(rapping) No questions asked I'm at the top
I just wanna build me a house on the moon
You could say that I'm great
Wait till I'm done I'm getting to it
I keep on moving There'll be stopping me up at the last
No questions asked No questions asked
- That was great. Really great. - Thank you. Appreciate it.
I want to try a few things, just add a couple of different beats.
- Can you stick around for a bit? - Yeah, for sure.
So, she's my replacement?
Uh, I'm just trying out a few artists.
I can't believe you're really doing this.
Coop, I told you.
That's my song, Layla.
I wrote it.
It's our song.
And we never got a chance to finish it, just like the other ones.
So you just, what, give it to someone else?
Like father, like daughter, I see.
What is that supposed to mean?
Exactly what I said.
Patience wrote a song, and your Pops gave it to someone else.
Where is the difference?
I'm not going to sit here and let you disrespect me in my own studio.
I invested virtually all my time and money
into producing these tracks, that are still incomplete.
You quit on me, Coop, without even telling me.
So what I choose to do with these tracks,
to make the best out of a difficult situation, is my business.
Whatever. Good luck with your replacement Coop.
For my podcast,
I've tried to at least give a small voice to some injustices
that would have otherwise gone completely unnoticed.
- Well, that's it? - Should I say more?
No, no, that's good.
Okay, ask me the next question.
You really need to be rehearsing your answers?
(sighs)
Just be you. They're gonna love you.
I know, I just, I really want this.
Want what?
(Spencer) Liv's got a big-time job interview, in an hour.
It's for a summer job at the L.A. Tribune Online.
Okay.
Look at you being great!
Thank you.
Well, I should probably get going.
Wish me luck.
- Good luck. - Thank you.
- Bye, Ms. Grace. - Bye.
So, how you feeling?
Still ain't heard anything
from Coach Dante, since he resigned from Toledo.
I mean, that man recruited me, convinced me to sign with them.
The least he can do is call me back with an explanation.
What about the head coach?
Coach Hudson? Yeah, he's stopping by the school later today.
He wants to check in, and show me how they're building
their entire offense around me next year.
That's exciting.
- Yeah, I guess. - Spencer...
Do you think they knew Coach Dante was leaving,
when I signed with them?
Actually, never mind.
Never mind, I'm just in my head.
You just ask Coach Hudson when he comes down to the school today.
And remember,
you wouldn't be the first player who backed off of a commitment.
But, don't write them off just yet.
Toledo State is still an incredible opportunity.
I go to junior college, I ball out. And two years from now,
I'll have multiple offers from D-1 schools.
Sounds like a good plan.
Well, my Dad and Coach Montes think it is the best option for me. So...
Do you?
I know it's the right move, but honestly, Ash, after the season that I had,
even with the concussions, it stings to know that not one D-1 coach wanted me.
You know what stings even more than that?
Not being able to play football ever again.
Ash, I'm sorry. I...
Hey, look, I'm not guilt tripping you.
I get it.
You deserve a D-1 offer.
- Thanks. - Just remember how lucky you are.
You get to keep playing football.
So, go ball out, starting with that All-American game this week.
Yeah, well, I'm a reserve.
I mean, there's no chance I even see the field.
Hell, I should be up in the stands with you, right?
I won't be there.
I'm just not ready to be around football yet.
But, I'll be rooting for you to get into the game.
- Right, yeah. Thanks. - Yeah.
Are you a reader of our publication?
Yes, for as long as I can remember.
My parents still get the newspaper edition,
and I read the online site, which is, you know, pretty much why I'm here.
So, what can we do better?
Umm...
Nothing. I think it's great.
Good to know.
So, why would we need your help, if we're already perfect?
Well...
That question stumps everyone.
It's a bit unfair putting you on the spot like that.
We ask it to challenge each applicant to speak up.
But, that's a rare quality we already know you possess.
- Really? - I was impressed with your podcast.
You listen to it?
Thank you.
Yeah, I was just trying to give a small voice
to those affected by injustices.
Well, I'd say you gave them a big voice.
Anyway. While I am thrilled to know you think
The L.A. Tribune is perfect the way it is,
I am always looking for ways to improve. New voices, like yours.
And it's been a heavy couple of years.
People are exhausted. So, I'd like to start balancing
our stories with some lighter topics.
That's a great idea.
