Tension Running High
Practice was brutal this week and tension was running high. It seemed like the team was losing focus and at least once a practice, there was some sort of fight going on. Needless to say, extra conditioning was a punishment from hell, as we stayed at least an hour after practice running. I started to lose my cool, but didn't show it until Thursday's practice.
It was a cool Thursday afternoon and we were in the middle of a light scrimmage. Greg was off with his passes, like usual, but for some reason it really got to me this time.
"Down, set, hut!"
I ran a slant route to perfection, easily having space between myself and the cornerback. Greg looked my way and threw it...completely behind me and into the defender's hands. As Coach blew the whistle on the play, I angrily unstrapped my helmet and threw it to the ground.
"What the fuck was that Greg?"
Greg looked at me, obviously confused why I was pissed.
"What was what Ethan?"
"That pass! I run a picture-perfect route and you throw it behind me!?"
"It slipped..."
"Have all of your 15 interceptions come because they've 'slipped' too?"
Some of the team made their way to us as Greg was starting to show some anger. A few went 'ohhh' when I made that comment, but I was tired of this shit.
"What's your problem man?"
"What's my problem? What's my problem!? I'm tired of fucking losing! I'm tired of you throwing interceptions! I'm tired of the drama surronding me at Syracuse! Seriously, fuck all this."
I started to make my way off the field when Greg said something that immediately made me turn my head.
"Still sneaking around with that Britt chick? Don't you have a baby to take care of?"
I made my way over to the crowd where Greg was standing with a smirk on his face.
"What did you say?"
"I don't remember, how 'bout you remind me?"
"I think you said, 'punch me in the fucking face.'"
"What was that?"
I wound back and laid a nice blow in his face. He stumbled for a few seconds then fell down as the crowd around us went 'ohh' again.
"Stay out of my personal life, bitch. Or I'll fuck you up worse than what Danny Green did on that dunk."
Some of the players laughed as the everyone made their way back to their stations. Greg got up slowly and made his way over to Coach. Coach's face showed one of disgust, and I knew he snitched on me when I was the only one there after practice, running suicide after suicide.
"What was that all about with Greg?"
"Coach, I'm tired of him. I tried to play nice, but damn, when I'm wide open I want the ball."
"He made one mistake Ethan, you can't..."
"He's made 15 Coach. He's leading the nation in interceptions."
"Actually Jimmy Clausen is."
"Coach, that's beside the point. Don't we have a better option to put behind center?"
"Believe me Ethan, I've thought of it. But look at our roster...I really wish we'd have Andrew back. Ryan's going to start next year, but right now he's nowhere near ready to step in for Greg, especially during the middle of our Big East schedule."
"I gotta help you recruit Coach, haha."
"Yeah, we need a stud four-star prospect to come in here - definitely would help our chances at a future Big East title. Anyways, just please try not to complain about Greg. It'll pay off in the long run, I promise."
"Sure."
"Good, now grab your pads and go back to the locker room. We need you ready for our rival West Virginia, Saturday."
Although I told Coach that I'd forget about my beef with Greg, I knew it would come up again. Winning is the only thing that can calm me down, cause right now losing is eating me alive...