The Longest Yard

Paul Crewe, a former NFL quarterback, is living under federal probation after accusations of point shaving that were never confirmed. A drunken night at a San Diego party ends in a high-speed chase and a crash, wrecking his life and testing his probation. His probation is revoked and he is sentenced to three years in prison.

Crewe is moved to a Texas prison thanks to Warden Hazen's political maneuvering and football-obsessed ambitions. Hazen sees Crewe as a means to boost the prison's reputation for future elections. Crewe realizes he is being used as a pawn in Hazen's scheme.

Hazen uses threats and confinement in a hot box to coerce Crewe into helping the guards' football team. Crewe proposes a tune-up game to boost the guards' confidence and morale. He reluctantly agrees, setting the plan in motion for an inmate squad to face the guards.

Caretaker befriends Crewe and starts recruiting inmates into a workable team. The group begins as a poorly organized unit, with skepticism from many prisoners. Caretaker's role becomes crucial in bridging Crewe's past with the team's future.

Former college football star Nate Scarborough volunteers to help coach the inmates. He recruits a mix of intimidating players to improve speed and strategy. Under his guidance, the Mean Machine's potential starts to emerge.

Deacon Moss and his group refuse to play with Crewe at first due to his past. Crewe's one-on-one basketball display convinces Megget to join as running back. Megget's addition provides the team with a crucial athletic boost.

Megget's decision to join is reinforced by witnessing racial attacks on him by guards. Deacon Moss and his crew eventually relent and join the team, strengthening the squad. The Mean Machine's core begins to take shape.

Hazen and the guards implement sabotage attempts, including flooding the field, to hamper the inmates. The team persists despite the setbacks and grows more determined. The stage is set for a tense confrontation on game day.

Inmate Unger becomes a spy for the guards and, under pressure, rigs Crewe's radio with an explosive. This threat adds a deadly edge to the pre-game atmosphere. The team faces an added layer of danger as kickoff approaches.

Caretaker enters Crewe's cell to deliver a photo gift but is killed when he tries to turn the radio dial. His death becomes a catalyst, igniting a fierce resolve among the inmates. Crewe mourns but channels the loss into their upcoming performance.

Caretaker's connections to Reebok secure the inmates high-quality uniforms and gear, and the team is dubbed the Mean Machine. Crewe emphasizes discipline, urging the team to avoid targeting the guards in opening plays. The guards grab an early lead, but the halves end with the score tied thanks to stubborn resilience.

During the opening of the second half, Hazen pressures Crewe to throw the game to protect himself from implicating Caretaker's murder. Crewe initially yields and abandons his teammates, allowing the guards to pull ahead. After the guards brutalize the inmates, he re-enters the field and fights back for a comeback.

Crewe reveals that his earlier action was to cover debts owed to worse people and chooses loyalty to Caretaker's memory over escape. He remains with the inmates, inspiring them to rally for a final push. The team redoubles its effort around his leadership.

With renewed resolve, the Mean Machines overcome the deficit and secure victory with a decisive two-point conversion. Knauer congratulates Crewe, while Hazen expresses fury at the loss and the implications for his plan. Deacon Moss and Battle celebrate by dousing Hazen with Gatorade, and Crewe and Scarborough plan the next move against Unger and Switowski.