Jett
“First guy, wrap him up; second guy, strip the ball,” I yell to my defense in frustration.
We’ve just used our last timeout to stop the clock.
The other team has the ball and is up by three points.
If they get the first down, they’ll run out the clock and win the game.
If they don’t get the first down, they’ll attempt a field goal.
We’d get the ball back with under a minute and have to drive the whole field.
What we need is a turnover, which would be a miracle at this point.
I grab Fudd by the facemask. “Great players make great plays in the biggest moments. There’s no better player than you, Fudd. He’s holding it like a loaf of bread. Go get me that fucking bread, son.”
His lip twitches as he nods. “Yes, sir. Consider it done.”
I know he’ll move mountains right now to do what it takes to get me that ball back. I just want Vance to have the chance to win the game for us.
Vance is having the game of his life. It’s a joke that this organization would have ever considered trading him. You don’t trade a future first-ballot Hall of Famer in the prime of his career.
Daylen and Champ are having great games too. It’s a high-scoring affair. Our defense hasn’t been awful, though we’re still undermanned. It was our special teams who let us down, giving up both a kickoff and a punt return for touchdowns.
The ball is hiked, and Fudd powers through like the tank he is, immediately wrapping himself around their running back. I can’t see exactly what happens, but the ball squirts loose.
Everyone on our sideline starts screaming, “Ball, ball, ball!”
There’s a giant pile-up on the field, with every man jockeying for that ball. Everyone else is going crazy waiting to see who has it. I don’t need to look. I know who fucking has it.
Finding Daylen, who’s focused on the pile-up, I fist his jersey in my hand and get in his face.
“Look at me.” He does. “Fudd has the ball. I have to call the option in this scenario, but we both know Vance is going to go for the shorter option. Make sure he does what we need him to do. I have no interest in a tie and overtime. I want to win this game right now.”
If I have one complaint about Vance, it’s that he plays it a little too conservatively at times.
It’s just his personality. It’s also why he rarely throws any interceptions, but in this moment, we need to roll the dice on a big play.
Daylen knows how to bring that out in Vance.
Daylen also manages to stay cool as a cucumber in high-stress situations.
He nods. “I got you, Daddy.”
“Humblecut, I will fucking kill you if you call me Daddy again.”
He chuckles as he blows me a kiss. “Love you too, Daddy.”
As I knew he would, Fudd comes up with the ball in the biggest situation. That’s just Beau Fudd in a nutshell.
Our offense takes the field, and I see Daylen communicating with Vance. He’s telling him to just throw the ball in the air, and Daylen promises to catch it.
Here’s the thing about my son-in-law. Something I’ll likely never admit to him.
He’s the best tight end to ever play the sport.
His hands are like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
If the ball is within ten yards of him, he’ll find a way to catch it.
Even if he’s covered by five men, he’s so damn strong he’ll toss them aside and do whatever is necessary to secure the ball.
A giant cooler of Gatorade is poured over my head. I can feel it dripping down my shirt and pants. There’s no better feeling.
It happened. Vance let the ball sail through the sky, and Daylen battled the defenders and caught it for the winning touchdown as time expired.
The Camels are the Super Bowl champions. I’m the first person in history to win a Super Bowl as both a player and a coach for the same franchise.
It’s absolute mayhem on the field. Players, fans, and reporters are everywhere. With families usually sitting in suites for the game, it takes a few minutes for them to be escorted to the field by security.
I’m finally being embraced by Fallon, Pierce, and Harper when I see a commotion on the other side of the field. Kennedy is on the ground, and Daylen is standing over her.
Fallon and I exchange worried glances before we all take off in a dead sprint to them. “What’s going on?” I breathlessly ask Daylen when I arrive.
“Her water just broke.”
“Holy shit,” I scream. “What should we do? There are a hundred thousand people here. How will we get her out? How will—”
He places his hand on my shoulder and, in a calm voice, says, “Relax, Coach. I’ve got this. They’re bringing an ambulance onto the field for her and me, and an SUV for you. It’s taken care of.”
I nod as I crouch down to Kennedy, who is clearly in pain. “Are you okay, sweetie?”
“Yes,” she pants. After a few short breaths, she says, “It’s okay for you to stay here. Enjoy your moment. You earned it. I’m sure I’ll be in labor for hours.”
Before I can respond, the ambulance arrives. She’s lifted by Daylen—who won’t let anyone else touch her—and placed onto a stretcher. It peels out with the sirens blaring, leaving me speechless.
A black Escalade then pulls into the stadium, and I load my family into it. I’m about to get inside when DeBurg tugs on my shirt. “Where are you going?”
“My daughter is in labor. I need to get to the hospital.”
His face falls. “Are you crazy? You need to take the podium and accept the trophy. Everyone is expecting you to speak.”
“It’s a fucking football game, DeBurg. Did you not hear me? My daughter is in labor.”
His face tightens. “You need to stay put. You know what’s on the line.”
I put my face in his. “Fuck. You. I lived up to my end of the bargain. Vance stays until he fucking feels like it. I quit.”
At that, I get into the SUV and make my way to the hospital.
She gave birth in the ambulance. When we arrive at the hospital, they’re escorting Kennedy, Daylen, and the healthy baby girl inside.
I run to grab Kennedy’s hand as they wheel her through the doors. Her eyes widen. “Why didn’t you stay at the field?”
I squeeze her hand. “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Her eyes immediately fill with tears. “You didn’t have to.”
“Yes I did.” I lean down and kiss her forehead. “I’m here for you.”
She nods as her emotions overwhelm her. “Thanks, Dad,” she croaks out. “I…I love you.”
Tears fall from my eyes. It’s the first time she’s said those words to me since she was a little girl. “I love you too.”