team. This is a public-school programme. I will never ever cut a player, but when you put that uniform on, that Titan uniform, you better come to work. We will be perfect... in every aspect of the game. You drop a pass or miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, I will break my foot off in your hindparts. And then you will run a mile. Perfection. Let's go to work. Move that feet! Get up! Get up! Get up! Keep that head up! Keep those feet moving! Everything we gonna do is change. We gonna change the way we run. We gonna change the way we eat. We gonna change the way we block. We gonna change the way we tackle. We gonna change the way we win! Defence is desire. Defence, go! Come on! Get outta here! Arrgghh! Show me, son! Show me, 'Bama! Jump on that ball like a starving man on a Christmas ham. Hut! Fumble! Why are you fumbling my football? My blockers... Did your blockers fumble the football, or did you? I did, sir. How many feet in a mile? How many feet in a mile? I don't... 5,280 feet. Pick this ball up, run every one of 'em! You're killing me, Petey! You're killing me! What you doing, man? Eating lunch. I see you eating lunch. Why are you eating over here? Why don't you go on over and eat with your people? I don't have any people. I'm with everybody, Julius. He just a light-skinned brother. And I'm a dark-skinned cracker. Come on, Julius. He's just a blessed child in God's loving family. (BLUE HUMS GOSPEL MUSIC) Come on, Blue. (ALL HUM) We come before you today and ask you to soften big Julius Campbell's heart. Look at that traitor. Rev better be praying I block for his black behind. Ray, if you don't block, you're not gonna start. I'll start. Then I'll just bide my time. We got some plays we won the city title with last year. Some trick plays that might fire up their imaginations. Trick plays? If they don't start having fun they're not gonna put points on that board for you. You worry about your defence. Let me worry about offence. Alright. Lastik! I want you to tell me something about one of your black team-mates. Sir, yes, sir! I'm rooming with Blue, and he wears leopard-spotted underwears! Bikini style, sir! OK, maybe somebody who's not your roommate. Sir, I eat lunch with Rev. Jerry Harris, sir. People call him Rev cos he's always praying and he won't abide a foul tongue, sir! What is the rev gonna do after high school? I don't know. Go to college, I guess. You gonna go to college? Not me, Coach. I ain't a braniac like Rev. You got a future in football? Heck, no. I just figured if I gotta be in school, I might as well hit people. I like that. A self-aware man. I like that. (But you can qualify to go to college. Bring me your test scores at the end of every week.) (We'll go over 'em together. That's between you and me. OK.) So what kind of music does the Rev like? Me and Rev both dig on the Temptations. # I know you wanna leave me # But I refuse to let you go # If I gotta pray plead for your sympathy # I don't mind cos you mean that much to me # Ain't too proud to beg... # Alright, stop begging! Anybody else? No volunteers? Campbell? Bertier? No, huh? Each one of you will spend time every day with a team-mate of a different race. You will learn about him and his family. His likes, his dislikes. You will report back to me until you meet every one of your team-mates. Until that time we go to three-a-day practices. Continue to ignore each other, we go to four-a-day practices. Any part of this that you don't understand? Let's see... What's your daddy's name? You do have a daddy, right? I have a father. His name is Eric. What's he do? Wait, he does have a job, right? # They're gonna put me in the movies # Huh? # They're gonna make a big star outta me # Yes! This one! I don't have to ask, but I will ` what do you think of this one? Does the term "cruel and unusual punishment" mean anything to you? Two minutes to go in the game. The other team is tired. Fourth quarter. Fourth quarter. Nobody from my family ever went to no college! I'll tutor you. I'm white trash! I ain't never gonna get no C-plus grades. I'm no-good, never-going-to-college white trash! Hurry up! I gotta call my girl. Say it right now. "Oh, don't." Don't do this. What is this, Wild Kingdom? Shut up! Mating habits of the mountain gorillas? Say it or I'm not hanging up. Say it right now. (I love you, sugar.) (WHOOPING) (YELLING) Get him! Get him! Get him! What are y'all doing? You're meant to know your job. Campbell, you're playing selfish, show-off football. Don't single me out like that. You think I'm stupid? I'm team captain, and I don't need you in my face all the time! (YELLING) Doc. I got it. Y'all didn't come out here to practise. Cos champions pay the price. Looking like a bunch of bums out here! Let's go. Who's a coward? Cowards won't block. Cowards won't tackle. Cowards won't go after fumbles. Coach, we need a water break. We been out here all day. What did you say? I said we need a water break. Water is for cowards. Water makes you weak. Water is for washing blood off that uniform, and you don't get no blood on my uniform. You must be outside your mind! We are going to do up-downs until Blue is no longer tired and thirsty. Coach! (WHISTLE) There's a fine line between tough and crazy, and you're flirting with it. (WHISTLE) (WHISTLE) Alright, get some water. Wait your turn, boy! Who you calling boy, cracker? Quit it, jerks! Come on! You're all acting like a bunch of sissies! Quit it! (YELLING) Alright, listen. I'm Gerry, you're Julius. Let's get some particulars and just get this over with, OK? Particulars? No matter what I tell you, you ain't