Never Give Up (2023)

[bunniefuu]

(logo whooshing)

(funky music)

('No Easy Road'

By Rick Eldridge)

Ain't no easy road

It ain't no

easy road No no

It ain't no easy road

This old road we're

traveling on

Many have stumbled,

slipped and fell

carring that

load Heavy load

Heavy load

Ain't no easy road

This road is

rocky and bare

Drive along that

desolation everywhere

Everywhere!

Desolation everywhere

If you're lost and

lonely, you can try the road I'm

on

The road is narrower,

but each step lead you home

If you're weak and

weary, you can just reach out

your hand

Find the strength you need

to help you stand

Ain't no easy road

It ain't no easy road

Ain't no easy road

Welcome to the 15th

World Games for the Deaf.

You're joining

our coverage

of the men's singles

tennis finals.

I'm Dan Cort,

along with good friend and

tennis legend Stan Smith.

Stan, good to see you.

It's great to be here.

Yeah, we really felt

like there would be

a little more drama

and competition to this match,

but it just hasn't turned

out that way, has it?

You're right, Dan.

I really thought newcomer Brad

Minns would have a great sh*t

against the reigning gold

medalist, Jeff Osborne.

But that's not what's

happening today.

[Dan] Yeah, Osborne won

the gold in Cologne in '81

in men's singles

and men's doubles.

And he's just been

dominant today,

clinching the first two sets,

and he's way up in the third,

just points away from victory.

So let's join the action

on court number one.

We are in the third set of

the men's singles finals.

(ball smacking)

(crowd cheering)

Well, that just

about seals the deal.

[Stan] It'll take

a miracle now, Dan.

[Luis] Why are we coming

if everyone else is leaving?

[Deb] Come on, Luis!

This way.

What are we doing?

This event is not

on my schedule.

You're gonna get me

fired from the paper.

If you're going to date me,

then you need to

understand Deaf tennis.

Brad, my mixed doubles partner.

I promise you this will be the

best match you've ever seen.

[Luis] Maybe not.

That big dude

is way ahead.

[Dan] Osborne is

serving now for the match,

so let's watch as USA's Jeff

Osborne brings home the win.

(suspenseful music)

(ball smacking)

- (crowd cheering)

- Yeah, Osborn!

Osborne leads, 40-love.

Five games to love.

Third set.

Game set, match point.

Match point, Osborne.

I know.

(peaceful music)

[Brad] God, help me.

(dramatic music) (ball smacking)

[Umpire] 40-15.

(crowd applauding)

(ball smacking)

40-30.

[Dan] This is

getting interesting.

[Stan] Minns is staying strong.

It looks like Osborne is

getting a bit tentative.

[Dan] Minns is

really going for it.

[Stan] He's

pressing Osborne, wow.

[Umpire] 40-all.

Deuce.

[Dan] This is what we've

been expecting, this match.

(dramatic music) (ball smacking)

[Umpire] Out.

Advantage Minns.

(Crowd Cheers)

(dramatic music)

(ball smacking)

(case clatters)

Game, Minns.

[Stan] The kid can play.

[Umpire] Osborne leads,

five games to one, third set.

Looks like we're staying.

At least for one more game.

My hearing aids were

knocked out of my tennis bag.

May I put them back?

Yes, you may.

Uh-uh!

He can't leave the

court on an even game.

Unless the chair umpire

grants him permission,

which I did.

That's bogus.

Why does he need

permission to go get his bag?

You can only go to the bench

over a changeover on

odd numbered games.

You cannot leave the

court for any reason.

And what if you have

to go to the bathroom?

Oh, you gotta hold it.

There are some unique

rules for Deaf tennis.

For one, you can't

play with hearing aids.

Which means they're

playing in complete silence.

That's gotta be

incredibly difficult.

On the pro tour, sound

is hugely important.

Different sh*ts

sound differently.

[Dan] Minns has been

Deaf since age three

when he had a high

fever as a child.

[Stan] That's hard to imagine.

That must have

been really scary.

[Dan] Yeah, I'll bet it was.

(solemn music)

I'm afraid it's not good news.

Your boy's fever was intense.

We estimate between 80%

and 90% hearing loss.

You mean, temporary?

No.

There's nothing you could

have done differently.

Now you have to make

some hard decisions.

Most families choose special

education with sign language.

Your son can be sent to

a school for the Deaf

where he'll be around

others like himself.

Is there another option?

I mean...

It's a much more difficult road.

Teach him to lipread,

maybe get a pair of

high-end hearing aids.

But I must warn you,

they're very expensive

and he will probably

have a difficult time

differentiating sound

and word recognition

due to the severity

of his hearing loss.

What do you think, Fran?

Doc, what do

you recommend?

Look.

You're both social people,

and I don't mean to be harsh,

but he's always going to be a

Deaf kid in a hearing world.

Institutionalization

would probably be best.

(knocking)

Come in.

- Hey, buddy.

- Hey.

Oh my goodness.

We've made our decision.

Where do we get hearing aids

and how do we teach

him to lipread?

Yeah.

Come here.

It's gonna be okay.

We are gonna do

this as a family.

[Brad] Mom, Dad,

you've always been there.

How am I supposed to

do this without you?

What is he asking you?

Those seats are

reserved for his parents.

They come to all of his matches.

They're flying

from Toledo.

They aren't here yet.

