Game Changer

by Tommy Greenwald

  Seniors having fun with the freshmen, welcoming them to the team

  It happens everywhere

  But this is the first I’ve heard of the Hit Parade

  This is the opposite of what I teach these kids

  This is all

  I had no idea

  All we wanted to do was create unity

  A team

  A family that would do anything for each other

  Go to battle together

  These kids are like sons to me

  I love them as my own kids

  This is my life

  This is not what I teach

  I had no idea

  The last few days, I’d heard some things

  I didn’t know what to believe

  It sounded so crazy

  I started hearing some things

  But I didn’t want it to be a distraction

  There is only one thing to think about and that is praying for your son’s recovery

  Of course we will address it after your son recovers

  I’ve been waiting because I didn’t want to cause more pain right now

  I just want your son to get better

  But it was going to be addressed

  We were going to deal with it

  Fix it

  There’s so much good that this program does

  Being part of something special

  Teaching boys how to grow up

  Be strong

  How to look out for themselves

  How to build the friendships that form on that field

  Bonds that last a lifetime

  Those are—

  DAD

  Coach Bizetti

  I’m sure you feel badly, and I appreciate that

  And yes

  Maybe it’s true you didn’t know exactly what was happening

  But isn’t it your job to know?

  Isn’t it your job to lead and to do the right thing?

  You’re in the Hall of Fame

  You’re a legend in this town

  But none of that matters anymore

  You’re more concerned with protecting your reputation than protecting our kids

  You had me fooled

  I trusted you and I believed in you

  You know what?

  It turns out you’re no better than anyone else.

  MOM

  Mr. Bizetti, it’s possible that you care about the kids and have a good heart

  But my guess is that you care about winning more

  You failed my son and the other kids and the whole town

  You failed to protect our children

  You and your coaches watched and laughed

  And if you didn’t know, it’s because you didn’t want to know.

  DAD

  Thank you for coming, but I think you should go

  Coach Bizetti

  You need to go now.

  COACH

  I

  Yes

  I will be in touch of course

  I am praying for Teddy

  Goodbye.

  5:38 PM

  Group Text from Will

  16 People

  guys

  i know i said we need to stick together as a team

  it’s more important now than ever

  teddy is an amazing kid and he’s going to be okay

  i don’t think he’ll play football again but he’ll always be a walthorne wildcat

  we’re not going to let one lame cheap shot bring us down

  we stay strong

  like it says on the locker room wall

  no one comes between you and the team

  we are walthorne

  now on to business

  everyone knows official practice is suspended

  but we are holding captain’s practices

  helmets no pads

  let’s get back at it

  team meeting first thing tomorrow morning, 8am at the field

  don’t be late

  ALEC

  Hey

  I’m

  Hey

  DAD

  Alec?

  What are you doing here?

  This isn’t a good—

  ALEC

  I

  I had to come back

  I heard Ethan was coming

  Ethan

  I hope you’re

  Did you

  Did you tell them?

  ETHAN

  I told them.

  ALEC

  Everything?

  ETHAN

  I

  I

  MOM

  Alec, is it true what he told us?

  About what happened?

  ALEC

  I uh

  I wanted to be here when Ethan told you

  I lie awake at night thinking about hitting Ethan during the Rookie Rumble and then celebrating

  High-fiving other kids while Ethan was lying there

  While you were lying there, Ethan

  Not helping you up

  It keeps me up at night

  That’s not me, I swear it isn’t

  I don’t

  I don’t think I want to play football anymore.

  DAD

  Thank you, Alec

  It took a lot of courage for you to come here.

  MOM

  Oh, Alec

  You’re Teddy’s best friend

  Why did this happen?

  How could you all let this happen?

  JANEY

  Mommy

  Dad

  Please

  You shouldn’t blame Ethan

  Or Alec

  Or anyone

  It wasn’t anyone’s fault

  They were just

  Ethan was just

  It’s not his fault

  Ethan, I think you’re brave

  You didn’t have to do this

  You didn’t have to come

  You didn’t have to admit anything to anyone

  You’re really

  You’re just really brave.

