Friday, May 7, 2010

Its 4th and goal Mr. Rodgers....

Its fourth down and goal to go. The ball is four yards from the goal line. We were trailing 21-27 and Four simple yards seperates us from victory and the playoffs. The once vivacious and energetic crowd is now left feeling subdued and hopeless. "thats the third time in a row they stopped us!" one fan said after three consecutive failed attemts resulted in a sack, and two busted plays. "put Mr. Rodgers in the game!!!" another fan screams. The panic in his voice is only supercieded by the fear of losing the game. You could feel the tension in the air as so much depends on this final play. The Coach uses his final time out. "put me in the game coach" the young half back screams before the coach could even say a word. The coach never flinches. He knew the kid would ask to be put in the game. He also knew he would ask for the ball. This is what he was born to do. Its the reason why coach even called the time out.  Coach simply looked up and nodded towards him. Releaved, the young Rodgers removed his jacket, pickep up his helmet and trotted onto the field with nothing more than confident smile he was so infamious for. "halfback slam" the coach instructs his offense. "Is tht Rodgers hobbling onto the field?" said a fan who sat close to the endzone. "It is!! Its Mr. Rodgers!!!!" Screamed another estatic fan, clearly excited to see their fearless leader trot to the huddle. The stadium erupts as the fans begin to realize the return of their hero. Bewildered however, the quarterback raises his objections through his headset, "coach u think his ankle is ready for this? Mabie we should run a playaction pass instead?" The coach wasted little time asserting his confidence. "Jimmy trust me.. Hes ready. He's been ready, and hes gonna get us to the playoffs." Jimmy was an instant believer.

As the opposing team realized what the fuss was about they call their final time out in an attempt change their formation and regain their focus. They knew all about Rodgers, and they knew how dangerous of a player he was. "Trust me" Rodgers said to Jimmy as he finally reached the huddle. "you guys worked hard to get us this far. Let me handle it from here" said Rodgers as he avoided eye contact in an attempt to hide his emitions. While noone in the huddle appeared to look nervous,  everyone seemed fairly confident. Rodgers looked up at his teamates and smiled, his o so infamous smile that was always seems to be followed with a victory. the rest of the team could only follow suit. They knew how hard Rodgers worked to get back to this point. Rehabbing his ankle day and night for months just for this moment. They knew he was ready. The tension that was on the field faded slowly, replaced only with confidence, with victory, and with a team full of smiles.

Both teams lined up. Both teams fighting for that final playoff spot. Both teams would put everything into this final play, but Rodgers would make the difference. "HIKE" jimmy yells, but he boggled the snap! Jimmy was poised and regained control. He handed the ball off to Rodgers effortlessly. Now its in the hands of rodgers. He ran hard but there were no holes. Everyone knew Rodgers was getting the ball, included the opposing team. But Rodgers was a fighter. He kept his legs movng and bounced it to the outside on the righthand side of the endzone. The defense was there however, as a linebacker and safety awaited. Rodgers kept his cool, turned around and reversed field. He quickly ran to the left side of the endzone, breaking tackles effortlessly and jucking defenders out of their shoes in the process. The crowd could do nothing but ooooohh and ahhhh and watch in amazement as the berry sanders clone worked his magic. "hes not human!!! Hes a freak!!! " one girl said. " i hear the trojans and gators are after him" another fan noted.

Rodgers was a mere yard away from scoring and leading his team to the playoffs. What happened after that could only be described as surreal. Again two defenders came between Rodgers and the endzone. Rodgers knew he could not risk reversing the field again. He knew he had to get into the endzone. He lowered his shoulders and plowed foward, but the big burly defensive end was not easily moved. Rodgers pumped his feet in a final effort to cross the plane, putting forth almost supernatural strenth against the defender. Another safety however dove towards Rodgers with all his might to help his struggling Defensive End. The crown of his helmet landed at the ankle of Rodgers. The same hobbled ankle that Rodgers broke just a few short months ago. The collision could be heard from miles away and instantly muted the shocked crowd. Rodgers heroics would end rite there at the one yard line as he instantly fell to the ground and fumbled the ball. The safety recovered the ball while Rodgers cradled on the grass in sheer agony. The game was over. They win and we lose. The stadium was quite. Very quiet. Not a sound could be heard but the opposing bench cheering and Rodgers crying in agony. Coach was absolutly astonished as his promise of victory fell short by a mere yard and a reinjured ankle. Jimmy alertly went over to help Rodgers off the field. Rodgers pride may have been more injured than his ankle however. "I thought i could do it" he told Jimmy. "I thought i was ready." Jimmy looked at Rodgers and smiled, his smile not so confident as it was sarcastic. "u did good Rodgers," Jimmy said, "but i told u we shoulda ran the play-action pass"

   

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