I'm personally trying to embrace more light this year.
You know, lean into the joy.
Then, that's perfect.
See, we already know that you are more than capable of harder-hitting pieces.
Now we'd like to see if you can deliver something a bit more fun and poppy.
An inspiring story.
Are you giving me an assignment?
Consider it a try-out.
Do you think you can deliver something in two days?
Yes, of course.
What's the topic?
I will leave that up to you.
Just make us smile.
Okay.
Yeah, I guess I didn't realize she was so ice-cold.
Okay, you're overreacting.
Well, you should have seen her. Like, just back in the studio. Business as usual.
Well, what did you expect her to do?
Why are you defending Layla?
I'm not. But, you know, she's under a lot of pressure to finish these tracks.
And, you just told her that you couldn't do it.
You know, I honestly thought you'd be on my side, after what JP did to you.
(Patience) You know, this ain't nothing like that.
JP cut me out of the process.
Now, Layla would welcome your input, but you just told her
that you don't want to be around music anymore.
Or maybe, I just don't want hear another artist butcher my lyrics.
Look, her career is on the line,
you can't just expect Layla to give up.
They say champions are made in the off-season.
- Keep on grinding. -(chuckles)
What's up, Coach?
Wait till you see our weight room, it's state of the art.
Coach Baker said it don't matter where you sweat as long as you give 100%.
You know, Billy's a good coach.
Thank you.
Yeah, so was Coach Dante.
Yeah, and we're sorry to see him go.
But don't you worry. We're going to fill his spot with somebody who's top notch.
With NFL experience.
You're going to be in good hands.
Okay.
- Can I ask you a question? - Always.
Did you know Coach Dante was leaving when I signed my letter of intent?
- Yes. - Then how come nobody told me?
I was under the impression that you were committed to the school.
The tradition, the Top 25 program. Or, was I mistaken?
Were you committing to an assistant coach?
No.
I mean, maybe all of it.
Spencer, I assure you, you are the jewel of our recruitment class.
You are the number one priority.
I came out here, to see you play the Platinum All-American game.
I thought you'd be grateful.
Grateful?
That a Power 5 team is willing to build its entire offense
around a Freshman named Spencer James.
- I am. Sir. - Good!
Because, you know, not everybody
gets the golden opportunity we're giving you at Toledo State.
Remember that.
(knocking at door)
Already working on your playbook for next season?
(chuckles) Coach.
You're a long way from Ohio.
Had to come out and see my star recruit play in the Platinum All-American game.
I'm drawing up plays for that very game.
Trying to keep it simple.
Involve everybody.
Gonna be a lot of egos out there on that field.
Well, I'm glad I signed one of them.
No, no, not Spencer.
He is a team player all the way.
You got a great young man on your hands.
I've been lucky.
Lucky to have coached him for the past two years.
You wanna keep that relationship going?
Are you offering me a job?
Wide receiver coach. Position just opened up.
I heard. Coach Dante did a really good job of recruiting Spencer.
Are you offering me this job to make sure
Spencer stays committed?
Spencer signed.
He's not committed.
I'm offering you the job because you're
one of the best high school coaches in America.
And I think you're ready to take the next step.
Do you think you are?
Power 5.
Honestly, I haven't even considered...
Sure you have.
I followed your career since you left the NFL,
seamlessly transitioned into coaching.
Now two back to back State Championship games.
It's clear you're a winner.
Thanks, Coach. And I appreciate that.
Uh, wow.
Can I think about it? Talk to the wife?
Sure. Just let me know at the game.
All right. While I consider,
let's not tell Spencer.
- Good luck with those plays. - All right, thanks Coach.
Look at your little recorder, and cute little notepad.
This is cute.
You know, I'm trying to be professional.
Okay, then, what is this assignment?
It's basically a try-out for a summer job at The L.A. Tribune Online.
You know, they like me.
They just want to see if I can deliver a fun, poppy, uplifting story.
- Poppy? You? - I can be poppy.
Girl, you are the poster child for Black emo chick.
But you know what?
Let's just give it a shot, anyway.
Hmm?
So what's the topic?
Well, they let me pick that myself.
And I decided on Black excellence.
So you're interviewing me?
Of course I am. Ready?
Tell me about your decision to attend Bringston University.
Well, my whole life, I wanted to go to Princeton
because I thought, attending an Ivy
was the epitome of Black excellence.
