Where are they now? Catching up with fictional sports movie figures

Have you ever wondered what happened to assistant greenskeeper Carl Spackler after he blew up the Bushwood Country Club golf course? Did Icebox keep playing football, or did she grow out of it after middle school? Would coach Norman Dale ever leave Hickory? What happened after Rod Tidwell had the money shown to him?

We have often pondered those hypotheticals ourselves. So we went to the tape for answers. We examined more than two dozen fictional sports movies and wrote postscripts for some of the most intriguing characters. Some, like Louden Swain, switched sports. A few, like Roger Bomman, changed lifestyles. Others, like Jeff Lebowski, stayed the course.

Here’s a look at some of sports’ most beloved fictional characters in the aftermath of their featured performance.

Carl Spackler (“Caddyshack”)

Ruining Nebraska’s most picturesque golf course costs Carl Spackler his job as Bushwood’s assistant greenskeeper. Judge Smails tries to persuade Bushwood’s board of directors to press charges for Carl’s use of explosive materials, but Ty Webb pulls out the “buddy for life” card and vetoes the action. Carl is free to go.

While Carl broods over his failed attempt to kill the gopher, the high-profile disaster earns him cult status at the University of Wisconsin. Looking to spur enrollment numbers, the head of Wisconsin’s Bureau of Agrichemical Management offers Carl a full-ride scholarship in the pesticide applicator training program. Carl accepts and is given a room at the McClain Center.

Carl earns an internship with the Wisconsin football team, tasked with keeping bugs out of ancient Camp Randall Stadium. It becomes his obsession until the final week of the regular season when he discovers the Badgers’ rival, Minnesota, is nicknamed the Gophers.

The teams are scheduled to play at Camp Randall that Saturday, but in his disdain for everything gopher-related, Carl fumigates the visitors locker room so heavily on Thanksgiving morning that it catches on fire. Big Ten officials move the game from Madison to Minneapolis as a punishment. Unfazed, Wisconsin’s football staff votes unanimously to bring Carl along as the honorary “gopher killer,” but he is not allowed to stand closer than 10 feet from the sideline.

Throughout the game, Minnesota’s video staff taunts Carl. At the end of the first and third quarters, Kenny Loggins’ hit “I’m Alright” blares over the loudspeaker with a dancing gopher on every video screen. Carl vows to get even.

With the Badgers attempting the game-winning field goal toward the west end zone, the “Dramatic Gopher” appears on the giant video board. Carl sneaks away from the Wisconsin bench during a pair of Minnesota timeouts, distracts a security guard with a sack of Dilly Bars and enters the control room. Just as the Badgers line up in formation, Carl unplugs the video board, which prevents the kicker from slicing the ball to the right. The kick is straight and true. During the postgame celebration, the Badgers allow Carl to take the first whack at the goalpost with Paul Bunyan’s Axe. — Scott Dochterman

Rod Tidwell (“Jerry Maguire”)

After Rod’s big catch against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, Jerry shows Rod the money. Rod signs a four-year, $12 million deal to stay with the Arizona Cardinals and set his family up for life. Marcee is both relieved and smug about the final dollar figure since she knew Rod was worth it. Marcee decides to get certified and become an NFL player agent herself. She passes the required exam with flying colors and joins Jerry’s growing enterprise. One of her first clients is a quarterback out of the University of Michigan who believes he’s being seriously overlooked heading into the 2000 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots end up drafting him in the sixth round with the 199th overall pick. He is crushed and embarrassed to have fallen so far, but Marcee tells him to stay the course and trust in ownership and new head coach Bill Belichick. (She would remain his agent during the duration of his Hall of Fame career.)

Rod decides it’s time to retire at the end of the four years, hanging up his cleats as a Cardinals legend. Fans love his fearlessness and willingness to sacrifice his body over the middle. They clamor for his jersey to be retired. There’s a bidding war over Rod’s services, as he’s considered a hot commodity as an NFL analyst. Rod signs with ESPN and becomes the face of its Monday Night Football coverage for much of the next decade — until Good Morning America comes calling.