never gonna know nothing about me. Listen, I ain't running no more three-a-days. What I got to say, you don't wanna hear, cos honesty ain't a priority with your people. Honesty? You want honesty? Alright. Honestly, I think you're nothing. Nothing but a waste of God-given talent. You don't listen to nobody, even Doc or Boone. Shiver-push on the line every time. You blow right past 'em. Push 'em, pull 'em, do something! You can't run over everybody. Every time you do, you leave a team-mate hanging out to dry, me in particular! Why should I care about you or anyone else? You the captain, right? Right. Captain's the leader, right? Right. You been doing your job? I've been doing my job. Then tell your pals to block for Rev better. They don't block for him! you know it! Nobody plays! Yourself included. I'm supposed to wear myself out for the team? What team? No. No. What I'm gonna do is, I'm gonna look out for myself, and I'm gonna get mine. See, man? That's the worst attitude I ever heard. Attitude reflect leadership... Captain. Your reward points can be a passport to travel, but when you try to use them, you may find they don't all go the distance. For example, the same number of membership rewards points from American Express that will get you to a ball game in LA... ..may only gets you part way with other cards. Just part of the altogether more rewarding service we deliver daily. American Express. (HOOTER) Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go. Wake up, gentlemen. It's late. It's 3am in the morning. Alright, listen up. You will follow Doc, me and the other coaches. We're gonna take a run through the woods. If you get lost, don't bother coming back to camp. Just hitchhike your hindparts on home. Any questions? (Coach, this is a high-school football team, not the Marines.) Let's go. # Tell me, where have you been, # my blue-eyed son? # Where have you been, my darling one? # I've stumbled on the side of 12 misty mountains, # I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways. # And it's a hard... # Come on, man. Can't take no rest. Anybody know what this place is? This is Gettysburg. This is where they fought the Battle of Gettysburg. 50,000 men died right here... on this field. Fighting the same fight that we're still fighting amongst ourselves... ..today. This green field right here was painted red. Bubbling with the blood of young boys. Smoke... ..and hot lead pouring right through their bodies. Listen to their souls, men. "I killed my brother with malice in my heart." "Hatred... destroyed my family." You listen. And you take a lesson from the dead. If we don't come together... ..right now, on this hallowed ground, then we too will be destroyed. Just like they were. I don't care if you like each other or not. But you will respect each other. And maybe... I don't know. Maybe you will... ..learn to play this game like men. (YELLING) (WHISTLE) Alright. We'll be out here all night until we get this thing right. Let's go! On the ball, Rev. Get it right! Ready! Hut! What was that, Ray? It ain't blocking! Gimme a break! Let them handle this. If we get to Rev just once, I swear to God, I'm gonna hit you so hard you're gonna need a new haircut! You understand me? < Let's play, fellas! (WHISTLE) On the ball. Let's run it again. Set! Hut! (WHISTLE) You alright, big Petey! You really stuck him, Campbell! I love a little contact, Petey! This is left side! Strong side! Left side! Strong side! Left side! Strong side! Left side! (BOTH YELL) What do we need? Defence! What do we play? Defence! (YELLING) Hey, fellas! Look at that fruitcake! Shut your mouths and get back on that field. Coach Boone, Colonel Bass. Just got transferred from California. My son Ronny is a quarterback. How you doing, Ronny? Coach Yoast. My pleasure. We're pretty set at the quarterback, Colonel, but check out Wilson or Hamilton. Well, uh, I met Coach Taylor. He won't take blacks. But if these boys can fight a war together, they can play football together. He's a good runner. (LAUGHTER) Yeah, a fruitcake, huh? I think we can find a place for your boy. Mm-hm. With one or two conditions. Hey, sunshine! (SINGSONG) Sunshine! Sunshine! Rubbing ain't gonna make them golden locks grow back no faster now. # Sunshine... Sunshine... # Sunshine. Sunshine. That's cool. I can dig that. Come on, don't leave me hanging, bro. He got some soul power! Look at this! He called me bro. Hey, I liked him better with the long hair, bro. Reminded me of Bertier's mama. (WHOOPING) What? How do you know what Bertier's mama looks like? Brother, me and Bertier's mama went out on the town last night. What..? Blue, why you talking about Bertier's mama like that? You making me angry. I ain't gonna take your mama to the prom no more. (LAUGHTER) What you laughing at, Jerry? Tell your mama to shave them old legs. And Julius, your mama can shave that nasty back of hers. (YELLING) She lookin' like the Wolf Man! Lastik, man, what happened to you? I gave your mama a piggyback, and she weighs twice as much as I do. (LAUGHTER) That's a mama joke! ('Ain't no Mountain High Enough' intro plays) # Listen, baby # Ain't no mountain high ain't no valley low # Ain't no river wide enough, baby # If you need me, call me # No matter where you are No matter how far # No, no, darlin' # Just call my name I'll be there in a hurry # You don't have to worry Cos baby... # Julius, I was thinking we... He's in the shower. What do you want, man? You know what I want. (SHOCKED GASPS) Get off! Get off! You have no idea who you messed with, man! Too much male bonding going on in here for me. What is goin' on here? He