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CAMILLE
Hey
Um
Hey, Teddy
It’s
Uh
It’s really good to see you
I’m so glad I could come
So yeah, um, my dad brought me
We’re heading to the high school later
There’s going to be a tribute in your honor, Teddy
My dad is outside talking to your parents
They said I could come in
The nurse said it was okay
I didn’t know nurses were allowed to wear sunglasses, that’s pretty funny
Anyway, I hope it’s okay that I came?
It’s good to see you
I know you’re going to be okay
I know it
I started a page online
And most people are being so nice
But also a few people are writing weird stuff about what happened
Some girl named Clea is like starting rumors and stuff
Like maybe there was a fight or something, and that’s how you got hurt
And it makes me so mad
As if my dad would ever let something like that happen
It’s like people are looking to blame someone
Or blame football
I know it’s violent and stuff, but so are a lot of other sports, and no one is talking about how horrible they are
Anyway, Teddy
So someone said I should take the page down
But I don’t know
People need to talk about it
Anyway, what else
I can’t believe the summer’s almost over, that totally stinks
It was so fun
It was fun, right?
A little weird
The beach was really fun, but I know people were telling you stuff, but I didn’t ask them to
Like, I hope you didn’t feel pressure to like me back or anything
I never wanted that to happen and I can’t believe Emily ever said anything to you
I got so mad at her, we didn’t even talk to each other for a few days, we got into this really huge fight, but last night I saw her and we hugged and we cried and we just prayed for you to get better
And also
It’s not like I like you because you’re popular, I swear
Or the best athlete or anything
I just think you’re really nice and funny
And you don’t act like a jerk like some kids
I don’t mean to be talking about stupid stuff
But I never got a chance to tell you that I hope it didn’t make you feel weird, because that was the last thing I wanted
I just want to tell you that I really, really want to talk to you again
Or you to talk to me
I really want you to get better
I really do, okay?
So
Um, yeah, so I’m gonna go get my dad
COACH
Hello, son
Hello
You look terrific
Just fine
You would never know anything is
You’re going to beat this
You’re going to whip this thing
You’re going to come out of this a stronger person, a better person
You are a tough son of a gun
You are going to take this thing down
You’re an athlete
A competitor
And, son
Ted
I want you to know that this is on me
What happened here is on me
I’m responsible for all the kids at preseason camp
You’re all my kids, especially you youngsters
Some people don’t want me to say that out loud
Some people are telling me to be careful and warning me not to say anything that could get me in trouble, but I say what’s in my heart
That’s how I’ve always been
So, yes
We’re planning an event for tonight
The community wants to come together and pray for your recovery
The last thing we need to do right now is worry about any of that other stuff
The people who want to shut the program down and run me out of town, all that kind of stuff
Well, the heck with them
They don’t know what we’re about
They don’t know that you kids are like my own kids
You’re my family
Everything that happens on my watch is my responsibility
We will get to the bottom of everything
And things will change, son
It’s all about keeping my players safe
I promise you that
If things need to change, they will change
Okay then, you take care
I know a few of the other boys are planning on coming by, to check up on you, say hello
The whole team wants to come by, that’s right, the whole dang varsity team, but I talked to your folks and we agreed that’s a bit much, we don’t want the entire hospital to be overrun by football players, now do we, son?
But a few of the boys are going to stop by
These boys are your family
I mean that, son
We’re all your family
We’re all here for you
I
I did talk to a few of the boys’ parents last night
A few of the boys are having a bit of a rough time
That’s natural of course
But they’re all great kids
We’ve got counselors talking to them, helping everyone through this
But we all know you’re going to be just fine
You’ve got a terrific family and it’s going to be okay
Well then, I should probably head on
Got to get back to it
Planning the event tonight
And of course we’re getting ready for the year ahead
Long season
We can’t wait to see you up at the high school real soon
We want you with our team, son
In whatever capacity you see fit
It will do us all a world of good
We need you to help us win.
