Narrator (Charles Grodin):
Stephen “Air Bud” Budrick made a splash on the scene in the 90’s.
Coach Jerry Cross:
Y’know, I was always looking for an edge. And I was working the guys one day and I was telling them they were dogs. You know, how we call guys dogs when they’re doing bad for some reason. And I decided to bring in a real dog, show them what I meant.
Narrator:
That dog was none other than our hero, and little did coach Cross realize he’d made a bad choice if he wanted to make a point.
Coach Cross:
I threw a pass, and goddamn it, the dog caught it. And then another one and another one. Heh, heh, I’ll tell you what, I fired my entire team right then. Except Bud.
Narrator:
From there, Bud skyrocketed to fame
[image: Sports Illustrated cover. Bud featured in mirrored sunglasses, dangling earring. Caption: “Who says this dog can’t play DESTROY football?
Narrator:
But it wasn’t meant to last forever, and Bud’s career flew by in dog years.
Doctor standing in front of x-ray of dog’s head:
You can see here. Here. All the damage here. Bud took a lot of hits. Also, he was a dog. I’m not saying a dog can’t play football. But I AM saying that a dog can’t be tackled over and over by 300-pound men and expect to walk away, wagging his tail.
Narrator:
Bud sank into a desperate, deep depression, which ended when he took his own life.
Keri Russell, Bud’s Widow:
He left…he left this. [unfolds paper]. Dear Everybody. Thank you for the good times. I know something is wrong inside me. Please, after I pass, remove my brain and see what’s in there. I know something is hopelessly wrong. I love you. Don’t forget me.
Narrator:
Bud’s final wishes were honored, however the results have been covered up by the NFL.
Player in full Uniform:
We keep that trash can over there. That was Bud’s can. He ate some old ribs out of that can. We’re keeping his memory alive.