Happy birthday

(Brads perspective.. High

pitch and warbled sound.)

Day to you

(Brads perspective.. High

pitch and warbled sound.)

Happy birthday

(Brads perspective.. High

pitch and warbled sound.)

(guests clapping)

(Brads perspective.. High

pitch and warbled sound.)

(crowd applauding)

Minns has amazing

tenacity, we gotta say that.

He's digging deep

to keep fighting

and staying in this match.

(ball smacking)

[Umpire] Out.

[Dan] Can you imagine growing up

and being the

only Deaf kid

and trying to figure

out what's happening,

say, at a ball game, or

the movies, or even at school?

[Stan] It's gotta be tough.

Hello, Mrs. Minns.

I'm Ms. Dickerson.

Hello, Ms. Dickerson.

This is my son, Brad.

Brad, this is Ms. Dickerson.

Hello, Brad.

You're going to need to

put him in the front row

so that he can read your lips.

He's learning, but he's

really quite good for his age.

- [Ms. Dickerson]

- Can he hear anything?

Barely.

He can hear some muffled sounds.

Does he speak?

Yes, of course.

Can he read and write?

Brad is very smart.

He does all of those

things, he just can't hear.

Excuse me for

saying so, Mrs. Minns,

but don't you think he

should be at a Deaf school?

Good Shepherd for the Deaf

has a wonderful program.

Ms. Dickerson, have

you heard of a boy

named Tom Edison?

He was born not too far

from here, Milan, Ohio?

Of course, Thomas Edison,

the famous inventor.

80% Deaf.

Never went to a Deaf school.

Neither will my son.

Hmm.

Thank you, Mrs. Minns.

Come with me, young man.

Rex, please take the empty seat.

Look at sissy boy's

mommy brings him to class.

(kids laughing)

- [Ms. Dickerson]

- You can sit here!

Osborne leads.

The third set,

six games to five.

[Dan] Who would've thought

this was even possible?

Minns has won five outta

the last six games.

(crowd applauding)

[Umpire] Love-15.

[Stan] Minns suddenly

has that look in his eye.

He's in the zone.

(dramatic music) (ball smacking)

[Umpire] Love-30.

[Dan] Oh, Osborne

sent Minns flying

into the back fence.

Come on, we can do this.

Hey, let's go.

Go get some ice

cream afterwards.

Good afternoon, Brad.

Good afternoon.

- Good to see you.

- Good to see you.

We brought these.

Wonderful.

We're gonna test your hearing

for some new hearing aids today.

Do you understand?

Okay, good.

I'm gonna put these on here.

Okay.

And raise your hand when

you hear a beep, okay?

Okay.

(Low frequency tone)

(second tone)

(siren wailing)

(firetruck honking)

Brad, did you hear the firetruck

or did you just see the lights?

I saw the lights.

Okay, I need you to be

really honest with me, okay?

I'm gonna try

something and maybe,

maybe just maybe next time

you'll hear a real firetruck.

Okay?

Hold on.

Do you know

what these are?

Yes.

They're real

powerful hearing aids

and you wear them on

a harness like this.

I want you to help me out, okay?

I want you to hold them

in your ears for me,

and we're gonna fit you

with the correct size

once we do our next test, okay?

And we'll fit you just

perfect in a little bit.

You put one there, Mom,

you can help me out here.

Okay, gonna do another test.

(High pitch tone)

Yes!

Good job.

You can hear that, Brad.

That is wonderful.

Good job.

Yes, excellent.

Oh, that is fantastic.

[Waitress] All right,

here we go, guys.

- Wow.

- Salad.

- Thank you very much.

- There you go, Mom.

Absolutely.

Big parfait for you, big man.

[Fran] Whoa, buddy.

- Y'all enjoy.

- Thank you.

Hey Chubs, look

what we have here.

It's Brad Pee.

The little boy who

always needs his mommy.

[Chubs] Yeah,

he's a mommy's boy.

[Rex] And what's

that around his neck?

His hearing aid.

No, that's his bra.

Like my sister.

Or maybe he's an alien

like Uncle Martin

from "My Favorite

Martian."

(kids laughing)

Boys, boys, boys,

let's settle down, okay?

Bring it in.

Let's celebrate our win, okay?

I like "My Favorite Martian."

Don't listen to them.

Okay?

Whatever they're saying,

he's just acting

like a first grader.

In a third grader's body.

He's been held back twice.

Might be a third time

if he's not careful.

Children can be mean.

Okay?

But you don't let

them get to you.

Ever.

[Stan] Looks like he's okay.

[Dan] Boy, I've seen

a lot of tennis matches,

but I don't think I've ever

seen two guys fight this hard

for every single point.

(crowd applauding)

Game, Minns.

Games are six-all.

Gentlemen, the set

will be decided by a.

Okay, Stan, you got your wish.

Tiebreaker.

A tiebreaker is a

real test of tennis.

Yeah, you won

something like, what,

85% of the tiebreakers

you played?

What's the secret?

Experience.

It all goes back to training.

I started playing tennis

seriously when I was about 15,

so I always felt that those

guys that started earlier had

something of an edge.

So I had to practice

harder and make up for lost

time.

When did Minns start

playing tennis?

Maybe around six

or seven years old.

That's pretty young.

Makes a difference.

(calm music)

Okay, Brad, this

is a forehand grip.

Okay, so look,

the V between your thumb

and your fingers goes

against the side of the bevel

of the racket like that.