You know, like a badge of honor?
But then I realized, Bringston was a very different version of Black excellence.
- One that didn't come with that burden. - What burden?
Black athletes have unrealistic expectations put on them,
there's always this pressure to be perfect.
Can you give me an example?
Girl, did you watch the Olympics?
Take Simone Biles or even Tiger Woods.
People are just waiting to tear you down.
When I started playing tennis again, I didn't tell my coach,
that in my year off, I had gotten pregnant.
I hid it from my junior tennis league,
because I didn't want them to see me as less than perfect.
And at Bringston,
being great is a journey.
You get to do you.
So, I can make mistakes and still be great.
(Coach Baker) Hey, you headed out?
Yeah, I'm on my way to meet Liv.
She wants to interview me for this assignment she's doing.
Okay, cool. Well, see you at practice tomorrow.
Hey, can I ask you something?
- Yeah. - When you were picking your college,
did you choose the coach or the school?
I chose the school. Yeah, I think the coach who recruited me was gone
by my sophomore year or something.
- Is this about Coach Dante leaving Toledo? - Kind of.
I'm trying to figure out why I chose Toledo State.
And what's your answer?
Both, I think. I mean, I definitely wanted to play for him.
I like having a connection to my coach.
Just look how I followed you to Beverly, and then we came back here together.
But that's cool, man.
That is everything I want. That stadium, the fans.
I'd be on national TV every week.
Plus, Coach Hudson, you know, he sends a lot of players to the NFL.
Yeah. I mean, I know it's a great opportunity for me,
so why am I doubting it
- all of a sudden? - Look, man, this is the single
biggest decision you've ever made.
I just say, follow your instincts.
- Follow your gut, you'll figure it out. - Yeah.
- Hey. Sorry I'm late. - Hey.
I just finished up with Simone.
- How did that go? - Simone was great.
You know, she has such a strong point of view.
It just wasn't the assignment that I was given.
- Which is? Poppy? - Poppy. Poppy and fun.
Which... Simone's interview got pretty serious.
And, you know, they've already seen that side of me from my podcast.
You know, I want to prove to them that I have some range.
- So the pressure's on me. - Big time.
I gotta bring the fun?
Yeah, just be uplifting and inspiring.
And, poppy. Got it.
Okay.
Tell me what it's like
to get a full scholarship to play football at a major Division 1 school?
It is a dream come true.
I can't believe I'm gonna be scoring touchdowns on national TV next year.
Considering where I came from,
I'm just grateful for the opportunity.
This is good stuff. Keep going.
Okay, I think the Head Coach at Toledo State wishes I was more grateful.
- But... - What makes you say that?
Well, when I questioned him about Coach Dante leaving,
he said... he thought I'd be more grateful.
But he's right, you know, with the opportunity they're giving me...
I guess... I don't know.
Pause!
Hell, no!
He's gaslighting you.
He's making you feel bad for asking a simple question.
All because the answer might make him look bad.
But, I am grateful.
I didn't have many offers from many other big-time schools.
And after I got shot, a lot of those schools backed off.
Once I was healed, it ain't like they came pouring back in.
Because you weren't perfect.
- What? - I think you're perfect.
But, I mean, Simone was just talking about this burden that Black athletes face.
And how they're held to this higher standard.
And it sounds like you need to be perfect.
Or I ain't worth the trouble.
My bad.
I'm not bringing the fun.
Come on. Ask me a poppy question, and I'll give you a poppy answer.
It's okay.
The truth is more important than the fun.
Baby.
When was the last time you were in Ohio?
I think when you played Cleveland, or was it Cincinnati?
- Yeah, it was Cleveland. Don't remind me. - And you fumbled,
in the fourth quarter, and lost the game.
Didn't I tell you not to...
Okay. Sorry. You brought it up.
- You ever been to Toledo? - No, but I promised
that we'd go for Spencer's first game.
Okay, well, what if we went for Spencer's first game,
and then, stayed?
Umm...
The Head Coach from Toledo State offered me a job.
Wide receivers coach.
- And we'd live in Ohio? - Yeah.
Is that a deal-breaker?
- I'm just processing this new information. - Yeah.
But, for the first time in my career,
I'm free to move anywhere.
So, I guess the question is, and be honest,
do you want this job?
