Understanding filling his expression, he looks quickly to Marshall, then back to me. “Don’t worry, Rawley. Today isn’t about anything bad. The opposite in fact.”
“Okay, thank you, sir.”
He leans back in his chair. “Do you know that around six months ago, Johnson sat in that very chair vouching for you as we quizzed him about possibly picking you in the draft?”
Really? He hadn’t ever mentioned that. “No, I didn’t.”
“And do you know what he told us? That you would be even better than we think, as long as you sign with someone who believes in you.”
Oh.
“And I can tell you,” Marshall adds. “Now that we’ve seen you in the rookie minicamp and the OTAs, we’re believers.”
Oh.“Thank you, sir.”
“He means it,” Coach Houston says. “After the final day at the last OTA, he said—what exactly did you say, Marshall?”
He looks at me square on. “I’ve never seen a rookie wideout with the combination of your athletic skill set and mastery of the playbook this early in the preseason. You’ve been working on it, huh?”
“Yes, sir. Hard.” Thank god for Connor’s strategies, and Johnson and Bailey’s time.
“It shows. Keep it up.”
I finally let out a breath. I never expectedthisto be the conversation today.
“I will.” My chest starts to swell as my mind absorbs what they’re saying.
Coach Houston speaks next. “We’ve made a big decision, which is one of the reasons we called you in before training camp starts.”
“We want you to practice with the first team, the starters, from the beginning,” Marshall explains. “Like we did during most of the OTAs, but this time, the public and the press will be there watching.”
“That’s going to mean scrutiny from people who don’t necessarily know football,” Coach adds. “That don’t understand the natural learning process of rookies or, heck, anyone new to the team. Are you ready for that?”
I’ve caught up to why he’s checking. They want to make sure I can manage the pressure—and potential for more media questions.
“I am. I can handle it.” I’m not losing my shot at starting.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Coach responds.
“If we’re all on the same page with that,” Marshall says, “we’re going to have Lara, our head of PR, meet with you next. I think she wants to drip positive articles to the press about you, control the narrative coming out on the football front.”
“You certainly have plenty of stories onotherfronts.” Coach Houston chuckles. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that. No one is going to support your pursuits more than a fellow athlete.”
I blush. It’s kind of surreal to think aboutHead Coach Rich Houstonreading gossip articles about Avery and me.
“Sounds good, I can meet with Lara.”
“Okay great.” Marshall stands up. “Let me walk you there next. I think she planned to connect with your PR rep too.”
I follow his lead and stand, but turn to the man behind the desk.
“Thank you, Coach, it means a lot for you to have faith in me.”
And it does. I’m kind of reeling from everything that’s just happened. I’ve had plenty of positive reinforcement from coaches, but this isthecoach. One of the very best, in theNFL.
“You’re welcome. And before you go, Rawley,” he says. “It’s one thing for us to believe in you. It’s another for you to believe in yourself. Trust in yourself—you’ve put in the work.”
TWO HOURS LATER
