Two Minute Drill (Bases Loaded Jam Series #2)

Ch. 22: Running Out of the Tunnel (Gordon)

The clock showed 21-17 in favor of Jacksonville with just thirty seconds left to go in the game. I run up to Coach Robinson to see what the play was going to be called.

"It's your ballgame," he tells me.

I run back and the crowd is screaming and excited with anticipation. We were set and in line to score the game-winning touchdown. As soon as I return to the huddle, I look at all the guys looking at me. I see their faces and they know we're ready to win the game. It's just a matter of how we're going to call it.

I'm set to get my words out there, but when I try to speak, nothing comes out. I can't hear myself talk. Maybe the crowd is so loud I can't hear myself. So, I try screaming. Again, nothing comes out. I scream even louder, but still, the same effect is happening. What happened was the following conversation between us.

Duncan Elliott (Tight End): What are we running Gordon?

Jermaine Riley (Wide Receiver): Just throw me the ball.

Otis Miner (Wide Receiver): No, throw it to me.

Forrest Browning (Center): Screw throwing. Let's run the ball.

Quincy Spiers (Left Guard): Show of hands, who wants to run?

The entire offensive line raised their hands as did our running back Kwame.

Quincy Spiers (Left Guard): That makes six, which is the majority.

Michael Choo (Right Tackle): I agree.

Jermaine Riley (Wide Receiver): Who said you the boss? Throw me the ball.

The conversation was taking up so much time that the referee approached me. Before I could say anything, my mouth dropped because the referee just happened to be Troy Paulson dressed in a referee's outfit.

"Wake up sleepyhead," Troy said.

What did he mean by wake up sleepyhead? Before I knew it, my alarm clock was buzzing.

I suddenly woke up and realized I was not on the field, but in the hotel room. I glanced up and saw Troy looking at me on my bed.

"Good morning sweetie," he said. "Guess what we get to do today? We get to do some ass-kicking."

I shook my head and placed it on the pillow trying to get some more sleep. But Troy kept annoying me. He jumped on my bed and then dragged me out to the floor so that I would be fully awake.

"Come on dude," he said. "It's time for some football. I can't wait to make my NFL debut today."

I sat down on the floor looking up at the ceiling asking myself why in the world would Coach Robinson have me room with Troy Paulson. I knew he wanted defensive players to room with offensive players for the season, but Troy was a different breed of defensive player. The way he showed his excitement and enthusiasm for football paled in contrast to how I approached the game. To him, every time there was a game to be played was like the Super Bowl while I took it as a business trip.

Troy ran to the window and opened the curtains exposing the light, which brightened my eyes.

"Today is going to be a great day. We're going to kick Jacksonville's ass."

"You might, but I won't," I answered knowing my role was the third string quarterback, which meant I wasn't playing."

"But Coach Robinson said you would be suiting up. That means you're part of the team and part of the 53-man roster. Who knows? He might ask you to run some routes for Todd or maybe catch a punt. That would be nice."