Page 128 of Running
We huddle up at second down and eight yards to go. I call out the play.
“Let’s do this,” Carter says from within the group before we get into our positions.
The ball snaps to me with perfect placement. I drop back three steps and look at Bailey, my primary target. Fuck, he’s completely covered again.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Walsh breaking free of his man near the line of scrimmage, and make the split-second call to dump it to him short. He catches the ball and grabs a couple extra yards before getting tackled.
A five-yard gain.
Third down and three yards to go. If we convert this play into a first down, we’ll at least be in field goal position for the rest of the drive.
I call the next play and we get set.
“Hut.”
The ball lands in my hands, and I start checking down options. One second, two seconds, and three seconds of holding the ball, and suddenly there’s a defensive end hurdling towards me.
Scramble,my mind shouts. I run out of the pocket and cheat to the left where it seems like there’s more protection.
Oh good, there’s…
WHOOPH. A huge blow to my side knocks me over, my feet losing their ties to the ground. With no time to brace myself for the fall, I bang my head on the dirt a split second after my body hits.
Everything fades…
…
…
“Johnson, JOHNSON…it’s Landon. You hear me okay?”
“Grace? Grace?”
“What the fuck? Why is he saying Grace’s name?”
…
…
“Johnson, we’re putting you on a stretcher and then wheeling you back. Stay still.”
“Grace?”
“Who is Grace? Does anyone know?”
“That’s my fucking sister. Why the hell does he keep asking for her?”
…
…
“Johnson, it’s Carter. It’s going to be okay. They’re grabbingyour mom so she can meet you inside in the medical treatment room.”
“Grace?”
“He keeps asking for a Grace?”
“That’s his girlfriend. Can she come back there?”
