“The champs!”
“Who runs this field?”
“The champs”
“Who runs this game?”
“The champs”
“Who are we?”
“Champs! Champs! Comets are number 1! Mindset. Heartset. 100 percent!” is shouted in unison. The boys are pumped and run to their spots on the field.
Francesca walks over and stops next to me, running her hand down my arm. “Looking good, Coach,” she winks at me. Before I can respond, she turns and introduces me to Sally Foster, a sports reporter from the next city over from us and her cameraman, Duke. I shake both their hands, welcoming them to the town of Christmas. “Hope you got their hype chant on tape,” I chuckle.
“Caught it all coach, even your pep talk,” Duke says.
I grin. “Thanks for coming down today, especially on short notice.”
Sally waves her hand like it’s no big deal. “When Francesca called me and said she had an in with the Current State Champs, I grabbed it! I’m excited to show the kids in action, and the hard work and dedication that makes them the champs. I always love picking one kid and following him, knowing he’s the one that could make it. After all,youwere that kid, weren’t you Coach Gage?”
And this is why I hate reporters and hate when our practices open up to the public. This team is not about me and what I used to do, butabout the kids and what they’re currently doing. And currently, they’re a winning team because they don’t quit. Not because their coach used to be an NFL quarterback.
I adjust my hat, run my hands through my hair, and turn my back on her to watch the boys for a few moments. I know it’s rude and I see Chess bristle at my side. Turning back to look at Sally and Duke with his bright red light like its Rudolph’s nose, shining in my face as he records every breath I take.
“Yup, Iwasthat kid, many moons ago. Butthesekids are the star of the show in this town, Ms. Foster. And they’re doing a damn good job making sure everyone notices.”
My slight tone doesn’t faze her one bit, but I see Chess step back just a foot from us. Sally continues, “Yes, they’ve got everyone noticing their talents. Especially that quarterback of yours, Jameson Winters. He is quite the phenom. His stats are incredible and he’s only a junior. How has he gone unnoticed until just now?”
Okay, I can work with this. She wants to highlight Jameson. I was kind of hoping she would, without being biased towards my other boys, but Jameson has that certain something. He’s an outstanding student, a great friend, polite, helpful around town and an incredible athlete. To be honest, I don’t know how he’s gone unnoticed except to say it may be on me, since I don’t allow cameras at my practices until absolutely forced to do so by the athletic director.
“That one is probably on me,” I say with chagrin. “I don’t like the distraction of cameras and reporters while we’re practicing, no offense.” She nods at me, letting it pass. “Jameson is more dedicated than anyone I’ve coached here in the last six years. Probably more dedicated to his skill than anyone I’ve worked with while I was coming up the ranks, too. He honest to God loves this game, loves the team concept more and I think that’s what makes him special. His ability to learn plays and retain them, for both offense and defense, is uncanny. And he’s willing to explain it to anyone who needs it reinforced. In short, he’s the one everyone on the team goes to, the one everyone can count on. They know it. He knows it. And it’s why he’s been my captain since he was a freshman, because I saw his dedication straight out of the gate.”
Sally nods like it’s just another walk in the park. “So why keep himhidden away? Don’t you want him noticed so he can further his career? I mean, his stats are incredible. He threw for over seven hundred yards in the last six games of the regular season and his completion rate is almost sixty-five percent.”
“We’ve made his recruiting videos and sent them out to some colleges. His focus is on this team. The ‘right now’. We’ll work on visiting those interested right before the season starts. That way, the coaches can come see him in an active game.”
“I would think he would be the number one recruit from this area. Anyone who saw that championship game a few months back should be clamoring down these gates to get to him. Do you think he’s being overlooked because your name is attached to him, Coach Gage?”
What.
The.
Fuck.
My blood is boiling, and this right here confirms what I’ve thought about myself. What the town must think of me. And of course, why the colleges aren’t calling for me, either. I’m a liability and why would any team want to pick up one of my kids? I must be rubbing off on them, too. Making them party animals.
Making them the new generation of liabilities.
Francesca steps in. “Sally, I specifically said we were here to focus on the kids today, more specifically Jameson and the other rising seniors. If you are not here to report on them, then I’m sorry to say this interview is over. Coach Gage and the team have a lot of work to do to prepare for the upcoming season. As reigning champs, everyone will be looking to be the ones to knock them out. This interview was to show those people the Christmas Comets are here, still working and still hungry for the next championship.”
“Oh, of course, Francesca!” her voice is oozing with sour sweetness. “I apologize Coach Gage; I was only trying to understand how your reputation may be another feat to overcome for these boys. They’ve been underdogs every season, yet they still came out on top. That’s something to be proud of.”
Her backhanded comment does not go unnoticed. Before I strangle this woman, I step away. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to make sure we areworking on the correct drills. Feel free to stay and film if you’d like. I can send Jameson and the other seniors over.” I turn to Chess and hold her stare. “As long as Francesca is okay standing in as their PR agent for the day.” She gives me a quick nod, and I turn and jog to the boys.
I don’t even say goodbye. Or thank them for coming. Which is exactly the reputation Ms. Foster was talking about, rude and abrasive. Whatever. Fuck the reporters. I’ve got more important things to worry about right now.
I approach Jameson, who is warming up with Connor. “Gentlemen, if you’d like to chat with the reporter, Miss Casanova is waiting for you. She’ll stand right with you and guide your answers if needed. Don’t be nervous, just be you. Okay?” I grab their helmets and give a little shake just as I hear Francesca call their names. I watch them trot over, knowing their hearts are beating super-fast. I was them. I know that higher than life feeling.