One of Rod’s first segments goes viral; it involves “quan,” as he teaches the audience what it means and how to identify an ambassador of quan. He brings Jerry out from the audience and regails them with the story of the time he nearly cost himself his career, a whole lot of money and one of his dearest friends all in one fell swoop. As Rod gets emotional speaking about serving as Jerry’s best man in his marriage to Dorothy, GMA’s ratings skyrocket. The show makes Rod one of its permanent hosts. Each Friday morning, he hosts a segment called, “Help Me, Help You.” Eventually he writes a self-help book with the same title. — Nicole Auerbach

Isis (“Bring It On”)

After leading the Clovers to a high school national cheerleading championship, Isis gets bombarded with phone calls from Division I coaches. Everybody wants her, and honestly, who can blame them? After a whirlwind recruitment, she commits to cheer at LSU.

It becomes clear to Isis during her college career that what she loves most about cheerleading is coming up with choreography and inspiring her teammates. One of the Tigers’ assistant coaches suggests she become a college coach herself. She briefly considers returning to coach the East Compton Clovers but instead decides to take a job coaching at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.

Isis starts out as an assistant but quickly wins the admiration of the athletic department due to her jaw-dropping routines and how much her athletes love her. The team signs a petition to elevate Isis to head coach, and the administration grants it.

Over the next decade and a half, Trinity Valley establishes itself as one of the premier cheerleading programs in the nation. The Cardinals win multiple junior college national championships and even a pair of grand championships during their run. Their chief rival is nearby Navarro College, led by legendary coach Monica Aldama. Isis and Monica are both fiercely competitive but respect one another, much like Isis and Torrance treated each other back in the day.

In 2013, after winning at Daytona and celebrating with her team in the ocean, Isis decides she’s earned herself a vacation. It’s her first real break from cheerleading in many years.

She rents a Mustang and drives down the coast, reflecting on how far her life has come since her days in East Compton. She decides to spend a long weekend in South Beach.

While jogging on the beach that Sunday morning, she nearly gets hit by an errant frisbee. She pauses to pick it up, and she sees someone sprinting over to apologize. It’s Dwyane Wade. He flashes her a smile and asks if he can make it up to her. — Auerbach

Jimmy Chitwood (“Hoosiers”)

Jimmy’s last-second shot to lift Hickory past South Bend Central instantly turns him into a folk hero. When the team reaches Hickory, more than 2,000 people welcome the players and coaches back for a pep rally. The mayor hands coach Norman Dale a ceremonial key amid rousing applause. The Indiana governor makes a surprise appearance and calls Jimmy to the stage, ending his speech with a special announcement: “I know someone who has something to say to Jimmy.” The Indiana Hoosiers’ basketball coach steps to the stage and offers Jimmy a scholarship. Flustered, Jimmy reluctantly accepts and the crowd bursts into a rendition of “Back Home Again In Indiana.”

From the second Jimmy steps on the IU campus, he feels uncomfortable. Jimmy doesn’t fit in socially and misses the small-town structure. When he visits Hickory for Thanksgiving and tells Myra he wants to quit, she suggests he try one more time. Jimmy then calls coach Dale, now in his first season at Indiana State. Coach Dale tells him to follow his heart but also that if he wanted to leave Bloomington, there would be a place for him at Indiana State. Jimmy leaves IU after his first semester and transfers to Indiana State.

In his senior year, Jimmy leads the Sycamores to the NIT championship. Like he did at Hickory, Jimmy drills the game-winning shot to win the title. Among the hugs and tears, coach Dale whispers to Jimmy, “I’m going back home.” Dale returns to coach at Hickory, and Jimmy signs with the NBA’s Cincinnati Royals. Jimmy plays pro basketball for 11 seasons and ends his career in the ABA with the Indiana Pacers.