  ETHAN

  I really

  Thank you, Janey

  And

  I don’t

  Mr. and Mrs. Youngblood

  I hope you can forgive me

  I don’t

  It isn’t anyone’s fault

  This is just what happens with sports and teams and stuff

  Sometimes it gets crazy

  And so much of it is great

  But sometimes it gets crazy

  I wish it didn’t have to be like that

  I still love football

  I still want to play

  Maybe it will be different now

  Maybe things can change.

  ALEC

  Maybe

  I hope they can

  INSIDE

  I’m getting ready

  I’m almost there

  DAD

  Sarah, do you hear these kids?

  They’re right

  We need to take into account what we’ve done

  And you’re right, I got too wrapped up in it

  Maybe I didn’t look hard enough at what was really going on

  And when Teddy hit someone hard, I loved it

  I cheered louder than anyone else

  I was so proud of him

  I was

  I loved it

  That’s all there is to it

  I loved it.

  MOM

  Jim

  I don’t mean to

  I’m just so tired

  But I know how much you’ve done for our kids

  And I know how hard it’s been for you

  Teddy

  Janey

  Can you

  Can you forgive me?

  DAD

  We’ll find a way

  Teddy

  Janey

  We’ll always be here

  I promise you

  We will always be here for you.

  MOM

  Yes


  Yes we will.

  INSIDE

  I’m ready

  I’m ready now

  JANEY

  Teddy

  Can I hold your hand?

  Think of home

  Think of your bed

  Think of Ollie licking your feet

  Think of fried chicken

  Think of Chinese food

  Just feel my hand holding your hand.

  MOM

  Ethan

  I hope you know

  I didn’t mean

  I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that

  I hope you understand what we are going through

  But that is not an excuse

  You’re right

  This is not your fault

  I’m just so exhausted

  But you’re absolutely right

  And, Janey and Alec, you’re right

  Things have to change

  We need to make sure things change.

  INSIDE

  I see the colors

  I have the words

  I’m ready

  JANEY

  Oh

  Teddy, did you just do that on purpose?

  Teddy just squeezed my hand

  I think

  Teddy just squeezed

  Wait

  DAD

  He

  He squeezed Mom’s hand before

  He is starting to respond

  I wouldn’t get—

  JANEY

  This seems different

  Wait

  See?

  He did it again

  Teddy?

  Teddy?

  Mom, look

  Dad

  Teddy?

  MOM

  What’s happening

  Oh my God

  Get the

  Teddy?

  Get the doctor

  Teddy’s waking up

  Teddy, honey

  Teddy

  It’s mommy

  I’m right here

  I’m right

  Jim, go get the doctor

  I’m right here, honey

  Teddy, I’m right here

  I’m not going anywhere

  I’m right here

  Oh my—

  Wow

  Look at your big, beautiful eyes

  That’s right

  You’re safe

  You’re here with us

  Janey is here

  Dad is getting the doctor

  We’re right here

  Hi, honey

  It’s really good to see you

  It’s so good to see you, honey.

  NURSE RICKY

  Whoa Whoa Whoa

  What do we have here

  Look at this

  Good morning

  It’s morning in America, people

  Let me just get in here for a second

  Check a few things

  Good

  Good

  Better than good

  The doctor is coming

  The doctor will be right here

  You just relax

  It’s good to see you, young man.

  DR. SPARKS

  Well

  What is happening?

  All sorts of good stuff I see

  This is a sight for sore eyes

  Hello, Teddy

  We haven’t been formally introduced

  I’m Dr. Sparks

  Let me just see here

  Look into my light, okay, Teddy?

  Look left

  Look right

  Up

  Down

  You see how many fingers I’m holding up?

  Can you hold up the same number of fingers with your right hand?

  Now with your left?

  That’s great

  That’s perfect

  You’ve had a good rest, a nice long rest

  Good to have you back with us

  I’m going to ask the nurse to help me here

  This is not going to hurt one bit

  You are not even going to feel a thing

  We are going to take out this tube

  Your throat will feel a little dry

  You might cough a bit

  It’s not going to feel great

  But it won’t hurt

  Talking is going to take some time

  But we’ve got plenty of that

  Nurse, please help me here

  That’s it

  Yep

  Yes

  Terrific

  There we go

  You’re doing great, Teddy

  You’re doing terrific.

