Chapter 27

Tuesday morning dawned brightly. I met Alice for breakfast. Bob was there to meet Marilyn and to talk to me! He had been asked by the Offensive Coordinator to talk to me about returning to the team. I said, “Bob, it looks like there is some attention. I’m supposed to meet with Coach Wilkins this morning for the same reason. What do you think is going on?”

“I don’t know for sure but the coaches had a meeting last night. The Offensive Coordinator, Coach Edwards, said in addition to asking you to return that any member of the team, whether in the dorm or not, was welcome and could bring a guest for any meal. I plan to test that with Marilyn for lunch if she will join me.”

“Marilyn will always join you, Bob.” She said, “Also, I didn’t find too much staring at me at practice nor when we studied together in your dorm’s common area yesterday afternoon late. I’ll meet you there for lunch.”

We had finished eating. I said, “Well, I guess I’ll head over to see Coach Wilkins.” All wished me luck. I hoped I wouldn’t need too much of it.

Coach Wilkins was there with his door open. I knocked and said, “May I come in?”

“Of course, Jerry. I was hoping you would be coming by.”

“What can I do, Coach? Has anything changed?”

“Actually, a fair bit has changed since we last met. You were missed at practice by many players and coaches. The players like you and the coaches like your play and leadership. I had talked to Coach Johnson. After practice, we talked to Coach Marshall. He wanted to stand firm. Yesterday evening, he called me that he had changed his mind.” Coach paused. “I’m not sure what happened but somebody pushed him. The meal situation has changed also. The A. D. had to be involved for that to change. He was surprised when neither you nor your buddy, Stovall, were at the team dinner.” He grinned ruefully. “The stars of the game were neither one there. He asked about that. I don’t think he liked Coach Marshall’s answers.”

He straightened. “Anyway, I’ve been asked to request you return to the team.”

“Coach, I appreciate your effort but now I will have a target on my back with Coach Marshall shooting at me. I had figured next year would find me gone from the team anyway. I really don’t want to be hassled.”

“Jerry, please sit down.” Coach Wilkins got up and closed the door and then returned to his chair. “I had figured that next year would see you gone. However, you’ve shown some real leadership and playing ability. If you’re replaced next year, I will be surprised. Coach Marshall has heard from a lot of people about you being off the team. No one was happy including him. He wants you on the team and values your leadership. He was trying to put heat on you to commit more to football. I had gone over your history including notes from the high school visit. I told him that I didn’t think his plan would work with you because he had no leverage. He found I was correct in my estimation of your response. He’s embarrassed. On top of that, he has made some changes to be more inclusive.”

He paused, looking at me. “Let’s work with the man, Jerry.”

“Coach, that’s what I was doing. I enjoy playing but I have other priorities and commitments. One regards other scholarships that I had accepted. The second regards a certain young lady who I will eventually marry. I was not trying to ‘force’ Coach Marshall’s hand but wasn’t going to go where he was pushing me to go. I’m not unwilling to return. Also, I don’t want a notice about my return. I’ll just be back for practice this afternoon if that suits you.”

“That will work well, Jerry. I need your playing and thinking.” He smiled. “This will work because everybody wants it to work.”

I stood. “Okay, Coach. I’ll see you this afternoon.” We shook hands and I left for class.

I just made it for English and gave Alice and our friends a “thumbs up” as I sat down.

After class, the three surrounded me. I said, “The good news is this wasn’t about Bob. It was about me. Coach Wilkins was evasive about who all complained about my absence but it wasn’t just players but coaches and some administrators. I’m not even sure Dad’s call was necessary.

“There’s not to be any announcement. I’ll be at practice this afternoon. The four of us are invited to have meals and hang out in the athletic dorm any time we want. I think being inclusive to an athlete’s family including girl friends is high on the new program.

“That’s the news, folks, fresh off the street.”

We went on to our classes. We had lunch in the cafeteria since it was convenient. After my geography class, I met the rest of our little group and headed for the field. Bob and I went in the dressing room where I was met with many happy greetings, particularly from the linebackers and defensive backs. None of us talked about why I was gone yesterday. Once dressed, we went out to the field to warm up and then practice. Guys were smiling and enjoying the practice time. We seemed to be learning what to do and doing it well.

We had a good practice. I was shuttling between weak safety and linebacker. Coach Johnson, the defensive coordinator, was calling plays into the group of us with me calling specifics. We even practiced with three linebackers with me playing linebacker and sometimes weak safety. Alice was cheering me while Marilyn was cheering for Bob.

At the end of practice, we went in and showered. A few guys commented on the beauty of my cheerleader. I heard other guys doing the same to Bob. No one said anything off color about either girl but their good looks had been noticed. I smiled and said that I’m going to marry my cheerleader some day. Bob said his marriage plans were still being formulated. That got some quiet laughs. We went out to meet the girls who were surrounded by guys who wanted them to cheer for their football efforts, too. Alice and Marilyn were not being harassed but did seem glad when Bob and I appeared.

As we left, Coach Marshall, the head coach, was talking to Coach Johnson. They both nodded at the four of us. We nodded back.

It was close to time for supper. Bob said, “Come and eat at my place tonight.” He grinned.

We all nodded grinning back at him. Each couple of us were holding hands as we walked to the athletic dorm and got in line. We went through using our regular meal tickets with no problem. The student cashier said, “It’s good to see our heroes here to eat.”