Yeah, I think I do.
(Simone) Well, my whole life, I wanted to go to Princeton,
because I thought attending an Ivy was...
- Is that Simone? - Yep.
Well, you know, you could have asked me, right?
I don't need your permission to talk to Simone.
No, I meant you could have asked to interview me for your project.
Or am I not an example of Black excellence?
Don't take it personally, Jordan. Okay?
I just thought that Simone and Spencer
would have interesting point of views.
Okay, so you asked Spencer, as well?
If it makes you feel any better, the project isn't going very well.
Nice.
Why does nobody see me as great?
- Jordan... - No, no, I'm serious, Liv.
Look, college coaches obviously don't see me as great.
My own sister doesn't even see me as great.
Yes, I do.
It's just that sometimes you don't see yourself that way,
and that affects how other people see you.
No, maybe I used to doubt myself.
All right? But not anymore.
Look, I know that I can be great, Olivia.
It's just that nobody else wants to see it.
Well, then change the way that people see you.
- How? - By being great.
Spencer James, All-American.
- Cam, I heard you got the invite. - Yes, man.
- Back on the same team again. - Yep.
Hey yo, we better smoke these fools tomorrow.
It's just an exhibition game, man.
I don't think the score really matters. We're just here to showcase our talents.
The only thing that dude's showcasing is that big-ass head.
What did you just say?
Hey, chill. He didn't say nothing.
Why you got to run your mouth to everybody, man?
I get that's your thing.
But, that is a five-star linebacker out of Texas.
He will break you in half.
But he did have a big-ass head, though, right?
Huge.
That's all I'm saying.
(laughs)
Yo, we need another ball out here.
Oh!
- Nice toss. - Thanks.
- Probably the only one I'll throw today. - Reserve?
- Yeah. - Me, too.
- Isaiah Winfield, Arizona. - Jordan Baker, from right here.
- Okay, Cali boy. - Yeah.
Yo, there's some serious talent on this field.
Man, best in the country, and that includes us.
And whether we get into that game or not,
we still get to put on the same uniforms as them.
Says All-American across the front.
It sure would be nice to compete against them though, right?
Yeah.
That dude, right there, is going to 'bama.
That dude's Florida.
- He's Oregon. - Wow.
- Where are you going? - Undecided.
Still trying to find the right fit for me, you know.
How about you?
JUCO for a couple years, and then transfer to D-1.
- The JUCO route's still legit. Grades? - Two concussions.
(indistinct rapping)
Layla?
- Asher, what up, bro? - Hey, Coop.
Have you seen Layla round?
Actually, she's gone for the day.
Only reason I'm here.
It's hard to stay away, isn't it?
I know exactly how that feels.
We've got a lot more in common, all of a sudden.
We were both living our dreams, and then in a blink...
It was gone.
What's next for us, Coop?
I don't know, man.
I am obviously sitting in an empty studio, after hours because I miss it.
So, there's step one.
Does that mean I'll be...
sitting on an empty football field soon?
It's a start.
You know, half of me wants to go to that game
because Jordan and Spencer are both in it.
But, the other half of me...
It's too hard.
You want to be the tiebreaker for me?
I say come to the game, bro.
Support your boys.
Ain't like you got to sit and listen to someone else sing your song.
You know, for what it's worth, Coop,
if someone was singing a song that I wrote,
probably means I wrote a damn good song, so, I'd be proud to listen to that.
That's me, that's me. Come on.
Hey, you remember me, right?
I remember that big-ass head.
- That helmet custom-made for you? - Remember you said that.
Yo, what's your problem, bro?
This is practice for an All-Star game.
Well, I practice the way I play.
- What is going on out there? - It's just Cam being Cam.
This is supposed to be the big leagues, dawg.
Then, why are you here?
- I just showed you why I'm here. - What school are you going to?
- You'll find out tomorrow at half-time. - Wherever you end up,
them skinny legs ain't gonna last one season.
You wanna do this? You wanna do this?
We can do this all day, bro. We can do this all day.
Hey, come on!
What's wrong with you? Guys, stop!
What're you doing? Fighting, 20 minutes into our only practice?
Over what? Who's going to the best college?
How many stars you have next to your name?
You're supposed to be the best players in the country.
Act like it. You're about to play in a game
celebrating how talented you all are, how great you are.