A week later, Jimmy reads that Hickory and the neighboring Apple Tree School District plan to merge. With coach Dale’s impending retirement, the schools are at a stalemate over who would lead the combined basketball program until Jimmy walks into a school board meeting. Immediately a petition circulates asking Jimmy to take over the new program, called Mighty Oak. Jimmy agrees, and many refer to the small-school basketball powerhouse as “Chitwood High” from that moment onward. — Dochterman

Vontae Mack (“Draft Day”)

Cleveland general manager Sonny Weaver saw something special in Mack’s character and toughness. From draft day through the season-opening huddle, Mack turns out to be everything Weaver wanted and more.

In the Browns’ third padded practice, Mack blasts fellow rookie Ray Jennings and sends the ball flying 10 feet behind him. Two plays later, Mack drops into coverage and picks off quarterback Brian Drew for a touchdown. His teammates look to him for leadership, and Mack provides it. Coach Vince Penn starts Mack in the preseason opener and keeps him in the game through halftime. By the end of training camp, Mack is in command of the defense. He moves his grandmother and nephews to Berea, Ohio.

The league schedule was set long ago, but in a rare move, ESPN obtains permission to flex Week 8’s Browns-Seahawks game from Sunday afternoon to Monday night. It features Mack facing off against rookie Seattle quarterback Bo Callahan. Both Mack and Callahan announce their own motivations during game week: Mack to prove Weaver right; Callahan to prove him wrong. Just as he did in the Ohio State-Wisconsin game the previous season, Mack blitzes Callahan relentlessly. The agitated quarterback throws multiple interceptions, including a pick-six, and the 24-10 Browns victory vindicates Weaver’s selection.

Mack becomes the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year, and the Browns make the playoffs. Drew’s ability to throw the ball 15 yards farther down the field — according to Cleveland’s strength coach — turns him into the NFL’s comeback player of the year. The NFL’s most dysfunctional franchise finally becomes a cohesive unit. — Dochterman

Ryan Dunne (“Summer Catch”)

Tenley celebrates Ryan’s new contract with him but wakes up the next morning worried if foregoing the job in San Francisco is really the right decision for her. She keeps this a secret from Ryan as he packs up and prepares to join the Phillies’ minor-league system. She agrees to fly with him to rookie ball, in Clearwater, Fla.

The season goes until September, and Ryan performs surprisingly well away from home. His dad and brother send him good-luck texts before each game, and they seem to genuinely believe he can make it to the big leagues. Tenley comes to every game, cheering for Ryan and reminding those around her not to jinx no-hitters. But by late August, she realizes she can’t do this forever. She finally realizes it’s a summer fling and nothing more.

The breakup devastates Ryan, who pours all of his time and energy into his pitching. No more girls. No more drinking. No more inappropriate underwear. Tenley decides to pursue architecture and applies to the Rhode Island School of Design. She eventually stops taking Ryan’s calls.

Ryan toils around in the minor leagues for four seasons before he finally gets The Call. His first pitch, as we know, results in a Ken Griffey Jr. home run. Instead of spiraling as he normally would, Ryan takes the setback in stride and strikes out the side. The Phillies decide to keep him up in the majors for the rest of the season.

As Ryan’s professional baseball career takes off, he decides it’s time to enjoy the perks. He starts dating again and for a while has a girlfriend of sorts in each major city. But he doesn’t feel fulfilled. He settles down and marries a C-list actress, but it doesn’t last more than a year. He rebounds quickly and marries a yoga instructor seven years his junior; they split after six months. He’s too immature and insecure to commit himself fully to his relationships. He’s scared of dating a woman like Tenley again, someone he deems too good for him. Really, he’s terrified of dating someone smarter than him.

