03-29-2024, 02:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-03-2024, 11:41 AM by wetwilleh. Edited 1 time in total.)
“Waaaah wahh “ the sound of a babys first cry after being born. A steady and rhythmic beep and boop from all the monitors. A fierce nurse whose only goal is to deliver this child healthy and as beautiful as possible. She wipes the child clean and delivers him to his mother anxiously waiting in tears. She holds him close and for the first time says his name. “My little Neil, my little Neil Bonnet, just like your grandfather. “ It was a Late Spring morning in 1999 , Young Neil Bonnet had just been born to his mother Patricia Bonnet. She was a hard working young widow. Her husband Harold served in the United States Marine Corps and lost his life in the combat fields. She didn’t know him very long. They had one romantic summer that ended in august when Harold was due back to Iran. As much love as she did have for him, she knew wether he made it back or not that she may never see him again. She had no address or mutual friends with Harold. Patricia worked for a WBTV99 A local News station in Lansing , Michigan. She was the stations technical producer. A Title she took pride in given it was an industry dominated by the male society. She wasn’t rich by any means but she was far from broke. She knew she could afford the “single mom life” but didn’t expect almost a complete loss of freedom and trouble getting sitters all the time for young Neil. When Neil was 7 months old, Patricia walked away from her job at the news station and took a work from home job so she could spend more time with Neil. The choice was very hard on her but Neil was needing more and more attention and she never trusted the babysitters. She had been through 3 since he was born and caught 2 stealing from her nanny cam. She worked for an online health insurance company until Neil was 5. In Neil’s first 5 years he proved to be very restless and energetic. Sitting still was never in Neil’s plans. Patricia signed young Neil up for basketball and pee-wee football. He loved going outside and playing sports. Patricia was never a fan of sports herself, as she was usually an avid book worn in her social time. However, she loved her son dearly and had to do something about all the energy he had. Upon taking neil to a few game. Patricia started taking a liking to the coach. Coach Arnold was a former Ohio state running back. He had a really bad injury his junior year on his spine and was forced to never play football again. He now resides in lansing , coaching a youth and junior football team. The penguins. Neil quickly grew a passion for the sport as Coach Arnold appeared to be around more often. Even at home. Neil never had a father and was too young to really understand why he didn’t. Neil did like this Coach Arnold guy though. He often thought of ways to try to impress Coach when ever he came over. Push ups, jumping jacks, or even just naming players on the Lions. Coaches favorite team. Patricia couldn’t help but feel joyed to see her little boy so happy and passionate about another man. She knew the importance of having a male role model in a young boys life. It didn’t take long for Patricia and Coach Arnold to tie the knot. They married in the summer of June in 2004. Patricia and Neil were happier than they had ever been. Neil was playing Wide receiver and running back for the penguins and still learning to write. Patricia was in a new marriage and finally starting to feel like she was complete as a family. Coach Arnold was a great man, and a terrific step dad to Neil. they went on hikes, fishing trips, and watched every Lions game together. One Sunday evening during the game. Patricia walks in and blast out the words “I’m pregnant!” Neil not knowing what it means started getting teary thinking something was wrong with his beloved mother. Coach and Mom came to Neil’s comfort and explained he was going to have a little brother or sister. Neils face lit up like a Christmas tree at the thought of having a younger sibling to play with. Neils sister Julia was born 9 months later. Although doctors didn’t catch it during Patricia’s pregnancy there was an obvious sign something was wrong when Julia was born. Her legs had no movement, but her feet did. Julia was diagnosed with sever hip dysplasia. An incurable handicap which meant she wouldn’t ever be able to walk on her own without major prosthetic surgery. Money that Neil’s family didn’t have. Yo no surprise Neil and Patricia saw Julia no different than the perfect baby they were expecting. The same however couldn’t be said for Coach Arnold. Who admitted he wanted a son and not a handicapped daughter. Patricia cried that he had Neil as a son and Coach Arnold wanted his own blood. This change In character was nothing short of a surprise for Neil and his mom. This felt like the ultimate betrayal. Coach Arnold and Patrica would soon file for divorce and Patricia got full custody of Julia. Patricia was now receiving child support , and disability checks for Julia as well as maintaining her online profession. She was heartbroken about Coach but she had been here before and knew she could do it again. At the age of 10 for young Neil he was still all about football. He was a lot more curious about his father, and still had more energy than his mom could handle. But more importantly Neil was an amazing help around the house for his little sister and mother. Always