  MOM

  Thank you, Dr. Sparks

  You’ve been so wonderful

  I hope you know I didn’t mean what I said earlier

  You’ve been amazing

  Oh my God

  Teddy

  This is such a blessing

  Jim

  Teddy is pointing

  He’s asking for water

  Dr. Sparks, he can drink?

  Please, Jim, can you

  Thank you

  Here we go

  Use the straw

  There you go

  That’s it, honey

  Small sips

  Janey

  Janey, he wants to hold your hand

  Honey, Janey was holding your hand when you woke up

  She’s got the lucky hands

  Okay

  Daddy is going to sit here

  I’m going to get some ice chips

  I’ll be right back

  I’ll be right here.

  DAD

  Hey, kiddo

  Hey

  This is what we’ve prayed for

  Everyone has been praying for this moment

  And now our prayers have been answered

  It almost doesn’t seem real to have you back

  I was

  I’m not going to lie, I was a little worried there

  A little scared

  I mean

  I know what a tough kid you are

  But I was scared

  I love you so much, Teddy

  Remember I said you were a game changer

  This time you really are

  You’re changing the game for keeps

  I’m so proud of you, son.

  MOM

  Jim

  Jim, wait

  I think Teddy might be trying to tell us something

  Ethan?

  Ethan and Alec, come over here

  Okay, honey

  I just don’t

  We don’t want you to do too much

  ALEC

  Hey, buddy

  Hey

  Man it’s good to see you

  It’s

  Oh man

  I’m just

  Wow

  I’m so glad to see you.

  ETHAN

  Hey, Teddy

  Hey

  I

  It’s uh

  I’m so glad to see you too

  Everyone is

  I’m really happy to see you

  DAD

  Teddy

  Everything is okay now

  MOM

  Go ahead, Teddy

  Honey, go ahead

  What is it you want to tell us?

  TEDDY

  I remember.

  WALTHORNENEWS.COM

  WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 9:19 AM

  Young Athlete Emerges from Coma; Investigation on Cause Will Be Launched

  A lot of local prayers were answered today as officials at TriCounty Memorial Hospital confirmed that Edward Youngblood, the young football player who was injured last Friday at preseason camp, has emerged from his coma and is expected to make a full recovery.

  The family was unavailable for comment, but Coach Louis Bizetti released a prepared statement through the high school. “The entire Walthorne Wildcat community is totally thrilled and delighted at the news of Teddy’s improvement,” the statement read. �
��The Youngbloods are a wonderful family, and our hearts have gone out to all of them over these last difficult days. We wish only the very best to the family, and a return to full strength for Teddy, who is such a tough kid. We’re dedicating our season to this terrific young man.”

  In other developments related to this case, there have been reports of a dispute about what exactly caused the young student’s injury, with some online commentary suggesting that a hazing ritual may have played a role.

  “I can’t confirm any of the details related to this particular situation, and I urge the public not to jump to conclusions,” said Board of Education spokesperson Celia Cutliffe. “What I can tell you is that there will be a full investigation, and depending on the results, we will implement changes that need to be made in a careful and thorough manner.”

  More on this story as it develops.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  I love football and I always have.

  I didn’t play—back in the day, my go-to sport was soccer—but when I was a kid, the NFL was pretty much my favorite thing to watch on TV. I was a huge Jets fan, and still am—I have no idea why, since they’re almost always lousy—but I’ll watch any football game if it’s good.

  When my youngest son, Jack, was in seventh grade, he announced to our family that he wanted to switch from soccer to football. My wife, Cathy, wasn’t crazy about the idea, but I was fine with it. In fact, I was excited. This was about ten years ago, and the long-term dangers of concussions were just starting to become well-known, but I didn’t think too much about that. These were kids, after all. How hard could they hit?

  Well, pretty hard, as it turned out.

  My son ended up playing through high school, and he was pretty good. He got knocked around a lot, but luckily, no major injuries. The friendships he formed with his teammates last to this day. The coaches seemed tough but fair. And there was no obvious hazing—at least none that I was aware of.