The Phillies make the World Series in 2011, and Ryan gets the nod to start Game 1. He looks into the stands and sees his brother waving and his dad snapping a photo on his digital camera. Just over their shoulder, he sees Tenley and, he finds out later, Tenley’s husband. She waves. He throws a one-hitter. — Auerbach

Eby Calvin ‘Nuke’ LaLoosh (“Bull Durham”)

Nuke remembered every cliché Crash Davis taught him on the Durham Bulls’ bus. But there was one problem for the mercurial pitcher: He never could say them right.

In his first September with the Atlanta Braves, Nuke’s ERA hovers around 9.00. When he isn’t quoting Motley Crue or Def Leppard lyrics to television reporters, Nuke mangles his cliché with newspaper reporters.

His first one-on-one interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution goes as expected.

“We play all of them one day at a time,” Nuke says. “I hope the ballclub can be happy when I’m here.”

Then there was this doozy.

“I just want to take my good willing to the best Lord.”

Nuke becomes the king of the malaprop, and his teammates jabs him constantly. He keeps Annie’s garter belt in his locker, and his older teammates smother it with Icy Hot before an afternoon game. Before long, Nuke is breathing through his belly button in the bullpen.

That winter, Nuke calls Crash and asks for his advice. Crash tapes himself asking questions and mails the cassette to Nuke. On the tape, Crash tells Nuke to relax and practice his interview sessions in front of a mirror. To keep the kid humble, Crash asks a question, pauses for 10 seconds and then lobs an insult.

“Why did you throw an 0-2 fastball down the middle of the plate? … C’mon meat, you’re better than that.”

At first, Crash’s digs bother Nuke. Then he realizes the tapes help him think through every situation. Nuke takes the tape with him to spring training and plays it before every pitching session.

Nuke starts the next season in Triple-A and then is traded to Texas as the Braves inch toward the pennant. Three years later, he reunites with Crash, now the Rangers’ bench coach. That season, Nuke wins the Cy Young Award, and the Rangers win the American League pennant. — Dochterman

Becky “Icebox” O’Shea (“Little Giants”)

Becky decides she can have her cake and eat it, too. She continues pursuing football throughout middle school and into high school, trying out and making the varsity team as a freshman. She’s more in touch with her feminine side, too, thanks to Patty, who is now Danny’s serious girlfriend. Junior and Becky approve. They’re back to being best friends, and both date different people in high school: Junior dates a couple of cheerleaders, Becky dates a fellow football player and a soccer star.

Patty has not only taught Becky which lipstick to wear on a daily basis — and which lipstick to wear for formal occasions — but she’s also taken her shopping and helped her through those awkward growing pains.

Still, Becky plays football. She can’t not. She plays running back, wide receiver and backup quarterback for most of high school, and occasionally, she lines up at fullback just so she can see her dad’s reaction in the stands. At first, college coaches are hesitant to recruit Becky because most have never coached a woman, and those who have only had female kickers, not skill players.

Then, Steve Spurrier offers Becky a full ride to Florida to play receiver. Danny and Kevin plan an elaborate commitment ceremony for her at the school, and the whole football team shows up to support her. Junior is in the front row, wearing his Georgia hat. (He still hollers when Becky does the gator chomp, even though they are now rivals.)

“Tennessee’ll be pissed once they figure out that ‘IceBox’ is a girl and not a freezer,” Spurrier tells local reporters. “Might take ‘em all four years to realize that.”

Becky spends four years in Gainesville, shattering the glass ceiling the only way she knows how by beating up anyone who thinks she’s not good enough. She earns her first start during her junior season and catches four passes for 124 yards and a touchdown against Georgia that day. Junior, the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback, can’t help himself and claps on the sideline. He and Becky remain each other’s biggest cheerleaders.