offering to do chores and play with Julia so his mom could rest. Julia and Neil got along tremendously and really seemed to balance each-other out. Neil was energetic and charismatic while julia had a silly sense of humor but was often the one laughing then making the jokes. Although she did pick on her older brother as any sister does. Often making fun of Neil’s size. He was a big 10 year old. Often mistaken for 16. Neil’s mustache started growing when he was 11. He tried out for his middle school flag football team. He was much bigger than the kids in his grade and felt he would be able to easily impress the coaches. Neil was thrown in at Offensive tackle and defensive end. He played offense and defense. Never allowed on offense however he had 24 sacks on offense. Neil was setting school records. One day when Neil was in school getting dressed in the locker room. His coach walked up to him and asked him if he’s related to the “Sponge” Freddy Bonnet. Neil had never heard this name before and decided not to answer coaches question. Neil ran home and asked his mother , no he demanded his mother answer his question. Neil wanted to know who his father was. Patricia taken back by the outburst, started to feel guilt as well. The truth was she still had no idea whose Neil father was. All she knew was He had put her in his records to notify if he passed in service. She didn’t know his family or friends. She grabbed Neil by the hand and said “Get your sister dressed , we’re gonna go somewhere “ Neil’s mom took the kids to “Amanda Hearty Cemetery “ where Neil’s father was buried. “Here lies , Fred “The sponge” Bonnet. Beloved son, and Marine” There’s a couple military medals and flowers surrounding the tombstone. His mom comes out and says “I never knew why they called him the sponge, I never knew him long. He died in service, and you were born after he passed. I know you’re young and confused and I’m sorry I don’t have any better answers for you about who he was. He was strong and kind, he seemed like the kind of man I could have been with forever. There’s a new Marine Memorial faculty that opened up last year. I think maybe if we go we could try to get more information on him” Neil’s fighting tears but mange’s to agree with his mom. The family says a prayer and returns home. Neil get home and rushes to his family’s computer room. He never knew his fathers first name. Just that he had his last. Neil’s eyes expand wider than ever before. He sees tons of pictures of his father he had never seen before other than the one mom had framed in her bedroom. He knew it was him though from that picture alone. Neil was not expecting it to be this easy. Considering bonnet was a popular name in Michigan. Even more so to Neil’s surprise, he wasn’t called the Sponge from his militaryBackground , but his FOOTBALL ONE! Neil’s father was a football player! Not just any football player tho he led the buckeyes to their very first BCS Championship not once but twice. At Tight end/Wide Receiver. He even had his own Wikipedia page about where he grew up and his family his career almost all the questions Neil had were being discord in just a couple clicks. Without even knowing he had been following his fathers footsteps all along. Or should I say football steps. Ha.. anyway, Neil frantically shouted for his mother to come quick and look at what he had found. Patricia had never even thought to have searched the name herself. She was great with yelling at people and setting up camera but google and all that was still very new to her. She was absolutely baffled by these results. She asked Neil if she could have a moment and took over the computer. She spent and hour reading the page and then started doing more digging. She came across a video posted on the Ohio state Buckeyes website. It was a tribute to Mr.Bonnet and his time playing for Ohio State and his time in the marines. In the video showed a clip of him laughing and smiling with his marine buddies, an interview he gave during the BCS title game, and very lastly a handwritten note that was found on his person the day he passed in service. “Dear Patricia :” and the rest was smudged off from water stains. He had a letter for her in his pocket he always kept. His buddies described it as his good luck charm after surviving an Ariel bombing at their camp. Patricia fell to tears and Neil could hear his mother crying through the door. He rushed in and him and his mother gave each-other a hug they’ll never forget. It was the clarity and closure they never thought they would receive. Not only did they find him but he was a well know sports icon and war hero. Neil couldn’t feel more proud of what his father was. He too spent some time just watching clips and highlights of his father. This gave young Neil more pride and motivation then a he’s ever felt. Neil started a new work out routine and eating schedule. He wanted to Bulk up even more and get his cardio to pro level. When Neil entered High school , coaches took one look at him and knew this was going to be something special. Neil Would yet again two a penguins Uniform. Same uniform he wore in peewee for his dead beat step dad. He didn’t mind it tho. Something about the familiarity of it all made him more comfortable. Neil would impress coaches with his immaculate speed for being such a big guy. In his freshman year Neil was 6’1 215 pounds with pure muscle. He had dedicated his whole early teen years to