Chapter 40
Vee
“You were right, Dad. This team is Super Bowl-bound,” I whispered as our team celebrated. Soon they were out on the field.
Tears came to my eyes as I watched Dennison and Anthony hug. Fin was the next player Anthony approached. The two shook hands. A reporter about a foot shorter than Troy had a microphone in his face.
On the fifty-yard line, our stadium operations crew quickly wheeled the AFC victory platform onto the field. My gaze went up to the family suite. I asked Aunt Rachel and Uncle Darin to join me on the platform if we won. I couldn’t see the suite from down on the sideline.
Coach Tilson came to me with a huge smile on his face. “Young lady, you did it.”
I shook my head. “You and Drew and Darius, the players…”
“May I hug you?”
I nodded.
“Your daddy’s watching and is so proud of you,” he whispered near my ear.
When he pulled back, tears blurred my vision. “We’re not done, Don. We have a Super Bowl to win.”
“Let’s head to victory platform.”
Nibbling my lip, I looked around. “Aunt Rachel and Uncle Darin are going to join us.” As soon as I said the words, they appeared walking out of the team tunnel.
Aunt Rachel lifted her arms and I hurried toward her. We both squeezed and embraced. “We did this,” she said. “We kept Reid’s dream alive.”
I nodded. “Thank you.” I turned to Uncle Darin. “We stick together.”
He patted my shoulder. “You’ve done well.”
“We’re not done.”
“No, we are not,” he said.
Coach Tilson met us at the ramp leading to the victory platform.
Troy Dennison, Malik Johnson, Fin, and Royce Beasley were at his side.
My smile grew at the sight of Fin’s blue stare and smile.
On his head, like everyone else’s, was a Lexington Coopers AFC Championship hat.
The coach handed one to me, Aunt Rachel, and Uncle Darin.
I stared down at the whiskey barrel, our emblem, sewn on the front along with the title. There were no words to express the feeling of total elation. I imagined it could only be surpassed by the sight of Lexington Coopers Super Bowl Champions.
“Thank you,” I said as I took the hat and after adjusting the back, placed it on my head.
Fin offered me his hand, and we walked up the ramp to the platform. I hadn’t realized my hand was trembling until Fin gave it a squeeze. There was a silver podium set near the front of the platform holding the beautiful Lamar Hunt Trophy.
Suddenly, there were many people on the platform as well as in front of it.
Aunt Rachel, Uncle Darin, and I were directed to stand on the far side of the podium. Royce Beasley, Coach Tilson, and our players were on the other side. John Sellers, the CBS broadcaster and Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning were present.
John gave us the countdown.
“Hello, Kevin,” John said, speaking to the broadcast booth. “Hello, here we are at Crystal Light Stadium to present the Lamar Hunt Trophy to the AFC champions.” He turned toward Peyton. “With us today is Hall of Famer and infamous AFC quarterback, Peyton Manning.”
Peyton came forward. John continued to hold the microphone.
“I’m honored to be here today to present the Lamar Hunt Trophy to Maeve Hubbard, the owner, and Rachel Hubbard Marsh, the CEO, of the Lexington Coopers.”
Many of the crowd had made their way down to the field. Cheers filled the air.
Peyton offered his hand and we shook. “I’m so happy for you,” he said.
He handed me the trophy. Lifting it in the air, I swiveled to my aunt and uncle. Together, we held the trophy high. Our fans clapped and cheered.
Holding the trophy in my hands, I turned back to John.
“Maeve Hubbard,” he said. “This is the second time your family has accepted this trophy, the first time being nearly thirty years ago. Tell me, what does this trophy mean to you?”
The microphone was before me.
“It means the world to me.” I gestured toward Aunt Rachel and Uncle Darin. “And to our family.”
It was then I noticed the rest of our family, everyone from the suite above, standing in front of the platform. Smiles filled every face.
I motioned to them. “To our entire family. John, this hasn’t been an easy year, but this team—this franchise—has magic.
I’m proud to accept this trophy not only for the Hubbards and Marshes, but also for our coaches, Royce Beasley” —I smiled in his direction— “who has seen this trophy before. And for our amazing players and fans. I also accept it for my father. I know if he could be here, he would be bursting with pride for what this team has accomplished this year.” Looking up, I lifted the trophy.
