Serendipity

94

Emma's POV

"We'll see you all at halftime." Jake Humphrey says then the camera's cut.

"Emma we're ready for you." One of the stylists says.

"Alright." I say then I follow the stylists to the wardrobe area of the box/studio in Stamford Bridge.

Since I can't play for the foreseeable future, BT Sport offered me a position in their studio for their post game coverage of the primetime match.

I agreed, but on the stipulation that the matches I do the postgame coverage on are the matches in London since I can't really travel on public transport systems.

BT Sport agreed so I signed on to do some post match commentary for the season.

Tonight's game is Chelsea v Liverpool.

When I get to wardrobe the stylist decide which of the suits I brought to wear to put on.

"Let's go with this one." The head stylist says then she hands me a navy blue suit with a red tie.

Once my suit is picked out I head to the bathroom and put it on then I leave the bathroom and head to the studio part of the box to get mic'd up.

After I'm mic'd up I go sit with the people who I'm on the show with and watch the rest of the game.

On the show with me tonight is Jake Humphrey, the host dude, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown.

Throughout the match I take notes on stuff that I can bring up during the hour long post game show.

Once the game ends all of us get ready for the post match show to start then we wait as Jake intro's the show.

"...And joining me tonight in the studio is former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, and current Arsenal Women's goalkeeper Emma Harris." Jake says.

After Jake introduces the three of us he goes over what we're gonna be talking about tonight then he looks at me.

"First off how are you doing?" Jake, the lead host dude asks.

"I'm doing great." I say. "I have another doctors appointment on Monday and hopefully I'll get the all clear to start exercising and working out again so I can begin training to play again and train for the London Marathon."

"Did they tell you what was wrong with your heart?" Rio Ferdinand asks.

"My heart failed due to trauma from an incident in Greece in 2015 and also because I had three holes in my heart." I say.

"And also before we get to the football today." Jake says. "As always when we have a women in the studio, we get a lot of messages on social media that there needs to be an all male panel talking about the football."

"I expected that." I say. "And to be honest with everyone I would love to be up in Manchester preparing for a match tomorrow, but my heart gave out so here we are."

"So just for the people at home." Jake says. "What all have you accomplished in football?"

"I was a four time college All-American, I've won two World Cups, one Olympic gold medal, a league title, the Women's FA Cup, the Women's Champions League, and I'm the owner of Real Miami which is a top tier Women's football team in America that just came in second in the NWSL." I say.

Real Miami lost in the NWSL finals to North Carolina.

"You own a football club?" Martin Keown asks and I nod."That's amazing."

I smile then I look back at Jake.

Jake introduces the game we just watched which was a 3-2 win for Liverpool with Salah, Jota, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring for Liverpool while Pulisic scored both goals for Chelsea.

After Jake introduces the game we talk about everything we saw in the game then we move on to the Man City v Crystal Palace match.

"In today's noon kickoff match, Sergio Aguero got red carded for a horrendous challenge on Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze." Jake says as the foul is shown.

"Well I know one person that was happy Aguero was red carded." Rio says then he looks at me.

"I mean it's well know that I think Aguero is a...I don't know if I can use the word on television but it starts with a d and ends in ickhead." I say.

"What he do?" Martin asks.

"I still think he should've been fined and or suspended for what he did to the female referee last season." I say.

"Why do you think that was wrong?" Jake asks. "I'm not saying he was right to do that, but I have to ask."

"First of all he should never touch a referee like that, Second of all he should never touch a female like that, and lastly he should never try to intimidate a woman into doing something just because he's a man and he feels she should do it." I say. "I would say more, but I wanna keep this job so..."

Jake nods then we move on and talk about the other matches today.

Once we've talked about all of the matches that were played today we move on to one of the bigger stories from today.

"Another big story breaking today is a story published in The Athletic this morning written by anonymous player from a top 6 team in the Premier League who says he is scared to come out as gay." Jake says. "Does it shock you three that in 2021 we still have men in football who are gay, but scared to come out?"

I wait for someone to talk, but I quickly realize everyone's looking at me.

"It's not shocking for two reasons." I say. "One, Homophobia is sadly still very prevalent in the men's game, and two, I know who the player is so I know what he's been through during his career."

"You do?" Jake asks as I notice everybody's eyes widen.

"Yeah." I say. "He, his partner, my fiancée, and I have had many of conversations which he says has helped him to be able to publish his story today."

"Oh Wow." Jake says.

"Yeah." I say. "Hopefully one day he and his partner can be out and proud while he's playing football like so many female footballers are."

"Why do you think the women's game is so accepting?" Jake asks.

"Maybe because women's football was niche for so long and the ostracized LGBTQ community who loved football, but didn't want to be abused verbally came to watch our football." I say. "And probably because the homophobic fans of mens football don't watch or come to women's football matches because their sexist."

"That's kinda sad that in 2021 the player can't be happy with who he loves." Martin says.

"Yeah." I say. "Yeah it is."