[grand orchestral fanfare playing]
Downloaded from YTS.MX
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX
♪ ♪
[singer vocalizing]
[projector whirring]
-[crackling] -[rumbling]
[wind blowing]
[animal bellowing]
[running hoofbeats]
[grunting, snorting]
[engine roaring]
MAN: Come on! Come on! Come on!
[bellows]
Come on, boys! Let'’s go faster!
Let'’s go! Let'’s go! Let'’s go!
Get alongside it!
Can you picture it?
I mean, what a way to start the movie, right?
Except... it'’s not exactly how it happened.
All right, boys! It'’s camel tonight!
I wasn'’t wearing the Jockey underwear.
-Joe! -What? It'’s the truth.
Well, you can'’t tell them that.
That'’s why I added the Jockey underwear.
[laughs uncomfortably]
Look, if you'’re serious
about turning this into a movie...
that last thing I want
is it making me out to be some sort of choir boy.
I mean, you ask anybody who knows me,
I was a hellion of a kid
who nobody wanted.
I was always in trouble, or causing it.
So...
...if you told me that saying a prayer on the 50-yard line
was the thing that was gonna get me
in the biggest fight of my life,
you can'’t tell me that God doesn'’t have a sense of humor.
We don'’t-- we don'’t know how this thing'’s gonna play out.
I mean, we'’re still waiting to see
if the Supreme Court is even gonna hear the case.
But...
whatever happens,
the one thing everyone needs to know is that...
it'’s all her fault.
What?
That... that is not true.
You'’re being way too humble.
You'’re the one who taught me that there are still things
worth fighting for.
♪ ♪
["Megaforce" by 707 playing]
You ready?
I had just gotten kicked out of Jefferson.
Oh, wait. Maybe it was Baldwin.
DENISE: No, it was Jefferson. Baldwin was later.
JOE: Oh, that'’s right. That'’s right. Thanks, hon.
CHRIS: What'’d you do this time?
Put Ex-Lax in Ms. Jakobiak'’s coffee.
Awesome!
Yeah, man. She gave me three detentions last week.
She deserved it.
-Wanna come over for dinner? -Yeah.
My mom'’s making tuna casserole.
[tires skidding]
-What'’s wrong? -Look. Over there. It'’s her.
The new girl.
She was in my class today.
JOE: What?
[sighs dreamily]
I'’m gonna marry her.
Joey, you'’ve gotta go over there
and tell her that I love her.
Why can'’t you just go do it?
Come on! Go over there and see if she likes me, okay?
Fine.
["Innocence of Love" playing]
JOE: As I walked up the drive,
I swear, time slowed down
like one of those cheesy romance movies.
♪ We have the innocence of love ♪
[exhales deeply]
♪ We hold the-- ♪
-YOUNG DENISE: Wait. -[record scratches]
That'’s not even close to how it happened.
-It'’s not? -No.
That'’s exactly how I remember it.
No. No, what I remember is...
I was playing in the yard,
minding my own business, when...
Will you marry me?
You'’re creepy.
Mom!
[lock clicks]
Okay. Maybe you'’re right.
But you can decide later which way to film it.
[sighs]
Well? What'’d she say?
I'’m gonna marry her.
What? No. I am!
[breathing rapidly]
["She'’s the Medicine" by Hot Mute playing]
JOE: See, I told you. It was my very first fight.
All because of Denise.
[boys grunting]
Off my lawn!
Hey! Hey!
Get off my lawn!
♪ Oh, baby, don'’t make me. ♪
Got it?
Did you miss naptime? Okay.
So, why don'’t you focus on dinner?
We'’ll go to bed afterwards.
-It'’s okay. -[child crying]
What happened?
Got in a fight with Chris.
MOTHER: Joseph Anthony Kennedy!
You'’re gettin'’ mud all over my clean floors!
JOE: So when my birth mother gave me up for adoption,
she was told I was going to an older, wealthy couple
who lived on a farm and couldn'’t have kids.
As you can see, that was a big lie.
Just eat.
[school bell rings]
[echoing slam]
JOE: Oh, I hated school.
Hated it.
So I found other ways to educate myself.
["Call It a Day" by Leon Creek playing]
Yep. I was a pool hustler.
Good game.
-JOE: For a 20% cut... -Thanks.
...the bartender was happy to look the other way.
Best math class I ever had.
While it lasted.
[engine idling]
MOTHER: Get out.
JOE: When no one in the church directory would take me in,
my mom found a family friend
who offered a more... hands-on approach.
♪ ♪
MOTHER: Let'’s go.
[spits]
Bring your gear, boy.
You small and deaf?
I said bring your gear!
[seabirds squawking]
[chuckles]
Who taught you how to use a knife?
We got lines to pull yet.
-Move it. -I'’m trying!
-You talkin'’ back to me, boy? -I said I'’m trying!
And I said you'’re talking back to me, boy!
♪ ♪
Maybe nobody ever taught you any respect.
You ungrateful little bastard.
[grunting]
[grunts]
-Never disrespect me. -JOE: No. No. No!
MAN: What did I say?!
-[thudding blows] -Never disrespect!
♪ ♪
[indistinct chatter]
Oh, my heavens.
-Joey. -Jesus, Mary and Joseph, son.
JOE: My mom swore she didn'’t know.
But it didn'’t matter.
Something inside me had changed.
And no one would ever
knock me around like that again.
Not without a fight.
[dog barking in distance]
-[door slams] -[woman screams]
[muffled yelling in distance]
MAN: All you do is you stay at home all day!
♪ ♪
[muffled yelling continues]
♪ ♪
I-I'’m sorry.
Can I come in?
[yelling continues in distance]
You... like grape?
They'’re my favorite.
[snorts] Mine, too.
Thanks.
What happened to your eye?
My sister hit me with a Barbie doll.
[giggles]
Does it hurt?
Nah.
-[glass shatters] -[woman screams]
Can I ask you something?
♪ ♪
Does it work?
What?
Praying.
I saw you through the door.
I hope so.
[yelling continues in distance]
[woman screaming]
♪ ♪
Don'’t worry.
We'’re safe in here.
You still think I'’m creepy?
I guess you'’re not so bad.
♪ ♪
[birds chirping]
DENISE: Joe claims he fell in love with me at first sight.
It was his letters that made me fall in love with him.
♪ ♪
[muffled yelling in distance]
They let me see the real Joe.
The one that wasn'’t always in trouble.
He has this sweet side that most people don'’t get to see.
Oh, I'’m sure those letters are super cheesy.
[giggles] No, they weren'’t!
No, they-they were what got me through those nights.
Knowing that... that you were there...
as much as you could be.
MOTHER: This is an expulsion, not a suspension.
Do you know the difference in those two words?
-Yeah, but is this necessary? -Just take care of it.
[sighs]
How '’bout you and me go camping this weekend?
Just the two of us.
Really?
You'’re not...
you'’re not mad at me?
No.
Yeah...
-That'’d be cool. -Right.
