Teddy is a 13-year-old freshman football phenom at Walthorne High School. He is currently trapped in a coma, only able to perceive fragments of the outside world as family and friends visit his hospital room. Before his injury, the local coaches recognized him for his athletic promise, speed, and fierce determination to succeed on the field.

Jim is Teddy's father and a Walthorne High alumnus who previously played football for the Wildcats. He views the sport as a necessary tool to build character and toughen young boys into men. He acts as a single parent following his separation from his wife and maintains a strong allegiance to the town's athletic traditions.

Sarah is Teddy's mother, an anxious woman who recently moved out of the family home to pursue her identity as a painter. She harbors guilt over leaving her children and actively opposes the violent nature of high school football. At the hospital, she fixates on Teddy's physical comfort as a way to cope with her helplessness.

Ethan is a freshman football player and teammate of Teddy. Smaller and less coordinated than his peers, he struggles with his self-esteem and faces intense pressure from the older players at camp. Following Teddy's collapse, Ethan stops attending school, ignores messages, and displays signs of severe emotional distress.

Janey is Teddy's younger sister. She splits her time between her separated parents and finds the hospital visits frightening. Despite her young age, she possesses strong intuition, noticing when visitors have ulterior motives and focusing on simple comforts like holding her brother's hand.

Coach Bizetti is a local sports legend who runs the Walthorne High School Wildcats football program. He treats the team like a military brotherhood, prioritizing unity and toughness above all else. He aggressively defends his coaching methods and attempts to manage the public relations crisis surrounding the summer camp.

Camille is the coach's daughter and a classmate of Teddy. She spearheads the community's digital response to the tragedy by moderating a tribute page and organizing an outdoor vigil. She tries to keep the school focused on positive prayers rather than the growing rumors about the football team's internal conduct.

Alec is Teddy's best friend and a fellow freshman on the football team. Unlike some of the other players, he questions the team's aggressive culture and resists their code of silence. He frequently visits the hospital and searches for the truth about the summer camp.

Will is the senior captain of the Wildcats football team. He strictly enforces a code of silence among the players, demanding absolute loyalty to protect the program from administrative scrutiny. He views his role as a leader through the lens of intimidation and prioritizes the team's reputation over individual safety.

The school assigns a therapist to evaluate the boys who attended the summer camp and witnessed Teddy's collapse. He is a former football player himself who understands the pressure of the sport, allowing him to gently challenge the players' evasions and encourage them to speak truthfully about their experiences.