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Andrew Nicholas Jennings

All the build-up and all the momentum boiled down to this moment. All the hard work, the sweat, the pain, and the injuries were over. I kneeled in prayer position with my arms locked in a tight cradle before I bowed my upper body to the ground. Tears of joy and heartache mingled with the sweat pouring down my face as my shoulders shook; it was the only visible sign of my emotion.

Hands rested on my back, and screams, cheers, whistles, and shouts erupted all around me. There would be interviews, parades, and parties, but everything else was finished; the game was finished. There would be no more practices, coach reaming my ass, hopes for a victory, disappointment over the losses—all of it was over.

I lifted my upper body and rocked back on my haunches before I stood and held the ball up in victory. At thirty-five, I had done it: four championship rings, three-time MVP, millions of dollars in sponsorship deals, and a stellar football career as an elite tier running back. There had been no rumors of drugs or domestic violence or anything bad. The worst hit that my reputation had taken over the years was that I was a ladies’ man.

I had no reason to settle down in the early years of my career. I knew that I couldn’t focus on building a family the way I would have wanted to, and I didn’t trust women.

I should have kept trusting my instincts. The first time I opened myself up to the possibility of settling down, I chose the most trifling woman. She wasn’t meant to be anything more than a fling like the others had been. Yet, I kept going back because she became comfortable and convenient, until I got caught.

My teammates and I put on our championship gear as they congratulated me on making the game winning touchdown. I had everything riding on this final game in my career. I wanted one more ring to add to the other three victories.

I knew that it would be a long day filled with interviews, pictures, and partying, but my mind was already somewhere else. I was looking forward to returning home to be with my son. I hoped to God Kendra wasn’t on her bullshit.

I was still pissed that she hadn’t come to the final game. She literally opened her mouth and told me she didn’t want to come because she had gained five pounds and didn’t want to be caught on camera looking like that. When I pointed out that her ass had no problem being on social media all the time, she said it was different than being on TV.

I hadn’t said another word, because it was pointless. I had just grabbed my bags and dipped up out of there.

“You good, dawg?” Eric Jefferson, one of our linebackers, asked.

“Yeah. Just thinking about what comes next. It’s all surreal, you know?” I sighed.

“Still can’t believe this is your last year playing. We’ve had some battles out there on the green, that’s fo sho.”

“Fo sho,” I agreed.

“Aye, Jennings, you look like you lost your dog, man. You damn sho don’t look like you just won the Super Bowl or going out with a kick-ass career,” Linc Ford, our quarterback, declared. He eyed me cautiously like he thought I might blow a fuse.

“Nah, I’m good, man. Just trying to soak it all in—this was my last game,” I replied as we headed up onto the stage with the rest of our teammates to take pictures and receive the trophy.

“Shit, big homie, I’m only two years behind you,” Linc commented.

“Pam’s gon’ be glad to have your ass at home and settled.”

He pulled his fingers through his beard and smirked. “Yeah, but I don’t know that I’ll be ready.”

“Man, time for ya ass to settle down. You’ve been married five years. How long you gon’ keep fucking around?” I asked.

“Till my dick falls off and stops working,” he joked.

“That’s what’s gonna happen if you keep fucking all these groupies on the road,” I muttered.

“Yeah, well, I’m just trying to have fun like you.”

“Difference is, I’m not married.”

“You’re luckier than me, dawg.” He chuckled and then moved away from me as we all crowded around Coach to take pictures.

After we finished, Eric smiled and dapped me up. “I’m proud of you, man. You’re about to do some amazing things. You’ve got that big deal rolling your way.”

“Yeah, there’s that,” I replied, smiling.

“You gonna take it?”

“I’m still on the fence. I’ve got to decide soon, but when I do make up my mind, you’ll be the fourth person to know . . . after my parents and Coach.”

He laughed and dapped me up. “’Preciate it, dawg.”