Here we go.

See, just like

you're shaking hands.

My hand doesn't fit.

Your hand is almost as

big as mine, it'll fit.

But it feels funny.

You'll get used to it.

I'll never get used to it.

Okay.

Listen to me, Bradford Minns.

This is a sport you can play.

You can be really good at this.

But Mom!

Patience.

We'll take it one

sh*t at a time.

(ball smacking)

[Dan] Minns's older

brother Jimbo taught him how to

play.

[Stan] Way to go, Jimbo.

I imagine it's

pretty challenging

to teach a Deaf

kid to play tennis.

It's tough teaching

any kid to play tennis.

I was so clumsy at first,

they wouldn't even

let me be a ball boy.

(Dan laughs)

(ball smacking)

That's too hard, Jimbo.

You want me to go

easy on you, Brad?

Yeah.

I'm just learning.

Mom told me not to baby you.

That's 'cause I'm not a baby.

Exactly.

You can do this.

I doubt it.

It's too tough.

Hang in there, little bro.

Let's work on your serve.

I'll never be good at this.

If I can't hit a forehand,

there's no way I'll be

able to hit a serve.

Look, dork butt.

Mom told me to teach

you, so you will learn.

[Umpire] The tiebreaker

score remains tied, 10-all.

[Osborne] Out!

[Umpire] Second serve.

[Dan] A very close call.

(dramatic music)

(crowd applauding)

Wow!

Service ace.

[Dan] Takes guts

to go for that big

second serve like that.

(dramatic music) (ball smacking)

[Dan] Holy cow,

Minns took the set!

Third set, Minns.

Seven, six.

Set score stands.

Two sets for Osborne,

one set for Minns.

(crowd applauding)

[Dan] Now we've got a match.

What's going through

Osborne's head at this point?

[Stan] He's gotta find

a way to turn the tide

on Minns' momentum.

[Dan] You've been

in spots like this.

What did you do?

[Stan] Anything.

Everything you can

do to bring it back.

You can't get ahead of yourself.

Back in 1971, I

remember thinking at

about winning and dancing

at the Wimbledon Ball.

[Dan] (laughs) Yeah.

Yeah, and then you lost

the next two sets to Newcombe.

[Stan] Yeah, my point exactly.

It's not over until it's over.

[Brad] Okay, concentrate.

Come on, Brad, you can do this.

Focus.

Stay in this, focus.

I need some inspiration.

[Fran] We'll take

it one sh*t at a time.

[Dan] Both these players

are incredibly resilient.

Big kudos to the coach of

Team USA, Mike LaPierre,

on their training.

[Stan] I wonder if

it's more than that.

If the obstacles these

guys faced growing up Deaf

helped prepare them

for a moment like this.

(Rock music starting)

I got a feeling, I

can't shake it loose

It's now or never,

there's no time to lose

Start believing,

it happened so soon

A new beginning, right

here in this room

It's now or never

It's now or never

It's now or never

It's now or never

It's now or never

(crowd applauding)

Oh.

Oh, gotcha.

Brad!

(fingers snapping)

Bradley Minns!

Bradford.

My name is Bradford.

Well, right now

your name is mud.

No, really.

It's not Bradley, it's Bradford.

You must pay

attention, young man.

Your disability

doesn't entitle you

to stare out the window

when I am teaching.

Yes ma'am.

The reason you're

in the front row is

so that you can read my

lips and pay attention.

Do you think you can do that?

I don't know.

Your lips move very fast.

(kids laughing)

Do they?

Now you're criticizing

my teaching too.

No ma'am.

But if you could just slow down,

maybe say the words with a

little bit better diction?

What?

You know, pronouncing

better and slower?

I know what diction means,

but I'm not slowing

down my teaching

for any of the students.

It's your job to keep up.

Okay, class.

Let's go through some

of our vocabulary words.

All right.

Bradley...

Bradford.

Now let's think about

how to say this word.

Sorry?

Sorry.

(kids laughing)

Please do not answer out loud

until you're given permission.

(Brad gasps)

Back off!

You ungrateful

little troublemaker.

Now let's see what the

principal has to say

about your unseemly behavior.

But what about them?

I'd worry about you.

They will be learning the

next five spelling words

and be getting prepared

for a pop quiz when I return.

(kids groaning)

I am not paid enough for

this kind of rudeness.

This child belongs

in a special school.

(knocking)

Come in.

What seems to be the

problem this time, Ms.

Dickerson?

This young man is unruly

and doesn't belong here.

Well, where does he belong?

In a school for the Deaf.

Is he Deaf?

Well, yes.

Young man, do you understand me?

Does he talk?

Yes sir.

Well, if he's Deaf,

how did he understand me?

He reads lips.

Have you not been

reading my memos?

I don't like memos.

Looks like he's

wearing hearing aids.

Well, they don't work very well.

When I turn my back

to write on the board,

he doesn't learn a thing.

Young man, do you

think you should be here?

Maybe you belong with people

who can help you

better than we can.

Well, you got hearing

aids and you're here.

I lost most of my

hearing in World w*r II.

I was a t*nk commander.

Did you know General Patton?

He's a hero.

My dad let me see the movie.

(laughs) I served

under General Patton

in the Battle

of the Bulge.

761st t*nk Battalion.

The Black Panthers?

The greatest t*nk battalion

the army ever had!

- I don't know about that.

