Today is our season opener. The weather is utter crap. It’s cold and overcast. Everyone is here though, making the trek for the first game. The last time we were all together was when news of Peyton’s accident brought us all to Chicago. So much has changed since the moment my dad told me Peyton wasn’t going to make it. Spiritually, I battled for her and begged her to stay, but at that time I had nothing to offer her. Emotionally, I was a wreck. I couldn’t fathom not having Peyton in my life and hated that our friendship had dwindled because of the relationship I was in. After seeing Peyton lying there, dying, I realized life was too short to wait idly for something to happen and despite the turmoil I was caught up in, my thoughts never strayed away from the life I wanted with her.
And now I have it.
The Pioneers take the field under the loud thunderous applause of the Portland faithful. I love this city, but my heart is in Chicago. Peyton and I haven’t talked about what will happen when she graduates, but I’m expecting my girl to have a plethora of jobs to choose from. I’m confident in her ability to call a game. Unless it’s mine in which case I’ll stay on the bench.
I look out over the stands at the sea of people dressed in our colors of green, blue and yellow. Bringing football to Oregon was the best decision the state made. Of course, drafting me is also on the top of my list.
Today, I’m the starting quarterback. For a while, I thought my career was hanging by a thread, but I worked my butt off to prove to the organization that their investment in me would be worth it. We have a few new faces with our new draft picks and a couple of off-season trades, all of which excite me. Rookie running back, Brandon Garrison, is supposed to be legit. I watched him a little in college and liked what I saw. Happy to say I’ll have no problems giving him the ball.
As I warm up, the normal game day activities are going on around me. The media is clamoring for early interviews, fans are filling the seats and the smell of popcorn is making my stomach growl. I look over and see my family, taking them all in. Nick and Aubrey are here with the kids, and sure enough, Mack is sitting next to Betty Paige. My mom thinks it’s cute that they have a little crush on each other. My dad, on the other hand, is onto the “game” Mack is playing. As the big brother, who loves them both, I want Mack far, far away from Little B.
Right smack in the middle, next to my mom is Peyton. She gives me a small wave, likely thinking she’s being shy. I’m tempted to go to her and pull her over the railing to kiss her senseless, but I refrain. I’m beyond in love with my girl and can’t wait for this game to be over so I can show her.
Our warm-up clock winds down and the nerves start to set in. There’s some ceremonial stuff happening on the field. Someone’s getting a key to the city, another won season tickets, and there’s a speech about how the city of Portland is the best place to play football.
Before the coin toss, my name is called and I’m asked to come out to the center of the field. Coach hands me the microphone and pats me on the back.
“Is this thing on?” I ask, earning a raucous roar from the crowd. One quick glance up and I see my mug all over the JumboTron. I wave and the fans go wild. “Last year I let you down as your starting quarterback. My life was thrown into a tailspin when my best friend was in an accident that almost claimed her life. I couldn’t think, sleep, eat or even focus on football, all because she was lying in a bed with machines fighting to keep her alive while I was here, trying to play a game that she and I share an immense love for.”
Once again, I look up at the big screen and catch Peyton wiping her tears. “There she is. That’s my girl.”
The crowd, who was already loud, raises the decibel of noise up a notch.
“Peyton’s accident opened my eyes. Not only to what I was missing out on but to what I was doing wrong. I was here, surviving. Taking each day as it came and never planning for the next step. Because of her, I am no longer that person. Because of Peyton and her will to live and learn to walk again, I’m stronger, braver and have better footwork, all thanks to her.”