Catching Controversy | The Legend of Ethan Woy

[Gonzo]

Looking good; I don't think I'll ever get this fucking thing all the way caught up, lol. I need a synopsis pronto.

[Woy]

Looking good; I don't think I'll ever get this fucking thing all the way caught up, lol. I need a synopsis pronto.

That's why I added cliff-notes in the Table of Contents, for late followers. However, the downside with that is that they have no interaction with the characters and don't understand really how they are.

I could PM you in-depth cliff notes or something sometime, if you want.

[Gonzo]

Nah, you don't have to; I'll find time eventually. I'm just hungover and lazy.

[RockSteady]

Since I didn't update yesterday, I'll update twice today.

I just came when I read this.

[goDawgs1433]

Can't wait for that update.

[Woy]

Update will be up by 12 EST.

Not two anymore, because of Kanye West.

[Lumpkin]

Not two anymore, because of Kanye West.

damn you Kayne

[PEYMAN18]

Damn. 100 Pages.


Epic Chise...

[Woy]

Hero

The bus ride to Storrs felt so long. I had so much thoughts running through my mind that I couldn't sleep a wink. I was sitting by myself, staring out at the landscape when I felt someone sit down beside me.

"How are you Ethan?"

"I'm good Coach. What's up?"

"I'd like to talk about next year already."

Was I even going to be here next year? I didn't even know that.

"Coach, aren't you worried about beating UConn more?"

"Haha, yes but I wanted to bring something to your attention."

"I'm listening."

"How would you like it if we switched to a spread attack next season?"

Michael Crabtree, say what? I could literally feel the drool running off my lip.

"Coach, I'd love that. Why are you thinking about doing that though?"

"Ethan, did you see who we have coming back next year? We have slim talent at runningback but some nice players behind you at receiver. If Ryan can have a good camp, I really believe we can be successful if we run such an offense. Plus, you could shatter Michael Crabtree's stats and lead us to a bowl game."

He was right. Behind Delone, we had no one at the runningback spot, but behind myself and Mike, we had a nice amount of talent. A spread attack would only make sense.

"Yeah Coach, I'd be down with that."

Some more small talk ensued before Coach went back up to the front to talk with his coaching staff. I put in my earbuds and turned on my iPod, listening to some Nas as we made our way to Storrs - the site of the showdown between the two worst teams in the Big East.

"Chain gleaming, switching lanes, two-seating,
Hate him or love him, for the same reason.
Can't leave it, the games needs him,
Plus the people need someone to believe in.
So in God's Son we trust,
'Cause they know I'm gonna give 'em what they want.
They looking for a hero.
I guess that makes me a hero."

...

"Who we are!?"

"SU!"

"And what we do!?"

"Stomp on you!"

"I'd said, what we do!?"

"Stomp on you!"

"Break it down now! One, two, three..."

"SU Will rock you!"

The cheer wasn't as loud as it was that first game, but nonetheless it got the team fired up. I, however, was already ready for next year - whether that would be in a Syracuse uniform or at another campus. I made my way with Delone to the middle of the field where we would stand face to face with Connecticut captains Andre Dixon and Brad Kanuch.

We won the toss and elected to receive. After the return, we took over from the 25 and went to work. Greg hit me twice - both for first downs - and then Delone carried it the rest of the time. Punching it in from the five yard line, we celebrated an early touchdown over our rival.

However, UConn rode their horse Andre Dixon down the field to counter our score. It was tied up at seven as the first quarter came to a close and I knew we would be in a dogfight once last time. Both teams continued to respond to each other's scoring, as it was 17-17 with three minutes left in the fourth quarter.

I was kneeling down on the sidelines, helmet in my hand, wanting one more drive. The Huskies offense continued to drive down the field and with one and a half minutes left in the game, the defense held up and forced the Huskies into a field goal.

"Kick return team! Field it cleanly, make your blocks and get us good field position!"

And that's exactly what we didn't do. Kevyn Scott fumbled the catch and only got to the 15 yard line. I jogged my way over onto the field before I was pulled back by Coach.

"Listen. I told Greg to look your way this final drive. Yes, this year is lost, but right here is where you make a statement. Next year is your year. Show the nation why you should be an All-American. Show the nation why you could win the Heisman next year. This isn't our time...this is yours."

And before I could say anything, he made his way back to the offensive coordinator. I was shocked he'd say something like that, honestly, but it made me feel more confident than I've ever felt before in my collegiate career.

Greg called the cadence and went to work. First he hit me for a 24 yard gain, then threw a screen to Delone for 16. 40 yards down in two plays was proceeded by a scramble by the former Duke point guard for 13. Then the offense was stopped in its tracks. The next two plays, Greg threw an incompletion and was sacked. As Paulus went down, I ran to the official to signal timeout.

As I looked into everyone's eyes in the huddle, I noticed the emotional pain building from another potential loss. Despite not being very talented, I knew that they loved this game...and so did I. It would be hard to leave these guys after the season, if I chose to.

"Down, set, hut!"

...

"Here's the ball game. Paulus looks right, looks for Woy..."

...

"Come on, beat the coverage..."

...

"...he fires..."

...

