Page 19 of Unexpected Pass

“You’re the best, KB!” one of the kids shouted as I signed his football.

“You’re the best, kid.” I dapped him up before heading to my mom.

“You’re on with ESPN in five, and then you’ll do a quick parade run.” She clipped the mic onto my shirt and hooked me up.

“Did you tell them no questions about Jeronee?” I asked. I loved my brother but wasn’t in the right headspace to speak about him.

“Of course. They have your list.” She smiled and patted me on the back before sending me into the lion’s den.

Here we go.I walked over to the anchor desk and greeted the show’s hosts, Karla Kemp and Ben Rusellman, before we all got into place. I had interviewed with them a few times in the past. Karla was cool, but Ben was always coming for me and my teammates on some hater shit. Of all the hosts, they had to pick him to interview me after the biggest day of my career.

“This will be quick. Just the standard interview questions.” Karla briefed me, and I nodded.

“Which camera am I looking into?”

“That one, Mr. MVP.” Ben pointed to the monitor ahead of us as camera lights flashed. I took a deep breath to steady myself as the producers began counting us down to show time.

“And three, two, one… you’re live,” one of the show producers called out.

“Welcome back to our live coverage from the happiest place on earth!” Ben began our segment. “We’re here with Mr. Super Bowl MVP, Kellon Barnes. Congratulations, Kellon! How does it feel to be finally holding the Lombardi trophy?”

“Unbelievable really. You know? It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I’m sure you can relate,” I told him.

Ben had won two Super Bowls in his football days, so he knew the feeling.

“It’s surreal. I know,” he replied. “A moment every football player dreams of but not many get to experience.”

I nodded my head in agreement.

“Kellon, you delivered for your team in the second half.” That was Karla. “What went through your mind as you took the field in the fourth quarter trailing behind?”

“Just staying focused and sticking to the game plan.”

“I want to talk about that final drive. What was going through your mind? Nobody saw that bullet you threw into the endzone coming,” Ben stated.

“Big moments call for big plays.”

“You got that right,” Karla agreed.

“So, Kellon,” Ben spoke, grabbing my attention. “You’re not just a player. You’re also an inspiration for countless young athletes. Just like your brother was to you.”

There it was—the setup for the question that always unsettled me.

“How do you feel about your brother not being here to celebrate with you?”

His lips seemed to move in slow motion, and a familiar dark shadow fell over me as the memories flooded back. I didn’t know how to answer that. I felt miserable that my brother wasn’t here, and I couldn’t say what I wanted. Too much grief, and I would look pathetic and ungrateful.

“I… it’s… I miss my brother every day,” I managed to say, feeling the familiar weight of sadness settle into my chest.

At that moment, I scanned the crowd as usual for Mom. She needed to see how pissed I was in real time. She was supposed to make sure this didn’t happen. Oddly, I couldn’t find her in the sea of people. Searching for something familiar, my eyes fell on Phileigh, and our eyes locked. Suddenly, the harsh clicks of cameras and infamous questions faded away. There was only her and I. Everything felt more manageable as I focused on her beautiful face. Phileigh had a peaceful aura oozing off her, which seemed to be what I needed.

“I miss my brother every day… at every accomplishment,” I repeated.

“Well, we know he’s somewhere proud of you.” Karla smiled. Her words stuck with me.

“I hope so.” I sighed as the producers counted us down to the end.

“Well, congratulations once again on the win. We can’t wait to see what’s next for you and your team. Enjoy the celebration.” Ben ended the session.

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