Third Summer

We line up again and again I throw off the block and hit him waist high and drive him into the ground for a loss. The next play they put a three hundred pound guard to block me, he makes the mistake of coming at me high. I duck below his waist and flip him over my back, he lands flat on his neck and shoulders, and then I drive the ball carrier into the dirt again. The coach comes over and tells me it’s only practice. Take it easy, we are on the same team. “Why didn’t you say that to him this morning, when he hits me from behind with no pads it’s a great hit, when I hit him doing my job I’m being too rough. You’ve made your choice who you want on this team and it isn’t me. Nice speech the other day Coach, too bad it was a pack of lies. See you around.” I walk to the sideline, take off the pads and throw them toward the bench. It doesn’t matter to anyone, but me. I’m not quite as naïve as I was yesterday. Mom is going to be ticked at me now, oh well that won’t be anything new. Joey meets me at the gate and we walk out together, so much for a college football career.