It's supposed to be fun.
Drop your egos for one game and shake hands and knock it off.
I said shake hands! Now!
Play football.
- He got that from me. - No, pretty sure he got that from me.
(Coach Baker) You should have seen him, baby.
Jordan was in complete control.
He was a leader.
I hadn't seen that side of him.
I've seen glimpses of it this year.
I guess Montes has been a good influence on him.
Well, she's definitely challenged him to step up.
Yeah.
Maybe Spencer needs that.
You know, I'd hate to rob him of a mentor.
You know, someone who could build on what we've worked on together.
Wait, are you...
backing out of the Toledo State gig?
I mean, maybe it's time for Spencer to spread his wings, you know?
And let's be honest, with me taking that job,
you know, would completely uproot you.
- Do not do that. - Do what?
Don't make this decision about me, okay?
I am supporting you.
For the first half of our lives,
you spent living in my world.
And you did that for me, for my career.
I will follow you, wherever you want to go.
(announcer) Welcome to Los Angeles, California,
where the best high school football players in the country
have gathered to show off their skills,
in the platinum All-American game.
A number of undecided prospects
will announce their college decisions at half-time.
Thirty-seven former Platinum All-Americans were selected
in the first round of the NFL draft.
So, this is the cream of the crop.
The future of the NFL.
What do you think about this guy over here?
- Yo, Jordan. - Hey, Isaiah.
- I want you to meet my Dad. - Billy Baker.
It's an honor.
- Good to meet you, young man. - Thank you.
- My older brother had your jersey. - For real? Well, tell him I said hi.
I will.
If he needs me to sign or anything, I could do that too.
I don't think he has it no more.
That was a long time ago.
- What the hell are you laughing at? - I'm not. I'm sorry.
- It's good to meet you, Isaiah. - Likewise.
Yeah, Dad.
Yo, man, that was classic.
Yo, I can't believe, your pops was in the NFL.
That's the dream, right?
It's cool. I'm not gonna lie to you, though,
honestly, it was tough, growing up in his shadow.
I mean, everything I did on the field
was always compared to him, you know?
I mean, I almost quit football a few times.
But you didn't.
And now look where you're at. Because you took that pressure
and you turned it into fuel, man.
I did.
I turned into fuel. You're right. Come on, let's warm up.
(Olivia) What is Black excellence?
The easy definition, is it's celebrating the achievements of Black people.
But is it attainable?
Sometimes Black excellence comes with an unrealistic burden attached to it.
Just look at Black athletes.
They're celebrated when they achieve greatness.
But just as quickly torn down, at the slightest glimpse of imperfection,
because they're often seen as commodities.
A Black football player is praised as long as he's scoring touchdowns.
But, any off the field mistake, and the narrative quickly changes to,
"He doesn't really deserve this opportunity".
"Doesn't he know how lucky he is to have this opportunity?"
This burden is unfair, and it's impossible to sustain.
But it's become ingrained in the world that we live in.
That's what I'm talking about.
- Just like home. Come on. - Just like home, baby.
Let us make mistakes without immediately declaring,
"They don't deserve to be here."
And let us strive for greatness without that impossible burden of perfection.
Damn, I almost caught that, bro.
Yeah. I know, man.
Hey, yo, you see me blow past that big headed five-star from Texas?
I'm not going to lie to you. I wouldn't mind
- having that dude on my team. - For real.
Dude is a beast.
When he tackled me on that screen pass, I thought I died for a minute.
- Don't tell him I said that. - I won't.
Hey, it's been dope having you on the same team again, man.
Oh, yeah.
I feel bad for the defense, though.
- We're unstoppable out there, bro. - Facts.
I mean, imagine if you never left Crenshaw.
- Man, you left first. - But I came back.
You're right.
You know, Ohio's going to feel a lot different than Crenshaw, bro.
Yeah, I know.
So, where are you going?
I'm announcing my decision at half-time. You gonna come check it out?
- Maybe. - All right, whatever.
- Hey, yo, Spence? - Yo?
Toledo State's got them some greatness.
They don't even know what's coming.
You're gonna light Ohio up, bro.
They're lucky to have you.
You know what, Cam?
You're damn right.
Hi.
Great first-half.
Were those your plays, carving up that five-star defense?
Some of them were.
But Coach Montes had some gems in there, too.
