Plot

The story of Cat Catlan (Heston), a washed up quarterback who turns to drink and women to solve his problems. But he soon discovers that his problems are just beginning.

Ron "Cat" Catlan, 40-year-old star quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, experiences a professional crisis after suffering a knee injury in a final preseason game. In spite of Coach Jim Southerd's assurance that he has three good seasons left, Catlan realizes his days are numbered, particularly since rookie Kelly Williams is improving with every practice session. Catlan receives attractive business offers from both Richie Fowler and Harvey Hess, but he sees the business world as dull compared to pro football. He also fears starting a new career at his age. Further complicating Catlan's crisis is the collapse of his marriage. His wife, Julie, neglected by her husband, has immersed herself in fashion designing and has become something of a celebrity. Though she understands her husband's predicament, she can neither console nor counsel him since they are barely able to communicate. Depressed, Catlan enters into an affair with Ann Marley, a socialite in the sporting goods business, but she is also unable to help resolve his conflict. After being shaken further by stormy scenes with Julie and Richie, and an encounter with an impoverished former football pro, Catlan prepares for the season opener by using novocaine and a steel brace to fortify his injured knee. At first the fans boo the veteran quarterback, but they cheer him when he engineers a spectacular touchdown drive. Following a fumble, Catlan takes over again; but as he prepares to pass, he is crushed by several defensive linemen. He lies motionless in the center of the playing field, while the crowd sits in stunned silence.

Playing for the New Orleans Saints, Ron Catlan, referred to as Cat in familiar circumstances, is considered in many circles as the best quarterback that ever played. Although he has talked about retiring for the past five years, he has never been serious about it, until now at age forty, not because he wants to give up the game which has been his entire identity, but because there is pressure from many circles for him to do so. His body can't handle the constant punishment anymore, he suffering from a chronic knee injury. And the team has just ended a disastrous preseason, many fans in particular placing the blame squarely at his feet in he no longer being at the top of his game. It is especially noticeable as rookie Kelly Williams is prepared to show him up at any turn. Head coach Jimmy Southerd is up front to him that he thinks Cat has another good three years left in him, and is not prepared to let him go, yet, especially as Kelly isn't ready for the starter position and they don't have another seasoned quarterback on the roster. Adding to Cat's crisis of himself is not knowing what his post-quarterback life will be, he not wanting to turn into his friend, retired player Richie Fowler who is wealthy in running his car leasing business, but hangs onto his football past in the way he conducts his social life and who, according to Cat, is not happy. And Cat doesn't feel he gets the all adoring support he deserves from his wife, Julie Catlan, as she is successful in her own right with her own burgeoning fashion design business. His further feeling of emasculation by Julie is that she still uses her maiden name Millard professionally. As such, Cat contemplates turning to Ann Marley, a tennis shop owning friend of Richie's, as she provides him with that ego boost his bruised psyche needs.—Huggo