Becky makes SportsCenter for a one-handed touchdown grab against FSU, doubly sweet because Spike — a Seminoles linebacker — is seen pounding the turf in the background of the shot. On the same day, Danny proposes to Patty. She says yes. Becky cries when she hears the news. She finally has a new mom. — Auerbach

The Kinsella family (“Field of Dreams”)

Ray’s touching game of catch with his father, John, is short-lived. Hundreds of families drive to the Kinsella farm just outside of Dyersville, Iowa, and the first groups see Ray throwing a baseball that stops in mid-air and returns to him. Ray convinces them it’s an optical illusion, so the sense of peace and tranquility remains. But the massive increase in traffic frustrates the locals, and the Kinsellas sell the farm to Mark and his partners. — Dochterman

Ricky Vaughn (“Major League”)

After striking out Jack Parkman to send the Indians to the World Series, Rick Vaughn swung for the fences with Nicki. Rick asks her to hang out for “an hour, a year, whatever.” She agrees to an hour, but it becomes a lifetime. After the World Series, they ride his Harley to the airport and fly to the Joshua Tree. On one knee and a ring in his hand, Rick calls himself “The Appreciator.” He proposes, and she accepts. Harry Doyle officiates the wedding, and Willie Mays Hayes’ impromptu tribute ends with his own rendition of “Wild Thing.” — Dochterman

Shooter McGavin (“Happy Gilmore”)

Shooter McGavin currently plays on the PGA Champions Tour, but most of his income comes from the television ads he does for competing men’s health medication companies. He and Happy Gilmore remain in touch sporadically, but their relationship has been strained since Happy was booted from the Tour following his fifth assault charge. — Auerbach

Roy Munson (“Kingpin”)

Roy’s trade show visits and campus talks as “The Rubber Man” go well, but he remains haunted by Ernie McCracken’s past exploits. He challenges Big Ern to another winner-take-all $1 million game sponsored by Trojan, this time in Ocelot, Iowa, at the refurbished Roy Munson Bowling Center. Midway through the fifth frame, Big Ern sneakily tosses Roy’s rubber hand into a potato chip vat, and the match is declared a no contest. Munson still has to pay Big Ern an appearance fee, and without his rubber hand, Trojan finds a loophole and ends the sponsorship. Roy loses all of his money, and Claudia leaves him for Big Ern. You didn’t think this would end happily ever after, right? — Dochterman

The Hanson brothers (“Slap Shot”)

With the Charleston Chiefs disbanded, the Hanson brothers join Reggie Dunlop in Minnesota and continue their brawling ways. This time, Dunlop wants them to curtail the fighting, but they won’t stop. When Reggie benches Steve for punching an official, all three leave the ice and head for a semi-pro team in the Yukon. They resurface in 1992 as complementary ice performers during the Super Bowl halftime extravaganza “Winter Magic” in Minneapolis. — Dochterman

Roger Bomman (“Angels in the Outfield”)

Roger and J.P. live with George until college, when Roger decides to spread his wings — pun intended — and head to the University of Washington. He loves Seattle instantly and decides to stay permanently. He buys Sonics season tickets, hoping his old friend Al might be able to save another struggling franchise. Instead, the Sonics bounce to Oklahoma City and become the Thunder. Roger, frustrated with the sports industrial complex, sets fire to all his Sonics and Angels gear. He quits his job, gets really into the Seattle grunge scene and takes up hiking. He still refuses to buy a cell phone. — Auerbach

Joe Kane (“The Program”)

Instead of returning to Eastern State for his senior year, Joe Kane realizes he needs a rigid structure to avoid his temptations. He turns pro but falls to the second round when scouts have concerns about his stint in rehab, family background, small frame and inconsistent mechanics. His inability to quickly learn a complex playbook creates more stress, which leads to constant fighting with Camille. They split; Joe starts drinking again and gets cut. Raiders managing general partner Al Davis signs Kane, who first becomes a quality backup and then engineers an upset win in a playoff game. He gains the moniker Joe “Sugar” Kane and carves out a nice NFL career. — Dochterman

Lance Harbor (“Varsity Blues”)