- (laughs)

Your motto was

"Come out fighting."

I like that.

Ms. Dickerson, you have

a great opportunity here.

Don't ever turn your

back on this young man.

But Principal.

Literally.

When you turn your back,

he can't read your lips.

Now can he?

Dismissed.

Yes, Principal Boyd.

Come on, young man.

Let's see if we can

learn some math.

(laughs) Black Panthers.

You got sent to the

principal's office.

It.

That's where a Minns

boy should never be found.

It wasn't my fault!

[James] Doesn't matter.

It matters to me.

Ms. What's Her Name

doesn't like me.

I'm sure Ms. Dickerson

is doing her best.

Stay outta the

principal's office.

We don't need any more trouble.

But Principal

Boyd is really cool.

He served under General Patton!

You didn't tell him

you saw that movie?

Fran, what was the

rating on that?

GP, I think.

The kids make fun of me.

They think I belong

in a special school,

that I don't belong

with regular kids.

Maybe they're right.

Hey.

Are you a man or a mouse?

Man?

That's right.

I knew I did not

like that teacher.

You can't fight City Hall.

There are no quitters

in the Minns family.

Okay, you are every bit as

smart and every bit as talented

as any other kid at that school.

You just have to

prove it to them.

But how?

They all hate me.

They don't hate you.

Well, they treat

me like a freak.

[Fran] You need to

learn to get along.

And don't go to the

principal's office.

I'm trying.

May I please be excused?

I need to finish my homework.

Both of you.

Are you sure we're

doing the right thing?

Absolutely.

And I pray every day that

Ms. What's Her Name does too.

Ms. Dickerson.

You know I know what

you know her name is.

(Fran laughs)

(upbeat music)

('In My Room' By The Beach Boys)

There's a world

where I can go

And tell my secrets to

In my room

In my room

(repeat) In my room

In this world I lock out

All my worries and my fears

In my room

In my room

(repeat) In my room

Do my dreaming

and my scheming

Lie awake and pray

Do my crying and my sighing

Laugh at yesterday

Now it's

(Record scratch)

Thanks.

Wow, what's this for?

Well, what did you do yesterday?

Got a C on my math test?

(laughs) That

was, C's for Clever.

Okay, who did

you b*at at tennis?

Jimbo.

Ah.

(Fran laughing)

Took a set off

me fair and square.

Now I have to go back

to playing baseball.

[Fran] We are going to get you

a new tennis teacher.

You are going to be a great

tennis player, Bradford Minns.

I'll settle for pretty good.

You are going to be great.

So, you want to win at tennis?

Yes sir, Mr. Davis.

Then we're gonna

make you a champion.

(cheerful music)

Get around this one.

Good.

Here.

Good job.

Yes.

Feeling it? Watch it.

Great!

Give it here.

We videotaped your lesson.

We videotaped your lesson

so you can see exactly

what I'm saying.

Then, maybe if you're lucky,

your parents will buy

you a Betamax machine

so you can take the tape

home and you can watch.

All right, step around it.

Right through.

Nice job.

High.

Yes.

Can you hear the ball

hit your strings?

No.

Can you hear the ball

when it hits my strings?

No.

Then you're gonna need to

watch the ball very closely.

Watch how it hits my racket.

Watch the speed.

What's the spin?

Do you understand?

Sort of, but what

difference does the spin make?

Okay.

If you hit the ball like this,

catching over the top of

it, that's called top spin.

That's gonna make the

ball bounce higher.

If you hit the ball like this,

kind of like a karate chop,

slicing it, that's gonna

make the ball drop faster.

That's underspin.

You're gonna need to learn both

if you want to be a

great tennis player.

Am I gonna be a

great tennis player?

Well, that depends on you.

On how I play?

On how you think.

What you believe in here.

What about these?

What about 'em?

I can't hear the

ball hit the strings

or the other players.

Or even my coach.

You need to make up

for what you can't hear

with what you can see.

Watch the fuzz of the

ball as it hits my racket.

Mom says I should

watch the seams.

Your mom's a smart woman.

I like that.

Watch the seams of

the ball over and over

and over

and then slam it!

Now you try.

Gonna teach you how to volley.

Again.

Oh, one more, ready?

And harder!

Harder! (Echos)

(crowd applauding)

Deuce.

[Dan] They're

still slugging away.

[Stan] And Osborne is not

going to give up anytime soon.

[Dan] Yeah, neither is Minns.

[Stan] It's tough to

keep this level of play

this deep into a match.

Somebody has to cr*ck.

[Brad] Come on, man,

you can't do that.

Easy put away, you can't

give any points away.

(ball smacking)

(dramatic music)

[Dan] Oh, oh, that

doesn't look good.

[Stan] No, it doesn't.

[Umpire] Game, Osborne.

He leads three games

to two, fourth set.

That's his calf.

Is that bad?

If it's popped, he's cooked,

but if it's strained,

he might have a chance.

Tough break.

[Dan] Oh man, that

must be painful.

[Stan] It's a

sharp stinging pain.

I'm sure he's strained

his calf muscle before,

but he's gonna have to massage

the muscle a little bit,

get it loosened up,

and figure out a way to

keep Osborne on the run.

[Dan] (laughs) So.

So all Minns has to do is

come back and win the set

while playing in sharp,

stinging pain? (Laughs)

Is that even possible?

[Stan] Well, you watch.

This kid never gives up.

