Somewhere deep in the sandy lands of Texas , was a young boy. This youngsters name was Mike Taylor. Mike lived in a small town called Bowie tx. He attended public school and loved playing football, his dream was to be a quarterback for the University of Texas. This young man stood 5"11 and weighed 145.
Everyone said he was to short , and to Small, but he had something most players did not, that was heart. He began his young career at just fifteen years old. Mike tried out for the Bowie high school football team. The coach was John Adams, coach Adams believed in letting everyone who tried out become a player. Of course Mike was benched and was deemed the third string quarterback, but he had a drive inside, that made him believe he could be the starting quarterback.
Coach Adams did not pay much attention to the 15 year old. Adams didn't think that Mike was worth the trouble. Mike grew up in a normal family , parents who loved him , and four sisters ,who would soon become his first fan club. Mike stayed after every practice, and threw passes to his father. Ben was the name of Mike's father, he could see the potential in
Mike, he may have been the only one. Mike lived and breathed football, his room was full of posters , and fatheads of players he loved. While sitting on the bench in the first game of the season, Mike would wander what is felt like , to throw the ball or hand it off. He often pondered if the people were right, was he to small, was he good enough to make his dream possible.
With only two mins left in the game. Mike's team who had a panther as there mascot, was loosing by 40 points. " Taylor get you helmet on and get in there" coach Adams said. Mike's heart skipped a beat knowing , that this could be his chance, he knew he could not win, but mabey show coach Adams what he could do.
Mike grabbed is helmet and buttoned up his chin strap. He could hear the crowd yelling and screaming. Chanting at the tops of thier lungs for a team, that was not going to win. Mike ran out on the field with the play ,he heard his father screaming louder then the others. "That my boy number 3 , that's my boy". The boy felt a certain feeling of pride mixed with excitement come over him.
"A right 147" said Mike to his other team mates. The response he got, was harsh. " You suck " a kid said. " Why is coach playing this rat" another one joined in.
Mike was determined to show coach Adam's how he could pass the ball, so he said " how about this you guys run and ill throw it to you". From across the huddle a boy spoke," that's not the play , we must run what coach called." Mike stood up and said " I am ur quarterback , and on this field u follow what I say". The boys quickly broke the huddle and got in position to run the play. Coach Adams was shocked to see, the formation was not what he called.
Blue 47...set hut... Mike took the snap and took a five step drop ,looking deep down the field. He saw number 81 about sixty yards away , and he let it fly . The receiver jumped up and grabbed the ball , out of the air. There was no one even close to him as he scored.
The fans , as well as coach Adams were in pure shock. A kid who more resembled a chess player , then a starting quarter , just threw a sixty yard touchdown pass. Mike went to the side line with his team . The guys gave him high fives and patted him on the helmet. Coach Adams still in shock asks Mike "were did u learn to do that" and with a half smirk Mike replies "my dad taught me ".
Mike knew his impression had been made , but he also knew he would have to continue to prove him self .
coach Adams knew he had to start Mike Taylor. He also knew he had a star on his hands.