5:19 PM
Text from Alec
hey ethan just checking in
did you talk to one of those counselors this morning?
just wanted to know how it went
i didn’t really say too much
just that i was still basically in shock
which i am
let me know how it went when you have a chance k?
i’m heading to the thing at the high school
if you’re going i’ll see you there
later
JANEY
Ew!
Teddy, it’s gross out there
Like a boys’ locker room all of a sudden
There are boys outside in the waiting room
Football players I guess
But it’s weird
They seem, um, like really nervous and quiet
No one is saying anything
I met this kid Will
Mom and Dad were talking to him
He wants to talk to you
Camille says he’s captain of varsity
Hey, guess what?
Tomorrow night, Mom is coming to the house and making fried chicken
Remember when she used to make it and I would get so mad at you?
Remember how you would steal my wings, which were my favorite piece, and I would kick you under the table and you would scream out in pain like I’d actually hurt you? And Mom would yell at me while you were laughing?
And then you would grab another piece of chicken off my plate when Mom and Dad weren’t looking and just rip the skin off with your teeth, and sometimes you would even spit it at me, which was so totally disgusting
Remember?
And Mom would end up getting
so mad she’d say she would never make fried chicken again, but then she decided that she would because we all liked it so much, and then one time when she made it, I stole the skin from your piece?
And you tickled me until I couldn’t breathe and I kicked you under the table again and you pretended to be hurt but Dad realized you weren’t really hurt at all and you finally got in trouble that time?
Remember that?
That was so funny
So anyway, I might save you a piece of fried chicken for when you come home
If you’re lucky.
INSIDE
Practice
Practice
Working out
Getting stronger
Gotta be stronger
Make it mean something
Make it mean more than anything in the world
These are your brothers
Your fellow warriors
I’ve waited all my life for this
Wildcat Stadium
Under the lights
People cheering
Making my dad proud
This is what it’s all about
MOM
Are you tired, honey?
Are you exhausted?
You’ve had a lot of action already today
A lot of visitors
People just want to be here
This young man named Will just got here with his parents and some other boys
I’m still concerned it’s too much for you
But the doctor said it’s okay as long as it’s one visitor at a time, just for a few minutes
This might be it for today
I told Will he could come in
The only one
He seems like a good kid
So big and mature, almost like a man
I guess that’s why he’s the captain
He’s only three years older than you, it’s almost hard to believe
Scary in a way
The fact that you could be playing football with boys his size is just bizarre
It truly makes no sense, like everything else about this sport
But it is what it is and here we are
Anyway, Will seems like a very nice young man
His mother said he didn’t sleep much last night
All the kids seem very sweet
Shy and a little scared
Of course they’re scared
It’s hard for kids to see other kids suffering
You’ll be so happy to see your friends again
When you wake up and see your friends again
You will all be so happy.
WILL
Dude
Uh
So
Hey, Teddy
Teddy uh
Hey you look like, totally normal
Basically normal
That’s awesome
You look great, seriously
Anyway, um
Just wanted to come by and check in
On behalf of the whole team, I just wanted to let you know how bad we’re all pulling for you
We’re all on your side, man, and uh, I know you’re going to be totally fine, because you’re a super tough dude
And also, I wanted to let you know, you know, that everything we told you during camp
It was all true
I really hope you can play football again, dude
You’re going to be a fantastic football player
You’re the best freshman, no doubt
You’re already really good, and you work hard and you’re super tough
I can tell you want it
I hope you still want to play and you’re allowed to play
That would uh
That would suck if you can’t
You would’ve definitely been starting tailback on JV this year
And you’ll make varsity next year
Get some playing time
Special teams, punt return, third down situations
I mean, like
You’ll be such a good player when you come back for sure
So yeah, I hope you play again
Also
So, hey
Uh, so, that kid Ethan
Can I just
Teddy, if you can hear me
This kid, Ethan, I don’t really know him
I didn’t really get to know too many of the freshmen kids at camp
But I hope he’s cool
I don’t
I mean I don’t know the kid
But I heard he’s kind of messed up about everything
I mean, yeah, of course I get it
He was, you know, he was—
Anyway, the whole thing is messed up
I went to Ethan’s house today to see if he was okay
I only saw him for a minute
He didn’t want to talk to me, or even see me, to be honest
I feel bad for him
But, uh, you know
I didn’t get mad at him or anything
I just asked him if he was going to say anything about what happened
And, you know, about the Hit Parade and the prizes and stuff
And he said no, he swears no
So that’s cool
I just
I’m not sure if you can hear me, dude
I just really, really want you to get better
I mean like I remember playing in the Rookie Rumble when I was a freshman
I thought it was the coolest thing in the world, you know?
