Page 112 of In the Safety's Zone
“Let’s GEAUX!!! That’s my baby brother! First NFL touchdown baby! LET’S! FUCKING! GEAUX!”
I pointed to ‘Twan with the ball and was immediately dog piled by my teammates. I ain’t have no fancy dances or end zone celebrations ready so I just tossed the ball to Murda and he spiked that shit before his big ass hefted me up.
“Your girl got you ballin’ like this you better keep her ass around, Ant.” I glanced up at the screen finally and could see the box where AP was with my niece and sister-in-law. Aphrodite was jumping up and down with her arms around Rye and my niece and I saw her fine ass rocking my jersey as a dress with some boots on.
Gotdamn she fine.
Her US Open trophy was at her feet just as I requested making me smile. I turned back to Coby’s big ass who was grinning as hard as my brother. “Even if she didn’t I wouldn’t let her go.”
He pushed me in the chest like he forgot he was built like a fucking Avenger. “That’s what the fuck I’m talking about. Let’s let them kick this PAT. You know ‘Twan's gone be mad he ain’t get to come on the field with you.”
I chuckled knowing he was right and ran off the field so the play could continue. I didn’t want this moment overshadowed because I caused a delay of game penalty by not being mindful of what the fuck was going on. My brother stopped giving a fuck the closer I got to the sideline and he hugged me right there on the field.
“That’s what I’m talking about, boy! Runnin’ like somebody got a hot pan ofcalaswaitin’ for ya in the end zone. You gotta come up with a celebration, though. We can’t be sittin’ around just handin’ the ball off like we got good sense. Them Phillips boys gotta make the city proud yuh heard me?” I saw his face clearly since he didn’t have a helmet on and he was pushing me in the chest like he couldn’t contain his excitement.
I took my helmet off and handed it to one of the equipment staff on the sideline to hold. “You a fool, bruh.”
“Good play, AP.”
“Thanks, Fontaine.” He was the player I’d gone in for and I wondered how pissed he was that I’d made the play instead of him. I didn’t have time to linger on that because Stew came over to dap me up.
“Okay, Big time. Big Play AP. We gotta come up with a name for you so folks can start hollering that shit out.” He was grinning and I was happy that the way he’d given me a chance was working out well for the both of us.
“Not even necessary, Stew. Long as they hollering Phillips on some good shit that’s enough for me.”
“I told you, didn’t I? You needed the focus to and you’d be bigger thanPrimeTime. That greatness is in you, I’m glad you finally letting it out. Everybody needs to know your brother isthe least talented of the Phillips brothers and that’s saying a lot more about you than him.” He pounded the top of my shoulder pad with his fist punctuating his words.
“I appreciate that, Stew.”
“Ain’t shit but the truth. But that was the last play. Get ready to do it all over again. We got your ball for your trophy case.”
“Trophy case?”
He smirked again before putting his headset back on his head. The commercial break was almost over and he had to get back to work.
“Your girl ain’t gone be the only one in the house racking up accolades. Get your shit together, my boy, this is only the beginning.”
Because of the way our defense was set up, the line kept the quarterback from attempting anymore long balls. Me and the rest of the defensive backfield held any throws to only short dunks and the one time they got it to the slot, the wideout ended up on his back with only two yards after the catch. The first game of my NFL career and we got a shutout against our opponent. I felt like I was on cloud nine. I’d racked up seven tackles, two passes broken up and an interception returned for a touchdown. I didn’t think it was a record but it was one hell of a statement. I was ready to head back into the tunnel to get to my people when Steph, the head of media outreach stopped me.
“TV needs you.”
She didn’t bother to say anything else just turned like she knew I was following her. I’d started stripping off my equipment so I was glad she caught me before I took off my damn jersey.
“Me? For what?” I tucked my gloves into my waistband since I was going to have to be on camera.
She turned back to me and the long braid she had going down her back whipped toward her face like it had a personal vendetta against her. “You got your first NFL interception that led to a touchdown, Anthony. Go talk to them.”
“That’s crazy.”
The nerves had kicked in because I damn sure wasn’t expecting to talk to media. I wanted to get to my people not talk to the public. I worked my shoulders back and forth trying to release the immediate tightness that had taken control of them. I’d had media training for years so I knew how to act but damn I wasn’t thinking I’d have to. At least not this soon.
“Bring your nervous ass on so that you don’t hold up the broadcast. This is your launch to the nation, make it count.” She snapped her fingers at me to snap me out of my nervousness but I could tell she was trying to get me to calm down.
I nodded and jogged back toward the field where the sideline reporter was waiting with a smile on her face, with my brother standing beside her.
“And here he is, the other half of the Phillips family dynamic duo. Anthony your brother was just telling the world how proud he is of you, how do you feel about that?”
The sideline reporter was a slightly older Black woman, and I was glad it was her talking to us and not the other chick that worked with her. She was messy and hadn’t been given much access to the team because of how she’d come at Lyric and Grant a few years ago.
