Page 12 of Afterglow
It's in my nature that every time a new obstacle arises, I want to overcome it. But this preseason put me underthe spotlight. Everyone was ready to scrutinise anything I did.
Coach decided not to announce it until today so there was no hierarchy amongst the players. But in reality, players had their opinions and most weren’t afraid to voice them. Our back-up quarterback, Jake Price found out who my father was at the beginning of the semester. Unlike Austin, he took it upon himself to tell everyone.
Some of my teammates thought it was a low blow, not giving me the privacy I clearly wanted. Others were too caught up in the fact thatMatthew Knight, former tight end and Super Bowl champion is my father.
So, I disregarded my aching muscles and desire for rest as my body edged closer to the limits after every training session. The pressure wasn’t only coming from my teammates with my dad increasing his hounding. Although part of me has always wanted to play in the NFL, sometimes it feels like it’s my dad’s dream.
Academics is a passion of mine, giving me a way to stay close to my mum even though she has been gone for nearly four years. Clinical exercise science would open up different career paths that still involve sport.
All of my friends exchange worried glances when we arrive at the football field. Coloured cones are scattered on the grass, outlining the various drills we will be running in the session. Immediately, I recognised the combination of endurance and sprint exercises. This is going to be hell.
***
I hate pre-season.
I swear to god our coach is too ruthless for his own good. Most of my summer was spent on weights to keep me in shape. I did some light cardio but nothing strenuous. Let me tell you right now, muscle mass does fuck all when you are forced to run sprint drills.
“Bring it in boys!”
All of us huddle around Coach Morgan. Our team is filled with different personalities, everyone bringing something unique. Julian Nunez and Chase Patton are our resident grumps. Austin and I nicknamed them the gentle giants, their tall frames and permanent scowls make others nervous, but they are soft when you get to know them. Zander Morris, Bryson Fuller and Austin are the opposite, being known as the loud and exuberant guys. Before games all they do is talk.
Everyone else falls somewhere in between.
“I know this pre-season has been tough but I’m proud of you boys. There are a lot of people out there who think we are going to drop off this year, with Coach Stone and Nick gone.”
Coach Stone retired last season after leading the Lakewood Devils to their first championship in over a decade. He joked he was too old to keep up with us, so at the start of the previous season, Coach Morgan was brought on as an assistant.
Morgan was Lakewood University’s tight end in the early 2000s and was drafted by the New York Jets after he graduated. Unfortunately, he suffered a career-endingknee injury during the final minutes of his first—and last—Superbowl appearance.
“I’ve decided Theodore will replace Nick as captain-”
Austin and Zander break out into continuous clapping and cheers. A laugh escapes my throat, burning my already aching muscles. My eyes soften and I flash them a bright smile.
Coach clears his throat, bringing our attention back to him. “As I was saying, Theo will be captain. He is a leader and pushed himself this pre-season. In other matters, our first game is this weekend.”
Morgan continues to explain everything that is expected from us. The pressure from the past two years has increased in intensity, now every other member of the team is feeling it. After you win, people want to watch you fall from the pedestal. Nick Holden left some big shoes to fill, but I think I’m ready.
I have to be.
Chapter 7
Jazmine Allen
Jayden Allen
Are you busy? About to finish training, want to get food?
Jazmine Allen
Nah, not busy, just finishing some classwork. Meet me at Strong Beans at 10?
Jayden Allen
Sounds good.
Jayden remained on campus while I returned home for the summer break. So, we haven’t seen each other in three months. This is the longest we have been away from each other since Jay left for his last ice hockey camp in senior year of high school.
It didn't surprise me when Jayden rejected our parents' invitation. He has been avoiding Meadow Beach—the small coastal town in California, where we grew up since his girlfriend died in a car accident four years ago.
