Trivia: Laurence Fishburne plays Cuba Gooding Jr.'s father in the movie, even though he's only seven years his senior.
Trivia: John Singleton was nominated for the Best Director Academy Award for this movie. At the age of 24, Singleton became the youngest person to be Oscar nominated for directing.
Trivia: Writer/director John Singleton has a cameo in this film. He is the mailman with the uniform, cap, and sunglasses that delivers the letters to Doughboy's mother's house when Doughboy and Ricky are having a fight out on the front lawn. John gives the letters to the boys' mother.
Trivia: Tyra Ferrell plays Morris Chestnut and Ice Cube's mother in the movie, even though in real life she's only seven years older than them.
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.