Page 100 of Scored

Tears came to my eyes as I watched Dennison and Anthony hug. Fin was the next player Anthony approached. The two shook hands. A reporter about a foot shorter than Troy had a microphone in his face.

On the fifty-yard line, our stadium operations crew quickly wheeled the AFC victory platform onto the field. My gaze went up to the family suite. I asked Aunt Rachel and Uncle Darin to join me on the platform if we won. I couldn’t see the suite from down on the sideline.

Coach Tilson came to me with a huge smile on his face. “Young lady, you did it.”

I shook my head. “You and Drew and Darius, the players…”

“May I hug you?”

I nodded.

“Your daddy’s watching and is so proud of you,” he whispered near my ear.

When he pulled back, tears blurred my vision. “We’re not done, Don. We have a Super Bowl to win.”

“Let’s head to victory platform.”

Nibbling my lip, I looked around. “Aunt Rachel and Uncle Darin are going to join us.” As soon as I said the words, they appeared walking out of the team tunnel.

Aunt Rachel lifted her arms and I hurried toward her. We both squeezed and embraced. “We did this,” she said. “We kept Reid’s dream alive.”

I nodded. “Thank you.” I turned to Uncle Darin. “We stick together.”

He patted my shoulder. “You’ve done well.”

“We’re not done.”

“No, we are not,” he said.

Coach Tilson met us at the ramp leading to the victory platform. Troy Dennison, Malik Johnson, Fin, and Royce Beasley were at his side. My smile grew at the sight of Fin’s blue stare and smile. On his head, like everyone else’s, was a Lexington Coopers AFC Championship hat. The coach handed one to me, Aunt Rachel, and Uncle Darin.

I stared down at the whiskey barrel, our emblem, sewn on the front along with the title. There were no words to express the feeling of total elation. I imagined it could only be surpassed by the sight of Lexington Coopers Super Bowl Champions.

“Thank you,” I said as I took the hat and after adjusting the back, placed it on my head.

Fin offered me his hand, and we walked up the ramp to the platform. I hadn’t realized my hand was trembling until Fin gave it a squeeze. There was a silver podium set near the front of the platform holding the beautiful Lamar Hunt Trophy.

Suddenly, there were many people on the platform as well as in front of it.

Aunt Rachel, Uncle Darin, and I were directed to stand on the far side of the podium. Royce Beasley, Coach Tilson, and our players were on the other side. John Sellers, the CBS broadcaster and Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning were present.

John gave us the countdown.

“Hello, Kevin,” John said, speaking to the broadcast booth. “Hello, here we are at Crystal Light Stadium to present the Lamar Hunt Trophy to the AFC champions.” He turned toward Peyton. “With us today is Hall of Famer and infamous AFC quarterback, Peyton Manning.”

Peyton came forward. John continued to hold the microphone.

“I’m honored to be here today to present the Lamar Hunt Trophy to Maeve Hubbard, the owner, and Rachel Hubbard Marsh, the CEO, of the Lexington Coopers.”

Many of the crowd had made their way down to the field. Cheers filled the air.

Peyton offered his hand and we shook. “I’m so happy for you,” he said.

He handed me the trophy. Lifting it in the air, I swiveled to my aunt and uncle. Together, we held the trophy high. Our fans clapped and cheered.

Holding the trophy in my hands, I turned back to John.

“Maeve Hubbard,” he said. “This is the second time your family has accepted this trophy, the first time being nearly thirty years ago. Tell me, what does this trophy mean to you?”