Look, you bunch

of freshman dweebs.

We've got one open

spot on this team left.

And I should just...

Unless you can play

as tough as Nastase,

you should go home now.

What'd you say?

I said that a little wussy

cream is not gonna help you

get on this team, crip.

(farts)

Ha, you stink.

(freshmen laughing)

Oh, really?

Coach.

We got a problem.

The kid with the

bum calf muscle?

Yeah.

He's Deaf too.

And how can he play

tennis if he can't hear?

I think we should cut him.

Cut who?

Hello, gentlemen.

Francis Minns.

Assistant Coach Phil Hogarth.

Coach Perry.

Mm-hmm.

That is my son, Brad.

He's going to be a tremendous

asset to your team.

Careful.

He can read lips.

He knows everything

you're saying.

Let him...

(clears throat) Let him

try out against Duke

with no special treatment.

Understand me?

Okay.

What is going on with you?

I strained my calf muscle.

It's really sore.

Well, you're just going

to have to run the

other boy around.

These guys don't want me, Mom.

You can do this, Brad.

You just have to show

'em, one point at a time.

Come on over here, Minns.

Come on over here, Minns!

You're gonna play

our captain, Duke.

You don't need to shout at him.

I'm gonna wipe you off

the face of the earth,

you freshman slime.

(dramatic music)

(ball smacking)

[Brad] Analyze

your opponent's game

and then pummel him

into the ground.

Strong forehand,

top spin backhand.

Let me move this guy around.

All right.

How about a lob?

Okay, now let's see what

happens if I hit it right at

him.

This guy's pretty good.

That freshman

nobody looks as good

as our number one

singles player.

He sure does, Phil.

Look at him run Duke around.

Well done, Minns!

He can't hear you.

I don't need him to hear.

I need him to win.

[Umpire] Minns leads five

games to three, fourth set.

[Stan] The crowd's

getting into it.

I think the fans

have been filling up

ever since Minns

started fighting back.

[Dan] We're seeing how

tough Brad Minns really is.

[Stan] He has to stay focused.

(crowd applauding)

(ball smacking)

(dramatic music)

(crowd applauding)

[Umpire] 40-love.

[Dan] Osborne's won

the last three points.

Minns' lead is

about to disappear.

(ball smacking)

[Umpire] Out, 40-15.

Every time you think

Minns is finished,

he just keeps fighting.

[Dan] Now if he comes

back from 40-love,

that'll be something.

[Brad] Okay, time to att*ck.

[Umpire] 40-30.

(crowd groaning)

40-all, deuce.

Deuce.

This kid is scrappy.

[Stan] And it looks like

he's moving better on that leg.

(dramatic music) (ball smacking)

(crowd applauding)

Advantage Minns.

(ball smacking)

(crowd applauding)

[Dan] Holy cow!

Minns somehow returned

it and he takes the game!

This is a perfect example

of why Deaf tennis

is more difficult

than the kind of

matches I played.

I would've heard the

ball hit the strings.

Osborne didn't.

Oh, that's a great point.

[Umpire] Game and fourth set

to Minns, six games to three.

How about that?

(laughs) Just like Bjorn Borg.

Or like Jimmy Connors.

(laughs) I told you this

was the match to watch.

You were right.

Great save.

Very.

[Dan] And so what should

Minns be thinking about now?

[Stan] Right now, he's

gotta think about the basics.

Everything he learned

in the hours of hitting,

conditioning his body, and

listening to his coaches.

We're late.

It's time to win, Finn.

Hello, hit the road, Toad.

Time to shake, Jake.

Time to fly, Guy.

What's the fuss, Gus?

I feel weird.

What do you mean you feel weird?

They hear a little better.

That's wonderful, son!

Is that the new hearing aids?

Yeah.

That's great!

Now get out there

and make the team.

I know they don't want me.

They don't know you yet.

No one's gonna hand you a

position on that college team.

And you've known

that your whole life.

You have to be the best.

You have to be

better than the best.

You played on your high

school varsity tennis team

as a freshman.

You played number one

singles as a senior.

You have the under 18

number one singles ranking

in northwestern Ohio and the

number three doubles ranking

in the Western

Tennis Association.

And you know what else you

got, many people don't?

New hearing aids?

You have charisma.

And those folks at the

University of Toledo

have never seen anyone like you.

Do you understand?

[Brad] Now I know why my

dad is so good at sales.

Charisma!

(James laughs)

(ball smacking)

(dramatic music)

(crowd applauding)

[James] Brad, you can win this.

You have charisma.

(voice echoing) Charisma,

charisma, charisma, charisma.

- Hey, good one.

- Thanks.

Well?

How'd you do?

Pretty well, I think.

Hey, no matter what happens,

know that your mother

and I love you very much.

I want you to work

harder than anyone.

I want you to focus

on your goals.

And I don't want you

to listen to anyone try

to tell you what you can't do.

Okay, let's go home.

All right.

Could you drop me at the gym?

I gotta strengthen my calves.

(laughs) You just played

almost four hours of tennis

and you want to go to the gym.

You're in the best shape

of any tennis player I know.

Gotta be better than the best.

(dramatic music) (ball smacking)

(crowd applauding)

[Dan] Perfect.

! iEs estupendo!

[Umpire] Game, Minns.

He leads four games

to three, fifth set.

[Dan] Four to three.

Nobody wants to go home a loser.

