The skill being instilled in the team is important on two levels- to instill solidarity in the team and breaking down barriers and by serving as a macrocosm of what these team members will encounter over the course of their lives. Barriers will always exist among people, for whatever reason, but by pushing the boundaries and thinking outside the "bubble" that some of these team members exist and think in, the Coach is instilling lifelong skills in these players. Additionally, another important scene is when the white captain yells at his teammate of the same race because he failed to block his black teammate in practice. Though the captain was rough on his teammate, the coach allows the emotional outburst and tirade continue as the team watches. By allowing this to continue, the Coach allows the captain to become an example and emerge as a leader of how the team...
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