♪ ♪
JOE: We spent two whole days together,
cooking over a campfire,
looking up at the stars.
It was the first time I ever felt
like he was really my dad.
JOE: What'’s Mom doing?
Joey... there'’s something I gotta tell you.
What'’s going on?
Going on a little trip.
♪ ♪
Mom, we just got back.
You'’re sending me away?
I thought we had a good time.
Joey, you'’re outta control.
It'’s the fighting, the suspensions.
And now you'’re getting expelled again?
You brought this on yourself.
Joey, get back here!
Please come back.
If he tries to hurt you...
...write to me. I'’ll find a way back. Okay?
I'’m gonna marry you, remember?
Wait. Just a second.
-Joey, come on! -Just let him say goodbye.
I wish we'’d never adopted him.
I'’m sorry about the color.
I love the color.
♪ ♪
[sobbing]
♪ ♪
[engine rumbling]
BOY: Oh, what a moppy boy. Look at this kid.
Look at this guy.
Look at his dad.
[chatter continues indistinctly]
GIRL: Is that a trash bag? [laughs]
♪ ♪
Aw. Is this from your girlfriend?
[excited chatter]
♪ ♪
And you must be Joey. Name'’s Ben.
Now, you may be new here,
but we don'’t handle things with our fists.
You understand?
Come on. Inside.
I thought I was fighting because...
because I was angry.
But...
now I can see it was...
to stop the pain.
BEN: I know it'’s not easy ending up here.
But all that fighting isn'’t gonna
stop the turmoil between your ears, son.
Until you'’re ready to let go of that anger...
...it'’s just gonna keep eatin'’ you up inside.
Well... I'’ll call you for dinner.
[birds chirping]
♪ ♪
[insects chirring]
Mom!
Mom, I'’ll stop fighting, I promise!
I just wanna come home!
Joey?
Joey!
Sorry, Ms. Roberts.
I know it'’s early.
You don'’t know, do you?
Joey, they moved.
♪ ♪
-[creaking] -♪ ♪
Mom?
Dad?
Mom!
Is anyone here?
[anguished screaming]
♪ ♪
[screaming continues]
♪ ♪
-[dialogue inaudible] -♪ ♪
[cicadas buzzing]
I want you to look out there and tell me what you see.
I don'’t know.
Bunch of rocks.
What else?
I don'’t see anything else.
Well, look closely.
[sighs]
I see...
...an ugly tree.
Yeah.
It is ugly, ain'’t it?
But you know something?
Everything else has died away
except that tree.
It'’s got scars, sure, but...
it'’s also the toughest son of a gun out there.
You'’re that tree, Joe.
[cicadas chirring, buzzing]
You sayin'’ I'’m ugly?
[laughs softly]
I'’m saying that you are a survivor.
But you can'’t do it alone.
Neither could that tree.
Only God can heal all that hurt and anger.
Why would God care about me?
Nobody else does.
Because God doesn'’t make throwaways.
♪ ♪
Maybe you should give him a try.
JOE: So I did.
DRILL INSTRUCTOR: How lucky am I not to be related
to any of you maggots?
We have reached an all-time low
because you turds smell like shame and sadness!
And your mommies ain'’t gonna show up here
with milk and cookies
to make you feel better about yourselves!
Because I am your mommy now!
JOE: I didn'’t have many options after the boys'’ home, so...
I decided to turn my love of fighting into a career.
Did you just say something, recruit?
-Sir, no, sir! -That'’s what I thought!
The Marine Corps is your last chance!
One, two, three, four, United States Marine Corps!
God, you call these push-ups?
The Marine Corps don'’t want you, recruit!
They don'’t want you!
DENISE: Dear Joe, I'’m finally gettin'’ outta this place.
I don'’t quite know what I'’m gonna do yet,
but I'’m hoping to make something of myself.
-Like you are. -Why don'’t you just quit?
-Go ahead and quit. -Sir, no, sir.
JOE: Dear Denise,
Sorry I'’ve been MIA for a while.
I don'’t think I'’ve ever been this tired in my life.
It'’s the hardest thing I'’ve ever done.
-Crawl! -Move it, recruit!
I love my job.
DENISE: I'’m excited,
and so nervous at the same time.
I wonder if that'’s how you felt, too.
My three-legged dog can do better jumping jacks than this!
JOE: This is the first thing
I haven'’t been able to hustle or steal.
I'’ve had to fight every step of the way and earn it.
That'’s pretty cool.
DENISE: Anyway, here'’s my new address.
Please write soon.
P.S., I hope they aren'’t being too hard on you.
One, two, three, four, I love the Marine Corps!
[insects chirring]
We out here sweatin'’ our asses off
and you would think
that they would give us some decent chow.
Well, if this unit isn'’t gonna respect me...
...I ain'’t got no respect for this unit.
♪ ♪
You stomp on that flag.
Go on!
Are you deaf?
I gave you a direct order!
Go on and stomp on that!
Go on, now!
What y'’all sittin'’ your asses around for?
Stomp on that flag!
That'’s right. Stomp on that flag.
Kennedy!
You dare disobey a direct order?
JOE: Sir, no, sir.
DRILL INSTRUCTOR: You think
you all high and mighty, Kennedy?
Sir, no, sir!
This private will not disrespect his unit flag, sir!
Get your ass over there right now!
Sir, no, sir! This private takes great pride in his unit
and will not disrespect his unit flag, sir!
Then you will get down and you will give me push-ups
until your arms fall off!
-Do you hear me? -Sir! Sir, yes, sir!
Get on the ground and give me push-ups!
Let'’s go!
Come on, now! Oh, you call those push-ups?
My sister can do better push-ups than that!
You can make this stop, Kennedy.
All you gotta do is go over there
and stomp on that flag, Kennedy!
Get over there and stomp on that flag.
Sir, no, sir!
Oh, you something special, don'’t you think, huh, Kennedy?
Come on, now! Those aren'’t push-ups!
Think you'’re some kind of hero, Kennedy?
-Sir, no, sir! -Did I say you could stop?
Did I say you could stop?
What are you doing?
You can make this stop, Kennedy.
All you gotta do is stomp on that flag!
Well, look at the trouble you'’re causing, Kennedy!
Look at the trouble you'’re causing!
Did I say you could stop?
♪ ♪
Get up!
MARINE: Oorah!
-Oorah! -OTHERS: Oorah!
[overlapping shouting]
-Oorah! -Oorah!
-Oorah! Oorah! -Oorah! Oorah!
-Oorah! -Oorah!
-Oorah! Oorah! -Oorah! Oorah!
-Oorah! -Oorah!
-Oorah...
MAN 1: Thinkin'’ about taking that new job.
Hey, what'’s up, man?
MAN 2: Hey, is that Joe?
["Beggars Can'’t Be Choosers" by Tiago Guy playing]
JOE: Becoming a Marine
was the proudest moment of my life.
And I finally felt worthy of the woman of my dreams.
Hey, Joe. Good to see you.