[Stan] Nobody will.

This match has lasted

almost five hours.

Four hours and 53 minutes.

[Dan] This is some match.

I wonder what Minns is reading.

[Stan] He's looking

for checkout time.

He may need to extend his

hotel stay for another night.

[Dan] It could be.

Yeah, this is the longest

match I've ever seen.

[Fran] So let us run

the race that is before us

and never give up.

Your mother's paraphrase

of Hebrews 12:1.

So who do you think will win?

Player with the best coach.

Oh, you can quote me on that.

He's the coach for both players.

(laughs) I got it.

Brad Minns has worked harder

than any player

I have ever seen.

Maybe all those extra hours

in the gym will pay off.

(knocking)

- Hey, Coach.

- Hey, Brad.

Your high school coach

told me what to expect,

but honestly I've never

seen such hard work

from a walk on.

Thanks.

How does a scholarship sound?

Sound?

I probably shouldn't

use that word.

Sounds great.

What position do

you think I'll play?

Number three singles, maybe

number two doubles for now.

I...

I hear you loud and clear.

Or I read your lips

loud and clear.

(laughs)

This might be of some

interest to you also.

World Games for the Deaf?

What's that?

Deaf Olympics.

Tennis is a sport.

Tryouts are next week.

I hear...

I hear.

A lot of great

international players are

participating.

Maybe you could

play for Team USA.

Do you really

think I'm that good?

You're the best Deaf

tennis player I know.

How many Deaf tennis

players do you know?

One.

(papers smacking)

(machine beeping)

They have a spot for

me to try out if I want.

What do you think?

Tryouts are next week?

Yeah.

And being on the Rockets

tennis team doesn't get you

on the squad.

No, I have to try out.

Where?

Gallaudet University in DC.

Do we have that in the budget?

Remember last time we

took the boys to DC,

it was pretty pricey.

You and I can road trip it.

Just like when you

and Jimbo go fishing.

We can stay in the dorm.

Okay, but..

But you have to

win or lose quickly

because I have a sales

meeting in Toledo

on Thursday afternoon

I can't miss.

I will crush them all.

(laughs)

Oh, I think we've

created a monster.

(James laughs)

(cheerful music)

[Brad] It says here

that Abraham Lincoln founded

Gallaudet University in 1864

and President Ulysses

S. Grant attended

the first commencement in 1869.

What's a Gallaudet?

He was a guy who started

the first school for the Deaf

and helped develop

sign language.

Do you see the tennis courts?

Let's ask somebody.

Hey, ask him.

Uh, excuse me, do you know...

[James] What'd he say?

I have no idea.

I don't know

sign language.

(laughs) Me neither.

Ask those girls.

Excuse me.

Can you tell me where

the tennis courts are?

[James] It looks

like you offended them.

Think it's my Ohio accent?

Eh.

Let's do what your mother

and I did in France.

Point at the ad.

There you go.

Calm down, young man!

You speak?

Of course I speak.

And a piece of advice.

This is a university

for the Deaf.

Everyone can see you just fine,

so you can drop

the wild gestures

and quit making fun of the hard

of hearing, especially here.

I'm not, I'm sorry.

Can you tell me where

the tennis courts are?

Out back of the field house.

What did she say?

I couldn't read her lips.

Over by the field house.

What is a field house?

It's kinda like

a big indoor gym.

What am I doing wrong?

Why don't these people like me?

They don't think you're Deaf.

Cool.

I'm Brad.

What's your name?

I don't know what

you're signing.

Do you know where we

can find Mike LaPierre?

The tennis coach?

Hey, I'm Coach LaPierre.

You must be Brad Minns.

That's me.

All right.

- And you're Deaf?

- I am.

Hey, Brad's dad.

We taught Brad how to

read lips as a boy,

so just make sure

he can see your lips

when you're speaking to him.

No need to sign with him.

Oh, okay.

Well, dorms are over that way.

And here's your schedule.

You play tomorrow.

Thanks.

You do sign right?

Nope, never had to.

Never met a Deaf person

until I got here.

You made it through

elementary school, high school,

and college by reading lips?

That's right.

And with help from my family.

Well...

You should be very proud.

Yeah.

Go get some rest.

You have a tough match tomorrow.

You're playing against the

number one singles player

from the last World

Games for the Deaf.

All right?

Okay.

(laughs)

Nothing like an

easy first round.

Yeah.

Let's go find the dorm.

(Rock upbeat music)

Four o'clock in the morning

Been awake since three

Got the whole wide

world searching for us

I got blood, I got sweat

I got no tears for you,

I got no tears for you

I got pain, nothing to prove

But there's no...

Oh, thank you.

Is that a you're welcome?

I'm not sure about

that hand gesture.

Means something completely

different to my Italian friends.

Okay.

Nice.

Good.

Hi, do you know

where room 313 is?

[Brad] I don't

know what she said.

I think the room's

right over here.

Here we are.

I call top bunk.

Okay, yeah.

Okay.

Hey, going to the

little boys' room.

Oh, bathroom?

I'm sorry, I don't

know what that means.

Yes, thank you.

There's, yes,

there's got to be a bathroom

around here somewhere.

[Brad] Those are the courts

that I will try out on tomorrow.

Gotta get some rest

and kick some butt.

This is my chance

to be the best.

(James yawning)

(dramatic music)

Brad, wake up, wake up.

