Page 4 of Never Say Never
ORLANDO DAILY NEWS
Amid Questions, Waves Drafts Controversial Wide Receiver With a Familiar Last Name
By Adrian Miller
(April 24) The Orlando Waves entered the NFL draft knowing they needed a wide receiver. Holding the twenty-fourth pick due to their strong performance last year, the general manager’s office was reportedly planning on grabbing Henry Tompkins, who had a solid season at Tennessee.
But when their number was up, a familiar name was unexpectedly on the board—Rawley Battle, of the University of Texas at Austin.
Twenty-one-year-old Battle, brother of Waves’ middle linebacker Landon Battle, was a topic of debate throughout the college football season. A top-tier year on the field was marred by rumors of character issues off-field after he failed to deny allegations of recreational drug use during a high profileJalen Nash Showinterview. This dynamic provided nonstop fodder for the pundits as Texas stormed through its games, going undefeated until the championship.
Despite his team’s performance, the questions swirling around Battle apparently made the other two teams looking for receivers, New Jersey and Minnesota, go in a different direction.
It’s rare for a finalist of the coveted Heisman trophy to drop so far, but the Waves report they are happy with the outcome.
“Rawley has a special combination of speed, hands, and field awareness,” Head Coach Rich Houston shared. “We’re confident he’s going to fit in well. He’s family, after all.”
“I can’t wait to have Rawley in the mix,” Waves Quarterback Johnson Samuels said. “With Bailey [Watkins] and Rawley as a one-two punch at wide receiver, defenses are going to struggle to keep up.”
Samuels has a unique perspective, as the long-time teammate and friend to Landon Battle, and partner to their sister, Grace.
Rumors aside, will this pick be the move that takes the Waves to the Super Bowl? Or will fans be disappointed again?
1
RAWLEY
APRIL 28 - PRESENT DAY
“Oh shit, that’s Rawley Battle.”
I walk into the Hawkins Basketball Gym for the first time in almost a year. Over a dozen heads swivel my way, their eyes going wide as they recognize me.
Yeah, it was probably stupid to think I could sneak into a game unnoticed.
Hawkins is a private gym just for hoops, and several elite players in Orlando work out here. But that also includes high school and college prospects who are young enough to lack chill when a surprise guest walks through the door.
I’ve got to guess it’s rare for an NFL player to show up. Landon connected with the guy who owns this place, Reggie, when I started visiting him in Orlando two years ago. My brother thought it’d be a good way to stay out of trouble with one of my favorite non-football activities.
I haven’t stopped in since my visit last summer. But when I texted Reggie this morning, he immediately invited me to play in their open gym pickup game.
Despite the eyes tracking me, I step further inside the gym.
Fuck it, I want to play.I’m tired of thinking about the draft, interviews, and my rookie contract negotiations. I need some fun to distract me.
“Hey, Reggie,” I say as I approach him.
He takes a step toward me as our eyes meet. He’s tall, close to my six-foot-five height, and appears to be in his mid-thirties.
“Rawley, great to see you again.” He holds out his hand.
As I shake it, I look over the eight courts, most of which have just a player or two occupying them.
But there’s a cluster of guys, some teenagers among them, watching us on the court where Reggie walked over from. No doubt the group for the pickup game.
“Thanks for letting me join today.”
He grins. “You still know how to hoop? Not just catch a football?”