♪ Given your leftovers ♪
♪ Still, I'’m happy to receive ♪
♪ See me smile while you lead me on ♪
JOE: There'’s only so much you can put in a letter.
I guess we both started leaving things out.
Some bigger than others.
♪ In this game, a natural loser ♪
♪ Born to be made use of... ♪
JOE: I'’ve taken a lot of punches in my life...
but that was by far the hardest.
♪ A little love is better than none ♪
[song fades]
[engine idling nearby]
♪ ♪
[closes box]
[splashes]
I didn'’t know you were gonna propose that night.
-Surprise. -[laughs softly]
So I married her cousin.
It made for some pretty awkward family get-togethers.
JOE: Just as my marriage was falling apart,
I got deployed to go fight overseas.
It seemed a bit more of an honorable way to end things.
Or at least that'’s what I told myself.
The Iraqi insurgents lit the oil fields on fire
to try and slow us down.
Uh... the smoke, at times, was so thick
you couldn'’t even see your hand in front of your face.
But I-I guess you'’ll have to
light that scene somehow, right?
♪ ♪
-[lights click] -[electricity buzzes]
-JOE: Hey, Frankie? -FRANKIE: Yeah?
JOE: I bet you I could lasso a camel
-from the back of a Humvee. -[scoffs] Yeah.
MAN [on radio]: Enemy contact! Enemy contact!
Inside the perimeter or outside?
MAN [on radio]: Incoming! Incoming! Gas! Gas! Gas!
[cacophonous artillery fire]
You see '’em? I can'’t see anything, man!
I can'’t see with this mask.
[thunderous explosion]
-[banging on door] -JIMMY: Denise!
Hang on!
♪ ♪
[toilet flushes]
-[pounding on door] -Denise!
I'’ll be right there!
JOE: Dear Denise,
I know it'’s been a while, but...
-Get down. Get down! -[gunfire]
...I don'’t know who else to reach out to.
-[heavy artillery fire] -I hope you'’re happy.
You'’re not thinking of leaving me, are you?
[whispers]: You'’d never see your kids again.
DENISE: Please don'’t worry about me.
You got enough to worry about over there.
Just come home safe.
JOE: Right now, home seems a million miles away.
I gotta get out! I gotta get outta here!
-[screams] -Frankie, no!
♪ ♪
Frankie!
[gunfire slows, distorts]
["Survival" by Sanctus Real playing]
[singer vocalizing]
♪ ♪
♪ I got lost on the way... ♪
JOE: Dear Denise,
I feel like I'’m losing a little more of myself each day.
DENISE: I know what it'’s like to lose yourself.
Sometimes I wonder if God still hears me.
JOE: I'’m trying to hang on.
DENISE: I pray God hears me
'’cause I don'’t know what else to do.
JOE: I hope you'’re okay.
♪ Whoa, I want more than ♪
♪ I want more than survival ♪
♪ More than survival ♪
JOE: Dear Denise,
Thank you for the letter.
I appreciate you praying for me, but...
God seems like a fairy tale over here.
And I feel like I'’m dying a little inside every day.
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ I want to live like a child... ♪
JOE: The one thing war will do
is show you what you really care about.
Please keep writing to me.
It'’s okay. It'’s gonna be okay.
JOE: You'’re the only thing keeping me grounded.
♪ I want to live like a child ♪
♪ To run life wild and free ♪
DENISE: We'’re gonna be just fine.
Mommy'’s here.
We'’re gonna be just fine.
♪ ♪
♪ More than survival ♪
♪ I want more ♪
♪ Yeah, I want more than survival ♪
♪ Oh, whoa ♪
♪ I want more ♪
♪ Yeah, I want more than survival. ♪
I never got that letter.
[inhales deeply]
Took me three tries to escape.
And for the first time, we lost touch.
For nearly ten years.
♪ ♪
[insects chirring]
[Denise sighs]
-Happy birthday, stranger. -Oh, God!
[scoffs]
-Joe? -You didn'’t think I'’d forget,
did you?
Joe Kennedy?
[cries joyfully]
-Oh, Joe! -What?
You scared the heck outta me!
Yeah, I did. I'’m sorry.
What... [laughs]
What in the world are you doing here?
Well, I haven'’t heard from you in forever.
So I just wanted to check up on you.
What happened?
It'’s, um...
It'’s a... it'’s a long story.
Well, hey, can I, uh, can I take you out
and celebrate your special day?
There'’s that café around the corner.
We can get a bite.
-Now? -Yeah, why not?
Uh, I mean...
you aren'’t embarrassed to be seen with me like this?
You look amazing.
♪ ♪
[laughs]
-This is crazy. -[Joe chuckles]
What do you say?
Yes!
You know, you'’re lucky I didn'’t mace you.
I know. Probably not a great idea
surprising you in a dark parking lot.
DENISE: And I had to stop writing you
'’cause I just couldn'’t take the risk.
[train whistle blowing in distance]
I had no idea how bad it had gotten.
-How'’d you get through it? -[laughs]
I prayed.
A lot.
He cut me off from everyone, Joe.
And if I reached out to anybody for help,
he'’d manage to turn them against me, too.
If I had known, I would'’ve
found a way home and kicked his ass.
[laughs]
Is that still your answer for everything?
[Joe chuckles]
Well, it... it'’s kinda my job now.
Okay. Stop. That'’s-- That'’s enough about me.
Tell me-- Tell me more about you.
I heard things didn'’t work out with Nancy.
Yeah. Yeah, we weren'’t... we weren'’t a great fit.
And me being overseas for so long,
that didn'’t help either.
What was it like over there?
A lot of pain and suffering.
Yeah. I...
I'’m sorry. I hope I didn'’t...
No, don'’t... Don'’t apologize.
You'’re what got me through it.
Me? [laughs nervously] What-what do you mean?
I wanna show you something.
Come on. Come on.
Yeah. Just-just right here. Just right here.
What are you...
♪ ♪
You kept '’em.
These letters...
...they'’re what kept me fighting to get back...
to you.
I'’m glad you'’re back.
Hmm.
[fireworks whistle]
[echoing booms]
Wait. Hold on.
I don'’t remember any fireworks.
[laughs] That'’s how I remember it.
[imitates firework explosions]
[Denise laughs]
["True Devotion" by Kristin Diable playing]
JOE: It only took 27 years,
but we finally got hitched.
I always knew it would happen eventually.
The kids had grown up and moved out,
so we went from being empty-nesters
to regular old lovebirds.
♪ You don'’t have to wait, mmm... ♪
-Yes. Yes. -You need to just let me.
Oh, okay. Fine. You take it.
♪ True devotion is learning how to love you as you came ♪
♪ Oh, I'’m learning how to love you. ♪
Hey, Helen. This is Joe.
Is Denise available?
-[marching footsteps] -[recruits chanting]
She what?
♪ ♪
[engine starts]
Can I get you anything else?
Another pillow?
I'’m fine.
[thunder rumbling]
She wasn'’t fine.
