Released:
1973-12-05

Overview:
A searing commentary on the "win at all costs" mentality of American high school sports. David Lee Birdsong is the smalltown quarterback hoping to escape with a college scholarship and a pro career. David's father is the overbearing taskmaster vicariously living through his son. The third side of the triangle is Coach Marshall, a hypercritical and cruel man who sees David as the key to his future success. David's lockstep commitment to his father and coach is altered when he witnesses a teammate die after a grueling practice.

Director:
Jerrold Freedman

Runtime:
1h 13min

Genre:
Drama, TV Movie

• Cast:
• 
  Ben Johnson
  as
  Dwayne Birdsong
• 
  Gary Busey
  as
  David Lee Birdsong
• 
  Larry Hagman
  as
  Coach Marshall
• 
  William Lucking
  as
  Dennis Birdsong
• 
  David Doyle
  as
  Mr. Schmidt