kissed me, man! # Baby, there ain't no mountain high enough # Ain't no valley low enough # Ain't no river wide enough # To keep me from getting to you, baby # Ronnie Bass, I like that haircut. Get in there, show me what you got. Set! Hut! (WHISTLE) Hard step. Read the tackle. Gotta see the pitch. You can throw it a mile, but you can't pitch it three yards. Gotta see it. Rev? Yes, sir? Show him how. Yes, sir. (LAUGHTER AND TALK) Hey, can you slide a bit, Gerry? Ray, this is the defensive table. Hi, Petey. Hello, man. Hey, Sunshine. It's not like I care nothin', but being your roommate an' all... you was just messing with Bertier, right? You're not really...? What you talking about, Petey? Man, it don't matter to me. I just gotta know, you know? If it don't matter, what's the big deal? I gotta know. Know what? Don't mess with my mind! Coach kept Petey out in the sun too long. Coach! Hey, sweetie! Good to see ya. Have my dessert. Coach Boone, you did a good job up here. You ran a tough camp, from what I can see. Well, I'm very happy to have the approval of a five-year-old. I'm nine and a half, thank you. Why don't you get this little girl some dolls? I tried. She loves football. What are you? (ALL) Mobile! Agile! Hostile! What is pain? (ALL) French bread! What is fatigue? (ALL) Army clothes! Will you ever quit? (ALL) No! We want some more! We want some more! We want some more! Turn in! (RHYTHMIC GRUNTING) Let me ask you something, Mr Campbell. Uh-huh? What kinda power you got? Man, you know I got soul power. What kinda power you got? What kind of question is that? I got soul power! Let me ask you something, Mr Bertier. How strong are you? I'm too strong. What? I'm too strong! Too strong! I want a victory! No, I want a victory! I want a victory! You all want victory? (ALL) Yeah! (YELLING) # Goodbye # Na-na na na # Hey, hey, hey # Goodbye Let me hear you! Up in the front! Up in the front! Whole school! What they do up there, brainwash 'em? They must be high on something. # Na-na na na # Hey, hey, hey # Hey, Mom. Welcome home! Dad. How you doing, sweetheart? We missed you so much. Like, are we cool? Yeah, we're cool. Mrs Boone, nice to meet you. You too. This is Karen. This is Nicky. Nicky, Sheryl. Why do you dress so weird? Ow! Look who's talking! Hey! Well, we're just all getting along, aren't we? . (YELLING) # Time has come today. # Can't put it off another day. # (REDNECK ACCENT) What you doing in my school, boy? This is messed up. Anything serious happen, they shut the school. There goes our season. Then it's real messed up. But there are a lotta pretty women here. Hey! Look at 'em, Gerry. < They hate us. Nah. Just a bad day. Things'll cool down. No, Gerry, they're always gonna hate us. We don't need you here either, hippie boy! You hear what he said? Hey, man! Hey, Julius. Man, it's crazy out here. What did you expect? I didn't expect it to be like this. Ah. Sorry. Julius, this is Emma. Camp over now, huh? Back to the real world, Bertier. This what they integrating us for? We'd have been better off where we were. Mm. Yeah. This is my sanctuary right here. All this hatred and turmoil swirling around us, but this... this is always right. Struggle. Survival. Victory and defeat. It's just a game, Doc. But I love it. Coach, I'm afraid I've put you in a no-win situation. I just found out the board didn't think you'd make it out of camp. Now you have, at the first sign of trouble... What kind of trouble? Lose a game... they'll fire you. And turn it back over to Yoast. One game, just like that? Mm-hm. What about my family? They just expect me to pick up and move? What about my girls? I don't know what to say. I... I'm sorry, Coach. Pump, pump, pump it up! Pump that Titan spirit up! Look at 'em. They come to the game and still don't want no part of us. Give us more! Everybody on your feet! Let's go! Listen up. I'm not gonna talk to you tonight about winning and losing. You're already winners, cos you didn't kill each other up at camp. Tonight we got Hayfield. Like all the other schools, they're all-white. They don't have to worry about race. We do. But we're better for it, men. Let me tell you something - you don't let anything... nothing... come between us. Nothing tears us apart. In Greek mythology, Titans were greater even than the gods. They ruled their universe with absolute power. That football field is our universe. Let's rule it like Titans. "The Titans' defence takes the field for the first time, led by quarterback Daniels on the Hawks' 32-yard line." We've moving like molasses out there, for crying out loud! Come on! Mama? Hm? Are all white girls that crazy? What? You guys can do better than that! Huddle up! Where's Alan? Alan, you gotta stick your man. He's too fast, Gerry. I can't stick with him. Let's go! (WHISTLE) "Touchdown, Hawks!" Shape up that defence, Yoast. You worry about your offence. They score again, I'm taking over! Set! Hut! Hut! Petey, you missed the block by a mile! You didn't even have the football to fumble. There's no excuse. You wanna play football or not? Do you wanna play football? Get on the bench. Herb, take over for me. You got it. Petey! You alright? I was a two-year starter at GW. All that yelling just makes me play worse. I can't play for this man. You come play linebacker for me. 23's killing us. Get out there and cover him. You want me to go in now? Yeah. I can't! I... I haven't practised with the defence. Doesn't matter. I want you to get out there and cover 23. That's all you have to do. You think Yoast letting them score on purpose? What? Do you? Come on, Herman. Let's go. What's Petey doing in