(dramatic music)

What's happening?

I'm not sure.

I think the fire alarm went off.

You didn't hear it?

No, there's no alarm sound.

It's just flashy lights.

No, it's just, it was

just flashing lights.

Ah, I'm sorry, I don't

know sign language.

Mimms?

Minns.

M-I-N-N-S.

Jeff Osborne.

Number one singles.

Ah, look forward to

playing you tomorrow.

Me too.

You don't sign?

Not at all.

I lip read.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning,

good morning.

Good morning.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Good morning.

Oh, it's all clear.

The fire drill

is finished.

Good morning.

Hey, you guys okay?

It was just a fire drill.

Yeah, no, we're fine, thank you.

All right.

Hey, look what

I learned to sign.

Whoa.

Do you know what that means?

Yeah, good morning.

I figured it's an early

morning, so good morning.

That means "Up yours."

This means good morning.

See?

(James laughing)

Osborne.

You know, I was thinking,

maybe we need to learn how to

sign a few words correctly.

Yeah, sure, sure.

Something like, "Hey baby, you

wanna go on a date with me?"

I was thinking more like

thank you or you're welcome.

You're thinking

too small, my boy.

(calm music)

[Coach] Minns, you're late.

Sorry, Coach.

I was at the gym working out.

Before your match?

I always work out

an hour before I play.

Well, that's fine.

Get your butt over to court

number one, all right?

You'll be playing Osborne.

Stay away from his girlfriend.

What?

Okay, thank you.

Where are my rackets?

Hey, son.

Where's your rackets?

I left them here a minute ago.

Well, we gotta find them.

Okay.

I'll keep looking.

What's the problem now?

Somebody swiped my rackets.

Brad, look, you're not

in Ohio anymore, okay?

You can't just leave

your rackets unattended

in Washington DC.

(sighs) I know that now.

What do you play with?

Prince.

I could loan you a Wilson

or maybe a Head racket.

That's it.

Oh, Brad doesn't sign.

Oh, you can use mine.

I already qualified.

Here.

I string it like a man's racket,

but the grip is a bit smaller.

Oh, this is perfect.

Thank you.

Okay, go.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

(gate clinking)

Sorry, I'm sorry I'm late.

Let's play.

(ball smacking)

(suspenseful music)

[Osborne] Kid's

better than I thought.

Should be a good match.

Yeah.

Jeff doesn't like to lose.

Good to know.

Coach.

What now?

He can't play with those.

What?

Why not?

Olympic rules.

He can't use hearing

aids in competition.

He shouldn't be allowed

to use them to qualify.

I apologize, this is my

first Deaf coaching job.

I should have made that call.

Brad, you're gonna have to

play without your hearing aids.

I've never played

without 'em before.

I'm sorry.

That's the rules.

[Brad] I'm playing

in complete silence

with a borrowed racket against

the reigning gold medalist.

Good luck.

When will I stop

having to prove myself?

How many times do I have to

face this in a hearing world

and now in a Deaf world?

When will it get easier?

When will people just

accept me for who I am

and what I can do?

(ball smacking)

(suspenseful music)

Yes!

That's it, I won!

Nice match.

Oh, I don't sign.

Congratulations on b*ating

the reigning world champion.

Thank you.

Yeah.

I'll be more prepared next time.

I'm glad you're on our side.

Does that mean

that I made the team?

Thanks.

Uh...

Deb.

I think I found my

mixed doubles partner.

As long as we don't have

to share the same racket.

(laughs)

I found your rackets

in the dumpster.

Oh.

Hazing the new guy.

Oh.

What, what's hazing?

It's kinda like really

bad teasing, it's...

I'm used to that.

Hey, I'm glad you found

your rackets, all right?

But could you do me a favor?

Please don't flirt

with your potential

mixed doubles partner.

Why does everyone

think I'm flirting?

I'm just trying

to be nice.

You do.

(laughs)

All right, hit the showers.

I'll announce who made

the team in half an hour

in the cafeteria, all right?

We're good.

Listen, I gotta go find a

phone and call the office,

so I'll meet you there.

Can you take my rackets?

Yeah, yeah, I'll lock

'em up in the trunk.

Do you have clean clothes?

My backpack.

Here.

Hey, Dad.

Yeah?

Thanks for everything.

It was a nice win.

(water running) (playful music)

Where's my towel?

And my backpack?

Really?

I was waiting until

we were all here,

but I guess Minns got held up.

Okay.

Congratulations.

(tennis players laughing)

Give him back his clothes.

Come on.

Does this mean I made the team?

Yes, it does.

Congratulations.

Get dressed.

Nice abs.

(thumping)

Welcome to the

Deaf Olympic team.

[Brad] This is where the

finals match will be played.

Can I b*at 32 players

from around the world?

Can I make it through four

rounds to play on this court?

I feel like everything in

my life has been leading up

to this moment.

I'm Bill Austin.

Brad Minns.

I've been watching you, Minns.

You use Starkey

hearing devices, right?

Ever since I was a little kid.

I know you can't use

them in the matches,

but can I fit you

with some new high-end

models we're testing?

They are the best ever.

Interested?

Thank you, Mr. Austin, but

that's not really in my budget.

I'm a University of

Toledo college student

and I just spent most of

my savings just to get here.

I believe in you, son.

You're why I make

these hearing aids,

so you can do your

best, be a champion.

No matter what anyone

else has to say.

