When the Game Stands Tall Page #3

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Easy. Everyone knows the story.

So tell me, homey.

You really been that bad

to deserve all that's come your way?

Can I speak to Cam?

Cam.

Yo, Coach Lad.

Yo, Jamal.

Cool, thanks.

Coach.

You know how you like to talk and talk...

- ...and sometimes holler?

- That's right.

And one time,

Cam said you said the S-word.

I remember that time.

Well, here, you gotta be real quiet.

My mom's resting.

Not a peep.

- Hey, coach.

- Cam, look.

Man, that is tight.

Watch Mama, all right?

See, Mama?

How is she?

The nurse say...

...it's just a matter of time.

And that's it.

That's the last of my Mohicans.

You have Jamal.

The boy don't know it yet...

...but he's going down to San Jose,

stay with my cousin.

They should be good to him,

but ain't got no room for me.

I got nobody left.

Well, family isn't just blood relatives.

It's anyone

who loves you unconditionally.

"To Coach Lad...

...I promise to live the rest of my days

by the lessons you taught me.

'Give and it shall be given to you...

...for whatever measure you use, it shall

be measured back to you in equal-"'

Why is this happening to me, coach?

What did I do?

I'm trying.

I'm making my perfect effort.

It don't matter. Ain't enough.

What if Tayshon is right?

Maybe God don't see me,

or he don't care...

...because I ain't worth his time.

Don't make no sense, coach.

I'm alone.

I got nobody left.

No, you're not.

You've got Jamal...

...me and 6O brothers.

I'm just gonna nap for 10 more minutes,

then get up.

Don't snore.

I'm not laughing.

What did I ever see in you? Bob?

Bob? Bob?

Bob, Bob, please. Bob? Bob?

Danny!

Bob, what's going on?

Bob? Oh, my God, Bob!

- Danny!

- Yeah, Mom.

Danny!

- Mom, what's wrong?

- Danny, please call 911!

- Oh, my God! Call 911!

- Mom! Morn!

- Dad? Where is the phone? It's not here.

- Danny, tell them it's a seizure.

- Find the phone!

- Where is it?

Oh, my God. Look at me.

Look in my eyes. Look in my eyes.

Oh, my God, you okay?

You okay? Breathe.

- Hey, Amani. Thanks for coming.

- Hey, Amani.

- Oh, one for me. Just- Just one second.

- Cool.

Hey. Who's in there?

Currently paying his respects

to the coach, Maurice Jones Drew.

No way.

Coach, make sure I get you tickets

to come see me, all right?

I want 100 from you.

I still can't believe it.

Coach Lad smoking.

- Mrs. Lad. Good seeing you.

- So great to see you.

- Take care of the big guy for me.

- Okay, I will. Thanks for coming, Maurice.

- Hey, you.

- Hey, Dad.

Don't look so tough now, huh?

Mr. Ladouceur.

Eighty-three percent occlusion

in your PLA descending artery.

We call that the widow-maker.

- You're a very lucky man.

- Yeah.

- So, what happens next?

- Recuperation.

Near-term, I'll be happy

if you're in good condition by April.

That's spring practice.

Not for you.

You've got five stents

and one shot to heal.

Stepping onto a field before summer?

Don't even think about it.

Dad, you're gonna coach me

next season, right?

Danny.

Danny.

Hey, Michael...

...wanna go harass

some more doctors?

Come on.

Danny's just worried about you.

This really scared him.

It's a lie.

What is?

Me. I got caught up in work

and the streak and let it nearly kill me.

I talk character, honesty, perfection...

...commit to each other, your teachers,

your friends, your family.

Was I committed to you?

Was I committed to my children?

I've been a lousy husband

and the worst dad.

Danny's not angry because he isn't

getting the chance to play for you.

He's angry

because he wants a chance to know you.

What do I do now?

Spend as much time with your family

as you do the team.

See you later, babe. Call me tonight.

Hey, T.K. Heads up.

- Over here.

- Who wants it?

- Me.

- All right.

- Me, me, me.

- Right here. Right here.

- What's all this?

- All for you.

This is Coach Little. The rules say

you can't keep any of it yet.

You're getting looks

from other schools.

Peek at what you look like in our gear.

If I'd have had these,

I'd have been All City.

Newest model from Nike.

Mrs. Kelly, maybe you wanna open

that last bubble package.

Hey, what you got, T-Gram?

Diploma.

- With your name on it.

- What?

What? What?

No matter what, four years from now,

when you have your real diploma...

...it will reward you and your family

for the rest of your life.

- Yeah, sure.

- So you've got a lot of offers.

What's it gonna take to get you

to play for Oregon next year?

Say yes.

- Yes.

- Cam Colvin comes with me.

We offered a full ride.

We know his mother passed away,

but haven't heard back.

Done deal. Full ride.

Oh, we did it, man.

Yo, the great black hope.

- Cam here?

- He's in the back.

Y'all come on

and get something to eat now.

- Oh, coz, what's up?

- What's up?

You get a full ride from Oregon

and dodge my calls. That's what's up.

Look, man, I ain't going to Oregon

or any place near you.

I'm going to Miami.

Miami?

- t's best for me.

- Best for you?

Since day one,

we've been doing what's best for us.

You and me, together.

- We were 14.

- We were friends.

Whatever.

Man, get up! I'm talking to you, dog!

Get off me! As smart as you are,

you don't know what you don't know!

You still got Landrin, T-Gram,

you got everybody.

All I got left is Jamal.

I gotta make it to the league

so I can take care of him.

- Cam, I know how hard this has been-

- Don't!

You're just making it harder.

Don't you see?

You see me?

I'm cursed.

Everyone I love-

I can't lose nobody else, man.

T, I gotta let you go, man.

Man, you done lost a lot of folks,

Cam...

...but you didn't lose everybody.

- Man, Why'd you bring me this?

- It's proof.

We dreamed about playing college ball

since we was kids.

We prayed for it.

And now here we are,

damn near grown.

Cam, what you're holding,

that just ain't a jersey, man.

It's an answered prayer.

Look at me, dog.

You and me.

Brothers for life, dog.

Come on.

Brothers for life.

All right, team, bring it in.

Everyone settle down.

Coach Lad is on his way in

to say a few words. Bring it down.

Alumbaugh's pulling the team together.

Okay. Good.

I talked to my doctors...

...and they don't feel that I should

come back to coaching you.

But rather than

drawing this whole thing out...

...I'm just gonna be truthful with you.

I'm not sure when I'll be able to return.

I expect you seniors to step up

and lead this team.

And I expect you guys

to continue to give a perfect effort...

...every game.

Not your typical trumpet number, huh?

No, not typical.

Getting the hang of it?

- Me or Michael?

- You.

Anything else I can help you with?

No. Think you're doing great.

Just remember, I like mine rare.

You got it.

- You want the other half of this?

- Yeah, sure.

I've dropped more passes this summer

than the previous three years combined.

You're not seeing the ball

into your hands.

- You're looking up-field before you catch.

- I know.

I try to stop, but-

What should I do?

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