there? < Looks like Yoast is trying him out on defence. He's taking Alan out. Yoast! Herman, come on. Let's see. See what happens. It might be alright. It's OK. You're OK. Don't take out my son! He's getting beat like he stole something. Stay out of it, girl! He's getting beat! Yoast! Set! Hut! Go, defence! Hut! "Touchdown! Game, Titans!" The Titans are here, y'all, and we ain't going nowhere! You gotta be loud all the time? Virginia can't hear you, man! They all heard you fumble, man. First of all, the hand. Second, who won the game? Don't worry. It's not your fault. They like to show off. Wait, wait, wait. "They"? I heard you say "they". Yeah. Them over there. You talking about my people. You're you, and they are them. < Gerry! Hey, Gerry, hop in, buddy. We're heading over to the hill, Gerry. Everyone's gonna be there. Why don't you hang out down here with us? What are you trying to do, Gerry? When something unexpected comes, you pick it up and run with it. I'm not running in the same direction as you, Gerry. Come with us. Look, standing up for what you believe in, it's all well and good, but you got your priorities real mixed up this time. Are you coming or not, man? Petey Jones! Come on, man. No, man. It's on me, man. We party on. Let's go. Look here, man. This here is Virginia. They got problems with... They don't want us in there. Man, that's history. Come on. We're full tonight, boys. There's tables all over the place. What're you talking about? This is my establishment. I have the right to refuse service to anybody. That means you too, hippie-boy. You want food, take these boys out back and pick it up from the kitchen. What I tell you, man? I didn't know, man. I told you! What you mean, you didn't know? Man, he didn't know. He don't WANNA know! You pull crap like that, you better back it up. Let's go, man. Cool out. Let's go, Rev. Man, let's go. > What happened? < He's acting a fool tonight. < Petey? He acting all crazy and stuff. It don't even make no sense. > He know the man's from out of town. . Five times player of the week! He's not some walk-on scrub. He's a player. A star! He's busted his butt for you. It's all your doing, you blacks. That is enough! It's MY call. Now, listen, you go on home now, Fred, before you do something you're gonna regret. Guess we won't be seeing much of him, huh? I will. He's on the deacon board with me. (CHUCKLES) Alright, listen. About Petey... No thanks required, Coach. Thanks? You challenged my authority in front of the entire football team, Coach. You think you're doing 'em a favour taking them aside when I come down on 'em. Protecting 'em from big bad Boone. You're cutting my legs from under me. Some of the boys don't respond well to public criticism. I tell them what they need to know, but I don't humiliate them in front of the team. Which boys you mean? Which ones you mean? I come down on Bertier, you don't coddle him. Come down on Sunshine, you don't grab his hand, take him off to the side. Which boys you talking about? I may be a mean cuss, but I'm a mean cuss with everybody on that field. The world don't give a damn about how sensitive these kids are. Especially the black kids. You ain't doing these kids a favour by patronising them. You're crippling 'em. You're crippling them for life. Gerry, what are you doing? Going down to the Berg. The Berg? Yup. What are you doing there? Playing ball with Julius, then we'll be back here for dinner. Gerry! If your father was still alive... Ma, just give him a chance. Just get to know him. I don't want to get to know him. You are coming to church with your mother. Right! Right! Right! You blew your assignment! I'm covering for you! Don't get in my face. Cool out! Where you at? What planet you on tonight? It's fine, man. I knew you was gonna stand me up. You was all talk. But you making us look bad out there. Don't talk to me. You got nothing to say to me. Why the clouds, Sunshine? I can't make that pitch. You ain't gonna play anyway, unless we up by 50 points. And we ain't never gonna be up by 50 points, so relax and enjoy the bench. How's it goin', yo? I didn't sign up to play like this. We play like this against Groveton, we going down. < OK, offence. Offence, let's go! "Touchdown, Titans!" "Game, Titans!" How you doin', Coach? Morning. Where's your dad? He's in his office. Nicky, you alright? Yes, Daddy. What you doin'? Shooting some hoops. Wanna play? I just did my nails. 'How you doing?' Tyrell. Coach, if you don't need me I'm gonna... wait out back. Alright, Herb. Coach Boone, to what do I owe the surprise? Have a seat. I'll get straight to it. We won't survive another game like last Friday's. I asked Mr Vernon, the math teacher, to look at the game film from Groveton, who we got next week. I asked him to analyse it for me. Every coach has certain tendencies. All of 'em except Ed Henry. Only time we'll be seeing Ed Henry is at the State Championship. Mm-hm. Well, gosh, this is... this is great stuff! Every quarter broken down, how many times they run each play. You like that, huh? We'll be very tough defensively with this. I think so. I brought Nicky by. She was asking about Sheryl. Any time you wanna bring her by the house we'd be more than happy to have her. Oh, he's so cute! He's in my third period class. Why you all staring at Sunshine? I'm the one dominating the field. He ain't played all year! Who cares? Sorry to break your heart but Sunshine's from California. Yeah. A California dreamboat. No. Sunshine is from Cali-for-nia. He's a California man. You talkin' to my girl? I don't see any livestock, so I don't know what you talkin' about. (GIRLS