Bud Kilmer’s medical negligence prevents strong-armed Lance Harbor from playing football again. After recognizing his football acumen in the recruiting process, Texas A&M signs Harbor and places him on a medical scholarship. By his fourth year, Harbor is the Aggies’ de facto quarterbacks coach. SMU hires Harbor as offensive coordinator concurrent with his graduate courses. In his third season, Harbor pushes the Mustangs to the Cotton Bowl with the nation’s highest-scoring offense. Texas A&M rehires Harbor as offensive coordinator at age 26 and promotes him to head coach at age 29. — Dochterman

Amanda Whurlizer (“The Bad News Bears”)

From her dealings with coach Morris Buttermaker, Amanda learns how to negotiate and stand her ground. Amanda later earns a full ride to North Carolina majoring in sports management and graduates top of her class from UCLA’s law school. She becomes the first female sports agent to negotiate both a $10 million multi-year contract and an eight-figure annual contract. — Dochterman

Calvin Cambridge (“Like Mike”)

Understanding more than most how life-changing one pair of shoes can be, Calvin becomes a pretty big sneakerhead. Thanks to Tracy and his newfound fame, he’s able to design his own line of Nikes and set himself up quite comfortably for the rest of his life. He dabbles in a music career and eventually hits it big as a rapper before retiring at a relatively young age in 2016. Meanwhile, Vince Carter is, somehow, still playing in the NBA. — Auerbach

Cole Trickle (“Days of Thunder”)

Cole’s slick inside maneuver to pass Russ Wheeler and win the Daytona 500 escalates their personal rivalry and sends NASCAR television ratings soaring. Cole continues to drive Rowdy Burns’ car with Harry Hogge as his crew chief, and Tim Daland proudly declares Cole a member of his driving stable. Russ takes it hard and vows to beat Cole at Rockingham, which he does. Each crew claims five races and the Winston Cup championship comes down to Atlanta. Russ leads by a car length going into the white flag, but Cole once again drafts the Hardee’s car entering the final turn. This time, Russ anticipates Cole going low, but the Mello Yello car stays high and Cole wins both the finale and the points title. — Dochterman

Shane Falco (“The Replacements”)

Shane’s playoff-clinching touchdown pass is all the redemption he needs, and he is finally at peace with the game he loves. He retires on the spot — on top. The Sugar Bowl hires Shane to be its new executive director, erasing the painful memories of his past performance in that game and making him pretty wealthy at the same time. Shane’s able to buy a bigger, fancier houseboat, which is where he eventually proposes to Annabelle. (She says yes.) Shane performs “I Will Survive” in a skit on “Saturday Night Live.” — Auerbach

Louden Swain (“Vision Quest”)

After his shocking throw in the final seconds to pin Brian Shute, Swain gains 10 pounds within hours of the wrestling miracle. He wins the state 178-pound championship and earns a scholarship to Oregon State. Shute heads to Minnesota, and the two face off at the ensuing NCAA tournament. Shute beats Swain by a second-period technical fall en route to the first of his four national titles. Swain leaves wrestling after two years to train for the Iditarod. — Dochterman

Charlie Conway (“The Mighty Ducks”)

After graduating Eden Hall, Charlie follows through on his plan to play junior hockey in Canada. He gets drafted by an NHL team — Anaheim, of course — but never reaches the top level because of his defense. (Adam Banks, meanwhile, was drafted out of high school and enjoyed a 10-year NHL career. Cake-eater.) Charlie follows advice from Gordon Bombay and studies to become a lawyer, which leads to a career as a sports agent. — Chris Vannini

Chazz Michael Michaels, Jimmy MacElroy (“Blades of Glory”)

