*Godfrey King Receives Some Sad News

[Shadowz]

Code:

828 words

It’s a clear night as Godfrey King sits by himself in his Phoenix apartment. The only sound to be heard is the low hum of the air conditioner as the hulking defensive tackle silently studies film on his TV. Every couple of seconds his eyes glance down from the glare of the television so that he can take notes on what weaknesses he sees in his opponent’s offensive lines, something which he’ll go back to the next morning to study and prepare.

It has so far been a relaxed offseason for the Outlaw rookie, keeping his head down as he meticulously goes about working out and getting ready for the soon approaching regular season. He flew back home to Philadelphia for quite some time to see family and catch up with both his high school and collegiate coaches, smiling and laughing the entire trip. On the streets of his neighborhood in Philadelphia, King was showered with praise and congratulations—he didn’t hesitate to fulfill all of the autograph requests which were thrown on top of him.
King flew back to Phoenix just a few weeks ago in order to participate in team camps and preseason games. His spirit is very much still back in Philadelphia with his family. If he doesn’t have a game or a workout that night, chances are he’ll be having a long call over Skype with his younger siblings and/or parents. Today, camps took extra time in order for the Outlaws to prepare for their coming Season 3 debut, Godfrey was upset that he couldn’t call his family because of this. Judging by the lack of light outside it must have been somewhere around midnight, Godfrey decided it was time he get ready for sleep.

While brushing his teeth, King heard the ringing and buzzing of his phone coming from the nightstand in his room. He thought that it was probably some of his older teammates who had been waking him up all week to mess with him, and so he let it go to voicemail. Not a second after the ringing stopped, it started up again. Once again, King decided to let it go through. Surely, he thought, the guys must figure I’m sound asleep. He was shocked when the phone started ringing again. For some reason, Godfrey thought it was ringing louder and buzzing harder than before. Figuring he might as well check it out, King walked towards his nightstand and looked at the phone. The word “Mom” was on the screen.

“What could she be doing up this late?” He thought.

Godfrey picked up the phone and slid his finger across the screen to receive the call.
“Mom,” he said, “is everything alright?”

“Godfrey honey, it’s your father…” she replied.

Hearing those words was like a bullet in the chest for the man hunched over his nightstand, somehow he seemed a little smaller. His back became more hunched as he struggled to sit on his bed, it seemed like his muscles had all turned to jelly.

Godfrey King knows his father hasn’t been the healthiest for quite some time—for at least the last 5 years, he’s been battling with a condition that made Godfrey see his father’s energy deteriorate rather rapidly. The doctors gave them a pretty large timeframe in terms of how long King’s father had left, but of course you always hope for the best. The whole family was certain he would be alive at least another few years. Godfrey’s father was the one who was always watching football with him, giving pointers and turning the pro games on the television into film for Godfrey to study and improve his own game. In a way, King’s father was the entire root of his inspiration in playing football.

“When’s the funeral mom?” Godfrey asks, gasping and choking on his tears. He doesn’t try to hold them back, he knows there’s no point.

“We’re going to have it as soon as we can, I’ll tell the rest of the family after we’re finished talking.” His mother replies.

“I can’t play on Monday then, I need to be home with pops.” King says firmly.

“You know damn well he’d come out of the grave and slap you upside the head if you skipped a game for him.” She says, managing to get out a hoarse chuckle. “Don’t worry, there won’t be a funeral without you. Just fly home the minute your game is over.”

“Yes ma’am.” Godfrey says.

The two stay on the phone for another hour, sticking to talk of logistics rather than memories, both feeling overwhelmed by the rawness of the moment.

When they’re finished, King does nothing but lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, and cry. He desperately looks for some kind of silver lining in it all, but ultimately he knows that it feels just as terrifying as it ought to.

GRADED

[PDXBaller]

Damn that's some rough news to get as you're starting your professional career. From one rookie to another...keep your head up brudda! #onelove

[cosbornballboy]

damn

[Valtookan]

This article is a hard one to read.

[Shadowz]

This article is a hard one to read.

Like shitty writing or?

[Valtookan]

Like shitty writing or?

Had a feeling I'd get this question. No, the writing is good. I topic makes it a hard read. :lol:

[Shadowz]

Had a feeling I'd get this question. No, the writing is good. I topic makes it a hard read.  :lol:

Got it. I feel you there, it was a hard one to write. Wanted King to feel more human to me, have something going on in his life that I could draw from.

[ralz9]

In my thoughts, bro.