SHRIEK) Break it up! Petey, get these girls outta here! Get outta here! Uncle Tom traitor! I know you didn't call me no Uncle Tom. Y'all back off me now, man. You made some new friends at the zoo, Bertier. Oh, big smart guy, huh? Marie asked if Sheryl'd come over and spend the night. I told her I'd see what you thought. Yeah. She's at the Boones' tonight. I'm gonna swing by and pick her up. Over at the Boones', huh? Yeah. So that's the way it is, huh? You haven't changed a bit. Trying to please everybody, be the nice guy. Sooner or later a man's got to pick sides. Well, I'm not go through the rest of the season with that uppity... Hey, I brought you here. I want you with me. But you gotta do what you gotta do. That's all you can say after all we've been through? "Do what you gotta do"? Herb... Go to hell! That veer's getting better. But you're still weak on the left side. We're not weak. We just gotta work harder on the left side. That's not the problem. What is the problem? Your pass reads. A veer is a run, not a pass. Alright, you two, enough. Sheryl, don't you wanna play with Nicky? I hate playing with dolls. I'm not playing, I'm accessorising. Yeah, why don't you go accessorise? Don't you wanna go accessorise with...? Coach Coon! (SCREAMING) In the back! (TYRES SCREECH) Where's Coach, man? What he want with us now? Coach ain't called this meeting. We did. We outta here. Y'all gonna walk out on your team-mate? Listen to him. Where you going? Turn around! Coach Boone brought us this far, but he ain't gonna be there forever. We won a few games. And y'all fools think that's something? Man, that ain't nothin', y'all! And you know what else? We ain't nothin' either. We came together in camp. Cool! But back here the world tells us they don't want us to be together. We fall apart like we ain't a damn bit of nothing! And you think we won something? We ain't won nothin', y'all! Nothin'! Rev, what's that you say when I get sick of trying to keep up with my grades? # Even youths grow tired and weary # Even young men stumble and fall # But those who trust in the Lord # Will renew their stre-eeength! # Amen! That's what I'm talkin' about. Amen! Amen, right? Right, Rev! # They will soar on wings like eagles # Like eagles, y'all! Like eagles, y'all! # They will work and not grow fa-aaaaint! # (CHEERING) We're playing Groveton Friday night, y'all. You all gonna play like you got no heart? (ALL) No! Y'all want a victory? Yeah! Y'all want a victory? Yeah! Turn in! (GRUNTING) (CHEERING) We will not be intimidated. We're gonna play football. Hatred and violence will not intimidate us. So why the state troopers? I don't need no John Brown state troopers! Whoever threw this through my window can come visit me anytime. I'll be at home! Time you stopped antagonising everybody and learned some humility. If you shut your mouth and stopped bragging... You blame me for last night? No. I'm talking about setting an example for our boys and the community. I don't scratch unless it itches, I don't dance unless I hear music. I will not be intimidated. That's it. If you wanna carry your sinful pride to the grave, that's your business, but when your sins endanger my little girl, it becomes mine. MY sins? You think my sins had something to do with what happened last night? I'm sorry about what happened to your daughter, I really am, but now you got a small taste of what MY girls go through. Welcome to MY life, Yoast. What's going on? Coach? We wanted to let you know we was gonna warm up a little different tonight. "This is the first true test of the season for the undefeated Titans, cos they're up against the undefeated Groveton Lions." "Their all-state noseguard Kip Tyler's mean as a copperhead snake." "And here come the Titans!" (YELLING) "Playing to a capacity crowd for the first time this season." (RHYTHMIC GRUNTING) Julius Campbell's playing strong side linebacker. Sheryl! He's so good...! Sheryl! And Bertier... Sheryl! I... do... not... care. < Five, six, five, six, seven, eight! # Everywhere we go Everywhere we go # People wanna know People wanna know # Who we are Who we are # So we tell them So we tell them # We are the Titans We are the Titans # The mighty mighty Titans Mighty mighty Titans (CHEERING) Who do they think they are, the Beatles? Alright, quit gawking! Warm up! Tyler? Coach? Shut 'em up. Hard. Ready! Omaha, buds, Omaha! Set... Omaha! Hut! Song's over, Sambo. (WHISTLE) What happened, Lastik? I audibled, Rev, I swear to God. I didn't hear it. I swear to God! Let's take a look, son. He's broke a bone in the wrist. No more throwing this season. Got a minute, Coach? Take the other time-out, Coach. Ronnie Bass! Coach, Rev's going back in, right? Not at quarterback. I can't make that pitch. You can. When I was 15, I lost my father and mother in the same month, Ronnie. 12 brothers and sisters. I was the youngest, but they looked up to me. I wasn't ready, but they needed me. Your team needs you tonight. You're gonna command your troops, understand? Twins right, 48-0 read. Let's go. (CHEERING) What's the matter? Never seen a football injury before, you wimps? I got it. It's gonna be alright. Budds, you release this time. Louie, let him through, OK? What? Just do it. Trust me. You had 12 brothers and sisters? Eight. 