Page 20 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“He’s playing with my money. I don’t have time for these little boy ass games.” Vick stood toe-to-toe with Ed.
Bryce remained silent and motionless for plausible deniability.
“Y’all need to get a handle on this shit before the season starts. Vick, do you need a reminder of what you did this off season? I know you expected some type of pushback. Personally, I would’ve beat yo ass, but he remained quiet on the shit.”
A few teammates behind him echoed his sentiments under their breath. From what I could tell, the team stood split on what was going on. The rookies stood with folded arms, ready to jump at Bryce’s command and the veterans leaned more to Vick’s side.
Ed shook his head. “Bryce, man, keep your issues with Vick off the field. It’s fucked up what he did, but don’t penalize the team with y’all beef.”
A divided football team wasn’t going to get us to the Elite Bowl, but I had Bryce’s back.
These last few weeks of practice, preseason, and aiding in Vick’s demise couldn’t compare to this moment. Standing in the tunnel of my first pro game, the crowd out rivaled my college crowds. The fans were chanting for the team, ready for us to take the field. Several of the veteran players rocked from side to side, finding whatever zone they needed. A hand tapped my shoulder, and I found Bryce’s eyes. For some reason, my nerves subsided because it was time for me to earn my contract.
“Stand on your feet for your Armadillosssss!” the announcer said and red smoke blew into the air as the cannons sounded.
I ran out with the team and the crowd was electric as they stood on their feet and cheered. Thousands of people were swinging red towels above their heads. Standing on the sideline, I scanned the stadium but shut my eyes to focus. I was having an out of body experience being this close to the field surrounded by professionals. These men were the best at their positions, leaving little room for an advantage.
Bryce, Ed, and Vick walked to the middle of the field for the coin toss; we won, and Bryce deferred. Our special teams went on the field, and I tried to settle myself.
Wham! Wham!
The sound of the strong, grown men smacking each other echoed to the sideline.
Marcus, focus.The defense got a quick three and out, pushing the offense on the field. Stepping in between the linessent adrenaline rushing through me. As I stood in my first huddle as a pro, I listened to the play.
“Alabama Hot sauce on three,” Bryce said, and I glared in his direction.
On the offense first play in the huddle, Bryce called an old play for Vick, and it puzzled me.
Being a rookie, defenses hadn’t figured me out yet, which gave us leverage. The defense was playing off me by seven yards.
“Arkansas!” Bryce shouted, and the defensive back turned slightly inside.
Man coverage and I had him.
“Arkansas,” Bryce audible again, but opened his palm changing the play from what he called in the huddle.
He nodded my way, and I checked in to solidify the play.
“Hike!”
The defensive back tried to close in on me, but I had eaten up the free yards, putting us on the Arizona side of the field.
We ran back to the line and Bryce hurried us into formation and hiked the ball. A whistle blew, stopping the play.
“Too many players on the field. Five-yard penalty, Arizona,” the referee said.
Bryce pushed us into a no-huddle and called a play from the line of scrimmage.
“Dinner at Janet’s house. Dinner at Janet’s house,” he called from behind the line.
We practiced this play at his minicamp. It’s a touchdown play, coming in my direction on the outside.
“Hike!” Bryce said.
Instead of running straight down the field I crossed, forcing the corner to shift. The cornerback tried pushing me, but he couldn’t move me off the route. Running full force down the field, I checked back for the ball to find it spiraling. I leaped inthe air, secured it, and shook my defender, running into the end zone.
The cannons sounded, and I took in the people screaming around me. Shit, this was my first touchdown as a professional. After a quick process, I introduced the body roll as my celebration dance.