Well, maybe I should offer her the job.
Actually, maybe you should.
Uh-oh.
- Is this where you turn me down? - Well, Coach,
I went back and forth 20 times, but...
But yeah, I'm going to have to respectfully decline.
I appreciate you considering me, though.
- I do. - I'm sorry to hear that.
Can I ask why?
Now, this is a pretty big opportunity.
It is a big opportunity, but I just feel like
Spencer needs to spread his wings without me by his side, you know.
And, to be honest, I haven't figured out what this next chapter is for me.
Maybe I haven't finished everything I'm supposed to do here,
but again, I appreciate the consideration.
- Good luck. - Thanks, Coach.
In today's game, we have 12 elite prospects
who are currently undecided.
Eight of them will be choosing their college destination, live, right now.
First up is four star wide receiver out of Westlake, California, Cam Watkins.
Cam, I see you've narrowed it down to four lucky schools.
The moment is now yours.
Where will you be spending the next four years?
Well, first, I'd like to thank God, my family, my coaches,
and teammates. Without any of them,
none of this would be possible. So, thank you.
And, with that being said,
I will be taking my talents to...
And, the lucky school is...
Stay tuned.
Okay, so, it appears Cam Watkins
is going to remain undecided for a little while longer.
Stay tuned.
Baker, you're in.
What?
- Go get him. - Get your helmet, boy.
Relax.
- Attaboy, J. - My man.
Coach, can you put Isaiah in?
Winfield, grab a helmet.
Yo! You did that for me?
You earned this, all right?
It's our time now.
We both turned it into fuel. Let's play some football.
(commentator) Western Reserve, Jordan Baker out of California,
checks in at quarterback.
Takes the snap. Third-and-long.
Quick pass to Isaiah Winfield.
And he gets the first down!
Here we go. Gun right tear, one-on-one. Ready?
Hey, hey.
Don't let me overthrow you.
- Not possible. - All right.
Here we go.
Down-set! Wide 60.
Widen and hut!
(commentator) Rolls out.
He throws a deep bomb to Winfield.
Touchdown!
Nice pass, bro.
Get them, J!
If you think you'll finish writing by summer, I'll just go ahead
and book the musicians now, so they'll be available to record.
Okay, I'm cool with that.
How's it going, girl?
Hey, I thought you were at Spencer's game.
I was. And actually, I can't stay. I just...
I wanted to apologize for the past couple of days.
I mean, one minute I'm accusing you of being your pops,
which you're not. And the next,
I'm walking out of the studio without explaining myself.
It's too hard to actually be involved in the mix,
knowing my dream is gone.
Even though I miss it.
Hopefully, I get there.
I don't know. But, I do know, that you have to find a way
to finish these tracks, and I get it.
Well, like I told you, I wish it was you in that booth.
Me too. But that new artist...
- Kim Nitty. - Yeah. She's dope.
I knew it the first time I seen her,
last year, when I battled her. She can get it done.
But if I'm being honest, she doesn't really sound right,
singing my lyrics, because it's my experiences.
It's not her fault.
But, I've seen her do her thing.
So, let her freestyle.
Same sound, her experiences.
I think you could add something magical to the track.
You might be right.
I know I'm right.
Okay.
- Whatever. I'll see you around. - Okay.
- I love you. - I love you, too.
Well, that went well.
- That's a start, right? -(chuckles)
Okay. We'll get back to it.
- Nice pass. - I thought that you weren't coming.
If I'd missed that touchdown, I never would've heard the end of it.
You think you're gonna hear the end of it anyway?
- Holla at y'all. - Yeah.
- You hungry? - I could eat.
I could eat.
After watching the game, I think it's safe to say
Toledo State got the best player in the country.
Coach.
Listen, I appreciate you.
Everything you've done, going out of your way to be here for me today,
but I don't think Toledo State's the right fit for me.
So I've decided to re-open my recruitment.
Who paid you?
- Who paid me? - I'm not stupid.
I know some of these schools got deep pockets.
- That ain't what this is about. - Right.
I should've known something's up when Billy turned me down.
- What are you talking about? - I offered Billy Coach Dante's old job,
best coaching opportunity of his career.
And he just turned me down at half-time.
And now, this.
Yeah, I guess you two got offered a better package deal.
Why didn't you tell me Toledo State offered you Coach Dante's job?