12 sounds better. (WHISTLE) Ready! Set! Blue, 21! Hut! (WHISTLE) Unnecessary roughness! Penalty! On the quarterback? You kidding me, Coach? Whoo! Did you see that, man? That's a bad white boy, man. We got ourselves a football player! Listen up! (CHEERING) Listen up! Listen up! Listen up! Whoa! Game ball. Ronnie Bass. (CHEERING) This ball goes to the real king right here. Thanks for teaching me the veer, Rev. (CHEERING) Rev! Rev! Rev! Rev! Rev! Rev! Coach? Can I speak to you in private? Sure. What's on your mind, son? I want Ray off the team, Coach. You know my policy, Gerry. Yes, I do. And I respect it. But Ray missed that block on purpose. Sometimes you just gotta cut a man loose. Mm. Well, you're the captain. You make a decision. But you support your decision. Ray? You're out. What? I'm not gonna let you play for this team any more. Oh, yeah, Jerry Lewis. Gonna go and tell Coach Coon what to do just like last time? But, then, that's right. He is your daddy now, isn't he? Boone don't cut anybody. Remember, Gerry? I had you cut, Ray. You willing to just throw away our friendship for them? You can keep 'em. . Hi. # Now, I've been happy lately # thinking about good things to come # and I believe it could be # something good has begun. O-Officer. Heck of a game you boys played last night. Thanks. Thank you, Officer. Best defence I've seen in 20 years. Tell that coach of yours to keep up the good work. Oh... Oh, yeah, I'll do that. # I've been smiling lately # thinking about the good things to come # and I believe it could be... # Yo, man, your taxi had a siren! > Superman! Hey, man, what's going on? Doin' alright. Ohhh! (The Hollies' 'Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress' intro plays) (GIRL) "This song goes out to the undefeated Titans." "This city is alive with school spirit. Go get 'em, Titans!" # Saturday night I was downtown # working for the FBI # Sitting in a nest of bad men # whisky bottles piling high # Pair of 45s made me open my eyes. # My temperature started to rise. # She was a long cool woman in a black dress; # just a 5-9 beautiful tall. # With just one look I was a bad mess # cos that long cool woman had it all. # Had it all. # We're here tonight to honour men that are teaching our young people leadership on and off the field. And high moral standards as well. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce the 1971 Hall of Fame nominees. Come on, Daddy! Whoooo! When we played Jefferson, we were down by four with 10 seconds left. We blitzed the safety... Heck of a season the Titans are having, Coach. Too bad it's got to end. We're still in it, Lyle. Taber's boys are good, but we'll take 'em in the regionals. Not if we have anything to say about it. You just leave this to us, Bill. Boone's out, and you're head coach again. And all roads lead to the Hall of Fame. Coach Taber, think you have a chance against the Titan's defence? "Ton, Billy, Ray, come on over here, boys." "These my all-American tackles." "Prize bulls who do nothin' but knock the chocolate outta folks." "You won't trade films with Coach Boone?" "I'm not gonna do anything to help that monkey." Well... what're we gonna do about this? We gonna get ready for Saturday. See you out there on the field. (WHISTLE) Mr Official, can I talk to you for a second? Back off, Coach, if you wanna stay in this game. I've got holding on 78, white. Are you trying to cheat my boys out the game? 15 more yards! Let 'em play, ref! Let 'em play! Let the boys play! Cheater! Cheater! > Go, go, go, go! (WHISTLE) (SHERYL) Come on! What was that? > Ohhh... What are you, blind? That wasn't a hold! That was such a bad call! Titus! I know all about it, Titus. What you sayin', Bill? Call this game fair, or I'll go to the papers. I don't care if I go down with ya. But, before God, I swear I'll see every last one of ya thrown in jail. You dig your own grave. OK. Defence, on me! Petey, don't you drift to the strong side. I keep getting penalties. Did I ask for your excuses? You wanna act like a star, you better give me a star effort. Forget about him. Alan, you're in. Come on! Alright. Now... I don't want them to gain another yard. You blitz all night! If they cross the line of scrimmage I'm gonna take you all out. You make sure they remember forever the night they played the Titans. (YELLING) Leave no doubt! Come on, y'all! Swing it left! Set! Hut! Make yourself comfortable down there. Real comfortable. That one was for you, Coach. Alright, baby. Alright. You brought us here, Coach. Run it up, Herman. Leave no doubt. (Ike and Tina Turner's 'I Want To Take You Higher' plays) # Don't you wanna get higher? Hut! # Don't you wanna get higher? # Baby, baby, let me light your fire. # Take me higher. # Good game. Coach? Coach, I took a straw poll. You just lost yourself the Hall of Fame. Hey, good job, 43. Good job. Good job, men. Hey, way to stick. Good job. Good game, Coach. Coach. (CHEERING) Petey, what happened out there, man? Talk to me, Petey. Petey! Hey, Julius! Julius! Come here, man. Don't move. It's OK. What's up, man? Let's get outta here. Go paint the town or something. I gotta hang with my girl tonight. Alright. Where you goin'? I don't know. I don't know, but I'm gonna go. You gonna go? Yeah, man. I wanna go, but you know what I mean, man. Looks like you weren't the one with the mixed-up priorities, huh? Emma... I think it's gonna take me a little longer than you might like, but... I just wanted you to know that I'm gonna try. Goodbye, Gerry. Emma? Make me a promise? You'll be there to root for us when we play Marshall for the title? # Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone... # I know how much it meant to you. I ain't gonna lie. I wanted the Hall of Fame real bad. Just plain old jealousy. As old as Cain and Abel. You know what? I wanted it too. But there's always next year, or the year after. As long as it takes for 'em to wise up. Wouldn't want it now anyway. Bunch of rednecks. Let's knock 'em dead at State, Coach. Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! You're home! You're home! Mmmwaah! Gimme a kiss. Congratulations, Herman! What I tell you, baby? We can't get too far ahead of ourselves. We still gotta get Ed Henry and Marshall. We got all these... (CHEERING) > Congratulations! (WHOOPING AND CHEERING) # My body's aching # and my time is at hand. # I won't make it any other way. Well, I'll be John Browned! We cleaned up the kitchen, Daddy, so you could get right to work. You did? Well, I got news for you, I ain't working tonight. We're gonna celebrate. We're gonna let these people know who's gonna win State. Right? Right! Right? Right! Right? Right! Whoooo! We're gonna win State! (ALL YELL) # Oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain (YELLING, HONKING AND CHEERING) # I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end. # I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend. # but I always thought that I'd see you... Gerry! You the man! You! Yeah! # Thought I'd see you one more time again. # (CRASH!) Jesus! Gerry! . How you doin', son? He alright? He's uh... How's he doin'? Not too good. Not too good. How well is he doin'? How bad is it? How bad is it? He's paralysed from the waist down. Don't say that to me! Don't say that to me! (SNIFFS) Sorry, Mrs Bertier. I'm sorry. I'm sorry... He doesn't want to see anybody but you, Julius. Yes, ma'am. You be strong. Yes, ma'am. Those tears aren't gonna make my boy walk again. Only kin's allowed in here. Alice, are you blind? Don't you see the family resemblance? That's my brother. Alright. Oh, man... You think I look banged up, you should see my Camaro! Man... I sure am sorry, man. I should've been there with you. What're you talking about? You would've been in that bed next to me. You can't be hurt like this. You... You're Superman. I was afraid of you, Julius. I only saw what I was afraid of. And now I know I was only hating my brother. I'll tell you what, though... Um... When all this is over... me and you are gonna move out to the same neighbourhood together. OK? Um... And we'll get old, and we'll get fat. And there ain't gonna be all this black-white between us. Left side! Strong side. Morning. Morning. The Marshall film. Well, that's good. We're gonna have to be real sharp on the offensive and defensive sides of the football. Figure we give the kids extra practice this week. Got a press conference today at 12. Press conference? What we do here amongst ourselves is one thing, but we're not gonna parade around... Hold on. I'm not talking about parading. I'm talking about presenting a strong, united front. Now, I'm hurting just like you are, Yoast, but the season is not over yet. I didn't... We did not come this far to just break down and lose now. It's not always about winning and losing. I'm a winner. I'm going to win. Is this even about football any more? Or is it just about you? Coach Boone, you lost Bertier. Is your defence in trouble? You cannot replace Gerry Bertier... ..as a player or person. I don't know, Mama,... maybe Yoast was right ` maybe I pushed 'em too hard. Gerry had an accident. Sometimes life's just hard. For no reason at all. You think I was blinded by my own ambition? Whatever kind of ambition it took to do what you did around here, this world could use a lot more of it, Herman. Hey, Coach! (ALL) Hey! This for me? I want you to be my eyes out there, alright? Any of these guys slack off, you just let me know. You bet I will. How're you doin', Gerry? I'm alright, Coach. I was just talking about Marshall... We needn't talk about football now. It's a good time for reflection and prayer... Coach, I'm hurt. I ain't dead. No, you're not. No, you're not. I've been reading up on activities they got for people in wheelchairs and such. They got Olympics. "This is the granddaddy of state high-school football championships, the Virginia triple A." "It just doesn't get any better." "We have Coach Herman Boone's Titans versus the legend, Ed Henry, with over 250 wins in 30 years." Amen. (ALL YELL) Lastik, what's the matter? I'm eligible. Well, I'm glad to hear that, son, but I'm already married. I got a C-plus average, Coach. I'm going to college! That's fantastic. Coach, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. You abandoned your team in their moment of need. Sorry won't make up for that. I know, but I wanna play for you. I wanna play for the championship. You can play for me next year. You sit on that bench, support your team. You'll start again as a senior. "Entering the stadium now is Jean Bertier, mother of injured linebacker Gerry Bertier." "The fans are really giving her a warm reception." (ALL) Gerry! Gerry! Gerry! Gerry! (ALL CHANT AND CHEER) "And here come the Titans, entering the stadium in their own unique style." (TITANS CHANT) We're here! Hoo-hah! We're here! Hoo-hah! Julius Campbell? Hi. I'm Emma Hoyt. Oh. I guess we never met, huh? Young lady, you have to get back to your seat. Well, now we've met. Yeah. It's nice to meet you. Good luck, Julius. Shotgun. Who do they think they are, the New York Jets? Get nine! Keep it up. Shotgun rush. Go to cover three! Pass! Hut! Put pressure on the QB. They got all day to throw. You worry about your offence. (YELLING) NO!! What's wrong, Gerry? Do not come in here! They got receivers everywhere out there. Good hustle! Give him some cushion. When they throw, stick him! Ready! Red, 57! Red, 57! Hut! Hut-hut! "Titans star quarterback Ronnie Bass gains six yards." What do you think? Think we got a chance? Give me a way to disguise that