[thunder rumbling]
It'’s been an honor.
I had to be there for Denise after her TIA.
Lieutenant!
A transient ischemic attack.
I had had a mini stroke.
Babe, we don'’t have to get into that if you don'’t want to.
No.
No, I think it'’s an important part of the story.
[clock ticking]
Okay. What is wrong?
If you have to ask, then you don'’t understand.
The truth is, uh... after the TIA,
I was an emotional wreck.
It'’s not about what I said. It was how I said it.
Nobody wants bologna for dinner.
You need to just make an effort to hear me.
I was struggling with anxiety, and anger, and depression.
Add to that some PTSD from my first marriage
and you don'’t need to be a therapist
to see that we were in trouble.
You what?
I... I quit my job.
Don'’t you think we should'’ve talked about this?
I'’ve been struggling for months and...
...it'’s like you didn'’t notice.
Oh, how would you even know?
Huh? I can barely get you to look at me anymore.
I didn'’t know how to handle it.
And... in true Joe fashion,
I just made it worse.
This isn'’t about you, Joe. I'’m hurting,
and all you'’re doing is pushing me away.
I feel like I-I'’m living in this house
with a complete stranger for months.
-I'’m trying. -And I just want my wife back.
I said I'’m trying, Joe!
What do you want me to do?
♪ ♪
Nothing.
Do nothing, Joe.
Don'’t.
♪ ♪
PREACHER: How many of you out there today
feel like you'’re trying so hard to hold on?
JOE: I felt completely lost.
PREACHER: But the harder you try...
JOE: I was losing the woman I love
to this thing I didn'’t understand.
[sighs] And I was desperate.
PREACHER: I'’m asking you to come down here
so we can pray for you.
All you have to do...
is give God a try.
♪ ♪
Hey, God. It'’s Joe.
I know it'’s been a while. I'’m sorry about that.
But I really need you.
You know that surrender'’s never been an option for me, but...
I can'’t do this alone.
Please help me.
I can'’t lose Denise.
I can'’t.
So...
if you could somehow fix things for her,
with us...
I promise you...
I'’ll dedicate the rest of my life to you.
♪ ♪
Please, God.
Please.
I'’m sorry, babe.
[Denise sighs, sniffles]
DENISE: I couldn'’t believe he did that,
and put God above everything else.
With everything I'’d been struggling with,
and my first marriage,
I... I don'’t think I was gonna be able to trust any other man
until they were willing to put God first.
I mean, I-I know that'’s why God brought her into my life.
[clicks tongue] And...
Um...
Yeah.
[birds chirping]
Morning!
Morning.
You play football for Northlake?
Oh, no.
You have any interest in coaching?
I-- Not really.
It'’s terrible pay,
and more hours than you can imagine, but...
I got a feeling we can use someone like you.
Just think about it.
JOE: Said he was the athletic director
for your school district.
-Big smile? -JOE: Yep, that'’s him.
[laughs]
He asked me if I was interested in coaching football.
What?
Well...
you want me to follow up with him?
Nah. Don'’t worry about it.
I'’m gonna grab a shower.
["Let Me Live My Life" by 707 playing]
Hey, Coach.
♪ Let me live my life ♪
You'’re up early, Coach.
Good morning, Coach.
♪ I wanna live my life ♪
Good evening, Coach.
[song fades]
[gentle organ music playing]
Hi.
This Smiling Sam character just won'’t take a hint.
He'’s stalking me.
DENISE: I think stalking may be a little strong.
No, he'’s definitely stalking me at this point.
Well...
maybe you should consider his offer.
Coaching? Honey...
only time I'’ve ever played football is in the Marines.
And we kept score by counting broken bones
at the end of the game.
Oh. Right.
Oh, they were fine.
[chuckles softly]
-I mean, mostly. -Uh...
What?
I'’m just wondering if maybe
you'’re being given this opportunity for a reason.
It sounds like a bunch of the boys on that team
are growing up in situations pretty similar
to what you had to deal with.
Maybe God thinks you'’d make a good mentor.
PREACHER: Proverbs 3, 5, and 6
says to trust in the Lord
with all your heart.
When we surrender our lives and plans to him...
he will lead us on a path
that is far greater and more beautiful
than anything we could ever imagine.
[grunts, sniffs]
[sighs]
Can you hear me?
It'’s time for you to stop running.
[dramatic music on TV]
I'’m talking to you.
MAN [on TV]: We'’re a family!
And I know that might scare some of you
because you'’ve never been part of a family.
But I think that'’s why God brought us together.
To show the world
that with a little faith,
just a little faith,
we can do anything.
[cheering on TV]
♪ ♪
All right, God.
All right.
I'’m all in.
Win or lose, I'’m gonna give you thanks after every game.
♪ ♪
[tires screech]
I'’m in.
Oh, yeah.
[indistinct chatter]
Oh, yeah! That'’s what I'’m talking about.
Come on. I see you!
That'’s your captain, huh?
He could use more structure and discipline.
-That'’s what I hired you for. -[laughs] Good luck with that.
These boys can'’t even spell "discipline."
Number 13 should be your captain.
HEAD COACH: Johnson? The kicker?
Sam, this is your experiment.
So let'’s give it a try.
Can'’t wait to see how this one works out.
Let'’s go, boys! Bring it in!
Hustle!
This is Coach Kennedy.
He is a retired Marine drill instructor.
He has joined our staff
and he'’s gonna be making changes to the program.
Starting with team captain.
Can I have your captain'’s jersey, please?
Is this for real right now?
You can earn it back.
What, this a joke? [laughs]
Coach, who is this guy?
Johnson.
You'’re captain now.
[whistle blows]
HEAD COACH: Take a lap!
Great first impression.
["Play With Fire" by Sam Tinnesz playing]
ANNOUNCER: Wolverines are looking strong tonight,
and continue to have a great season.
♪ I love the smell of gasoline ♪
♪ I light the match to taste the heat ♪
♪ I'’ve always liked to play with fire ♪
♪ Mm, yeah, mm, yeah ♪
♪ Mm, yeah ♪
♪ Play with fire ♪
♪ Mm, yeah, mm, yeah ♪
♪ I'’ve always liked to play with fire ♪
♪ Yacht money wired, no denying ♪
♪ I'’ve always liked to play with fire. ♪
ANNOUNCER: And that'’s the game, folks.
Where you going?
ANNOUNCER: ...just the second defeat of the season.
There was just no opportunity
to get into a good rhythm tonight.
[announcer continues indistinctly]
♪ ♪
Please. J-Just hear me out.
I think I can fix this.
Liz, please. Don'’t.
[exaggerated laughter]
Aw...
[laughter continues]
Now what'’s he doing?
[whistle blows]
All right, team, load it up.
Let'’s go. Come on.
Every plate we got. Let'’s go. Everything we got.
Double time. Come on. Hustle! Hustle! Let'’s go.
[clanking]
There we go. There we go.
So, team, what do you think of Johnson?
