Clark Boyd was nervous. Exceedingly nervous, to the point that sleep was no longer an option. He laid in bed in a cold sweat. Preseason was coming soon for him and his new team. He was not used to living in Myrtle Beach yet, nor was he used to playing football again. But still, the season loomed. He was unsure of how he’d perform, or even if he’d have to. Practices were going well enough, but he felt uneasy about his standing with the other guys on the team. Everyone else was either fresh out of college or already accustomed to this level of play. Would he have a spot on the field, or would he need to change his outlook? God, would he need to change his position? The questions ran through his mind like termites through a fallen tree. Clark sat in bed, more awake now than an hour ago. Luckily enough, this was a feeling he’d become familiar with back at school. Late nights practicing, studying, or both had conditioned him mentally. And he knew that there was only one thing left to do: get out of this little condo, and get some work done. Late workouts or runs used to clear his traditionally troubled mind back in school, so it seemed like a good plan.
The drive to the gym was quiet. Sure, the music was blasting, but Clark sat in silent contemplation. He was still surprised that he was able to enter the draft, let alone secure a contract. After a weak senior season, his professional prospects were few and far between. Clark decided to enter the professional field after graduation, and did not enter into any form of professional league.
This was probably his greatest regret. When he told his parents, he could tell they were a little let down. His father, Russell, had played pro ball in Canada, his native country. He had high hopes for Clark, who took to the game at a young age and progressed pretty quickly. But, after college, he felt unsure of himself.
Almost a year after his final football season, Clark felt the urge to give a career a go. The 2036 NSFL season was already in swing, but Clark was added to waivers. Time went on with no word, and in his mind, the effort was futile. But, in the postseason he was signed by the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers. It was an exciting phone call for Clark and his parents, who made plans immediately. His father was actually the one who found the condo he currently called home. And Clark knew he’d be in the stands at every game.
Clark parked outside the Bucs training center, and naturally the lights were off. He went straight to the weight room, and flipped the lights on, ready to work off some of the tension. But the uncertainty that game day would bring hung heavy on his shoulders. Even bench pressing at 2 in the morning was not killing the stress. In college, a late night workout usually helped to ease his jitters, but tonight was different. A new team, a new town, and new expectations were getting to be too much. Clark didn’t even know if he’d see the field from anywhere other than the bench, but that didn’t matter. He had to be ready to step up at any point, in any situation. At least that’s what his father had always told him.
Racking the weights and moving to the squat rack, Clark realized the source of his troubles. He was scared that he’d disappoint his father. He filled the professional shoes, but could he run in them? The thought lingered over him and felt heavier than any amount of weight he could put on the bar. Finishing his set, Clark was no more at ease.
An hour went by in the blink of an eye, and he sat in the locker room, a single light shining over him. His sweat had puddled at his feet, directly under his hung head. Looking up, Clark scanned the room around him. The dimly lit purple and green lockers had name tape of each of them, and suddenly he was a little more at ease. He may not know all of these people, and he may not be close to them yet, but he knew that they all had his back. And Clark knew that he could answer that support in kind. Even if, at this moment, he wasn’t sure he could contend in these ranks, he knew in time that he would.
Clark took a quick shower and collected his things. On his way out, he made sure to shut all the lights and lock all the doors. He took the long way home, passing by Always Sunny Stadium. Once again, lights off. But, perhaps against his better judgment, he hopped the fence and made his way inside. Looking over the field from the home side 50-yard-line, he took a deep breath. The fresh air was a welcome change. He couldn’t find that at his parents’ house in Jersey. He sat down and just looked around, the moonlight glinting off of the giant screens, the plastic stadium seats, and the grass on the field. Whatever happens over the course of the season, this stadium, the crowds that fill it, and the players that represent it will be by his side. He wasn’t in school any more, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t make friends or succeed.
Feeling more at ease and more than a little chilly, Clark made his way back out to the parking lot, and hopped in his truck. Getting back to his condo, he set his coffee maker for the morning. God knows he’ll need it. Climbing back into bed, Clark set a new reminder on his phone. He knew his parents wake up pretty early, both of them being teachers. He just hoped he’d be ready to confront his insecurities head on. But that was an issue that tomorrow would resolve. Tonight, sleep was the only goal, and it came gracefully.
Here’s to a great DSFL season.
The drive to the gym was quiet. Sure, the music was blasting, but Clark sat in silent contemplation. He was still surprised that he was able to enter the draft, let alone secure a contract. After a weak senior season, his professional prospects were few and far between. Clark decided to enter the professional field after graduation, and did not enter into any form of professional league.
This was probably his greatest regret. When he told his parents, he could tell they were a little let down. His father, Russell, had played pro ball in Canada, his native country. He had high hopes for Clark, who took to the game at a young age and progressed pretty quickly. But, after college, he felt unsure of himself.
Almost a year after his final football season, Clark felt the urge to give a career a go. The 2036 NSFL season was already in swing, but Clark was added to waivers. Time went on with no word, and in his mind, the effort was futile. But, in the postseason he was signed by the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers. It was an exciting phone call for Clark and his parents, who made plans immediately. His father was actually the one who found the condo he currently called home. And Clark knew he’d be in the stands at every game.
Clark parked outside the Bucs training center, and naturally the lights were off. He went straight to the weight room, and flipped the lights on, ready to work off some of the tension. But the uncertainty that game day would bring hung heavy on his shoulders. Even bench pressing at 2 in the morning was not killing the stress. In college, a late night workout usually helped to ease his jitters, but tonight was different. A new team, a new town, and new expectations were getting to be too much. Clark didn’t even know if he’d see the field from anywhere other than the bench, but that didn’t matter. He had to be ready to step up at any point, in any situation. At least that’s what his father had always told him.
Racking the weights and moving to the squat rack, Clark realized the source of his troubles. He was scared that he’d disappoint his father. He filled the professional shoes, but could he run in them? The thought lingered over him and felt heavier than any amount of weight he could put on the bar. Finishing his set, Clark was no more at ease.
An hour went by in the blink of an eye, and he sat in the locker room, a single light shining over him. His sweat had puddled at his feet, directly under his hung head. Looking up, Clark scanned the room around him. The dimly lit purple and green lockers had name tape of each of them, and suddenly he was a little more at ease. He may not know all of these people, and he may not be close to them yet, but he knew that they all had his back. And Clark knew that he could answer that support in kind. Even if, at this moment, he wasn’t sure he could contend in these ranks, he knew in time that he would.
Clark took a quick shower and collected his things. On his way out, he made sure to shut all the lights and lock all the doors. He took the long way home, passing by Always Sunny Stadium. Once again, lights off. But, perhaps against his better judgment, he hopped the fence and made his way inside. Looking over the field from the home side 50-yard-line, he took a deep breath. The fresh air was a welcome change. He couldn’t find that at his parents’ house in Jersey. He sat down and just looked around, the moonlight glinting off of the giant screens, the plastic stadium seats, and the grass on the field. Whatever happens over the course of the season, this stadium, the crowds that fill it, and the players that represent it will be by his side. He wasn’t in school any more, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t make friends or succeed.
Feeling more at ease and more than a little chilly, Clark made his way back out to the parking lot, and hopped in his truck. Getting back to his condo, he set his coffee maker for the morning. God knows he’ll need it. Climbing back into bed, Clark set a new reminder on his phone. He knew his parents wake up pretty early, both of them being teachers. He just hoped he’d be ready to confront his insecurities head on. But that was an issue that tomorrow would resolve. Tonight, sleep was the only goal, and it came gracefully.
Here’s to a great DSFL season.