“He’s definitely running it in,” Tater says, trying to read the play.
Because yeah, Billy’s one of the fastest safeties in the country. I’ve seen him strong-arm giants. And while it’s a bold move to use a defenseman on offense, it’s not a stretch to use Billy, who used to be a wide receiver, which is what he’s playing now.
Billy dodges one defender. Then another.
Damn. This doesn’t look good.
Somehow, he breaks free, running laterally, toward the sideline again.
Then looks downfield.
Cocks his arm.
Releases the ball.
Holy shit, he’s passing it.
Time slows as the ball sails through the air, and Bronco fans collectively hold our breath, becauseoh my God.
If he nails this, we win and go to the playoffs.
The ball starts its descent.
One lone Bronco, Cam, sprints to the end zone, but a defender is hot on his heels. Cam leaps into the air, arms outstretched.
And snags the ball.
“Touchdown!”
I’m screaming, along with seventy thousand other fans. Because Billy just threw the biggest Hail Mary of his life, in what had to be a fifty-yard pass, and nailed it.
Then we get the extra point.
Except there’s still time on the clock.
When our defense heads back out onto the field for the remaining ten seconds, everyone is tense. It’s possible they could score. They’re a phenomenal team.
But I’m smiling because Billy stays on the field to freaking play defense too.
“Your boy’s a stud,” Tater says.
“He sure as hell is.”
Every single person in the stadium is on their feet when the ball snaps. We’re blitzing, meaning our guys are rushing the UT quarterback.
He gets the ball off at the last second.
It’s a long pass.
“Oh God! No!” I’m freaking out because if the UT receiver catches it, there’s a chance he could run it in and score, and there’s no time to recover.
At the last second, Billy leaps up next to him. Stretches out. And nabs the ball. He carries it ten yards before he’s tackled, but the clock is out.
Billy just won the game.
I’m jumping up and down, screaming. Fans rush the field. It’s pandemonium.
As a journalist, I know I’m supposed to stay uninvolved, but fuck it. I’m too ecstatic to care about rules right now.
