“So, break’s over, and although we’ve worked out, helped you choose an engagement ring, floated down to the islands on a killer yacht, eaten some great food, and made all sorts of fun memories, I don’t think you’ve talked about football once,” Damon says as we’re on the plane headed home. “Which is weird since it’s, like, our life.”
“It’s not my life,” I fire back, instantly riled up because the last thing I want to talk about is how things are going.
And I can’t bring myself to tell him that things suck big time.
“I’ve been reading the papers, Chase. Have you?”
I don’t reply.
“Let’s have a recap then,” Damon says, holding up his phone. “Here’s a full-on journalistic discussion on the topic.
“The first half of spring practices is in the can, and the players are off on spring break. But the biggest question on our minds is the quarterback role. With five quarterbacks on scholarship, who is really a contender for the starting position this fall? And lucky for you, we’ve decided to break it down and make some early predictions. Of course, as we all know, a lot can happen between now and the spring game, but let’s get going.
“One thing that often tells us how valuable a quarterback is to the team is the wearing of the green no-contact jersey during scrimmages. Three players have been awarded this honor—junior Luke Casey, redshirt freshman Brian Logan, and sophomore Julian Woodcliff.
“Notably absent from this list is early enrollment and high school phenom Chase Mackenzie. He was highly recruited and there was so much hype surrounding this player. To say he’s had a disappointing spring so far is an understatement. You would think with his outstanding high school play, the transition would be easy, but some guys just can’t make the jump to the next level.
“Blah. Blah. Blah. Coach Parson said in an interview that he still believes the quarterback role is up for grabs. He commented on each quarterback they asked about, and then you came up.
“Mackenzie is a real competitor, and I’m looking forward to him stepping up and getting into the mix as he gets more comfortable with the team. More blah, blah stuff, then this.
“It doesn’t take a football genius to figure out that Luke Casey will be the guy this fall. He looked comfortable in the pocket, his passes were on target, and maybe most importantly, he looked experienced at leading the offense. So, what’s really going on?”
I shake my head. “It’s just different, Damon. It’s starting over again. And they’re calling me Hype.”
“That’s sweet,” Damon says. “Because we need to get everyone hyped up about you.”
“It’s not a good thing because, right now, I’m not living up to the hype. And overall, the team hasn’t exactly been welcoming.”
Damon rolls his eyes. “Been there. Done that. Do it again.”
“If only it were that easy,” I say with a sigh.
“They’re just jealous,” Damon counters.
“Of what? I’m not even in the top three on the roster. The reporter is right. I’m taking hits. Because I’m not that valuable to the team.”
“Yet,” Damon says. “Not yet. But you will be. Just do your thing. They’ll all see eventually. Trust me.”
I nod my head and smile at him, but I can’t bring myself to say that I agree with him. Because I just don’t know.