I know your whole life

has been a struggle.

Let me do this

one thing to help.

This pair's on me.

But.

We're standing here at 5:30 a.m.

and you've already

run five miles.

Let me help you.

I'll see you after your

finals match, Brad.

How do you know I'm

gonna be in the finals?

You will be.

Game, Minns.

He leads five games

to four, fifth set.

Does this remind you of your

'73 Davis Cup doubles match?

(laughs) Yeah,

that was a long one.

Erik van Dillen

and I were playing

against Cornejo and

Fillol of Chile.

Yeah, so listen to

this score, folks.

Seven-nine.

37-39.

Four hours.

Eight-six, six-one, six-three.

Ha, go tiebreakers.

122 games to win the match?

That was an amazing match,

but we didn't come

back from two sets down

and three match points.

If Minns wins this one more

game, he's got the gold medal.

Or he loses two games and

Osborne retains the crown.

[Stan] Are you trying to

ruin Minns' Cinderella story?

[Dan] (laughs) No, no.

I'm just saying that

in this match, Stan,

anything can happen.

[Stan] Fair enough.

(ball smacking)

(crowd applauding)

15-love.

[Dan] See?

Osborne's not

gonna go down easy.

[Stan] That's an understatement.

(ball smacking)

[Umpire] 15-all.

(ball smacking)

(crowd applauding)

30-all.

(ball smacking)

[Dan] Great lob.

Just out of Minns' reach.

(ball smacking)

[Stan] Perfect sh*t.

(ball smacking)

(crowd applauding)

[Dan] Incredible volley.

Advantage, Minns.

[Dan] Match point, Minns.

Honestly, Stan, I'm

amazed to say those words.

[Stan] You know, if Brad

Minns can pull this off,

I think it will be the greatest

comeback in collegiate,

Olympic, or professional tennis.

We'll take it

one sh*t at a time.

You have charisma.

You can do it.

[HS Coach] Think

about what you're doing.

Plan your next sh*t.

(dramatic music)

(ball smacking)

(ball smacking)

(ball smacking)

(dramatic music)

(ball smacking)

(crowd applauding)

(triumphant music)

(triumphant music continues)

Good match.

Thanks.

Game, set, and match, men's USA.

Four-six, five-seven,

seven-six, six-three, six-four.

(crowd applauding)

Good match.

- Good match.

- Thank you.

[Dan] I've never

seen a better match.

[Stan] That's the

match of a lifetime

for both these players.

Congrats, Team USA.

(crowd applauding)

Great job.

Bradford!

(laughs) My boy did it!

I was so worried,

but were you okay?

You made it.

Oh, it was a

thunderstorm in Chicago

and then they put us on

the tarmac for three hours

and they flew

to San Diego!

No, we're so sorry,

we're so sorry.

We were thinking of you

every second, I promise.

It looked like it worked,

that's a gold medal!

I love you guys so much.

You're the reason why I'm here.

Excuse me, sorry.

Can I get a quote

for tomorrow's paper?

Yes.

This has been the most

amazing tennis match

I've ever seen.

I never came back from that

far down before in my life.

Hey.

You have been coming

back your whole life.

Yeah.

Thank you.

I'm the best tennis

player in the world.

[James] Yeah, you are.

Just like you said I would be.

We did it as a family.

Ah, there's only one name

on this gold medal, Brad.

Today, you did it.

You did it.

I was never really alone.

(cheering)

(laughing)

Good work.

- Hey, we did it, Dad.

- Oh my god.

- Hey, we got there.

- We got there.

You did it.

So, so proud.

I can't believe...

(gentle music)

Hearing is a lot

different than listening.

I'm still listening to

what God wants me to do,

one day at a time.

What I wanted

to do tonight,

I wanted to give

Bill something back

to say thank you for

everything he's done for me.

And good Lord spoke

to me and he said,

"Brad, give Bill Austin

your gold medal."

(crowd applauding)

Mr. Austin, I just want

to say thank you so much

for everything

you've done for me.

(crowd applauding)

I share this gold medal

with everybody who realizes,

no matter what the score, no

matter how tough things seem,

or how down you may

be, never give up.

Never give up.

(upbeat music)

All roads lead to

All signs point to where

I have no plans to go to

If you thought that I'd

lie down and take this

I will disappoint you

I'm ready for you

Got nothing to lose

And nothing to prove

Even when I'm down,

I'm looking up

Never give in and

I never give up

I'm ready for you

Got nothing to lose

And nothing to prove

No matter when,

no matter what

Never give in and I

never give, I never give up

No, no

Lord, help me

rewrite this story

Step by sweat,

stay step to glory

Mountain high

and valley low

I'll tell you without

words how this goes

Mean it, but I don't

Look in my eyes

and you'll know

I'm ready for you

Got nothing to lose

And nothing to prove

Even when I'm down,

I'm looking up

Never give in and

I never give up

I'm ready for you

Got nothing to lose

And nothing to prove

No matter when,

no matter what

Never give in and

I never give up

I never give up

Every storm that came

could've blown me over

Could've blown me over

And every time it

rained, I could've run for cover



Could've run for cover

Just when you might

think it's all over

Look closer

'Cause it's

never give up

Go

Yeah

I'm gonna go

Even when I'm down,

I'm looking up

Never give in and

I never give up

I'm letting go

Yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah

No matter when,

no matter what

Never give in and

I never give up