Question: In the 1984 part of the movie the older boys who stole young Ricky's football who was the boy with the bandana that the camera focused on. It seemed that he would be important in the story later the way the camera stopped and slowly revealed his face when he caught the ball.
Answer: The character is Mad Dog, played by Lexie Bigham. He was the one that gave the ball back to the boys. I haven't seen the film in a long time and don't recall if he hangs out with Doughboy in the present.
Question: At Darrin's home from prison party, he tells one of his friends, "I can read, I ain't no criminal." How are the two related?
Answer: The majority of people who commit small crimes, or even some major ones, are people that drop out of schools, and are mostly or completely illiterate. This is especially true in larger cities and people from a poor neighborhood.
Answer: Prisons are built on third grade reading scores. They feel if you can't read by the time you reach the third grade you will commit crimes and go to jail. Most prisoners are illiterate.
Answer: It symbolizes that he used to be a football player just like Rick wanted to be at that age. But probably due to the cards he was dealt he gave up on that dream. When they emphasize the man in the feel its like showing empathy to the kids because he sees himself in Ricky, thus giving the ball back.