I think homie just got benched by his boo.
-[laughter] -JOE: I know, right?
I mean, who lets his girl disrespect him like that?
I mean, maybe... maybe he'’s not fit to lead.
-That'’s enough. -No, no. I apologize, Coach.
I really blew it.
I picked the wrong guy to captain this team.
He is so weak...
that I bet he couldn'’t pull that sled five yards,
and I sure know he'’s not gonna be able
to pull it to the 50-yard line.
Gimme your captain'’s jersey.
Let'’s go, Johnson.
I want you to prove us wrong,
so then you can earn this back.
You got it in you?
Then let'’s go.
Prove it to us, Johnson.
Just five measly yards, Johnson.
-[laughter] -Johnson!
-Is that all you got? -Kennedy! That'’s enough.
No, no. Let'’s let '’em. Come on. Laugh it up at Johnson.
-Let'’s go! -[exaggerated laughing]
Kennedy! I said that'’s enough.
Does he look like a leader to you?
-No. -No, sir.
♪ ♪
[grunting softly]
You sure about that?
[grunting]
I got you. I got you.
♪ ♪
All right, y'’all, we'’re goin'’ on three. We'’re goin'’ on three.
One, two, three.
♪ ♪
-[whistle blows] -JOE: Huddle up!
This team...
will never get a win
if you don'’t have your captain'’s back.
He didn'’t quit on you and you won'’t quit on him.
Family never gives up on family.
-Understood? -ALL: Yes, sir!
-I didn'’t hear you! -ALL: Yes, sir!
Rub some dirt on it.
[soft laughter]
-What are we? -Family!
-Who are we? -Wolverines!
-What are we? -Family!
-Who are we? -Wolverines!
-What are we? -Family!
-Who are we? -Wolverines!
[yelling]
[all join in rallying cry]
♪ ♪
DENISE: When Joe started coaching,
it expanded our family.
[boys cheering]
-No! -[all groan loudly]
["Let'’s Get Together" by The Fever Dreams playing]
BOYS: One, two, three!
[grunting shouts]
[whistle blows]
Set, hut!
There we go. Nice.
We got this. Do those.
JOE: We were teaching these guys a lot more than just football.
Joe still doesn'’t have this right.
JOE: Set! Hut!
Drive up.
Go home.
There we go.
[cheering]
♪ Come on, come on, it'’s now or never ♪
[crowd cheering wildly]
♪ So come together, come on ♪
♪ Get together, come on ♪
♪ I know you'’re livin'’ a fast life ♪
Slide. Slide right.
♪ But you'’re carryin'’ a heavy load ♪
♪ You say no one can help you but they just might ♪
♪ Get you where you wanna go ♪
♪ Come on ♪
♪ Come on, come on, it'’s now or never ♪
♪ We ain'’t ever gonna get there, friend ♪
♪ So come together, come on ♪
♪ Hey, get together, come on ♪
♪ Oh, yeah-ah ♪
♪ Come together, come on ♪
♪ Oh, let'’s come together, come on ♪
JOE: I never thought of my job as training football players.
To me, my job was to teach young guys how to become men,
and set a good example.
Well... most of the time.
♪ Oh, let'’s come together, come on ♪
Down, up! Down, up!
Hey, Coach! Can we pray with you?
A free country.
["Let'’s Get Together" continues]
♪ Come together, come on ♪
[groaning] Oh...
♪ Oh, let'’s come together, come on ♪
[grunting] Oh, boy.
It'’ll be all right, Coach. Just-just rub some dirt on it.
[laughter]
-What are we? -Family!
-Who are we? -Wolverines!
♪ Now come together, come on ♪
♪ Yeah, get together, come on ♪
-What are we? -Family!
-Who are we? -Wolverines!
One, two, three!
Wolverines!
[all cheering]
[crowd cheering]
ANNOUNCER: That'’s another Wolverine victory!
[cheering fades]
God, you are awesome.
Thank you for the privilege to play this sport that we love.
Thank you for watching over these players tonight
and protecting them during the game.
Thank you for giving them the talent to play this game
and get '’em home safe tonight.
Bless their families. Amen.
BOYS: Amen!
♪ ♪
-[knocks] -Denise?
Could I see you in my office for a minute, please?
Sure, Bruce.
[Denise sighs]
So I'’m supposed to tell the kids they can'’t pray with me?
Well, that'’s what the district is saying.
They'’re worried it looks like you'’re forcing them to do it.
Forcing them?
Oh, come on. That'’s the dumbest thing I ever heard.
I guess I was wrong about this being a free country.
Come on, Joe. You know it'’s not that simple.
There'’s more.
They want you to pray in the locker room
where the kids can'’t see.
What?
What do they want me to do, pray in the broom closet?
Are you kidding me?
They want me to hide like I'’m committing some sort of crime.
-Joe. -No, I mean, do you not see
how absurd this is?
Well, apparently the district got another call,
so everybody'’s just a little bit on edge.
For a 15-second prayer.
You know it doesn'’t matter where you pray.
Yeah, but you know what? It matters to me.
Okay. I'’m not the enemy here.
I get it. It'’s not fair.
Nobody cared for years. Now they do.
This is what the district, as your employer,
-is asking you. -[sighs]
Joe?
Joe, wait... I'’m talking to you. What are you doing?
JOE: I'’m praying.
Right. [chuckles]
♪ ♪
[crowd cheering]
JOE: Blast '’em! Blast '’em! Blast '’em!
21! 21! 21!
Let'’s go! Let'’s go! Let'’s go!
-[boys grunt] -Let'’s go, baby.
Go, baby! There we go! There we go! Come on!
Let'’s go!
[cheering]
ANNOUNCER: Touchdown, Wolverines!
What a play!
Great game tonight, fellas. Great focus.
Way to play. Way to hustle.
ANNOUNCER: Staying focused on the game,
and attacking where it counts.
Standout play by Kennedy
for that first-quarter touchdown
really set the tone for the game.
With that risky two-point conversion,
they executed before the half...
-Coach! Can we pray with you? -Hey, fellas. I'’m sorry,
but not tonight.
This is my fight, and I'’m just,
I'’m sorry you'’re getting pulled into the middle of it.
Doesn'’t look like he'’s gonna comply.
-Kennedy! -Not sure. We'’ll see.
Kennedy!
School district gave you a directive.
You are not to pray on the field.
Maybe do your job
and get them in the locker room.
♪ ♪
[sighs]
♪ ♪
God, forgive me for wussing out.
From now on, I'’m gonna kneel right here
on this 50-yard line like I promised you.
No matter what.
♪ ♪
Whoa.
♪ ♪
[crowd cheering]
ANNOUNCER: Wolverines, and what a play!
[all cheering]
Great work! Great work, guys!
Great work! Good job!
All right! Great game, fellas. Great game!
Way to hustle tonight.
You told him, right?
Yep.
Don'’t do it, Joe. You know what this means.
♪ ♪
[birds chirping]
[cell phone vibrating]
Is that yours?
