Code:
1000 Words
The setting is a massive football stadium in Alabama, a breeding ground for great American football players. In one moment, the stadium goes dark, all apart from two massive spotlights that spill beams of white onto the middle of the field where a single helmet stands on the painstakingly curated grass. From the massive speakers surrounding the field at every angle, a deep voice begins to speak.
"This summer, the football community here in Montgomery and all of Alabama lost not only an amazing player, but a brother, a son, and a friend to all. William Ludvig was an inspiration to every person who his life touched, from the first day that he attended Montgomery Central High to his last. Will could never be found without a smile on his face or a football in his hand, even when it grew cold and everyone else was inside. His impact on the sports community in this city was unrivaled by that of any player before him, and he will continue to shine down on us from above. May god keep his soul in safe hands."
The spotlights blink out, and now a single beam shines from the roof the stadium, lighting the helmet from above. The sheen of the Mavericks emblem seems to sparkle and hue the entire stadium a brilliant red. A player steps into the light and picks up the helmet, with his own held tightly in his hand. The cameras catch every moment of the heartbreaking realness that is loss as freshman and younger brother to William, Oskar, holds a helmet in both hands. Tears begin to slide down his face as the entire stadium stands in stock silence and watches this display of brotherhood.
"Hey guys, it's Will." The voice cuts in through speakers, and it's his voice, in every sense of it. "I'm back here again with another vlog, tonight me and Abby are making waffles." A girl can be heard laughing in the background, and Will shushes her while letting out a little laugh himself. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium. "I just wanted to let you know that she's probably gonna burn them and I'll have to eat her gross, black waffles like usual."
The clip ends, and Oskar places both the helmet's he holds down on the ground, one facing towards each upright. As he stands silent in the middle, surrounded by almost 80,0000 people, he starts to speak in a shaky and rather timmid manner. His first words come out cracked, almost forced from him.
"That's how Will would have wanted you to remember him, as the guy who made everyone laugh. He had an infectious personality, addictive to be around. Sometimes, you don't see that things are going wrong until nothing can be done to stop it. If you're watching Willy, which I know you are since you would have wanted to be here for my first game, know that I would do anything in this world to have caught just one sign so I could help you."
His voice cracks again but he continues to speak, tears streaming down his face. The moment is captured, plastered onto the monitors hoisted in the sky for the entire stadium to see.
"Football was the thing that mattered the most to you in life. I remember last year, being in middle school and having to sit at home with Abby because you ended up staying late at practice and you didn't want her to be bored without you. The two of you were perfect for each other, but not even perfect could beat a good game of pass. You wanted to be the best that there ever was, and you were on your way. You would have made it for sure if you would have just stuck around."
A list of accomplishments begins to roll down the screens, highlighting the career of the talented young quarterback. It reads; two time all-state quarterback, one time all-state most valuable player, three time county offensive player of the year, all-time Alabama passing yards record holder, all-time Alabama passing touchdown record holder.
"You had something great going here with the Mavs. You were only a junior and you were already setting records, and god knows you would had broken the rest of them this year as a senior. The guys missed you at training camp this year, you could just tell that there was a hole in everyone's heart. Your speaker wasn't there so the music didn't play as loud, your excellent cooking wasn't there so the food wasn't as good. Your jokes weren't there so the smiles weren't as big, if they were there at all."
Oskar shuffles awkwardly between the two helmets before pulling a note from his jean pocket.
"This is the letter from the Tide's athletic director asking you to come check out the Alabama facilities. You never got to see it, because we got it in the mail the next day. Maybe seeing it would have kept you here, because I know you would have been going in a heart beat. Since you never got the chance, one day I'm going to be suiting up in your place, and my number will be front and back, but god knows I'll have number five sown into my sleeve."
A steady stream of players begins to file around Ludvig as the spotlight expands to show not only the Mavericks roster, but their opponents gathered around, alternating between red and blue jerseys. As the light encompasses them all, the name W. Ludvig is visible on each of the player's backs, regardless of team.
"This season, the Mavs aren't the only team that plays for you, because you didn't play just for the Mavs. You played for the love of the game, and for the passion that you had inside, and that represents every one of the players here today. Tonight and forever, we all look at up at you Will. Never forget."
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