Page 93 of Best Year Ever
“This kid, I swear to god,” I say to Johnson, unable to keep the anger out of my voice. “He’s going to screw up his entire future.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions here,” Johnson says in a placating tone. “You know how pictures can be manipulated. It could be anything. And there’s a lot of speculation here without any actual proof, the kind of BS reporters write for clicks.”
Except that I know there’s probably some truth to the article. On the positive side, I see now as I read further that it’s also acknowledging that whatever Rawley’s off-field activities may involve, it isn’t impacting his football performance.
Suddenly, Johnson’s phone is ringing. “It’s Grace,” he says. “I texted her about the article and told her I was with you.”
He picks up the phone. “Hi Grace, putting you on speaker with Landon.” He pushes the speaker button so I can hear her.
“Wait, why are you texting each other,” I ask, confused. SinceGrace moved to Orlando last fall, they haven’t interacted more than casually at my house on occasion.
“Not the point right now, but I knew you and Grace would want to talk about this right away,” Johnson explains.
“Okay,” I say.
“I just read the article, thanks for sending it, Johnson,” Grace says, her voice full of anxiety. “Landon, we need to call Rawley. He’s probably spiraling.”
“Okay, yes. Johnson, can I use your phone to add him to our call?”
He hands over the phone and I call Rawley, merging him into the group call with Grace once he picks up.
“Rawls, it’s Grace and me, and Johnson too. Just saw theFirst and 10article.”
He groans. “Landon, I’m sure you’re so pissed at me, but I swear that I didn’t do anything at that party in the photo other than have a couple of beers and talk to people. It’s a shitty picture, they probably took a ton and picked the worst one.”
“Okay,” I respond. “But let’s put everything on the table. I need to hear it from your mouth. No drugs while in college? Not even weed?”
“No, I haven’t done any of that since high school. I promise.”
His tone is urgent and sincere. I believe him.
Grace jumps in. “Landon, enough with the interrogation. Rawley, it’s going to be okay. We’re going to figure it out.”
He sighs painfully. “I don’t even know what to do. Coach has asked me to come talk to him tomorrow morning.”
Johnson covers the receiver, wanting only me to hear his words. “Landon, I know you can’t get Aiden involved.” As a college athlete, Rawley can have a NIL agent—someone who helps them with brand opportunities for use of the “Name, Image and Likeness”—but not a full-blown sports agent like Aiden. “But shouldn’t you call Jim? Get some PR and messaging type advice?”
“Yeah, good idea.” I gesture for him to take hishands off the receiver. “Hey Rawls, Grace. Give me a few minutes. I’m going to reach out to my PR rep, Jim, on my phone.”
They keep chatting, even Johnson now trying to be reassuring to Rawley. In the meantime, I text Jim the article and ask if he can speak.
He calls me four minutes later, and I step into Johnson’s bedroom for the call.
“I read it. The reporter is a bit of a pot-stirrer, so NFL teams will know that. Still, this could set off a narrative which could stick for Rawley. You want to jump on changing that. If he drops in the draft because teams think he’s a risk, it could cost him millions in his rookie contract.”
I knew that last part, but hearing it out loud sends a jolt of fear through me for Rawley. “Okay, how do we address this and put it to bed? He’s really been trying to stay on the straight and narrow during college and says he’s had nothing other than alcohol.”
“His numbers certainly show he’s serious about football, which helps,” Jim acknowledges. “I can step in as a ‘representative for the Battle family’ if you want. What I would do is threefold. Get Rawley some talking points so he’s prepared to answer the likely questions. Put out a statement that denies any inappropriate conduct. And then set up a high-profile live interview so people can see who he really is, not make up their minds from the article.”
“That all sounds great. Hang on, let me talk to Rawley to confirm.”
I walk back into the main part of Johnson’s room and interrupt their conversation.
“Hey Rawls, Jim laid out a good plan for you, and he’s going to take on a spokesman role for us on this. Listen carefully and do everything he says,” I say.
“Okay, thanks, Landon. I will,” Rawley replies, sounding relieved. We arrange for Jim to call him directly and catch up with me after. Everyone hangs up so that they can do that call.
I collapse back into the armchair, and Johnson looks at me sympathetically.
