The Return

Two |

GRAYSON

"See how he breaks away from that line I've just drawn. That is what we need to avoid, give this guy any room and he will run with it. Defence is everything here, so you guys will have to be smart on the field. This guys is really good if given the chance and we don't want to give him any chances out there, got it? But I also don't want offence slacking you guys will need to execute the drills and get those points, this will be a sheer physical game we have on our hands guys. It's all about skill here. Be aware and keep your eyes open. Do not, I repeat, do not start making things easy for these guys. This will be a tough game and I need one hundred percent focus. I need you to be ready physically and mentally so that mean you have to study the tapes, in detail. Got it?" Coach speaks to each of us in the dark room. I have been doing this since high school. All I did was study tapes and other players on different teams, its what I'm good at and what has gotten me here today. We always go through tapes to see what we need to focus on, each team has their own signature, their own touch of the game and we need to find that, exploit it and knock them down for it.

It's simple.
Only the knocking down part is the hardest part of it all.

That's game time. Full concentration and reading the team dynamics. Find the weaknesses on the team and use it to our advantage, its all strategic. As quarterback, that is what my job is. I give the team the ins and outs and the direction they need for us to reach the end goal; win the game.

It takes a particular mindset to get there and bring everyone along with them. It takes a certain type of quarterback. I am that type of quarterback. Don't get me wrong, there are many players with that mindset in the game, that's why we all play professionally and why its a very competitive sport. Everyone wants a ring on their finger from winning at the Super Bowl. To be part of that legendary hall of fame as one of the teams in history to go all the way and win it.

"Yes coach" the team echoes in the room before the lights are switched on so we can leave after a hard days work. Training is done for the day and it's time to go home and rest up for tomorrow.

Because this is our profession, we all eat, sleep and breathe football. It's everywhere we go, and by our own choice.

I leave with the crowd of players to go back to the locker rooms to shower and change. Our boots click-clack against the floor as we make our way down the hallway. The hard chill of the air conditioning system hits us square in the face upon entering into the room.

Sweet, sweet air conditioning.

Once I enter, I grab my towel and wash bag from my locker and head towards the shower room. Upon entering, I am greeted with the sound of water running from the heads and a slow rise of steam following suit.

I found myself deep in thought as I ran my own water. Tempering the water with my hand, I turned the knob until I reached a comfortable temperature. I stripped and stepped into my own cubicle.

"McKnight! You coming out this weekend?" Silverstone yelled at me over the dividing doors. I rolled my eyes and ducked my head under the water.

"No" I answered bluntly.

"And why not?" He pushed.

Silverstone is the one of the youngest on the team. He has a hell of a lot to learn, and annoyingly talented. He is the definition of selfish and would even go as far as trying to steal your girl, if you had one. The cocky little shit never takes any accountability for his actions either, always ending up in bar fights after a heavy night out. He's a very good player but a liability, and I know he gets into a lot of trouble with coach when he comes into training.