Plot Synopsis

Inspired by the life of NFL player Spencer Paysinger, ALL AMERICAN is a one-hour drama series that centers on Spencer James, a rising high school football player and A student at South Crenshaw High. Compton is the place he calls home. But when Beverly High School's football coach Billy Baker recruits him to join the team in Beverly Hills, Spencer's mother, Grace, and his best friend, Coop , convince Spencer it's an opportunity he has to seize. Now Spencer must navigate two worlds -- the south side neighborhood that he knows and the affluent Beverly Hills world that has offered him an opportunity for something bigger. When Spencer is forced to move in with Billy and his family to protect his transfer permit to Beverly, Billy's son Jordan, the team's starting quarterback, is less than thrilled to be sharing his father's attention -- or the team spotlight -- with Spencer. While Spencer struggles to find his footing, he makes an unlikely friend in Jordan's sister, Olivia, who is dealing with her own demons. He also quickly develops a crush on his classmate, Layla, something her boyfriend, Asher, quickly realizes -- and so, he sets out to drive Spencer off the football team and out of Beverly Hills for good.

The sophomore season of ALL AMERICAN premiered on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 8pm ET/PT on The CW. Season 2 finds Spencer James, now a football State Champion, with a tough decision to make. Does he stay in Beverly Hills and play for Coach Billy Baker? Or does he move back home to South LA, reunite with his mother Grace and brother Dillon, and play for his father Corey -- the new head coach for the South Crenshaw Chargers? This isn't an easy decision for him to make because it's not just about football. It's about choosing between the people he loves. No longer is Beverly Hills just some affluent place that represents his shot out of the hood. Now, he has friends there, including his antagonist turned ally, Asher, who's fighting to hold on to his football dreams. He has his girlfriend there, Layla, who's secretly battling her own demons. And most importantly, he has a second family there in the Bakers -- Billy, Laura, Jordan, and Olivia -- who are struggling to adapt to the new normal of their broken home. However, when Spencer's thrown an unexpected curve ball, the fallout to his life will end up affecting everyone he holds dear, including his best friend, Coop, who's trying to take control of her life by stepping back from gangs and pursuing her musical dreams. On Monday, January 20, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT, The CW debuted "One of Them Nights," the winter premiere of ALL AMERICAN. Dillon is mad that Spencer hasn't been around, so Spencer tries to make it up to him by having him help sell tickets for Coop's show, but they find themselves confronted by the police instead. Elsewhere, Coop is shook when faced with Tyrone (guest star Demetrius Shipp Jr.), but luckily she knows Preach (guest star Kareem J. Grimes) is in her corner. Billy tries to force Jordan and Olivia to hang out with him and make memories, but all doesn't go to plan, giving Olivia an idea on reporting injustices. Meanwhile, Layla bonds with a new friend who understands what she is going through, but she realizes that Spencer and Olivia are there for her, too.

Season 3 of ALL AMERICAN premiered on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT on The CW. Spencer finds himself on the defense after an interview he gave comes out, upsetting his old teammates and emotions get the best of them. Coop and Layla return from tour, but while Coop tries to figure out what happened with Patience, she tries to learn why Tyrone's sister is back. Billy is excited for a fresh start at South Crenshaw High, but he must confront something from his past first that could be a roadblock to his success. Meanwhile, Jordan and Simone (guest star GeffriMaya) struggle with saying goodbye to someone they love. Later, both Spencer and Billy are not getting the hero's welcome they expected from the football team and quickly realize they need to adjust their style and start earning the team's trust first. Jordan is surprised at who the new football coach at Beverly turns out to be and that his starting quarterback position is threatened when the coach starts shaking things up. Coop and Layla get into an argument over Coop's tour paycheck, which leads Layla to discover why Patience left the tour early. Meanwhile, Asher is keeping a secret from Olivia that could jeopardize their relationship. After a one-month break, ALL AMERICAN returned with new episodes on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT on The CW. In the spring premiere, "Testify," Spencer is upset with Olivia, which leaves him to face some difficult truths of his own. Olivia makes things even worse, leaving Billy, Laura and Jordan worried. Billy is in search of a kicker and holds school tryouts and is surprised at who the number one candidate turns out to be. Meanwhile, Montes (guest star Alexandra Barreto) gives Asher a tough choice about his football career and Coop makes a decision about school after talking with her mom.

The fourth season of ALL AMERICAN debuted on Monday, October 25 at 8pm on The CW. It's been a long journey in just a short period of time for gifted high school football star Spencer James, from his days as the breakout player at South Crenshaw High to becoming state champion with Beverly Hills High. His family life, personal relationships and athletic future all changed and grew in ways he never imagined. But after the rough year that followed that victory, Spencer made the tough decision to return to South Crenshaw High for his senior year with Billy Baker by his side as the new head coach. With South Crenshaw High saved, and the controversial State Championship behind him, Spencer has his eyes set on the All American game and his future with the NFL, which starts with Toledo State. But before our Beverly and South Crenshaw students can set their sights on college, they'll have to navigate the tumultuous last half of senior year, including an epic unexpected prom, two graduations and all the complications that come with the growing pains of leaving high school behind and catapulting into adulthood. After a two-month break, ALL AMERICAN returned with new episodes on Monday, February 21, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT on The CW. In the mid-season premiere, "Walk This Way," with Spencer's determination to protect his teammates from unjust punishment, he puts his own future at risk. Olivia and Layla question their post-graduation plans only to find the answers where they least expect it. Asher is too proud to ask for help to pay for his dream college and takes his frustration out on the people trying to help him. Coop makes a heartbreaking decision when it comes to Amina (guest star Ella Simone Tabu.) Meanwhile, Billy and Laura deal with the aftermath of what happened to GW.
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On Monday, May 23, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT, The CW premiered "Champagne Glasses," the Season 4 finale of ALL AMERICAN. After an intense ending to the Halloween party, Spencer (Daniel Ezra) tries his best to compartmentalize everything and focus on the big Homecoming game. Much to Laura's (Monet Mazur) dismay, Billy (Taye Diggs) and Olivia (Samantha Logan) set out on a mission to do what they think is right, which leads them to learn more than they anticipated. Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) makes it known in what he wants but is met with resistance, and Layla (Greta Onieogou) gets an unexpected bombshell at work. Coop (Bre-Z) is at an emotional crossroads and Asher (Cody Christian) learns the power of adjustments. Meanwhile, Grace (Karimah Westbrook) gets a life changing offer she may not be able to refuse. David McWhirter directed the episode written by Jameal Turner.

ALL AMERICAN returns in Fall 2022 for its fifth season in its regular timeslot: Mondays at 8pm on The CW.