The Rookie

Eric Weddle with a tackle... Thattaboy, Weddle!

...just shy of the first down marker.

Thattaboy, baby! Come on!

Rams defense needs a stop here One more! One more stop.

to have any hopes of a win. That's all we need. One more stop.

We're coming on air live

with a car chase in Los Angeles County.

Oh, come on!

The driver has been eluding police

for the better part of a half-hour.

Dispatch, Officer Tim Bradford, badge 34831.

Log me in for overtime in pursuit of a high-speed suspect.

LAPD!

Put your hands outside the window!

Open the door from the outside, and step out of the car!

You sidestep over to your left,

face down on the ground, arms out to the side.

You got him?

All good.

The ball is tipped, intercepted by Weddle --

Yes! Run, Weddle! Run! He's at the 20, the 10...

Touchdown! Eric Weddle!

Um, I'm late.

Roger that. Breakfast is almost ready.

No, no, no. I'm -- I'm late.

Okay. Alright, I'll just get you a -- a coffee to go.

I've got a travel mug right here,

and you're --

You're late, as in...?

Yeah. Oh, boy.

Or girl.

How late? Three days.

Okay. That doesn't necessarily mean you're pregnant.

There are two things in this world

that always run on time --

Swiss watches and my cycle.

Right.

Okay, um --

Wha-- Uh...

First, we should be absolutely sure.

Yes, okay. Um...I've got a staff meeting

first thing this morning,

but I'll pick up a test on the way in,

and I'll call you as soon as I know.

Okay, and --

and no matter what happens,

we'll make the best of this.

Okay.

I mean, talk about terrible timing.

Though, Henry was born

at a less-than-ideal time,

and he's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Not that I'm saying I hope she's pregnant.

I -- Not that I'm saying I hope she's not pregnant.

What am I saying?

Just wish she would call.

How hard is it to pee on a stick?

Oh, I'm sorry. Are -- Are you talking to me?

What's going on?

Roll call.

Is everything alright?

Hundred percent.

Nice of you to finally deign to sit with us.

Enh, the front row's too close to the boss.

Lopez still out?

Yeah. Taking care of Wesley.

She's got him back on his feet.

Good.

Okay, listen up.

Why is community policing important?

Officer Chen?

Uh, because it builds trust

between the police and the public,

leading to a reduction in crime.

Exactly.

And today, we're gonna do a little trust-building.

Officer Nolan, so, you know Dr. Sawyer at Shaw Memorial?

Uh, we went to the same college, sir.

Eh, before I got my now-ex pregnant with my son and --

It was a yes or no question, Nolan.

Sorry, sir. Yes, I know her.

Good. She requested an officer to assist with a seminar.

You're going. What kind of seminar?

Don't know, don't care.

Whatever it is, it's open to the public,

which means you have a chance to show the community

that the LAPD does more than just lock up people.

We do?

That's not funny.

And you don't want to piss me off, Bradford,

considering what I have lined up for you. What's that?

Watts Rams need additional coaches

for their fall clinic,

and you're gonna need company.

Officer West.

Your dad is always bragging

how you're a high-school football star.

Is he lying?

No, sir.

All-State safety, four years running.

I could actually pull up my highlight reel

if you want to check it out.

It's on my YouTube channel.

That won't be necessary.

Change into your PTs, head out with Bradford.

Harper and Chen,

you will serve as liaisons

to the Mid-Wilshire Community Council.

They're coming in for a sit-down.

What is this? The 1950s?

The boys go to football practice

while us girls attend a PTA meeting?

Fair point.

Guess there's really only one way to settle this --

Challenge coins.

Chief gave me mine personally.

That was nice.

Mine was given to me by the governor.

What is a challenge coin?

How do you not know that?

It's a medallion bearing an organization's insignia,

given only to those deemed worthy.

They're used to show respect or, uh, settle minor disputes.

Okay. Closest to the edge wins.

Oh!

Alright. Harper, football's all yours.

Nah, Bradford can have it.

You gotta be kidding me. Nope.

Only football I watch is English.

Whatever.

Community Council will be here in 20.

Ma'am, would you like me to prepare anything

for the meeting? Uh, coffee. Black, Officer...

Uh, Chen. It's right there.

No, the only name I know is Nolan's,

and you are not him.

So today, you are Not Nolan.

I'm Not Nolan.

It's often how I think of you. Oh. Funny.

Do you have any advice on how to get on her good side?

I actually don't know that she has one,

so good luck.

Hey, nice move.

Ooh! Great hands.

That is AJ. Most pure talent on the team.

Kid's gonna get recruited hard.

Oh, we don't care about that.

When AJ joined us, his grades were in the trash.

Now he's on the honor roll, wants to go to college.

That's what we care about.

Hey, you, uh -- you like that move?

It's alright against a 12-year-old.

You're gonna have to up your footwork

when you get to real competition, though.

Nah, I run footwork drills every morning. I'll be ready.

And at night? Catching drills.

Harder to see the ball, increases hand-eye coordination.

Any other questions?

No, not at this time.

AJ.

What is she doing here?

I'll be right back.

His mom.

Just got released a few months ago.

Transition's been rough on both of them.

What was she in for?

Armed robbery. Pretty serious crew.

-It's Eric Weddle, man. -Weddle, Weddle!

Hey. Can we play?

Weddle.

Tim Bradford, is that you?

You know him?

Man. We played against each other in high school.

I sacked Bradford so hard in the championship game,

he decided Fallujah was better than turning pro.

Yeah, smart man.

The NFL's only getting harder and faster.

Yo, you're Robert Woods. I have your USC jersey at home.

Whoo! Me too.

Hey, man, great to have you back in L. A., bro.

Good to be back.

Alright. Great.

Alright. Thanks, guys.

Yo. You just bro-hugged Eric Weddle.

Don't make it weird.

You know, it's not about what you want.

I got to do what I think is best.

Oh, now it's about you? I don't want to go!

Everything okay?

AJ's dropping football.

Got a lot going on right now.

Come on.

...tops, and then we go do real police work.

Oh, I see why you chose this. Lowest impact on our day.

Yep. Community meetings are quick and easy.

Just don't promise them anything.