Nothing like this has ever happened before
That’s why everyone is so freaked out
We need you to get better
No one has to
No one has to—
Oh hey, Mrs. Youngblood.
MOM
I think Teddy needs to rest, okay, Will?
You can come back another time
Maybe tomorrow
I know Teddy is so pleased that you and the other boys care so much
Your support really means so much to all of us, it really does
But I think, for now, Teddy just needs to rest.
WILL
Oh absolutely, Mrs. Youngblood
Absolutely
I just wanted to
I wanted Teddy to know the whole varsity was pulling for him
Is pulling for him
We are uh
Okay
Thanks, Mrs. Youngblood
See ya, Ted.
ALEC
Hey
I’m heading to the high school soon for the event thing, but your parents said it was cool if I said hey for a minute first
So, um
I talked to Will outside for a second, and he told me he talked to Ethan
He’s not
Ethan’s not really talking to anyone right now
But uh, nobody wants you to worry about anything
Everyone just wants you to get better
Ethan still isn’t answering texts
I guess I’ll talk to him when school starts
I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to make this into a thing
He just wants it to go away, but it’s hard, you know?
It’s hard not to talk about it
Like I mean I kind of want to tell somebody what happened because I think it might help
But uh, I won’t
I promise I won’t.
WALTHORNENEWS.COM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 10:07 PM
Young Athlete Injured; Town Gathers to Offer Hope
A townwide vigil was held at Walthorne High School tonight to pray for the recovery of Edward Youngblood, 13, who was seriously injured Friday at preseason football camp. Edward, who is scheduled to begin his freshman year at Walthorne High next week, is currently at TriCounty Memorial Hospital with unspecified injuries.
“He’s a terrific kid,” said Louis Bizetti, Walthorne’s head football coach, who has also been a physical education instructor at the school for sixteen years. “It’s jus
t so awful when something like this happens, and it’s important that the community come together to show our support and concern for Teddy and his family. We love our football in this town, but we love our football players even more.”
The Wildcats, who finished with a record of 8–2 last year, return with a solid roster of varsity athletes and are expected to contend for the state crown this year.
There has been no word on whether or not the season will begin as scheduled.
Saturday at 10:19 pm
Camille It was so great to see everyone there tonight at the celebration for Teddy, thank you all for coming, it was incredible and meant so much to Teddy’s family.
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Saturday at 10:26 pm
Becky It was beautiful, it really was, your dad made an amazing speech Camille, you should be so proud of him
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Saturday at 10:29 pm
Camille I am
I love my dad
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Saturday at 10:37 pm
Stephanie It was a really nice event but what was up at the end, why did it end so suddenly like that?
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Saturday at 10:49 pm
Rebecca The vigil was so beautiful. Everyone is in total shock right now, we are all praying for Teddy. You’re right tho it did end a little weird, I think maybe from what I heard there was like a little argument because some people were asking questions, and then other people were talking about maybe somebody is hiding something about what really happened when Teddy got hurt. I saw your dad get mad at some people Camille and he was absolutely right that wasn’t the place for people to be spreading rumors.
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Saturday at 10:51 pm
Clea I agree, it was a beautiful ceremony but it did feel like something was up at the end. If something else happened to Teddy, like other than just a normal football thing, then I hope somebody says something
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Saturday at 11:07 pm
Janey Hi everyone. Teddy is my brother and I want to thank everyone for coming tonight and for their good wishes. It really means a lot to my family but can those of you guys who are talking about the other stuff and spreading rumors please stop. We just want Teddy to get better. Thank you all very much.
Game Changer Page 4
