Page 14 of The Game Changer

Jill

“You can always stay here,” John calls out as he walks into the kitchen. “Not that I expect you to do that,” he adds as an afterthought. I didn’t come here expecting to stay over, but I can’t say that the idea didn’t cross my mind on my drive over. It might have been why I packed an overnight bag that is down in my car, just in case.

I grab a few of the serving dishes and follow John into the kitchen.

“Sorry, that came out wrong,” he says once I enter the kitchen.

“It’s fine, I’m not offended at all. You’ll have to learn that it takes a lot to offend me,” I tell him as I set the dishes on the counter, then turn around and go back for the wine glasses. “I’ll take that refill of wine,” I tell him, holding out my glass. He pops the cork and refills my glass and then his own. “Would you like help with the dishes?” I offer.

“I can get them later,” he says, placing them in the sink.

“Or we could get them done, and then you won’t have a messy kitchen to deal with later,” I push. “You cooked for me, the least I can do is help you clean up afterward.”

“If you insist.” He gives in pretty quickly. I bump him out of the way with my hip, taking control of the sink and rinsing everything off and handing him the dishes to load into the dishwasher.

“So, did you talk to your agent or whoever you needed to talk to about the decisions you have to make?” I ask as we finish up the dishes.

“Actually, no,” he chuckles. “I set out to call him today, but I ended up going over to one of my former teammates’ houses; his wife used to be an agent, and I wanted to get both of their take on things. I ended up hanging out with Richard and Madison and their two new babies for a few hours. After that, I ran to the store before coming home to cook for you. I’ll give him a call in the morning.”

“Do you know what you’re going to do? Or do you have to talk to him first?”

“As much as it pains me to do so, I’m going to follow the advice of my doctor and negotiate my retirement. It isn’t worth the risk to keep playing.”

“I think that’s a smart decision. I’d hate to see you get hurt worse.”

“Yeah, me too. I also started mulling something over this afternoon after our conversation last night and then something that Madison and Richard said to me today. The idea you suggested about starting a foundation or charity, but last night I couldn’t think of any one thing I’d want to focus on supporting. Then Madison suggested I use my platform to bring awareness to TBI injuries and what can be done going forward to help protect players from them. Maybe it’s working with helmet manufacturers to better the technology that goes into the helmets to protect the head from the impacts they take on a regular basis, or with the medical teams on sitting guys out for longer periods to really make sure that the player isn’t suffering even minor symptoms that they might otherwise try and push aside just to get back out on the ice and keep playing. I know that holding players out longer will be a fight with the players, but if it can save just one guy from a long-lasting injury, I’d fight for it. I wouldn’t wish any of my symptoms on my worst enemy, and mine aren’t even as severe as they get.”

“I think that is an amazing way to use your notoriety. Not only can you bring the professional aspect, but the personal one, as well. Having dealt with your own Traumatic Brain Injury, I think guys will respond better to you than, say, some researcher that walks in just wanting to show them the data on why they should wear a better helmet or sit out for an evaluation after hitting the boards at a high speed all while being crushed by a two hundred-plus pound defender.”

“That’s a good point. I know I was that way when younger. I looked up more to the older, veteran players rather than someone who just wanted to come and talk up their product to us.”

“You might even work some endorsement deals out of a platform like that.”

“Possibly. But first, I’ve got to get through the initial contract issues before I can even think about starting a foundation, but at least it gives me something to work toward.”

“Important things like that don’t come to be overnight. Even if it takes you a few years to fully launch something, it will still be something you can be proud of.”

“Thanks for your help in here. Let’s go relax now,” he says, grabbing my hand with his and leading me out to the living room. His condo is very much the quintessential bachelor pad. Large leather couches, a huge TV mounted on the wall, video game console on the entertainment center, along with a handful of games and controllers next to it. He’s also got a collection of hockey sticks in the corner, and a large frame on the wall with a jersey on display.

“Is that yours?” I ask, pointing to the jersey and feeling a little bit like an idiot, since it is obvious that it’s his since it has his last name across the back of it.

“Yep, that was my team USA jersey from when I made the Olympic team a few years back.”

“Wait, you went to the Olympics?” I ask him, turning my body on the couch to face him better. I tuck my feet up under me, so they’re out of the way.

“I did. I’ve got the gold medal in my bedroom to prove it.”

“No way! That’s badass! I can’t believe I can say I know a gold medalist.”

“It was an amazing experience. One I’ll never forget.”

“I can only imagine.”

“Have you done anything unique or random, backpacked through Europe, or partied hard over spring break in Cabo?”

“Nope. Pretty typical upbringing; graduated high school, then straight into college.Once I graduated college, I worked a couple jobs as my introduction into the adult world before I opened my own business.”

“Nothing wrong with that, not that I’d say kicking ass at being a small business owner, and a successful one at that, is anything to downplay. I think you’re pretty incredible for going after something you wanted and making it work.”

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