“This is yours, Dad.” I looked over at Don, Royce, and Fin and the other players.
“We’re not done. Coopers, we’re going to the Super Bowl. ”
John smiled and placed his hand on his heart. “I had the feeling you’d bring up Reid. He is definitely in all of our hearts today.” He turned to Don. “Coach, come up here.”
Everyone cheered.
I handed the trophy to Don Tilson.
“Hey, Don,” John said, “tell us what you’re feeling right now.”
Don held the trophy. “I’m so proud of our team.
These guys worked through adversity, through injuries, and through tragedy.
They kept their heads in the game.” He turned to Aunt Rachel, Uncle Darin, and me.
“And to Maeve and the Marshes. Reid Hubbard is missed every day, yet these people over here to my right and those in front of the platform... This is a family who loves Lexington, loves the Coopers, and that love created a world where our players are willing to put it all on the line.” He lifted the trophy.
“Coopers’ fans, next trophy is the Lombardi. ”
More cheering.
“Coach,” John said, “talk to us about today’s game. The Texans’ defense is ranked one of the best in the league. What did Drew Pratt do to overcome that defense?”
“John, Drew, our offensive coordinator, and Darius Brown, our defensive coordinator, worked extremely hard. That dedication showed today. Not only did our defense stop Houston, but our offense ran them down.”
Cheering.
“Troy Dennison,” John said, “come on up here.”
Don handed Troy the trophy.
“This is your second season in the league, and you’ve taken this team to the Super Bowl. What does that mean to you?”
Troy lifted the Lamar Hunt Trophy. “First, I want to dedicate this to my mom. Mom, without your work ethic and example, I wouldn’t be here today.
John, holding this trophy is a step to our goal.
The Coopers are here today because we’re a team.
There were a lot of dogs in our locker room.
We came to play. Offense, defense, special teams, we all focused on winning this trophy.
” He looked down at his jersey. “We’ve been playing with Reid Hubbard’s name on our jersey.
” He lifted the trophy over his head. “This is for him and for Ms. Maeve.”
Aunt Rachel reached for my hand as tears fell from my eyes.
“Let’s bring Griffin Graham up here,” John said.
Troy handed Fin the trophy.
“How does it feel to be up on this platform holding that trophy.”
Fin lifted it to his lips and kissed the silver. “Amazing.”
“Some people,” John said, “thought your career was over. Then you signed with the Coopers. When Troy Dennison was injured, you stepped up. Without those four wins, the Coopers might not be here today. What do you think about that?”
“I’m grateful to Reid Hubbard, Royce Beasley, and Coach Tilson for taking a chance on an old man.”
John laughed.
“The truth is,” Fin said, “signing with the Coopers has been life-changing. After thirteen years in the league, I’m not stopping until we wear Super Bowl rings.” He patted Troy’s shoulder. “I’m honored to have the front row to greatness.”
Cheering.
Fin handed the trophy to Malik.
“Malik Johnson,” John said, “come forward.”
Malik lifted the trophy high.
Cheering.
“Malik,” John said, “tell us about the defense. You held Houston to only seventeen points, two touchdowns and one field goal.”
Malik looked over at me. “I told Ms. Maeve back in the beginning of the season to watch the defense. We’re the real heroes.”
Cheering.
Pressing my lips together, I nodded.
“Our defense is strong. We don’t give up. We’re the Coopers, baby.” His voice got louder. “We’re going to LA. Watch out. LA will never be the same. We’re going there for a win!”
Cheering.
John spoke to the camera and crowd. “The Lexington Coopers are the AFC champions. Let’s go back to Kevin up in the booth.”
“Thank you, John,” Kevin said.
Fin hit mute on the television.
Lying against Fin’s chest watching a rerun of the ceremony, I again had tears in my eyes. “I’m so happy.”
He hugged me from behind. “I meant what I said.” He kissed my neck. “Signing with the Coopers has changed my life.”
“Mine too.”
“Let’s check on the Vikings–Eagles game.”