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Isit in the front row on a cool August afternoon in Ohio, our four children on the seats next to me. They’re a little squirmy and fidgety, but they seem to understand how important today is and are behaving themselves for the most part. Today is the culmination of Carter’s career. It’s the crown jewel. And when he puts on that gold jacket, even though I know he probably won’t show it, it’s going to be one of the most emotional experiences of his life—second only to marrying me and the birth of our children, of course.
Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the crowning achievement in the life and career of an athlete. It’s the validation that the work they put in over decades means something. It immortalizes them and their achievements for all time. Carter has never put much stock in individual achievements, and I know he doesn’t like the attention. He was a peacock early on in his career, no question about it. He used to love the spotlight and being on camera.
As he neared the end of his playing days, Carter shunned the spotlight more often than not. He put the focus on the team rather than on him. The biggest sign that he’d changed was that despite all that had happened, he took Ryder Simmons under his wing and mentored him. Taught Ryder how to be a pro quarterback and a decent human being. Ryder matured under Carter’s tutelage. Learned what it was to be a man.
It took a long while but Ryder and I managed to find our way to peace between us. I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to earn my forgiveness. We’re never going to be the best of friends—I still won’t allow myself to be alone in a room with him, which I think is understandable—but we’ve at least become something close to friends. I think that’s a good thing.
He and Carter have become good friends. They’ve got a good bond, and Carter thinks of him as a little brother. Most women might be upset that their husbands can be friends with somebody who did what Ryder did to me. But I'm not like most women. The relationships pro athletes form with one another are different. They're not like normal relationships. Especially when they're in a mentor and mentee role like Carter and Ryder. I get it. And besides, I don’t think Ryder would have matured into the man he’s become without my husband’s influence.
As if thinking about him summoned him, Ryder steps out onto the stage and takes his place at the lectern. I initially found it pretty surprising that Carter chose Ryder to give his induction speech at first. He’s had all kinds of coaches and teammates who have meant a lot to him over the years. But after a little thought, it made sense to me. He thinks of Ryder as a little brother, and I think because he grew up without siblings—a commonality between him and Ryder—Carter finds his relationship with him more fulfilling and rewarding than all the others.
“When I met Carter Cole, I was a hotshot rookie and he was a grumpy old man. Well, I’m not a rookie anymore, but he’s still a grumpy old man,” Ryder says, earning a few laughs. “We butted heads at first, to say the least. Despite our differences, Carter took me under his wing and taught me what it meant to be a pro quarterback. Not just that but he taught me how to be a good teammate and a leader. Carter taught me what it was to be a man. And for those things, I am forever grateful.”
I applaud along with the rest of the audience. It’s a good line, and I hear the sincerity in his voice. Even now, years later, I still can’t believe that Ryder has gone from the punk kid trying to mess up with me and Carter to somebody who has become a fundamentally decent person. As I listen to him continue his speech, I think back over the years and am still amazed at how much he’s changed. The turnaround in his character is remarkable.
“So, without further ado, I’d like to bring up my big brother, four-time champion, and two-time league MVP, Carter Cole,” Ryder concludes.
Carter comes out on stage and embraces Ryder warmly, and they share a few words. Ryder walks Carter over to the tall table and pulls the gold cloth off, revealing the bust that will grace the Hall until the end of time. Carter looks at it for a long moment, and in his eyes, I can see just how much it means to him. He turns and looks at me with eyes that shimmer, and as applause rains down, he walks to the podium and smiles at me.
“Thank you. Thanks to the voters who elected me to the Hall, to the coaches and all the teammates who got me here—without them all, I wouldn’t be standing here,” he says. “But most of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife, Cami, and our children. They are my heart and the reason I’m able to do the things I’ve been able to do.”
As Carter gives his speech, I reflect on our life together and think about how amazing it's been. This beautiful life we’ve built together has been totally unexpected. To be honest, when we first started seeing each other, I didn’t know if we were going to last. I know how pro athletes can be—many of them are absolute dogs. But Carter is something different. He’s not like most of the pro athletes I’ve dealt with in my life. He’s special.
Since Carter retired, he’s had a big hand in raising our kids. He’s adorable with them, and every single time he looks at them, he still looks like a man who can’t believe his luck. He loves our kids unequivocally, just as he loves me. But with him taking over the household, I’ve been able to focus on my physical therapy center.
It took a little doing, but I got it off the ground and worked hard to build a solid reputation. I was terrified that people would only come to my clinic because of my dad’s influence. I had to tell him that I didn’t want him talking it up—or even mentioning it.
But we have clients from all over with no connection to my father or the organization. We get a lot of referrals from the local hospitals, and yes, a couple of the local sports teams send their athletes to us. But they swear up and down it has nothing to do with my father and they’re only coming in because of the reputation we’ve built. I can’t even begin to say how satisfying and gratifying it is to see my clinic thriving.
Carter finishes up his speech to thunderous applause and takes one more look at his bronze bust before stepping off the stage. He accepts pats on the back, handshakes, and words of congratulations as he makes his way over to me and the kids. He scoops the kids all into a warm hug then turns and kisses me deeply. Carter Cole is not a man given to big displays of emotion, so seeing the tears of joy and gratitude in his eyes tells me just how much this means to him, and it makes me want to cry along with him.
“Nice speech,” I say.
Carter pulls me into a tight embrace. “Thank you. I’m glad it’s over.”
I laugh softly. “Enjoy the moment, Carter. You’ve earned it. You deserve it.”
“It’s nice and I’m honored, of course. But I have everything I really want in my life right here.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Of course. Why would you even ask that?”
“I don’t know. You just seem a little restless lately.”
He looks off, and I see a wistful look in his eye. As much as he loves being at home and with the kids, that competitive spark in him hasn’t completely died out. I don’t know that it ever will. But that’s one of the things I will always love about Carter. He always strives to do better. To make more of himself. He’s never completely satisfied and always pushes himself to achieve. That’s just how he’s wired.
And now that the kids are starting to get a little older and don’t need him as much—and because Carter doesn’t do downtime well at all—I have a feeling he’s looking ahead to the next act of his life. He’s looking for the next thing to do. The next thing that’s going to fulfill him and satisfy that competitive fire that burns inside of him. It’s something I’ve been anticipating and something I’ve been having a few conversations about—behind his back, of course.
I stare into Carter’s eyes and feel my heart skip a beat. Even now, all these years later, he still has the power to give me butterflies in the pit of my belly with nothing more than a smile. My life with Carter has been nothing short of amazing, and I still wake up every day and pinch myself, half-expecting it all to be a dream. But it isn’t. This is my life. And even though I have no idea what I ever did to deserve such happiness and love, I’m grateful for it.
“We have a beautiful life,” I say.
“We do.”
“And you make me happier than I ever thought I could be.”
“That goes both ways,” he replies with a gentle smile. “But why do I get the feeling you’re about to kick me out of the house?”
