The Guy Named Harrison: Book One

54

This was the loudest Panthers practice ever. And that was because Harrison made his return to the field. Fans cheered as he jogged from the locker room to the practice field in his blue practice jersey.

Captain America was back.

He wore the new Vicis ZERO1 helmet, as well as the Q-collar. After receiving the new helmet, a few other Panthers players looked into it and were now wearing the helmet that could change the game of football.

Carrie watched him join his teammates on the field with a smile on her face. It was the first time he put on a helmet and pads since his injury in Chicago. And he did it. He made a full, safe, recovery from his concussion. It had been so hard on him to be confined to all these precautions. Carrie gave him credit. He didn't push things, and went off everything Ryan and the doctors said.

❺❾

After practice, Harrison was the last one off the field. Today, he didn't stop to sign any autographs. But the fans didn't seem to care. They were happy to see their beloved linebacker back in action.

As he jogged towards the locker room, everyone in the crowd stood up and chanted his name. As he passed by, he saw several people in Captain America costumes. He couldn't help but smile under his helmet.

He found Carrie standing just outside the training facility with her notebook and recorder in hand. This would be the first time he answered questions from her since his injury.

She smiled as he jogged over. "How was practice?"

He pulled his helmet off. "Pretty good."

"Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Go for it."

Carrie started her recorder. "Harrison, coming off your concussion, you've taken some steps to help prevent another one. Can you tell us about what you've done?"

"Yeah. I tried a new helmet from a company called Vicis. The helmet specializes in helping to prevent concussions and other head injuries. It consists of four layers, with the outermost layer absorbing the impact of a hit. It then sends the shock through the entire helmet to limit the pressure on one specific spot and to help prevent concussions."

"I also tried out a Q-collar. It's designed to help the brain swell up to the skull during an impact to keep from rattling around inside the skull. That's how concussions occur."

She nodded. "You've received quite a warm welcome back by Panthers fans. First when you were on the sidelines against the Falcons, and now making your return to practice. What's it like to have a fan base supporting you as a player this much?"

He looked around at all the fans. "It's amazing. I can't thank all these fans enough for their support. It means so much to know this many people care about my health and safety, and to know that I'm okay. I also can't thank them enough for all the well wishes I received over the past few weeks."

"Thanks Harrison."

"You're welcome," he shot back with a smile before heading into the locker room to the 'HARRISON' chant following him.

❺❾

Later that afternoon, Luke came over for dinner and to study film on the Jets, a team they hadn't played in a few years.

Harrison finished cooking dinner as Carrie and Luke sat at the counter beside him. "So did you ever talk to Shannon?"

He shook his head. "You didn't!?"

Harrison turned around. "What are you waiting for man. I don't want to help you walk over there with your walker."

Luke couldn't help but laugh with Harrison and Carrie. "You are a such a baby," she teased.

"Stop it."

"We had this conversation a month ago. And you still didn't talk to her?"

He bit his lip. "Because she's with somebody else."

"Well stop being a spectator and get your ass over there and talk to your girl," Harrison said from the other side of the counter.

"We can go together. I'll hold your hand," Carrie suggested with a smile.

"You guys are impossible."

"Luke, just make the attempt to talk to her. The worst she could say is no. She needs to know you still care about her, but she isn't going to be your entire life. You love football and to make this work, she has to accept the time you spend away from her, but also accept that you're going to balance your life between her and football."

"You should listen to Carrie," Harrison suggested.

"Yeah, I know what I'm talking about."

So last night, one of my friends asked me for a ride to school this morning and I said no because a) I don't know where you live b) Why would I go the totally opposite way to pick you up? c) I'm not going on a wild goose chase at 7am to find your house and d) we're not even really good friends. So she got all pissed off and I really don't care because I'm not a chauffeur. I'm actually quite surprised she had the guts to even ask after some of the things she said about some of my other friends. Starting the school year off quite well😊