Robert “Bobby” Boucher Jr. is a socially inept, stuttering 31-year-old, somewhat mentally challenged man serving as the water boy for the University of Louisiana football program.[3] He lives with his overprotective and extremely religious mother, Helen, and believes his father, Robert Sr., died of dehydration in the Sahara while serving in the Peace Corps back in the 1960s. The Waterboy 1998 full
As the players constantly bully Boucher, the Cougars’ head coach, Red Beaulieu, fires Boucher, claiming that he has been disruptive during the 18 years of his employment. Bobby approaches Coach Klein of the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs and is hired as the team’s water boy.
The Mud Dogs have lost 40 consecutive games, their cheerleaders are alcoholics, and players are forced to share equipment due to budget cuts. When the new team teases him, Klein encourages Bobby to stand up for himself. Remembering all the bullying he has put up with over the years, Bobby tackles the team’s quarterback, knocking him out. Seeing Boucher’s potential, Klein meets with Helen and tries to persuade her to let Bobby play on the team, but she refuses, saying it is too dangerous.
Klein convinces Bobby to play without letting Helen know, seeing that Bobby is eager to attend college. Bobby becomes a feared linebacker, with Klein telling him to visualize his enemies angering him and use the feelings for motivation. The Mud Dogs go on a winning streak. Bobby’s newfound fame and confidence also allow him to reconnect with his childhood crush, Vicki Vallencourt, who has been in prison multiple times. Helen forbids Bobby from seeing her, warning him that girls (along with everything else in pop culture) “is the devil”.
The team’s success earns it a trip to the annual Bourbon Bowl on New Year’s Day to face the Cougars and Coach Beaulieu. Klein convinces Bobby to play without letting Helen know, seeing that Bobby is eager to attend college.