Being told u can't do something is a horrible thing . Mike understands at a very young age that , just because everyone laughs at him , and says "your to little you might get hurt", that doesn't mean give up. He knew in his heart what he wanted, what he desired, and that was to play football.
Coach announced to the team on Mondays practice ,that Mike Taylor was going to be the new quarterback . Mike was overjoyed and very nervous, but he knew he had to show all the people , he could do this. The team was not very welcoming of the the news. They did not much care for Mike, most of the boys picked on him constantly in school . Some of the boys high fived him , but most kept there distance.
Mike thought the bullying would go away , he thought now that he was a starter , they would like him. He could not have been more wrong. The bullying actually seemed to get worse. Now that he was the center of attention, everyone called him names like tiny Tim or short stuff. The kids pushed him and punched him , telling him if he told anyone, then it would be worse.
At practice every thing seemed to go away. When Mike stepped on the field , the whole horrible day disappeared. Some people have thier special place they go , to get away from it all, Mike Taylor's was the football field. In between those white numbers, he felt like a super hero , almost like nothing could defeat him. He practiced like one as well. Coach Adams began to work with Mike much more. The coach wanted to mold Mike into a special player.
"Taylor come over here , I want you to play with the starting team." Said coach Adams . Mike practiced as hard as he could, he threw pass after pass,and worked on handing the ball off to Jimmy Smith. Jimmy was the panthers best running back, very tough guy. " You have a real talent kid" coach said to Mike. After practicing all week it was finally Thursday , game day. " Are u ready Mike " coach asked ." I'm a little nervous coach, im scared I won't be any good". "Being nervous is normal , but don't be afraid , you have a gift , just think of you and your father playing catch , and u will do fine son." The pep talk from coach Adams really got mike fired up, he began thinking this is my dream coming True right in front of me. Fifthteen year old Mike Taylor was very aware, that how he played in this game could be, what determined his future .
From the first snap Mike was on fire. He was in his element , the fans screaming ,his family being the loudest, but he heard his father over them all.The green grass and the smell of dirt , that is what Mike Taylor loved . Hut hut ..dropping back he looks down field , and see number 81 Spencer white wide open. Mike let's it's fly , white easily catches it and scores. White was the fastest player on the team, and Mike knew he could catch every ball thrown his way.
The panthers won the second game of there season, by a score of 40-14 .Coach Adams was very happy to greet Mike Taylor , his star player, as the game ended. Adams picked Mike up on his shoulders and told him " great job son, u are going to be a star". Coach Adams was the only one congratulating Mike, as the rest of the team still felt that he was a nerd , and did not belong on their team , or thier field . Mike went to get undress in the locker room, but as he entered , the entire panther high school football team was waiting. They were upset that he was getting, all the glory for the win. "We don't want you on our team, we do not like you." Stated Jimmy Smith the running back. The entire team proceeded forward, inching closer to Mike. Smith lunged out and grabbed him before he could run away, the boys formed a circle around the two ,and Smith began punching Mike. Mike fell to the tile floor , bouncing his skull off the concrete, underneath. Smith sat on top of Mike's chest and pounded punch after punch into his face, Mike is now bleeding with two very swollen black eyes.
Outside Ben and his family began to wander were there star qb is , "I'll go check the locker room " Ben said . Ben was in complete disbelief at what he saw. Mike was laying on the floor ,crying bleeding with both his eyes swollen shut. Everyone in the locker room was busy changing or showering , it would have been in possible to tell off hand who did this . "Mike I'm here it's your father , your going to be ok , can u speak?" With a very low and painful whimper , Mike said... "dad I can't see any thing, and I can barely breath."With one scoop of his arms , Ben picked up his son and rushed to the car. He grabbed his family on the way , and they all rushed to the nearest hospital.
The doctors rushed the tiny frail seven year old , into a exam room for x-rays. Sitting in the lobby ,where they were told to wait, the family of this peewee super star ,could only pray for there son's well being. This was bigger then winning or losing , or even ,football it's self , this was a little seven year old boys life. After what seemed like years , the doctor finally reappears from the back room.
"Good news , no broken bones, just two swollen eyes and a few cuts and bruises"Said the doctor. The entire family let out a sigh of relief. Knowing that Mike was going to be ok ,they thanked the Doctor, and began to pray for thanks. " You may see him when you are ready" announced nurse Martinez. Together they all proceeded to go up to his room. Still barely able to see and talk , Mike only could managed to mumbled "I love you" to his family.
