Austin
The letter appeared in the campus newspaper the next day thanks to Teddy.
Dear Buffalo State Students,
Many of you know me from the football team. It pains me to say this, but I will be quitting soon. Why? Unwritten rules have put me in a terrible position. I’m being asked to choose between the two things I love most in life, football and a very special woman I met recently.
This wonderful woman means the world to me. Because of her, I’ve begun to understand love and that football may not be the most important thing in the world. I know, you’re probably surprised I would say such a thing, but it’s true.
My writing abilities are not great, but I want to publicly state that I was with Brooke Harrison on November 3rd, 2017. We were together from dusk until dawn, wrapped up in each other’s arms. She means the world to me, and I don’t care who knows anymore.
As I said, I will be quitting the team. This will affect our chances at winning the regional championship, but that doesn’t matter as much to me as my love for Brooke. To Coach and everyone else I let down, I apologize, but this is the right decision.
Yours if you will have me,
Austin King, Running Back
I read it three times, wondering what people would think. What Brooke and Coach and Trey would say. As I scrolled down the page, I saw the first comment. It was supportive. Over a dozen people had already commented, saying they back
ed me up and would protest if I got kicked off the team.
Was this really happening? Did I make the right decision?
As I sat in the Student Center food court, eating a bagel and reading the comments, my phone rang. Fuck. It was Coach.
I accepted the call and put the phone to my ear.
“Hey, Coach, about the letter…”
“Get your ass in my office. Now!”
He hung up on me. I sighed, wondering if I should finish my bagel first or not. Compromising, I took it with me as I walked across campus toward the stadium.
* * *
As soon as I walked in, I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
“What the hell is your problem, son?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, Coach, but I love her.”
“Sorry? I thought you were serious about football and going pro.”
“I am, Coach, but…”
“No buts,” he interrupted. “Do you know how competitive it is these days? Not very many men make it all the way to the pros. You have a special talent, but you’re wasting it away!”
“I’m sorry, Coach,” I said, staring down at my feet.
“Quit fucking apologizing! I’ve been getting calls all day saying there will be protests and petitions and who knows what else if I don’t let you keep playing.”
I looked up.
“You’re going to let me play and stay in a relationship with her?”
“Of course not,” he said. “But I’m going to give you one more chance to make the right decision. Break it off with her until you both graduate. I don’t care what you do then, but I need you practicing twice as much as you are now. You don’t have time for puppy love.”
“It’s not puppy love, Coach. I want to be with her.”