Chapter 33 #2
I run back onto the field to begin the third quarter. The first half saw a lot of offense on both sides for what has turned into a seesaw game.
Vance bangs his helmet with mine. “Let’s fucking do this.”
I nod. We both want our first Super Bowl ring more than anything. We’ve worked long and hard to get here. This is our moment.
We’re moving down the field, now sitting at our opponent’s thirty-five yard line for a third and ten. We need a first down here.
Vance calls the play, an eight-yard slant to me to the right side. The goal is for me to catch the quick, short pass and then muscle myself downfield a few more yards for a first down.
The ball is hiked, and I move across the field to get a step on my defender.
Vance throws me the ball, and I catch it.
Unfortunately, I’ve got three defenders hanging off my legs, trying to tackle me.
Knowing I’m not going to get any extra yards, I toss the ball backward toward Champ for what is called a hook and ladder.
Coach never calls this play because it’s risky, and he hates when I do it, but we need this first down.
Champ catches it and dodges defenders, running all the way down the field for a touchdown. I sprint toward him with my hands in the air, screaming in celebration.
He and I do our special handshake before heading off the field toward our sideline. Coach is scowling at me. “That’s the second time today you almost gave me a heart attack.”
I smile. “Love you too, Coach. I can call you Daddy if you prefer,” I offer.
He narrows his eyes at me, but I chuckle. “Too soon?” I ask.
His lips and fingers twitch to beat me senseless, but I know he won’t on national television.
The second half progresses similarly to the first, with both sides putting on an offensive display, trading touchdowns on nearly every drive.
After a miracle play by Beau on defense, we’ve got the ball back with less than a minute on the clock, down by three.
I can physically see all the pressure Vance is feeling right now.
Games tend to fall on the shoulders of the quarterback, but he’s having a great game.
We just need to finish it with things going our way.
An option play is called, meaning Vance will read the defense and decide which person to throw the ball to.
I’ll be the downfield, winning touchdown option.
The safe play is a short pass to Champ or one of our receivers for a few yards, where we would kick a field goal to tie it, and then head into overtime.
Vance tends to play it safe at times. Too safe in my opinion. I’m going to have multiple defenders covering me, and he’s going to be afraid to throw it to me, fearing losing the game.
I look at Coach on the sideline, and he nods at me. He wants us to go for broke. I mouth to Vance, “Just throw it to me.” I silently communicate that I don’t care what I have to do, I’ll catch this ball no matter what.
Vance and I have played together long enough that I know he’s reading my mind.
The ball is hiked, and I run my route straight toward the endzone with defenders draped all over me.
Peeking back, I see Vance scrambling out of the pocket, away from defenders.
I change course a bit to get to myself on the same side of the field as him, making the throw a bit easier.
In the process, I shake all but one defender.
I can’t tell you how many times my father and I ran this play in our backyard. We’d pretend it was the Super Bowl, and I’d run as far away as I could before he’d throw it as far as he could. I’d catch it and we’d celebrate like it was actually the big game.
I’m now living that moment for real. Vance plants his feet and throws the ball high into the night sky.
It’s a perfect spiral heading straight for me.
The defender and I are shoulder to shoulder as we make our way to the back of the endzone, both with the goal of catching that ball, both with an equal chance of catching it.
As the ball approaches from the sky, we leap into the air for it.
Both our hands grab it at the same time, but I muscle it away from him before dragging my toes down and then falling out of bounds.
I think I got mine down in bounds, but it’s hard to tell.
The back judge holds up his arms, indicating a touchdown. We win.
My teammates are all running toward me, but I do a little airplane move to get away from them so I can bust out all my best dance moves.
First, I do my little swim move, then the Cabbage Patch, then the Running Man, then the Ted Lasso, all before I rock the baby and point to the suite where I know Kennedy is sitting, making my hands into a heart shape.
I can’t see her with all the flashes and confetti, but I know she’s there smiling at me.
My teammates finally reach me and pile on top of me, blanketing me with their bodies in mere seconds.
Madness ensues as everyone around looks to congratulate me. What I really want is my family, but I know it will take them time to be escorted by security from their suite down to the field.
Given his size, I see my father first. His blue eyes are filled with tears. I know he remembers all the nights we practiced together for this very moment.
He wraps me in a huge bear hug and lifts me off the ground. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. I wouldn’t be here without you.”
“I love you, son.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
Next, Jagger leaps into my waiting arms, screaming and crying tears of joy. Ashleigh follows shortly after, but I can’t find my girl. “Where’s Kennedy?” I ask them.
There’s some commotion with Vance and Sulley. People start to move toward them. When they clear away, that’s when I see my wife, standing on the sidelines with tears in her eyes.
She’s waiting for me. I start running toward her and smash my lips to hers as soon as we come together. She briefly kisses me back, but then mumbles into my lips, “I’m so sorry.”
I jerk my head back in surprise. “Why? What’s wrong?”
She looks down at her body. “My water just broke.”