Page 88 of The Americana Playbook

“That was the commissioner,” Heath informs me.

As a quarterback, the biggest challenge I often have is remaining calm, cool, and collected. But that’s on the field. Not in the general manager’s office.

Heath chuckles. “Relax. You’re fine.”

I sink back into the chair. “I didn’t think I wasn’t.”

“It’s about Foller.”

I guess I’m not.

I shake my head. “I thought this stuff ended months ago.”

“It did and it didn’t,” Heath interjects. “That was ateaminvestigation. The League decided they’ll be looking into it on their own.”

Leaning forward, I balance my elbows on my knees and clasp my hands together. “I thought this was done and over with.”

“Look, Fitzy. I’ve got the owners down my neck on this. I might not see eye to eye with Foller, but I know that, like players have their own playing styles, so do coaches. We make an effort to hold all players to the same standard. We have to with coaches too. I love this team,” Heath says with pride. “I love this organization and its fans. But you have to understand, I’ve been through the wringer to rebuild its reputation well before you got here.”

Heath is referring to a few seasons ago, when some of the Rebels lived up to their name, becoming a PR nightmare. Their franchise quarterback was involved in organizing and hosting a dogfighting ring. One lineman was charged with domestic abuse. A receiver had a DUI two days before a playoff game.

He continues, “It isn’t always easy to remind people that football is a wholesome sport. That it’s about toughness and grit, sure. But it’s aboutheartin taking care of your teammates—your brothers—on and off the field. Hard to do that when there’s noise about the coach being, well, not a very wholesome guy.”

“That coach won you a Super Bowl a few months ago.”

“He benched last year’s league MVP too. And for what? Because he wouldn’t hit his teammate hard enough during practice ahead of the game?” Heath sighs.

Lifting a hand, I cut Heath off, “With all respect, Heath, let’s call a spade a spade. Football is a tough sport. Physically, mentally, all of it. If you aren’tpreppedfor that, you’ll never win. You can get in shape all you want. You can lift weights until the cows come home. But you’ll never be tough here”—I tap my temple—“if no one teaches you.”

“Teaching toughness and beating it into you are two different things, Fitzy.”

“We’re not talking physical abuse for god’s sake.”

Heath lifts a thick, white eyebrow. “If we were, would you feel differently?”

I look off to the side. I don’t consider things like yelling and name-calling on par with clocking someone across the face. And I’d like Heath to show meoneprofessional coach who doesn’t do those things at one point or another in his career. Because it seems what he doesn’t get—or he’s too worried to accept because of how it looks—is that tough coaches make tough players.

And tough players winhimchampionships.

“Fitz, let me tell you something. You? Your guys? Theyworkfor Foller. But theyplayfor you.”

I swallow.

“And, what I’m wondering is if you think you can carry this team without Foller. At least until we figure out a new head coach.”

My eyes bulge and Heath lifts his hand. “Nothing is happening today. No one is getting fired. But I wouldn’t prepare you unless I thought it might be a possibility.”

I’ve played under other coaches, sure. I’ve never been more successful under them either. This past season was record-breaking for me in so many ways.

Heath leans forward on his desk. “I know we’ve got camp coming up, and you’re used to talking to media.”

I nod. Being the face of the team is part of my job.

“But,” Heath continues, “this year, do me a favor? Stay clear from any pressers. I’ll have PR handle it, but when you’re done with practice, go clean up without saying a word to anyone. Because when it gets out that the League is looking into Foller, well, it’s going to become not about football, and you, being his prized possession, you’re the window into it.”

“I could just say no comment,” I offer.

Heath shakes his head. “No. No, it’s part of my job, Fitzy, to protect you. You might be our QB1, but you’re not a scapegoat, no matter which way this goes.”

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