Page 13 of 40-Yard Line

“Oh, my God,” she cried. “I can’t believe this. Do you know how long I’ve prayed for someone to help me?”

“It can be overwhelming, honey. We can see that. We’ll check in on the house to be sure things are getting done, but don’t worry about it for now,” said Gabe.

“You’ve taken a huge burden off my shoulders. I just didn’t know what I was going to do. I can’t leave my father alone, and I can’t take him places with me. He gets overwhelmed in crowds. It’s why we live in the country so that it’s quieter for him.”

“We can understand that,” said Gabe.

“Honey? Is everything okay?” asked Ed.

“Yes. Yes, Dad. It’s all good. These men are trying to find out what happened to Butch. They’ve offered to help us too. Isn’t that nice?”

“I don’t like charity,” he said, frowning. He looked at his daughter’s sad face, then back at Mac and Gabe. “But I want my daughter to have a good life. I told her to just put me in a home.”

“We don’t think that’s the right choice, Mr. Hardesty,” said Mac. “Being here with your daughter is a good choice. You just need a little support.”

“I’m feeling good right now. Clear. If you want to ask me questions about Butch.”

“That would be great,” said Mac. “Were you aware of all of Butch’s injuries?”

“Hell, yes. Everyone on the team was aware of them, but we were told under no circumstances were we to speak with the press or anyone else about them. Same as my injuries. Butch was a tough bastard and had played through broken bones, torn muscles and tendons, everything. Playing in this league has been like the leagues of old when they didn’t give a shit about their investments.”

“Was Butch behaving differently because of the concussions?” asked Gabe.

“You mean, was he acting like me?”

“I didn’t mean anything by that, sir.”

“It’s okay. I do act differently, and I know it. I just can’t seem to stop it. Butch was just starting to see the same signs. He was terrified that he wouldn’t be there for his daughter. This league isn’t like the big leagues. If you’re released for medical reasons, you get nothing. You don’t get your bonuses or pay out your contract. You’re paid through the date of your last game. That’s it.”

“That sounds illegal,” said Mac.

“Maybe, but it’s in the contracts we all sign. Worse than that, if you’re injured outside the game like I was, then they don’t cover a damn thing and blame any past injury on the accident.”

“But broken bones can be shown to have occurred years before,” said Mac. “They couldn’t blame that on an accident.”

“All I know is what happened to me and what was happening to Butch. He wanted to finish the season, get his bonus and payout, and then he’d leave. The owners wanted him gone so they could free up their cash.”

“Jesus, this is all so fucked up,” said Mac. “Kind of ruins my dreams of what football life is like.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” said Ed. “I loved playing the game. I breathed, ate, and slept football my entire life. Hell, it got me Kelly. Her mother wouldn’t have chosen me unless I was playing ball.” Mac and Gabe looked at the young woman uncomfortably.

“It’s okay. He’s telling the truth. Mom wanted to marry a famous athlete, and she did. When he wasn’t famous any longer, she was done.”

“I’m sorry,” said Mac.

“You boys seem like good, fine men. I want to ask a favor of you.”

“Anything,” said Mac.

“If something happens to me, if I die, I want Kelly to call you first and get here as fast as you can. You take me to the coroner. Choose the one you want. You make sure my death is handled right and the truth comes out.”

“Dad,” she whispered, shaking her head.

“No, Kelly. You know this is how it should be. I don’t want her to have to deal with all that.”

“You have our word,” said Mac. “We’re going to leave all our contact information for you.” They heard trucks pulling up outside and smiled. There was a general contractor truck, plumber, electrician, and roofer. A few seconds later, a landscaping truck pulled up.

“You guys got here fast,” said Gabe at the door.

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