The movie begins as Chicago Bears rookie running back Gale Sayers arrives at team practice as an errant punt is sent to Sayers. Fellow rookie running Brian Piccolo goes to retrieve the ball, and Sayers flips it to him. Before Sayers meets with coach George Halas in his office, Piccolo tells him – as a prank – that Halas has a hearing problem, and Sayers acts strangely at the meeting. Sayers pranks him back by placing mashed potatoes on his seat while Piccolo is singing Wake Forest University's fight song.