With the successful completion of the Iron Lotus, Chazz and Jimmy believe they can transform figure skating into more than an Olympic novelty. They join up with Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine and the cast from “Frozen” in a primetime ice skating spectacular on the Detroit River called “The World’s Winter Wonder Line.” The performance is perfect until Chazz spots the beautiful Elsa as they approach Canada. As Elsa’s rendition of “Let It Go” melts Chazz’s heart and tests his suppressed desires, he releases Jimmy’s hand during a windmill routine and they crash violently 100 feet shy of the border. The river begins to crack, and Estefan directs a conga line across the ice. The Miami Sound Machine pulls them from the chilly water and guides Chazz and Jimmy into safety. The night ends with Estefan singing “Anything For You,” which causes both Chazz and Jimmy to tear up. — Dochterman

Sidney Deane (“White Men Can’t Jump”)

Sidney realizes his best hustling days are behind him, but not before he wins a trip to New York for courtside seats at the 1993 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. He sits next to Spike Lee, they hit it off and the filmmaker decides to make a documentary on Sidney called “Hoops Hustler.” Billy Hoyle makes a cameo, and their smack talk lands them a regular spot on “In Living Color.” Sidney and Rhonda finally move out of the Vista View Apartments for a real vista view. — Dochterman

Coach Molly McGrath (“Wildcats”)

After leading Central High past Prescott for the Chicago championship, Molly is invited to speak at multiple coaching conventions, and her elaborate passing schemes draw the attention of many NFL clubs. With the prospect of facing the Chicago Bears’ 46 defense, the Detroit Lions hire Molly as an offensive consultant. She devises a lateral-based system that takes advantage of the Bears’ aggressiveness and helps Detroit earn a playoff bid. Every offensive player donates 10 percent of their playoff earnings to help pay Molly’s legal fees in her attempt to bring Alice and Marian permanently to Detroit. — Dochterman

Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra (“Bend it like Beckham”)

With no feasible options to play professionally in the U.S., Jules returns to Europe after college and plays professionally with Arsenal women’s side. (Her wife plays on the English national netball team; Jess officiated their wedding.) Jess stays in the United States and enrolls in Stanford’s law school. She practices with the women’s soccer team and attends some local coaching clinics. A six-month business law internship takes her to Oxford, and that’s when Jess and Joe decide to break up. They stay friends, and Joe still occasionally plays cricket with her dad. Jess uses her law degree to fight racism and sexism in sports. She helps the Women’s Professional Soccer League turn into the NWSL in 2012. (David Beckham helps as a consultant.)

Jess is eventually approached about working with the Women’s World Cup behind the scenes, which ends up frustrating her. She has Jill Ellis on speed dial and blocks Phil Neville on Twitter. Jess ends up helping her beloved Manchester United create a women’s team, and although she doesn’t marry she settles into a committed relationship with a French businessman. They have a daughter named Mia, who plays soccer and has photos of Wendie Renard and Paul Pogba all over her room. They all attend the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final, and Jess’ partner publicly cheers for India. Mrs. Bharma finally approves. — Shireen Ahmed

Coach Pete Bell (“Blue Chips”)

After leaving Western University in scandal, Bell continues coaching at Ocean Tide High School, about 110 miles north of Los Angeles. There, Bell rediscovers his love for basketball, leading the Shellfish to eight league titles in 12 seasons. He retires in 2006 and moves to Kalispell, Montana, where he spends his time fly-fishing and avoiding the media spotlight. Western U tries for years to get Bell to return and be honored for his accomplishments, but Bell never answers emails, letters or phone calls. In 2014, former players Butch McRae, Ricky Roe and Neon Bodeaux visit Bell and try to get the coach to return for the 20th anniversary of Western’s season-opening upset of No.1 Indiana, but Bell declines. In 2020, reports surface that Iona has contacted Bell about its open coaching position. The Gaels hire Rick Pitino instead. Bell teams with sportswriter Ed O’Neill, his old press conference nemesis, on his basketball memoir. “I Cheated the Game” is due out in October. — Doug Haller

Jeff Lebowski (“The Big Lebowski”)

The Dude abides.