Yeah, I think so.
Who is it? What is going on?
[Joe grunts]
[cell phone vibrating]
[beeps]
-Hey, Caleb. -[over phone]: Hey, Dad.
-Everything all right? -Yeah.
You just gotta turn on Sports Overtime.
-You aren'’t gonna believe it. -Yeah, okay.
-I love you. -I love you too, son.
Yeah, bye. Turn on the TV.
All right.
NEWSWOMAN: ...in the world of high school sports,
but overnight, football Coach Joe Kennedy'’s
-social media post... -Oh, my Lord.
...went viral,
claiming he expects to be fired
for taking a knee in prayer after Friday night'’s game.
-[phone beeps on] -Hello?
-[indistinct chatter on phone] -Who is this?
Yeah, you know what?
Yeah, I think you should hang up
before I say something that I'’m really gonna have to pray about.
Yeah, that'’s right.
-NEWSMAN: ...to the point where we must ask... -Jerk.
...what freedom is next
to be sacrificed on this altar of so-called tolerance?
[cell phone vibrating]
And it once again calls into question...
Hey, listen, buddy, I suggest
you forget this phone number before I--
Yeah, who'’s asking?
NEWSMAN: ...that Coach Kennedy risked his life to protect...
Yeah, I got it.
...as a Marine and a combat veteran.
If these rights are no longer safeguarded
for every American,
it will be of grave concern to the state of the union, Karen.
Powerful commentary, Raymond. Thank you.
We'’re gonna follow this story as it continues to develop.
You the Liberty Bell guy?
First Liberty. Yes. Steve Ford.
-Semper Fi. -Semper Fi.
-Come on in. -Thank you.
The bottom line is this:
I believe they violated your rights.
But if it goes to trial, these cases can take years to litigate
and there'’s no guarantee a judge is gonna rule in your favor.
You up for that kind of fight?
I'’ve been fighting my whole life.
This is an entirely different type of fight, Joe.
Normally, I would advise you
to talk things over with your wife.
But she works for the district
and that can make things complicated for the both of you.
If you decide to move forward.
Yeah. She'’ll be on board.
Okay.
Okay. We'’ve got your back.
Let me know if you wanna file the complaint.
Okay.
[Denise sighs]
♪ ♪
Pretty awkward position you put me in, Joe.
Didn'’t wanna include me in this decision?
Uh... I didn'’t think it was gonna be that big of a deal.
Oh, it'’s a big deal.
How do you think the superintendent looked at me
when I didn'’t even know my husband had filed a complaint?
I guess I thought you'’d be more supportive.
Did you even consider how this might affect my job?
Coaching may be a part-time thing for you,
but this is my career.
Would have been nice not to be blindsided.
All right, hold on.
You know what they'’re doing is wrong.
I'’m just trying to do the right thing.
The right thing for who?
I'’ve worked really hard to get here.
Now thanks to you, I'’m doing damage control.
Come on. Denise...
♪ ♪
[sighs]
Get you anything else?
No, just... [clears throat] just the check.
MAN: Education, not indoctrination!
You got it?
Coach is wrong!
Keep religion out of our public school!
Keep it out of school!
Hey, guys, focus on the game. Ignore them.
Focus on the game.
♪ ♪
[shouting continues]
[game buzzer rings]
Stay focused! Ignore all this craziness.
Let'’s go. Stay focused. Let'’s go. Stay focused.
-Come on. -We got you, Coach.
No matter what. Family.
[marching band plays in distance]
Surprised to see you here this evening.
Just supporting the team.
If I were you, I'’d be embarrassed to show my face.
Look at this.
Enjoy the second half.
SAM: This is a mess.
This mess is on you.
I'’ll take care of it.
JOE: Stay focused. Head in the game. Head in the game.
You guys are doing great. Down by a score, come on.
♪ ♪
You see those signs? Huh?
You hear the things that they'’re yelling at us?
Hey, I know you'’re fired up, but please just do not engage.
You'’re darn right I'’m fired up,
because these boys don'’t deserve this.
How are they supposed to concentrate on this game
with all that crap going on out there?
Look, Joe, this is gonna get ugly.
People are gonna be coming for your head.
Just waiting for you to lash out or make a wrong move,
and the press will rip you apart if you lose your cool.
He'’s right, Joey.
Ben?
Been a long time, son.
It'’s all right, Steve.
Wow.
What are you doing here?
Well, I was just sitting in my La-Z-Boy watching the news,
all of a sudden, I see your mug causing trouble again.
But this time, it'’s for something worthwhile.
I don'’t know, Ben.
I mean, maybe this whole thing was a bad idea.
You'’re following orders.
It'’s just they'’re coming from a little higher up
than you'’re used to.
Yeah, but... but why me of all people?
I mean, you know me better than anyone.
I'’m no saint, Ben.
No. But you'’re a fighter.
Always have been.
♪ ♪
You remember that ugly tree I showed you way back when?
Saying I'’m still ugly?
Joey, that tree'’s still standing.
You know why?
Because God has a plan for that tree.
So he made sure that it got just enough water
so it wouldn'’t dry up.
Just enough wind
so it would learn to bend and not break.
God has been preparing you
for this fight your whole life, Joey.
I am so proud of you, son.
[Joe sighs]
Good man.
-Hey, come meet the team. -All right.
You might be able to inspire them.
♪ ♪
I'’m so sorry, Joe.
But it'’s my job as head of HR to inform you
that you are hereby terminated from your coaching position
for insubordination.
Would you please stop telling people I fired you?
But you have to admit it makes for a better story.
-Right? -Okay.
Thankfully, the school district
did not make me fire my own husband.
JOE: Meanwhile, I learned that going to court
is nothing like what you see onLaw & Order.
I had to sit there and listen to this lawyer spew lies about me.
Oh, I wanted so badly to stand up and throat punch him.
But my lawyer wouldn'’t let me.
COURT OFFICER: Please rise.
♪ ♪
JOE: One judge actually said
that he was forced to rule against me
because of today'’s political climate.
[echoing thud]
Which is a complete load of garbage.
I hate this part.
♪ ♪
So this is the new-look Warren Elementary School,
and what we found was that
children learn better with natural light,
so we added all these windows here and here.
And you see all these windows here.
This actually helps the children to...
♪ ♪
DENISE: Once people learned that Joe was my husband,
it got ugly.
[people whispering]
♪ ♪
DENISE: I was told I should'’ve been fired, too.
I finally had my dream job
and, overnight, I lost the respect
of my colleagues and friends.
♪ ♪
Suddenly, I was a target.
And... [inhales deeply]
I became resentful.
[Joe clears throat]
I was gonna ask about your day.
Well, I can'’t tell you because...
apparently I'’m a conflict of interest everywhere.
I'’m being attacked on all fronts
because you refuse to take a knee in the locker room.
You sure this isn'’t because part of you likes the attention?
DENISE: Where I used to turn to God,
I struggled with resenting him, too.
PREACHER: So we can pray for you...
