‘All American’ Season 4: Why Fans Think Spencer James Will Give Up Football
On Sept. 22, The CW released the first official trailer for All American Season 4. In the one-minute clip, Spencer James (played by Daniel Ezra) talks to Darnell (Da’Vinchi) about his football career. Darnell proceeds to tell Spencer that he’s “too smart” to throw away a scholarship. Since the high school athlete scored a full scholarship to college, many fans wonder if he is giving up football for good. So, what’s next for Spencer James?
What happened to Coop in the ‘All American’ Season 3 finale?
In the season 3 finale, Coop (Bre-Z) gets shot by Mo (Erica Peeples) in the act of revenge for her brother, Tyrone. Earlier in the season, Mo came back to Crenshaw to destroy Coop’s future. So, she decides to smuggle drugs onto Coop’s tour bus. But, she thwarts her plans and removes the drugs before the police arrive. Shortly after, Preach (J. Kareem Grimes) shoots her, but it is already too late. Coop collapses, with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Is Spencer James quitting football for good?
In the trailer, Spencer learns of Coop’s situation. Coach Baker (Taye Diggs) and Spencer’s mother tell him about Coop in the middle of the state championship game. Then, the next scene jumps to Spencer running into a hospital. He even consoles Coop’s girlfriend, Patience (Chelsea Royce Tavares).
Everyone is grappling with Coop’s uncertain fate. But, Spencer is having a difficult time – so much so that he is thinking about not going to college. In the following clip, Spencer says, “I can’t leave the people I have left.” Then, Darnell proceeds to say that he’s “way too smart to throw away a scholarship.” So, is Spencer James thinking about quitting football?
Well, All American showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll weighs in on the possibility. In an interview with TVLine, Carroll teased that fans will see a “grown version” of Spencer James. While remaining close-lipped about Spencer’s football career, she said the character is “learning to put his oxygen mask on first” before helping others.
At times, Spencer tries to be the knight in shining armor. Based on Caroll’s comments, it might be a different scenario in season 4. “He’s notorious for feeling survivor’s guilt for the blessings he has in his life,” she added. “But we’re also dealing with a Spencer who’s grown since then, who’s been in therapy since then.”
What should fans expect from the season premiere?
As the All American Season 4 premiere steadily approaches, fans hope their burning questions will be answered. For now, we do know the characters will experience emotional conflict in the premiere. According to the official synopsis for All American Season 4 Episode 1, titled “Survival of the Fittest,” the logline reads:
“After the earth-shattering events of the Beverly and Crenshaw State Championship, Spencer (Daniel Ezra) also needs to come to terms with what happened with Coop (Bre-Z) and Layla (Greta Onieogou). Now he has the extra pressure of it being early national signing day for football, and Spencer must make a major decision about committing. Meanwhile, Billy (Taye Diggs) struggles to forgive Spencer about helping Jordan (Michael Evans Behling).”
All American Season 4 premieres on Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.
