Miller gives me a nod from across the huddle, and I can tell he feels it too, that something’s changed.
Coach calls a run play to start the second half, and I line up in the backfield. The ball snaps. I take the handoff and hit the hole hard, lowering my shoulder as I burst through two defenders. Fifteen yards. The energy from the crowd intensifies. I hop back to my feet and slap Miller’s helmet on the way to the huddle.
“Keep feeding me the ball,” I say to Miller.
Next play: a sweep to the left. I follow my blockers, stiff-arm the linebacker trying to cut me off, and break down the sideline for another twenty-two yards before getting pushed out-of-bounds. The bench erupts, and the energy is electric.
Coach doesn’t stop calling my number, and I welcome it.
We make it to the red zone, and it’s already third and goal. Miller fakes a toss to me and rolls right; I spin off a defender, get open in the flat, and he hits me. I catch the pass and dive into the end zone for my first touchdown in what feels like forever.
I don’t even celebrate at first. I just look around and enjoy this feeling. The high-fives and helmet slaps keep coming. The chants of my name from the stands. I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I can’t stop thinking to myself, I hope Nate is watching. This truly is one of the happiest moments of my life. I'm feeling such momentum, and I know I can keep it up.
We’re still down by seven, but the momentum is shifting. On defense, Marcus gets a huge interception late in the third quarter, setting us up at the Ravens thirty-yard line. I rush it in four plays later, for my second touchdown of the day. I cannot believe it, but the game is tied.
It's the fourth quarter, tie game, and two minutes left. We’re at midfield. Coach calls a screen pass, which I catch with ease. I read the blocks and weave through the defensive linemen like I have a sixth sense. I make one last cut and break free, with no one in front of me.
I hear the crowd rise before I even cross the goal line, which brings us six points ahead. And finally, my first career hat trick. Three touchdowns in one day! Holly shit, I am amazing.
Colorado has one last drive, but our defense holds strong. The final whistle blows, and we win.
The team swarms the field, jumping on me, acting like I just won the damn Super Bowl. I can’t believe this is real life. I’m exhausted, sweaty, and emotionally drained. But I’ve never felt more alive. This win, this comeback, is not just about football. It’s about finally playing without fear. And finally owning who I am. I feel like I’ve been unleashed.
I can’t believe we just won. That was fucking epic. I played out of my damn mind. I was so fucking good.
The team, including me, sprints through the tunnel, still screaming, still celebrating. It’s like something snapped into place. It’s the spark Coach has been begging for. Suddenly, we’re a different team.
Everyone slaps my ass like they own it, and I’m so dazed that I don’t even care.
Josh walks over, holding the game ball like it’s a trophy. “Congrats, my dude. You played great.”
I grin and say, “Thanks, man.” I feel so relieved, you have no idea.”
He waves Marcus over. They both glance toward me, then Miller says, “I’m happy you came out. And the way you did it was perfect. It really pumped the team up. I think they saw the emotion and vulnerability in you and must have wanted to play foryou.”
Marcus nods. “The team knew about the rumor, by the way. A few of the guys brought it up to me and let me know people were talking.”
Josh adds, “But we shut it down. We made sure they knew it wasn’t true, at least until you were ready to make it true.”
I pull them both into a hug. “Thanks for having my back. Seriously. I know the magazine wasn’t totally off, but I’m glad I got to tell the team on my own terms.”
They both nod.
I lower my voice. “I’m not ready for the public to know yet, and I hope everyone keeps quiet. I think I need some time to process this. I don’t want a big spectacle. I just don't want to hide.”
“We got you,” Marcus says, fist-bumping me.
“Not a word,” Josh agrees.
Once the locker room starts calming down, I sneak a text to Nate.
I click send:Babe! Told the team.
He stayed home to watch because he didn’t want to make me any more nervous.
My phone pings seconds later:Bae!!! I’m so happy for you. Were any of them assholes?
I actually laugh. I message:Not one person! Legit, everyone acted like it was nothing. I’m laughing now, thinking how convinced I was they’d hate me.