football, gym routines, running, and cooking dinner and lunches for his sister while his mom worked. Neil never stopped loving his littler sister and being there for his mom however and when ever he could. He was the man of the house. Neil’s dreams were big. He envisioned himself winning the Heisman as a tight end. Something that had never been done before. He thought about playing for the ISFL and earning multi million dollar contracts , buying his mom a house and getting his sister legs so advanced it would make Elon Musk Flinch. Neil’s high school career took off in a blaze. He set the school records for receiving touchdowns in a career , game, and season as well as yards. He did this with very few receptions. His average was 24 yards a gain. He couldn’t be tackled by just one player. Sometimes not even 2 or 3. He was given the nickname “Tank Diesel” After Bonnets high school career was over it was no surprise who he was choosing to play for. The Ohio state buckeyes. Neil with his mother and little sister in the crowd , watched along with teary eyes as Neil lifted the shiny white hat with a fat red O and silver border. Neil was truly following the steps of his father. His mother and his proudest moment yet to be. Later that day Neil and his family went to a restaurant to celebrate Neil’s scholarship. For the first time I’m Neil’s life he had a taste of fame. Some kids recognized him and him for his autograph. His little sister Julia cracking jokes in the background. While his mom Patricia grew red in the face. She was always used to facing the camera at someone and not herself. Neil would go on to have one of the most amazing rookie college seasons a tight end has ever had. 18 touchdowns 1100 yards and 0 allowed sacks. The buckeyes would fall short in his rookie season and so would bonnets Heisman chances. They gave it to a QB from Clemson with 43 total Touchdowns. This only motivates Bonnet more. He took his game to the next level when he decided to join an MMA gym In Miami Florida. During the off-season bonnet stayed in shape by doing his regular gym and running routine mixed with a 5 month MMA camp. He learned not inky self defense but hand fighting moves he can take with him to the football field. When Neil Entered his second college season he did so with Furious intent. Neil’s would be on the field yelling at his teammates to fire them up and talked down to the opposition. Mocking them and dancing when he scored. Neil had the single greatest receiving season in college football history. Neil Caught 87 balls for 34 touchdowns and 2100 yards. He also rushed for 4 and 204 yards and threw 1 touchdown for 43 yards on a truck play. The Ohio state buccaneers went on to win the FBS championship and Neil Bonnet became the first Tight end in FBS history to win the Heisman trophy. A remarkable achievement that no one ever thought could be possible. This was it but Bonnet. He reached the quote on quote “Big Times” He had ISFL scouts in his DMs , DSFL contracts flooding in left from right. He was shining bright. He had started receiving something for all of his hard work since he was a child. Validation. He knew this was all for something and it was going to start knocking some things off his bucket list. He wanted that house for his mom and the prosthetics for his sister. He wanted to support the people that had always supported him. That’s just the kind of man Neil’s father was and that’s just the person Neil was going to be, and was being. All of this seemed like a dream to Neil, until his phone started buzzing in his pocket. It was his favorite DSFL team, The Kansas City Coyotes.. and the rest was history. Neil started playing the Kansas City coyotes and got to work quick. He started his season with an 80+ yard bomb of a touchdown and in his second season ever is the DSFL he made it all the way too the ulitmini. Although he didn’t win it severely motivated him for the seasons ahead. Neil started his third season under new management and tea-mates around him. It was not an ideal situation leading in but all would be okay. Neil got the call he had been waiting his entire life for. All the workouts , all the sprints, all the emotional hardships he had gone through had been leading to this moment. Every game he played , very snap he took and drill re run. The ISFL was calling. Neil got a phone call from The Chicago Butchers. The same team that drafted his father before he got called into the service. Neil also pondered the thought of joining the military. His mom would never let him but at the same time Neil knew he could never really let himself. He knew his mom needed him just as much as he needed her. Same for his sister. There was no doubt in Neil’s mind that he might not be able to carry every part of his fathers legacy along with him but he knew in his mind and in his spirit his dad was looking down on him and admiring every bit of what young Neil’s done so far in his career. Neil’s first 2 games for the ISFL recently past over the last couple weeks. His mom and sister were in attendance. Neil walked out on the field with Ill intent for his opposition. Scoring a Game tying TD in the closing moments of his second game and giving his team momentum to go 2-0 on the season. With the contract from his DSFL days varying over to his first year in the ISFL , Neil has yet to buy his mom a house yet, but if you ever see his sister in the crowd you’ll notice she stands a lot taller these days.