DENISE: I just couldn'’t understand how Joe and I
were on completely different pages.
PREACHER: ...and watch how he steps in...
♪ ♪
I didn'’t understand then why he was doing what he was doing.
And, uh, I didn'’t know how to tell her.
You'’re appealing to the Supreme Court? Seriously?
Yes. Seriously.
We can'’t quit now.
Steve says what the Ninth Court did today
would make it possible for anyone
to be fired for even the tiniest religious display.
Okay, I-I love that you wanna defend and-and protect everyone,
Joe, but God doesn'’t need you to defend him.
I'’m not defending God.
I'’m defending the people of this country.
Yeah, the same people who are sending us hate mail.
Some of them who are Christians who don'’t
think you need to be praying on the street corner.
That is their right.
To have a different opinion.
And like it or not, I am fighting for those people, too.
I need to finish this.
Well, I hope it'’s worth it.
♪ ♪
[Joe sighs]
♪ ♪
[truck door opens, closes]
♪ ♪
[mellow blues music plays over speakers]
WAITRESS: Can I get you boys anything else?
JOE: No, I think we'’re good. Thanks, Abby.
I suppose you'’re gonna want to pray over your coffee.
Well, as long as you promise to be offended.
All right, that'’s it. I'’m outta here.
Thomas.
Please.
[Thomas sighs]
Look. First thing you need to understand is that...
I never asked those kids to pray.
Or invited them to pray with you?
No.
Not even once?
Not even once. Was never about them.
You didn'’t make it where those kids
felt like they needed to pray to play?
Absolutely not. That would'’ve been so wrong.
Oh, come on.
You weren'’t trying to convert them?
No. Never.
Look, I'’m a Marine...
and the Constitution means something to me.
Our religious freedoms, they...
they belong to every single American
no matter what they believe,
and I don'’t want anybody taking those away from us.
Doesn'’t matter to me who you believe in,
whether it'’s God or Allah or...
unicorns.
So it is just the principle of it.
It'’s always been a freedom thing.
Can I get some cream?
[sighs]
Thank you.
You'’re like Peter.
Peter who?
Peter the apostle.
Oh, right. Right.
Uh, I'’m not, uh...
I'’m not much of a biblical scholar.
That'’s all right. That'’s okay. It'’s...
Let me put it another way. Um...
If Jesus were Batman,
Peter'’d be his Robin.
Got it.
When Jesus was arrested, they asked Peter three times
if he knew Jesus.
All three times, he denied knowing him.
You were asked three times by the school district
to stop praying.
But instead of denying your faith...
you did what Peter couldn'’t do.
You stood by what you believed in.
Faced the consequences.
Hmm.
You know, you...
you say you don'’t believe in God, but...
you sure know a lot about the Bible.
A lot of people are raised as Christians...
but get turned off by...
bad experience.
Yeah.
Yeah, it'’s unfortunate, but I understand.
♪ ♪
Look, have...
have you ever had a bad experience at a restaurant?
Who hasn'’t?
Right.
Don'’t let one bad meal keep you from being fed.
So as I'’m sure you all know,
we'’ve had trouble at the high school
with one of our employees.
And we'’ve had to--
Sorry I'’m late. I missed the email.
No, you didn'’t.
I'’m afraid you can'’t be here.
This is about your husband, and we'’re gonna be a while.
Why don'’t you, uh, why don'’t you
take the rest of the afternoon off?
So the decision was made to hire legal counsel.
Right. Okay.
Oh, hey. Denise just walked in,
so I'’ll talk to you tomorrow, Steve.
Yeah. Thanks.
What'’s going on?
Uh... [chuckles]
Supreme Court turned us down.
Joe, I'’m... I'’m so sorry.
I mean, maybe... maybe this is a good thing.
-Maybe we can finally start-- -No.
-You won'’t believe this. -What?
They'’re actually gonna give us a second chance.
Mm-hmm.
Steve said he'’s never seen this happen in his career.
I mean, a second chance?
I thought the Supreme Court
either takes the case or they don'’t.
Apparently, they think the lower courts
made some mistakes.
They practically handed us a roadmap to hear it next time.
Next time?
I can'’t do this again, Joe.
It'’s been three years of our lives
turned completely upside down.
Y-You'’ve promised me it was gonna be over soon.
Yeah, but that was before we knew the lower courts messed up.
[stammers] I have tried to be patient.
-Have you? -I have.
Because I'’ve needed you more than anyone by my side
but it doesn'’t feel like you'’ve been there, Denise.
Are you kidding?
I...
I have been there.
I... I have been the collateral damage
to this whole thing,
and-and now you wanna do it all over again.
♪ ♪
Just stop fighting, Joe.
For-for once in your life.
You'’re just dragging us through this whole mess
because you refuse to surrender.
This is me surrendering.
I don'’t know how else to make you see.
Yeah, we'’re getting some backlash,
but people from all over the country
are sending in letters of support, thanking me,
thanking me for taking a stand.
Aren'’t we more important?
I can'’t stop. Not now.
You can'’t or you won'’t?
I can'’t.
-[sobbing] -I'’m sorry.
And I can'’t keep hurting you either.
-I'’ll go. -No.
Joe!
Wait. That doesn'’t solve it. Please.
Joe, wait!
♪ ♪
-[clattering] -[grunts]
Joe. Joe?
Joe! Joe.
Joe! Are you okay?
[grunts] Yeah.
What happened?
Joe.
I can'’t stop.
What?
I promised God that if he'’d heal our marriage,
that I would do whatever he asked.
And making this stand is what he'’s asked of me.
And it...
should'’ve been our decision from the start.
Not just mine.
And I never meant to hurt you.
I hope you can forgive me for that.
'’Cause I can'’t do it without you.
♪ ♪
It took you falling on your head to figure that out?
[laughs] Yeah, it did.
-[sniffles] -[sighs]
[sighs] I love you.
JOE: I thought I had lost her.
Again.
It'’s like God intervened at that very moment.
Coincidence?
[laughs softly]
I mean, I did ask you to fix the handrail several times.
But I didn'’t.
[both laugh softly]
Denise.
Yeah.
What is it gonna take before your husband gives up
this ridiculous crusade of his?
[scoffs]
You know, I-I really don'’t appreciate your tone.
Don'’t ever speak to me about my husband like that again.
You understand?
♪ ♪
JOE: The district court and the Ninth Circuit
both upheld their rulings
and-and we'’ve been waiting on pins and needles
to see if the Supreme Court'’s even gonna hear the case.
So I took a job to help pay the bills.
[grunts]
Yes.
I'’m a gravedigger.
[dog whines]
The cool thing is, I don'’t have to worry
about offending the people I'’m working around.
-Yeah? -STEVE: Joe, they'’re taking the case.
["I'’m On My Way" by Evan Olson playing]
♪ Now I see why I'’ve always been hiding behind my heart ♪
♪ I'’m standing up tall ♪
♪ And I'’m ready to make a new start ♪
♪ New start ♪
♪ Yeah, I'’m on my way ♪
♪ Hang up the phone ♪
-♪ Jump over... ♪ -JOE: Denise!
