Pressure
I was completely exhausted after that game, as I basically carried the offense. Northwestern's defense completely shut out our running game, and after Mike was lost with injury, Greg looked for me every pass play. I spent the entire day Sunday sleeping in Melyssa's apartment, and was awaken Monday with a phone call.
"Uh...hello?"
"Ethan! Is there anyway you can be at the Dome in about half an hour?"
"Damn Coach, I just woke up. What's all this for?"
"Press conference. You won Big East Player of the Week."
Scheduling a press conference for winning player of the week? Kind of weird, but whatever. I didn't have a class on Monday, so this wouldn't mess up my schedule. Still, the fact that I had to wake up early frustrated me.
After jumping in the shower and throwing on some Syracuse apparel, I drove over to the dome. From there, I made my way into the press room, where there were many reporters and a man talking to Coach Marrone.
"And there's my man John. Ethan, over here."
I made my way over to Coach and the other man, still rubbing some of the crust from out of my eyes.
"Not much sleep last night Mr. Woy?"
"Not used to waking up this early Coach, haha."
"Haha, anyways I'd like you to meet Big East commissioner John Marinatto."
I shook his hand to greet him, confused why he was at this press conference.
"Ethan, you're a star already in this conference."
"Thank you Mr. Marinatto."
"Just call me John. Anyways, I need to use you for some stuff."
"What kind of stuff?"
"You've heard it Ethan, the Big East is the laughing stock of the BCS conferences."
I've said that for the last few years, but I wasn't going to tell the commish that.
"Yeah, I've heard people say some things like that."
"Last year we had Pat White, LeSean McCoy - some star power. Who's there this year?"
"Umm, Noel Devine. Matt Grothe..."
"They aren't as big as the stars of years past. What I'm saying is that this conference needs a star, someone that can shine over all the other major BCS conference. Someone that can pull this conference from the bottom of the barrel, back to the top."
"So you want me to be that guy then?"
"Correct. I obviously can't give you money or anything, or you'd lose your eligibility and I'd lose my job. But what I can do is give you publicity and the guarantee that many Syracuse games will be nationally televised."
"And that will help me in award races and such right?"
"Again, correct. You notice how mid-major players don't win the Heisman right? Well that's the reason why - they aren't on television enough. I get you on prime-time, you deliver stats and wins, and we both receive the benefits. You'll have your awards, and a great draft resume, and I'll have the commissioner position of the NCAA's best conference."
"Alright, sounds good. I look forward to making a mark on this conference and the NCAA as a whole."
"Great. Well I better let you get to your press conference, those reporters have been waiting for a while. Congrats on the Player of the Week award and make this conference proud."
"Ethan Woy will be taking questions now. Please state your name and affilation before asking."
I made my way to the update and sat my plaque for winning Big East Player of the Week in front of me.
"Yes, you in the red."
"Ryan Daniels, of Sporting News. How does it feel to win Player of the Week as a freshman?"
"Pretty good Ryan. I always think highly of myself and have all the confidence in the world, but I didn't think I'd put up a game like that, that fast. You in the blue, with the hat."
"Terry Tate, New York Times. Any word on Mike Williams? And how will that effect the offense if he is out for an extended period of time?"
"He's doing alright, last time I spoke to him. I don't think he'll be ready for this Saturday against Maine, but he should be ready for conference play coming up. As for the offense, you saw the Northwestern game. I'll get more passes my way, so I expect seeing some double teams. Another receiver has to step up."
Then I looked in the back for a hand and saw someone in dark shades with his hat low.
"Yeah, you in the green."
He poked his head up and cleared his throat.
"Rodney Morris, independent blogger. What's your goals for this season?"
"I'd like to make All-Big East, and lead Syracuse to a bowl game. We're off to a tough start, but conference play should turn us around."
A few more questions later, and finally Coach Marrone took the podium. The man in the green made his way over to me, and I immediately recognized him.
"So this is your job Rodney? Independent blogger?"
"Like that? Yeah, I don't make much shit off of it, but it covers up the operation. Anyways, you know what today is?"
"Monday. Indy plays Miami on Monday Night Football tonight."
"Yeah, that and it's pay day."
"It's about damn time."
He gave me the death stare when I reacted like that.
"I mean, that's good."
"No smartass comments with me kid. After every three games, you'll be paid. Now let's see what the payout is."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a check.
"Here you are, 1800 dollars. You made 600 for the Minnesota game, 200 for the Penn State one, and a nice one grand for last Saturday."
"Sweet."
"Oh and I forgot to tell you. You a fan of baseball?"
"Yeah, I follow the sport. Where's this going?"
"What happens when you get three strikes?"
"You're out."
"Right, and same with this operation. You fuck up three times, there's three strikes. Bye-bye college career."
And as I went to say something, he turned away and walked out the door.
First Coach, then the commissioner, and now Rodney - I've got pressure coming from all angles, and I don't know if I can handle it all. I'm starting to think I'm either going to make it big out of Syracuse or lucky to make it out alive...