Because I didn't want it to influence your decision.
Well, it would have.
Coach, we could have run it back for four more years.
Believe me, I've thought about it.
But it's time for Spencer James to find a new mentor.
But I learned so much from you, man.
And you'll continue to learn. From other coaches.
Your career is just beginning.
- It just hit me. - What?
That's really it.
- We had a good run, didn't we? - Yeah.
Thank you for coming into my life.
For everything you did for me.
I'll never forget these last two years together.
Neither will I.
Yo, same thing from the top?
Actually, we're going to try something different, so, same arrangement,
but I want you to freestyle your own lyrics.
Think you can do that?
Look, I'm all about that. Let's get it.
(woman singing) No questions asked
(rapping) I feel bad for my competition
God should've never let me in this
Being here my ducks lined up in a row
Would you even knew how to go fishing?
Yeah I got that heat like friction
I got respect like Hillary Clinton
As far as G's go
Yeah, I know who fake And who pretending
I'm eating cheese, sipping vino
Bougie with a ego
Might have to change my name
To Kim Nitty Bambino
I ain't never hiding
Y'all know where to find me
This goes out to everybody
Try the Lord Don't try me
Hey.
Congratulations.
Yes. Your boy balled out today.
And against some of the best athletes in the country.
I know, I caught the second half on TV, and I saw Jordan got into the game, too.
That boy threw a dime for 50 yards.
I think he opened up some eyes today.
- He opened up some eyes. - Yeah.
You hand in your assignment?
Yeah.
And I'm guessing you heard nothing back?
I mean, I don't expect to.
I mean, they gave me a very clear and specific assignment.
- And Simone and I ruined it? - Sort of.
I'm kidding.
I gave them a great story. But...
I don't know. Maybe fun and poppy just isn't my thing.
And, I'm okay with that.
Okay.
- You still want to watch a movie? - Sure.
Let's make some popcorn.
Can the movie be fun and poppy?
- Too soon. - Sorry.
- Did you see me out there today? - I saw.
- When I ducked out that defensive end? - I was there, Jordan.
You know, that guy's going to Florida State, right?
- That's cool. - I mean,
I was just as good as everyone else on that field today.
Dude, it's obvious that you're just as good as any player out there on the field.
Thank you. But I mean, they're all going
Power Five D-1. I'm going to JUCO.
Okay.
And so did Aaron Rodgers.
He turned out all right.
- Really? - Yeah.
He played JUCO for one year.
And showed everybody how unstoppable he was.
After that, he pretty much got to pick whatever school he wanted.
I can do that.
One year. Ball out. Show everyone what I'm capable of.
I mean...
Today I changed the way I view myself.
Next year, I'm gonna change the way everyone else sees me.
I guarantee you.
(Olivia) I thought this was supposed to be funny.
It was in the comedy section.
But it definitely took a turn.
Kind of like your assignment.
Really?
I thought we were still doing the back and forth joke thing.
No. That time has passed.
- Oh. Phone. -(cell phone buzzing)
Oh, my God, it's the editor.
Yeah.
Hello?
Hi.
No. No, it's not too late.
Yes, I know it wasn't what you asked for.
It just kind of took on a life of its own.
Yeah, I understand.
You found someone? That's great.
Listen, I'm sorry that I couldn't deliver
what you wanted. I just...
Oh.
Uh...
Okay.
Thank you.
Okay. Okay, bye.
I know you're not about to leave me hanging right now.
- I got it. - You got it?
She said that they found a fun and poppy writer,
but they loved what I sent them.
And there's always a place
for great stories like that in their publication.
Yeah, there is.
- It's Billy Baker. - Billy, Larry Hudson.
Coach Hudson, hey.
So I heard about Spencer de-committing. And...
Actually, that's why I'm calling you.
Spencer can either hear this from me or from you.
- You decide. - Hear what?
We passed on a lot of the top players at Spencer's position when he signed with us.
They're obviously not available anymore.
This leaves us in a very difficult situation.
Okay, what are you saying?
We're not gonna let Spencer out of his binding letter of intent.
Well, you can't do that.
It's done. We expect Spencer to honor the commitment to us.
Which means, he can come to Toledo State, and have a great career.
Or he can go somewhere else,
and be ineligible to play football his entire Freshman year.
(laughing)