"...catch it..."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Trips left, Woy split out to the right. Looks like double coverage on him...and here's the snap! Paulus stares down Woy, and fires. It's in his hands...and oh no! The hit caused Woy to drop it, another tough loss for Syracuse. The final score from the Carrier Dome is West Virginia 13, Syracuse 7."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"...and it's caught! Woy is past the defense, and it'll be the game-winning touchdown! SYRACUSE WINS IT!"

I ripped off my helmet and threw it in the air as the entire team ran towards me. This felt different from the game-winning touchdown in the state championship, because it feels like a bigger weight has been lifted. I felt more like a hero in this case, as I left the stadium on my teammates's shoulders.

Leaving Syracuse will be hard, if I decide to do so...


8 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD

[RockSteady]

"Despite not being very talented"

OUCH!!!

Nice update though... I like how you threw some Nas in there.. Think I might go bump Hero right now.

[Woy]

Bump. I'll update today.

[Archer]

Paulus is making you look better than you really are imo

[DoubleDeuce]

Paulus is making you look better than you really are imo

QFT

[Woy]

The Pursuit of Happiness (Part 1)

"Fellas, first of all, congrats on the win today. After all the hard losses you guys went through, you definitely deserved this."

Everyone was sitting there with their shoulder pads off, smiles on their faces. After the controversies and tough losses, we ended on a high note - against a rival, nonetheless. Coach was thinking about next year and how this would build momentum going into the 2010 campaign, but I was thinking about Christmas break and how I was going to visit other schools.

"And this was an easy decision in my mind. Game ball goes to the man of the hour, Ethan Woy."

I slowly got up and took the ball from Coach. He gave me a hug and told me that he was looking forward to next year. As I sat down, the press walked in to speak to me about the game and the future. I was enjoying the spotlight again and was happy to answer about any question...

"Ethan! This is Pat Forde from ESPN. How does this winning catch feel compared to the drop against West Virginia?"

...except for this one. No matter what happens throughout my career, I don't think I'll ever get over that moment and the consequences that followed it.

"I'm sorry Mr. Forde, but I suddenly have felt sick. No questions please."

The media and the coaching staff were in shock, as I excused myself and walked out of the room. I threw on some street clothes and got back on the bus where immediately fell asleep...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You're a fucking failure! Do you know that? You don't deserve any of this shit handed to you. You didn't deserve that money from Michigan, you didn't deserve that State title, and you sure as hell didn't deserve Melyssa!"

...

"911, what's your emergency?"

"I have a man, about six foot three, passed out in an apartment. I don't feel a pulse, hurry up!"

"Medical services are on their way..."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ethan."

No response.

"Ethan!"

Still no response.

"ETHAN!"

"Woah, what's going on?"

"You were shaking uncontrollably. Are you sure you're fine? Do we have to stop and get you checked out?"

"Nah, I think I'm good Coach. Let's just get home, please."

"Seriously though, are you alright?"

"What do you mean?"

"The whole press conference after the game. You seemed more than willing to answer questions and then after Pat made the comment about the WVU game, you suddenly didn't feel well. Still dwelling on that loss?"

Yeah I am, obviously. I've never had to deal with a loss, especially with the game in my hands. The consequences after the game hit me hard as well, because it opened my eyes to how I destroy myself when I'm depressed.

"Yeah I am Coach. I've never felt like the goat before. All this time, I've always been the hero - I had three game winning catches in my senior year, including the State title game."

"I know this."

"And I...I don't know. I just feel I always should succeed. Maybe that has hurt me now. I've never had a problem with depression. Well, until that game."

"Yeah I completely understand. You felt invincible and that loss brought you down."

"Yeah, and I'm not understanding how this win didn't pick me back up. I'm happy, yes, but that loss still stings."

"I'm not completely sure either. You want to talk to the team psychiatrist when we get back on campus?"

I thought about it for a second. Maybe talking to a shrink would help me out?

"Nah, I just want to get back on campus and go home for Christmas break."

"I understand. You need to relax before basketball starts anyways."

"Yeah, definitely."

...

A few days later I was packing my stuff up to head home, when I got heard someone knocking at my door.

"Hey hun."

"How's the packing coming sweetheart?"

"Pretty good, I'm just about done. Are you ready to go back to PA?"

"Actually, that's what I came over here to talk to you about."

Oh great, what now?

"What's up?"

"My uncle has gotten sick again."

"Awh, I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I'm planning on going down to South Carolina for a few weeks? Any way you can come down with me?"

I thought about it for a little bit, because I also wanted to go back to Everett and relax. However, when I looked at Melyssa I noticed that perfect smile, beautiful face and...her ever-growing stomach. The baby was due in two months and I knew when that moment came, I would have even more on my plate. I had to try to spend every moment I could with her, caring for her every need.

"Yes, I'll come down with you."

Not only did I want to spend time with Melyssa, but I also was looking at colleges to possibly transfer to...anything to get me away from the controversy and stress at Syracuse. I was about to pull a Will Smith - it was time to pursue my own happiness...

[Argath]

100 pages, wow haha.


If your were a true player, you wouldn't let no hoe tie you down. Fuck bitches, get money.