So there I was, just sitting at home yesterday afternoon, when the phone rang and it was my sister calling. “Hi Buff, what’s up?” she asked. Not much I said, but I’m curious why you’re calling. You usually only contact me for money and I gave you $2K last week. “Haha, you’re hilarious. No, I need you to talk to Kodi(my nephew) because he’s decided that he wants to be a pro footballer, just like his uncle. I don’t really mind, but his grades are terrible recently and he’s always been a pretty good student. Do you think you can have a conversation about what it takes to get to the ISFL level? I’d really appreciate it”, she said.
Now I’m not usually one to get involved in family business, but when I see an opportunity to help someone, especially a family member, I relish the chance. So my sister gave me Kodi’s cell number and I promised to call him later that day. Around 4PM I decided to get it over with and set the young man straight. I dialed, and he picked up. “Hey Kodi, it’s your uncle Buff. Now don’t be pissed, but your mom asked me to call you about this idea of yours to play pro football. Just let me talk and if you don’t like what I have to say, simply hang up. OK, I love the fact that you feel like pro sport is something that you want to pursue. It has a great lifestyle, pays incredibly well and you develop some friendships that will last a lifetime. I get it man. But let me say this…it’s a business and if or when you start to slip or aren’t as fast or strong as you used to be, you are expendable. One minute you are happily living in San Jose, then next thing you are on a plane to Colorado(probably Southwest Airlines to make it even worse) and just when you think you’re settled , bang, welcome to end of the world Yellowknife, freezing your nuts off. Dude, for all the glamour and fame, there’s quadruple the amount of pressure and problems just waiting under the surface. The other factor is career longevity and if you aren’t either smart with your money or land one of the 0.0001 percent chances to get a gig with the media or staff role with a team, you’ll need a backup plan. With your grades, what do you think that will be? Janitor, bus driver, landscaper? No offence to those jobs, they are salt of the earth, necessary employment but it’s a far cry from seeing your name on the back of a fans jersey or kids actually excited to grab a selfie or an autograph. What I guess I’m saying Kodi, is get those grades up, have a backup plan and by all means chase your dream of becoming an ISFL player, but know this…it’s hard work man, and not suited to everybody. If you make it, I’ll be there to support you but know this. If you fail, I’ll still be here for you, family is always first. Kodi? Hey, Kodi”.
Click. Silence
“God damn. Kids these days.”
Code:
530