Chapter 20 #2
It’s a relief when the drills come to a stop and I can spend some time fully upright, running and catching the ball from Marcus.
We really are working well together, getting better at reading each other’s body language, predicting the same gaps in defense.
I can’t wait to start an actual game and see how it plays out for real.
“Alright, gather round everyone,” Ted calls, and we each make our way to huddle around him. “Good work today, you’ve got Monday off, so rest or cross-train if you want. I’ll be meeting with the other coaches and have a plan of action ready for Tuesday.”
We all agree in some form but stay close in case there’s anything else.
“Now, as you all know, each year it’s the rookie’s job to bring in the snacks. So far, that’s been Tyler’s job, but now he’s off the hook, we’ve got a new rookie!”
A couple of the guys jostle me and slap me on the shoulder.
“It’s a very important job, Choi,” Ted says. “If the players don’t get their snacks, they get grumpy, and grumpy players make grumpy coaches, and grumpy coaches… well, you won’t like us when we’re grumpy.”
“No pressure,” I laugh.
“Go and ask Tyler for the list; buying everything is your number one priority for Tuesday, you understand?”
“Got it,” I nod, “I guess that’s my day off sorted.”
“Damn straight,” Jordan chuckles, “we need our snacks.”
“I’ve got you, don’t worry.”
“Alright, off you go boys. Good work today,” Ted says, waving us off.
I follow everyone into the locker room, and it’s only then that I realize why the practice went so much smoother today, pizza hangover not included… Joel wasn’t there.
I nudge Jordan. “Hey, where’s Joel?”
“No idea, MIA I think, why, you miss him?”
“No, I was just expecting it to be awkward, you know, with me getting picked.”
“Oh, it will be I’m sure, prepare yourself for Tuesday. But we’ve all got your back, you were the best choice. If he doesn’t get that, it’s on him.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, but that’s easier said than done, and knowing Joel’s temperament, Tuesday is potentially going to suck.
“Anyway, forget about Joel, you’ve got more important things to think about, like finding Tyler for the snack list.”
“Alright, alright,” I chuckle.
After my shower, I check Marcus will be here a while, before going in search of Tyler.
He started for the Warriors as a running back this year and he’s already making waves with his stats.
The guy is fast, and when it comes to dodging the opposing team’s defense, it’s like he’s covered in magnets the way they’re repelled from him.
I see him turn a corner in the distance and run to catch up. “Tyler!”
He turns and laughs when he sees me. “Stephen Choi, I figured you’d be seeking me out at some point today.”
“You know what this is about then?”
“Hell yeah, I’m free! Snack duty is yours,” he grins.
“I’ve already been given the speech about how important it is,” I chuckle, “no snacks means grumpy players, grumpy players means grumpy coaches, blah blah blah…”
“Oh no,” he says, turning serious. “There’s no blah blah blah about it. I made a mistake with the snacks once; I still haven’t heard the end of it.”
“Shit, really?” I ask, suddenly wishing I wasn’t a rookie.
“Yes really! And it’s not just snacks. Come on, follow me.” He opens the nearest door and ushers me in.
“Look, every position has their own coach and meeting room. This…” he gestures around us at the small room, filled with a couple of tables and comfy office chairs, all facing a huge screen on the wall.
“This is the linebackers meeting room. They sit in here for hours watching tape, discussing plays, talking strategy.”
“Yeah…” I say, not really seeing where this is going.
“Each of these rooms is your responsibility now.”
“By getting them snacks?”
He sighs and pulls a small worn notebook out of his bag, looking at it fondly before handing it to me.
“Guard this with your life,” he says.
There’s nothing on the cover, it’s just a plain notebook, but when I open it, it’s full of lists and scribbles, all in different handwriting, stuff crossed out and added, even notes in the margins.
Tyler reaches over and turns it to a page with LINEBACKER written across the top in all caps.
“This is what you’re in charge of,” he says, pointing at the list.
Gummy Sweets
Capri-Sun drinks
Pringles
Cheetos (Flamin’ Hot)
Vanilla scented candles (not the cheap kind)
“Vanilla scented candles?”
Tyler points to one of the desks, and what I thought was an empty glass, is actually the remnants of a candle.
“They have candles on during their meetings?” I ask.
“Hey, you try sitting in one of these windowless rooms with a load of sweaty guys when they’ve just come back from a run. You’ll be begging for scented candles. Also, it’s some kind of scent therapy shit, something about people staying calm and relaxed, it builds a better mindset.”
“Okay,” I nod. “But these snacks, are they allowed to eat this stuff? Aren’t they on strict diets?”
“You wanna tell a group of linebackers what they can and can’t eat?” He laughs, and I join in when I picture my dad and his appetite.
“No, fair enough.”
I look back at the notebook and there’s a page for every position; the lists all varied in their snack preferences, and some want candles whereas others want scent sticks or aromatherapy oils, it’s a lot.
“Here.” Tyler holds out his phone. “Put your number in, I’m gonna do you a solid. Nobody taught me, but I’m gonna help you out. Tomorrow, I’ll take you on the Tyler approved shopping trip. Everything you need in three stores, we’ll be done in an hour and a half.”
“Thanks,” I say, “I’ll owe you one.”
“Yeah you will,” he chuckles.
I pass him back his phone and we leave the meeting room. I haven’t even seen half of our training facility; despite the tour I had when I first arrived. But looking at the lists in this notebook, I’m about to get very familiar with it.
“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say, veering off to meet up with Marcus.
“See you tomorrow,” he chuckles, “welcome aboard, rookie!”