The Comeback

Practice

It was 5:45 when I was at the field and in pads.

"James, come here," Coach said.

I walked over, "What's up, Coach?"

"I set up some cones for you to run through while everyone else practices."

"Thanks Coach."

I walked over to the cones where the team equipment manager was waiting with a stop watch.

"Go," he yelled.

I shuttled through the cones as fast as I could.

When I finished the equipment manager was looking at my knee, "You okay, son?"

"Yes sir."

"Okay let's do the drill again."

I lined up to run through the cones again, and I ran the same way as I had before, as fast as possible.

"Again."

I ran through he drill for the third time before the equipment manager went to go get Coach. The two were in a hushed conversation and kept looking back over at me. The conversation broke up, and they both walked over to me.

"Could you run the drill for me," Coach asked.

"Yes sir," I said before going through the cones once again.

"Are you in any pain?"

"No Coach."

"Then why do you keep slowing down every time you cut to the left side?

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't realize I was doing it."

"Son, are you afraid of hurting your knee again?'

"No sir, I'm just ready to play."

Coach was squinting as if he was trying to figure out I was lying, "Follow me then."

We walked over to the other players who were running through a few plays. I watched as our back up quarterback, Jake Seiter, overthrow his wide open receiver.

"Set your feet before you throw," Coach yelled to Jake. "James, show him how it's done."

"Sure thing, Coach."

"No one go near James. Is that understood?" Coach yelled to the team.

"Yes sir," the team yelled in unison.

"Go shotgun," Coach said to me.

I jogged onto the field, buckling my helmet, and I stood in shotgun ready for the snap

"Blue 14," Coach called from the sideline.

"Blue 14, hut, hut," I yelled taking the snap from the center.

I went through my progressions. My first receiver wasn't open, so I looked at my second option. Billy had a step on his defender. I set my feet, and I threw a tight spiral to his back shoulder were only he could catch it. Billy held his arms out, and the ball dropped in.

"Nice," Coach yelled from the sidelines before turning to Jake. "You see how to do it now?"

"Yes sir," was Jake's reply.

"Alright, Jake go back in. James come wait next to me."

I jogged over to the sidelines and unbuckled my helmet.

"Nice throw."

"Thanks, Coach."

I smiled and watched the rest of practice occasionally going back in to show Jake how to go through progressions or throw a ball over the outstretched arms of the defensive line, so they couldn't knock it down. Giving Jake tips, I realized I could really do this. I could play football again.