Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else

Chapter 33. The Spotlight

Martin stood in the end zone waiting for the kickoff. He knew the spotlight was on him and he was ready. His ankle was taped. He wore his lucky #11 jersey and he had eyeblack under his eyes with the words Phil under the right eye and 4:13 under his left eye. His mind was focused and his spirit was strong. He was bolstered by the fact that his momma was at the game. She'd told him she wouldn't miss it for the world. And the love of his life, Shawna, was with her. They planned to get married after training camp, regardless of whether or not Martin made the team.

He spent the day recharging his batteries from his emotional morning with Coach Ken. But surprisingly, it didn't take long, and at this moment he felt more energized than he had in a long, long time. This was a good thing because as he received the kickoff and dropped the ball, he would need that energy to avoid getting pulverized. With the ball on the ground and the other team racing toward him, he slipped and thought to himself, I blew it. I blew it. But then he heard a whisper that said, Get up. Get up. He raced to his feet, picked up the ball, and ran up field as fast as he could. One tackler raced by him. Another bounced off him. He made a fake to the left, then ran to the right and saw a wide gap open up. With lightning speed he ran through the gap, made one more fake, and all that was left between ...