cover. Ready! Set... Hut! He's way ahead of you, Coach. If your defence stopped somebody, we'd get the ball. "The Titans gave 'em a scare, but Ed Henry looks supremely confident." "TC Williams goes in at the half trailing 7-0." Coach! Sweetheart, get back to your seat. Ed Henry's got Boone's number sure as shootin'. And you ain't doing nothin' against that shotgun. Coach, now ain't the time to be proud. Alright. We're in a fight. You boys are doing all you can do. Anybody can see that. Win or lose, we're gonna walk out of this stadium tonight with our heads held high. Do your best. That's all anybody can ask for. No, it ain't, Coach. With all due respect, you demanded more of us. You demanded perfection. Now, I ain't saying that I'm perfect, cos I'm not. I ain't never gonna be. None of us are. But we have won every single game we've played till now. So this team is perfect. We stepped out on that field that way tonight. And if it's all the same to you, Coach Boone, that's how we wanna leave it. Yeah! I hope you boys learned as much from me this year as I've learned from you. You've taught this city how to trust the soul of a man, rather than the look of him. And I guess it's about time I joined the club. Herman, I sure could use your help. Ed Henry's kicking my ass out there. Listen up. This is our time now. Second half is our time. We're gonna make some changes on defence. They're spreading us out too far. I'm putting Sunshine, Alan, Glascoe, Davis, playing both ways the rest of the game. No receiver gets across that line of scrimmage. Coach Yoast will tell you where you're playing. Let's go. It's our time! Everybody in. Titans on three. One, two, three! (ALL) Titans! Let's go! Let's go! Julius, we're going 52 monster. I know that's all you need to know. Alan, we're going zone. I can play with Roosevelt, but I cannot play with these guys. I didn't warm the bench all year to watch us go down on my account. Put Petey in. He's better. You want him to take your spot, you go give it to him. Thank you. (LAUGHS) That was beautiful! Offence, let's go. # Come away, come away if you're going, # leaving the sinking ship behind. # Come on the rising wind, # we're going up around the bend. Alright, defence, get out there! Let's stop 'em! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! # Better get while the getting's good. # Hitch a ride to the end of the highway, # where the neons turn to... 02, inside veer. 02, inside veer. # We're going up around the bend. # You can ponder pertual motion... "It's a goal attempt for TC Williams." "It's good!" "They trail Marshall 7-3, heading into the fourth quarter." Ref, look, 48's off-side! Freeze right. You got eyes? Gun-right, 84. Tell Tommy to watch the free safety. Go! Get in there. You know who I'm talking about. He's lining up off-sides! Got to hold them here, defence. Hold 'em! Pass! Pass! Let's go, offence. Let's go. "Titans trail Marshall 7-3." "All Marshall has to do is hold on to the ball and they will be state champions." Left side! Hold on to that ball! Hold the ball! > Hold it! Hold it! Alright, Petey! Time out! Time out! They're slanting to our strong side. Let 'em over-pursue. You gotta throw something at him he's not ready for. Rev! Where's Rev? Ready to run? Yes, sir. Fake 23 blast... with a backside George reverse. Fake 23 blast with a backside George reverse, like your life depended on it. Let's go! "The Titans take the field with time for one final play for the state championship." Thought he was injured. I guess not. Why are they bringing in a QB? "Titans have 75 yards to the end zone." Oh, my gosh. I can't watch this. What? Sheryl, what's wrong? I can't watch it. Sheryl! No. Not now. Sheryl! Not now! Cover deep! Watch the deep pass. Cover it deep! Set... Hut! That's it, boys. That's it. Good season. It's alright. Yes! Yes! (YELLING) Congratulations, Coach. Thank you. Good job. I know football, but what you did with those boys... You were the right man for the job. You're a Hall of Famer in my book. Yeahhhh! (ALL YELL) YEEAAAAHHH!! (OLDER SHERYL) "The Titans danced their way into history. 13-0. The perfect season." "State champions and first runner-up for the national championship." "Second best high-school team in the country." "Gerry won the gold for the shot put in the wheelchair games." "Daddy coached him." "10 years later, Gerry died." "That's what brought us back here today." "Gerry has gone, but his spirit lives on." "People say that it can't work ` black and white." "Well, here we make it work every day." "We have our disagreements, of course." "But before we reach for hate, always we remember the Titans." (BLUE HUMS SLOWLY) (ALL) # Hey hey hey... # Goodbye # Na-na na-na # Na-na na-na # Hey hey hey... # Goodbye # # Ain't no mountain high, # ain't no valley low, # ain't no river wide enough, baby. # If you need me, call me # no matter where you are, no matter how far. # Don't worry, baby. # Just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry. You don't have to worry. (BOTH) # Cos, baby, there ain't no mountain high enough, # ain't no valley low enough, # ain't no river wide enough # to keep me from getting to you, baby. # Remember the day, I set you free. # I told you you could always count on me, darling. # From that day on, I made a vow ` # I'll be there when you want me, some way somehow. (BOTH) # Cos, baby, there ain't no mountain high enough, # ain't no valley low enough, # ain't no river wide enough, # ain't no valley low enough, # ain't no mountain high enough, # ain't no valley low enough... # IMS Subtitles www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2016