-♪ I'’m on my own ♪ -Joe?
♪ Don'’t try to stop me chasin'’ my dreams ♪
What'’s wrong?
Joe... are you okay?
We did it.
We'’re going to the Supreme Court, baby.
They'’re gonna hear our case.
-What? Joe! -Yes!
Oh, thank you, Lord.
-Oh, Joe. Joe! -[laughs]
Oh, God, you stink, hon. You need a shower.
[indistinct chanting]
♪ ♪
How crazy is this?
Hey.
I'’m proud of you.
No matter what happens.
♪ ♪
Hey, Coach!
How '’bout a prayer?
JOE: God, you'’re awesome.
Thank you for this crazy journey,
for Denise, for people you put on our team.
Whatever happens, I'’m grateful.
-Amen. -Let me get this straight.
You'’re telling me my client can'’t get in?
No, sir.
Fine. Hey, Coach. Hold up.
COVID restrictions.
They'’re only allowing key personnel inside.
Press.
[Joe clears throat]
[sighs, scoffs]
This should be illegal.
After all these years, I can'’t even attend my own trial?
-I mean, what a joke. -Hey.
You'’ve been fighting your whole life.
Now'’s the hard part.
You gotta trust in God.
Let him finish it.
JOE: I bet you were hoping to see
the Supreme Court case.
You know what?
So was I.
"Decision will take a couple of months."
Heard that story before.
-♪ ♪ -[mower whirring loudly]
Lawyers are all the same.
Is this bologna?
Hurry up and wait.
-[mower powers down] -[cell phone vibrating]
[cell phone vibrates]
Hello?
♪ ♪
[sighs deeply]
[notification pings]
Here we go.
Here we go. It'’s in.
[sighs] Okay, Lord. Your will be done.
"The Supreme Court rules six-three in favor of...
...Praying Coach."
♪ ♪
Joe, you won.
-We won? -Yes!
We won! Ah!
-STEVE: Yes! -JOE: We won!
We won! Ah!
STEVE: Wait, wait, wait. Listen to this. Listen to this.
Gorsuch writes, "Respect for religious expressions
"is indispensable to life in a free and diverse Republic.
"Here, a government entity sought to punish an individual
"for engaging in a personal religious observance
"based on the mistaken view it has the duty
"to suppress religious observances
"even as it allows comparable secular speech.
"The Constitution neither mandates
"nor tolerates that kind of discrimination.
"Mr. Kennedy is entitled to summary judgment
on his religious exercise and free speech claims."
You did it, Joe. [laughs]
We did it.
♪ ♪
[slurping]
Oh, yeah. Thanks, babe.
Mmm.
["Unrestrained" by Sanctus Real playing]
Hey.
We won.
♪ If love is like a mirror... ♪
They'’ll never take... our freedom!
Oh, dear.
Sorry.
Joe...
♪ Wants to run and hide... ♪
You know... there'’s probably a million other people
more qualified for this than me.
Well, I guess that just goes to show that God can use anyone.
No matter how average they think they might be.
Think they'’ll actually make a movie about us?
I don'’t think so.
-Yeah. It'’s a long shot. -Hmm.
Oorah.
-♪ '’Cause I want your love ♪ -♪ I want your love ♪
-♪ To be unrestrained ♪ -♪ Oh ♪
-♪ Tearin'’ down walls ♪ -♪ Tearin'’ down walls ♪
♪ Breaking these chains ♪
-♪ Wanna hear your voice ♪ -♪ I wanna hear your voice ♪
-♪ Callin'’ my name ♪ -♪ Callin'’ my name ♪
♪ Wanna feel your love... ♪
Hey, everyone. I'’m the real Joe Kennedy.
If you'’re like me
and don'’t understand all that legal mumbo jumbo,
my buddy Willie Robertson'’s gonna explain
how important it was to overturn the Lemoncase.
Hey, y'’all. Here'’s the deal with Lemon.
In 1971, the Supreme Court completely stacked the deck
against anything religious appearing in public.
Monuments, prayer,
certain religious attire...
Everything was on the chopping block
simply at a judge'’s whim.
Because of Lemon, any judge could rule
that a public display of religion was unconstitutional
simply because they wanted to.
It created a hostile environment
to religion nationwide.
What Coach Kennedy did,
and what the government might not want you to realize,
is that Lemonis now as dead as a duck
when it falls in the decoys.
Which means you now have more religious freedom
than you'’ve had in the last 50 years.
Where nativity scenes and menorahs were removed,
they can come back out.
Where all the monuments of the Ten Commandments
were put into storage, they can come back out, too.
Where prayers were once banned, they'’re now protected.
And that'’s not just for Christians.
Y'’all means all.
♪ Be brave ♪
♪ Stand up for freedom, stand for truth ♪
♪ And don'’t be afraid ♪
♪ You got a voice that you can use ♪
♪ So go on and speak out ♪
♪ The time is right now ♪
♪ If you wanna keep that flame of liberty ablaze ♪
♪ Stand up and be brave ♪
♪ Whoa, stand up and be brave ♪
♪ Oh, oh ♪
♪ We'’re the generation ♪
♪ That has to make a choice ♪
♪ Will we push against this evil ♪
♪ Or will we watch while it destroys ♪
♪ What so many died to give us ♪
♪ This great country that we live in ♪
♪ There'’s a heavy price for freedom ♪
♪ And this is how we keep it ♪
♪ Be brave ♪
♪ Hey, stand up for freedom, stand for truth ♪
♪ And don'’t be afraid ♪
♪ You got a voice that you can use ♪
♪ So go on and speak out ♪
-♪ The time is right now ♪ -♪ Right now ♪
♪ If you wanna keep that flame of liberty ablaze ♪
♪ Stand up and be brave ♪
♪ Oh, stand up and be brave ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ We are the people ♪
♪ The red, white, and blue ♪
♪ Will you stand for me? ♪
♪ '’Cause I will stand for you ♪
♪ We are the people ♪
♪ With different points of view ♪
♪ Will you stand for me? ♪
♪ '’Cause I will stand for you ♪
♪ Let'’s be brave ♪
♪ Stand up for freedom, stand for truth ♪
-♪ And don'’t be afraid ♪ -♪ Oh ♪
♪ '’Cause you got a voice that you can use ♪
♪ So go on and speak out ♪
♪ The time is right now ♪
♪ If you wanna keep that flame of liberty ablaze ♪
♪ Stand up and be brave ♪
♪ Oh, you gotta stand up and be brave ♪
♪ Stand up for what'’s right ♪
-♪ Oh ♪ -♪ Stand up for what'’s true ♪
♪ And be brave ♪
♪ Be brave for your children ♪
♪ Be brave for your family ♪
♪ Be brave for your future ♪
♪ Be brave for your country ♪
♪ Be brave. ♪
[song fades]