McKinley High's basketball team is having a great season thanks to their star player, Bobby Riddle (James Caviezel) and make it all the way to the state championship of 1972. Kevin and his friends are caught up in the school spirit for the team, and revere Bobby as a hero. Too bad Jack doesn't hold high regards for Riddle and the team, telling Kevin, Paul, and Chuck that the other team, Southwestern may have Bobby's number and might try to double team him on defense. He was right in the end and Kevin's team loses and when Kevin tries to cheer up his high school hero, Bobby tells him to "get off his back." Jack then teaches Kevin a valuable lesson when he tells his son "its not easy being a hero."--his father wasn't talking about Bobby, he was talking about himself.