Page 84 of The Anaconda Downstairs

More reporters swarmed around us, but with Dec and I blocking, and Hayes and Chris distracting them with their swagger, we pushed our way over to the stage for the presentation of the Tiffany trophy. No one else even cared about some crazed fan up in the stands. All eyes were on us.

Chris riled everyone up with his rousing rendition of the opening bars of that champion song and got the whole team to sing along. He must have been hanging out with Kelsey or something, because I didn't even know he could sing at all.

Hayes was awarded the MVP. Fucking rookie. God, I loved that kid. By the look on her face, so did Willa.

After the on-field celebrations, we were ushered into the press room for the official post-game press conference. Thecoaching staff sat at the long table with Chris. Hayes and I, and a couple of other guys, stood by to answer the questions they wanted us for too. Declan didn't do press if he could help it.

The questions came fast and furious, mostly focused on the game. Coach fielded most of them, breaking down key plays and praising the team's performance.

“Coach,” one reporter asked, “what do you think was the turning point in today's game?”

Coach leaned into his microphone, his voice gruff but proud. “That fourth and two conversion in the final minutes. E. King's leap over the defensive line showed the heart and determination of this team. It set the stage for H. King's game-winning touchdown.”

“Chris,” another reporter shouted out. “This puts you another ring closer to having a dynasty. Do you credit any of that to having half your family playing on the team with you?”

“We're a little early to be talking dynasties, although I fully intend to get my team that distinction.” Hell to the yeah. If we were all lucky, we'd all get to play for the Mustangs for a long time to come. “But, yeah, playing with guys I've known literally my whole life, and who I'd trust with it, is a benefit.”

“Coach Shananagan, there're three more Kingman players waiting in the wings playing at DSU. Any plans to add more to the roster?”

The crowd chuckled. It would be pretty hilarious if all seven of us played for the same team.

Coach narrowed his eyes at the ridiculous question and the reporter shrank in front of him. Ooph. Coach did not like stupid questions. “I'll take every fucking Kingman I can get if they keep winning games like these ones do.”

The room collectively breathed a sigh of relief. I wondered if that clip would make the rounds on the sports channels. Evenmore, I wondered if Coach and his staff really were planning on grabbing Flynn and Gryff in the upcoming draft.

“Everett, Declan.” That reporter who'd grabbed me out on the field called our names when she was called on next. Dec rolled his eyes at me, but we sat in the two chairs on the end.

“There's been a lot of buzz about the ads featuring you two along with Kelsey Best and her assistant Penelope Quinn. Can you talk about your role in these very body positive ads?”

I glanced at Declan, who shook his head slightly, not wanting to answer. He hated this stuff.

“Actually,” I said, leaning towards the microphone, “I haven't seen the Swoosh Ad. We've been a little preoccupied,” I added with a chuckle, gesturing to indicate the game we'd just played.

The reporter's eyes lit up. “I have it right here if you'd like to see it.”

She held up her phone, the screen already queued to the ad. I nodded, and she passed her phone to an assistant who brought it to us. Declan sat back, obviously having seen it, since it was his sponsorship and he was in the ad, while I hunched over the small screen, aware of the room's anticipation.

As Kelsey's voice filled the air and images flashed across the screen, a lump formed in my throat. People of all shapes and sizes making heart shapes with their hands, and then there we were—me, my brothers, even my dad. The power of Kelsey's lyrics hit me like a tackle.

When it ended, there was a moment of stunned silence. I blinked rapidly, trying to process what I'd just seen.

“Wow,” I finally managed, my voice rough with emotion. “That was... incredible.”

The reporter who had shown us the ad leaned forward. “What are your thoughts on the message of the ad, especially with how it contrasts with FabFlex's?”

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “I haven't seen their ad or even heard of FlabFlex, so I can't speak to that, but what Swoosh and KnightWear have done with these ads is powerful and necessary.”

I wished Pen was here to help me express just how important this was, not just to me, but to her and everyone who'd been impacted by her journey. She'd started a revolution, and I wasn't sure she even knew it. “For too long, we've let others’ expectations dictate what's beautiful or worthy. This ad and the women behind it, Kelsey, Penelope, and so many others, they're changing that narrative. They're showing that true strength comes from loving yourself exactly as you are.”

Declan nodded in agreement and shocked the shit out of all of us by speaking into the microphone. “It's not just about athletes or celebrities,” he added. “It's about everyone. We're hoping to inspire people to embrace themselves, to see their own worth regardless of shape, size, gender, or any other factor.”

“And how does this tie in with the KnightWear commercial you were involved in, Everett?” another reporter asked.

“They're two sides of the same coin,” I replied. “The KnightWear ad was about honoring my mom's memory and the lessons she taught us about self-love and acceptance. It's about changing the conversation around body image, especially for men, who often don't have these discussions openly. Both ads are pushing for a world where everyone feels valued and represented.”

As we continued to field questions, most circling back to the game, I sat there with a tingling all up and down my skin and spine. We'd won the Bowl, yes, but this felt like the start of something even bigger. We were part of a movement that could genuinely change lives.

Finally, the press conference wrapped up, and we were free to go.

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