CHAPTER 66

This was not what I had expected, not at all. He had been extremely kind to me the day I had worked out for his team, but we hadn't heard a word from them since the workout, I figured it was a done deal. Again, the room was deathly quiet. I saw Ashley walk over, she was standing right next to me. She placed one hand on my shoulder, gently squeezing my neck.

"I'm fine Coach, how are you ?", I answered.

"Well that depends on you Brian. Here's the deal, we are pretty sure New England is going to take you in the 23rd slot. In fact, I would be shocked if they didn't, they need help on the line. We are talking trade right now with the team that's on the clock, we have maybe ten minutes. I just got off the phone with Ron Peters, it's your call.", he started.

"We would like to trade up and draft you right now. But here's the catch, we want you to play tight end for us. You know how good we are on the D Line, it would be tough for you to make this team at that position. We feel you could be a good tight end, maybe even very good. But, it's a gamble on both of our parts.", he continued.

"If it doesn't work out, you may get released in a year or two, then you're back to square one. So in fairness to you, I have to be up front, we are drafting you as a tight end, not a defensive end. What do you think ?". he ended.

"Geez Coach, I don't know. I mean, all I know is that one position, I have spent my whole life on defense.", I answered.

"Yes, I know, it's a big gamble for both of us, but the reward is worth the risk, at least we think so.", he added, "I like you Brian, you work hard, I think you can be as good as you want to be. In fact, I'm sticking my neck out here for you. Everyone else wants to go corner back here, but I have a strong say, I just have a feeling about you.", he replied.

For some reason, at that exact moment, I could hear my Father's voice in my head. He always told me that one of the greatest things you could possess in your life was people who cared about you, people who believed in you. I decided in a split second to gamble my entire future on those exact words.

"Coach, if you feel that strongly about me, I would be proud to play for you. I will do whatever it takes to make your team, I promise you no one will work harder than I will.", I responded, "If you want me, I'm there.

"I know the effort will be there Brian. I wouldn't be talking to you if I felt different. Let me see if I can get this thing done, we have about six minutes left.", he said, hanging up.

"Sooooooooooo ?", Courtney immediately shouted , jumping up and down.

"I don't know Court yet. They are talking about trade, maybe, I don't know.", I answered.

Everyone immediately went quiet again, all eyes were glued to the screen, watching the clock count down, anxiously waiting. With just two minutes left on the clock, the commissioner crossed the stage and stepped up to the podium.

"We have a trade.", he announced, "San Diego is now on the clock."

I closed my eyes tightly and leaned forward, my head down, my hands clenched tightly. This was it, I was going to be a pro football player. I felt the emotion welling up inside of me, I so wished my Father could be here with me. God I missed him so much. All of this was because of him, he never once let me down. I felt the tears stinging my eyes, I tried hard to maintain my composure.

"Here he comes, here he comes.", someone yelled.

I lifted my head slightly, my eyes once again going to the screen. I could feel Ashley's hands on my shoulders, massaging me gently, I knew she was a wreck. Courtney knelt down beside me, she took my hand in hers and squeezed hard. The commissioner once again stepped to the podium, this time several cards in his hand.

"As I said we have a trade. San Diego and Baltimore have exchanged picks. The remaining details of this trade will be announced later. But with the 22nd selection of this year's draft, San Diego selects Brian Stevens , defensive end, Louisiana.", he finished.

The room erupted, I could feel Ashley and Courtney hugging me simultaneously. People were jumping up and down screaming, I couldn't believe my ears. Just months ago I was told I could maybe sneak in late second round, early third round if I decided to go pro. Instead, I had just become a first round draft choice. I stood up and faced Ashley, tears were pouring down her cheeks. I leaned over and grabbed her, lifting her up off of the floor. I held her like I had never held her before, my face buried in her neck. I heard her soft voice in my ear.

"You did it sweetheart, I am so proud of you. I love you so much.", she whispered.

I set her back down and stepped away, only to have Courtney jump into my arms quickly. She was squealing and crying, as she hung on to my neck. I saw Mr. Timmons behind her, tears running down his face as he patted my arm. I set Courtney down and for the first time since I had known him, Mr. Timmons stepped up and put his arms around me hugging me tightly. At that moment, it all became just too much. I broke down in tears as he held me, I just didn't care anymore.

"Brian, your Dad is so proud of you right now, you made every dream he had a reality. I love you like you were son, I am so proud of you, words aren't enough.", he said in my ear.

"Thank you sir. I love you too.", I answered.

Before anything else could be said, Courtney was jumping up and down screaming, asking everyone to be quiet.

"Listen, Listen.", she yelled.

The anchors were back on discussing what had just happened, again the commentator who had been praising me took the lead.

"Ok guys, I am really shocked at this move. Obviously San Diego knew Stevens was going to be picked at 23rd and decided to jump up to get him, that's obvious. But what's not clear is, why a team with the best defensive line in football trades up to get another defensive end. Don't get me wrong, I love this kid, but on the right team. I just don't get this move at all.", he said.

One of the other anchors broke in quickly, cutting his associate off with some news.

"We have our Michelle Dunne standing by at San Diego headquarters with Coach Joe Reed, their offensive play caller, maybe she can shed some light on this development.

The camera cut away to a shot of a pretty brunette reporter holding a microphone in front of Coach Reed. Behind them was a huge logo of the team that had just selected me. The young woman nodded and started the interview.

"Coach, thank you for taking time with us but we have to ask the question everyone is asking. With the talent you have in place now, why would you trade up to get a very young defensive lineman ?", she asked.

Coach Reed stepped up to the microphone with this exuberant look on his face, one that said he knew something no one else did. He smiled at the young woman and began his explanation.

"Thank you Michelle, I appreciate you having me. I am sure we turned some heads with this move, to be truthful with you, this one is on me.

We had Brian Stevens work out for us last month, primarily due to something I noticed at the combine.", he started.

"This kid is a hybrid athlete, someone who really doesn't fit a particular mold. At six foot six and a half, two hundred sixty plus pounds, he is a physical player. He is extremely quick as we saw at the combine, he has good down field speed as well. But what failed to get everyone's attention is his hands.", he continued

"This kid has phenomenal hands, as he showed us last month. We worked him out for close to five hours, he caught damn near everything we threw at him. We're going to move Brian to tight end where he can use his size, height and physical play to his advantage.", he ended.

"Ok guys, you heard it from the man himself.", the woman said, sending it back to the studio show.

One of the anchors picked it up from her cue quickly, almost in full laughter.

"Ok Michelle, there you have it. They're going to convert a defensive end to tight end. It should have been obvious to us.", he said, once again chuckling.