Woodlawn Page #7

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because of the name

of our teams or of our schools,

but because of the name above all names:

Jesus.

Jesus.

One person alone in the dark,

willing to speak the truth

when it's not popular,

one person willing to speak

the truth when it is not safe,

when there is much at stake.

Look around you.

We're not alone.

This is what happens when God shows up.

Well, here he comes.

Coach, so glad you could join us.

I believe you know everybody here.

This is Brenda Halley,

lawyer from Montgomery.

Ma'am.

Why don't you take your seat

and let us get started.

Go right ahead.

Did you have an evangelist of some sort

speak to the team this year and last?

Yes.

Was this activity school sponsored?

Was it required?

Well, it just sorta happened.

It wasn't required, at least

not the way that I saw.

Last year, did you recite

the Lord's Prayer

before and after each game?

Yes, we did.

Did you dismiss players because

they didn't wanna be a part of this?

Yes, he did.

That is in outright lie.

Your son quit.

Coach, are you aware of the U.S.

Supreme Court ruling on this issue?

Because you're in clear violation of it.

And whether you like it or not,

you are breaking the law.

See, I think this has more to do

with the color of my tailback than God.

I want you to stop

all religious activities

until this board has taken this

matter under full review.

You mean on school property?

I mean all activities, otherwise

you will be removed as coach

from Woodlawn High School.

Which may already

be the case after this matter

has been fully reviewed by the board.

Can I come in?

You know, I had my rst coaching job

when I was 22 years old.

This is the only job

that I have ever had.

It's all I know how to do.

What can I do for you?

That's what I wanted to ask you.

How do you mean?

I don't like it when

my teammates get hit.

Same goes for my coach.

Thank you, Tony.

I think I'm gonna get hit

no matter what I do.

I got some tough decisions to make.

You once told me

that winning solves everything.

I don't know if I believe that anymore.

They do.

So, let me help you carry this.

How are you gonna do that?

By winning you a championship.

All right.

All right.

Let's go beat Banks.

Do-do-do-do do do do do

Do-do-do-do do do do do

Do-do-do-do do do do do

Do-do-do-do do do

Jesus is just alright with me

Jesus is just alright, oh, yeah

Jesus is just alright with me

Jesus is just alright

I don't care what they may say

I don't care what they may do

I don't care what they may say

Jesus is just alright, oh, yeah

Jesus is just alright

You hear that, boys?

That's for you.

Use it.

Use that sound.

We need another half-hour coach.

Another half-hour?

We're getting 'em in as quick as we can.

How many people are out there?

A lot.

Coach.

Can I have a moment with my son?

There's a lot of people out there, Dad.

I know.

But they ain't here

to see Woodlawn vs. Banks.

They're here to see you.

You've given a lot of people

hope, and I'm proud of you.

Look at me.

I'm proud of you.

Win or lose, you're my son.

How do you feel?

Nervous.

Don't be.

How many people are out there?

Tony, come on.

You'll see.

We're gonna do this one way.

All right, let's do this, come on.

Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!

All right, here we go.

Here we go.

Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!

Tony! Tony! Tony!

One way, boys!

Let's do this!

Welcome to Legion Field

in Birmingham, Alabama,

where history is being made

here tonight.

Never before and perhaps

never again have there been

so many people to see

a high school football game.

And they're not here

just to see two teams.

They are here to see players,

and one just entered the stadium.

Number 22, Touchdown Tony.

And you can hear the cheers

for this young man.

They are deafening.

And the Banks Jets have just landed.

Here they come, led by senior

superstar quarterback,

Jeff Rutledge.

Legion Field is all

but full to capacity.

There is a line of cars still outside,

stretching as far as the eye can see,

and this crowd is continuing to build.

As a matter of fact, I've

already seen seven SEC coaches

in attendance here today.

Auburn.

They'll let anybody in.

O'er the land of the free

And the home of the brave I

Let's go, Hank.

Where we going?

To do something wild and rebellious.

Shorty!

Pray for us, Hank.

Really?

Pray for us.

What are we doing?

Giving credit where credit is due.

Let's pray.

Will you pray with me?

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done...

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory.

For ever and ever.

Amen.

One way!

Amen.

Good luck, Coach.

Amen.

Take a look around, y'all.

Take this all in.

This is something special.

Let's go do what we do, all right?

Spider 2-Y Banana on one.

Spider 2-Y Banana on one, ready?

Hike!

Pass! Pass!

There you go!

You all right?

Good hit.

You gotta release the ball quicker.

You're holding onto it too much.

Go, go, go, go, go.

You got this.

Both teams are at a standstill,

neither one able to break through.

Rutledge drops back to pass.

Looks right, lets it fly.

A perfect spiral, a beautiful throw...

And is caught!

Finds its target at the ten-yard line,

into the end zone.

Banks is first on the board.

Touchdown!

The master of offense, Shorty White,

has willed his team through

and into the end zone.

That's okay.

Let's get it back.

Let's get it back.

Don't turn over the ball.

Positive yardage, okay?

We can break one.

You can break one in.

Halftime, and the score

remains the same.

Banks has been the only team to

find the end zone here tonight.

Coach, I know what you're thinking,

but we gotta do something.

This ain't working.

Hey, time out.

Boys, just take a breath, okay?

Just breathe.

Look around you.

Savor this moment.

Okay, Mum, I Right 25 Blast, okay?

Let's go do it.

Nathan...

What do you feel but you can't say, huh?

What do you want to say

to all of these people?

You say it when you run, Tony.

You say it when you run.

Now, this is your moment.

This is your time.

Yes, sir.

So, you go and take it.

You go and take it!

Yes, sir!

Hike!

It's to Nathan.

Nothing doing on the right side.

He'll change direction.

Shakes off the tackle.

Finds a hole.

And he's brought down

after a gain of five.

He's still up!

He's still on his feet!

He breaks another tackle.

He's moving up the head of steam.

He's past mideld.

He leaps over the linebacker

like Superman.

Heading to the far corner,

he's got one man to beat.

There he goes.

He's gone!

Touchdown, Woodlawn!

Touchdown, Tony Nathan!

Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!

Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!

It was amazing.

You could feel it in

the stadium all over.

Forty-two thousand fans at

a high school football game.

Not even the play-offs.

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