When Football is Life

Chapter 3: Game Day Miami vs FSU

That next morning, I woke up around ten. I laid in my bed and checked Twitter and Instagram. Everything I saw said, "GAMEDAY! #BeatFSU" I crawled out of bed and walked into the kitchen. My other roommate Cecilia was making an omelette. 

"Were we too loud last night?" I asked. 

"Girl no! I was dead asleep!" She smiled. Cecilia was from Georgia. Her parents wanted her to go to a historically black school, but Cecilia wanted to get out of her comfort zone. 

"Good," I said, reaching in the cabinet for my Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. "did RaeShawn invite you to the tailgate?" I asked. 

RaeShawn was Cecilia's boyfriend and corner-back on the football team. 

"Yeah girl! I'll be there!" She smiled. "They always cooking some good food before the game."

"Ain't that the truth!" I agreed. 

Before the game, the whole campus would tailgate, but before everyone else tailgated, the football team and their friends and family would have a huge tailgate. 

"I think my parents are coming to this one." I added. 

"I finally get to meet your 'loco' family?" Cecilia smiled. 

I laughed at how American she said the word 'loco'. 

"At least you were warned!" I smiled, taking a bite from my cereal. 

By the time Cecilia and I arrived at the tailgate, my parents were already wishing Ethan good luck. 

"Those are your parents?" Cecilia asked. 

My mom is Puerto Rican with long curly hair. After having three kids, she has managed to stay fit. Some people often mistake her for my sister. My dad is African American and still as athletic as he was in his glory days. My younger brother, Nick, who was a senior in high school was standing beside them. We were a pretty fit family. 

"Ma, Dad, Nick," I said, walking up to them and Ethan. 

"Good luck, Ethan." They said before turning to me. 

"Hey, sweetie." My dad said as he hugged me. 

My mom did the same. Nick and I did our handshake that we had since we were kids. 

"This is my roommate, Cecilia. She dates RaeShawn Crutch." I introduced them. 

"Nice to meet you." My mom smiled. 

"You've got a great guy," My dad exclaimed. "he's a quick one."

"Thanks," Cecilia blushed. 

"Have you eaten yet?" I asked. 

"Of course!" Nick chimed in. 

"This dude went straight to the food when we got here." My dad laughed. 

"I'm always hungry," Nick smiled. "the life of an athlete."

"Oh, we know!" Cecilia laughed. 

"Enjoy the game, guys!" I smiled, walking away with Cecilia on my arm. 

At the half, the score was 14-13, Hurricanes with the lead. The whole first hlf had been a nail-biter. During both quarters, I was bandaging players up left and right. Even during Coach's sermon during halftime, I was rolling out cramps in legs and arms. George and I should be getting paid double if we win, I thought. 

Something unexpected happened in the third quarter. Pete fell to the ground after getting tackled by the FSU defense. He woulnd't get back up. George, the other medical crew, and I ran onto the field to him.