*Godfrey King Press Conference

[Shadowz]

Code:

840 words

Announcer Voice: This NSFL Network breaking story is being brought to you live. NSFL Network—where you can get all the latest football news first.

*The NSFL Network graphic flies across the screen while the camera rotates around the studio. The camera then focuses on anchor Steve Tallahassee*

Steve: This story is a hard one to hear. Just a few hours ago, our sources informed us that the father of Arizona Outlaws player, Godfrey King, has died at his home in Philadelphia. King is a rookie defensive tackle in the NSFL, who was taken with the 2nd overall pick in the Season 3 draft. In interviews before he has said that his father has been battling with an illness for the last few years, but I can assure you that this news comes as a shock to everyone. I’m now going to turn it over to one of our field reporters, Tara Johnson, who is at a press conference which Godfrey King is holding in Phoenix.

Tara: Thanks Steve. I’m here in the media room of Outlaw Stadium, where King is about to hold a press conference, which to my understanding will be more like a press release. I doubt he’ll want to answer any questions at such a raw emotional time. King was always really close to his father, he cites him as his love of the game of football and as the main motivator of his play. One of the main questions this press release is sure to answer is if King will even play in the Outlaws’ regular season opener tomorrow night. In a couple of minutes, everyone here is going to participate in a moment of silence in support of King and his family, so we’ll let our viewers watch that live and offer their support as well. Ah, here we can see Godfrey King and coaches walking up to the podium, so we’ll direct our attention to them.

*Godfrey King joined by a few of his coaches and managers walks up on the stage and sits down*

GM Bogdan Podarok: If we could all take a moment of silence to honor the late Jamison King.

*A wave of quiet passes over all in the room, many bow their heads. Tears can be seen welling up in King’s eyes along with a few of the reporters*

GM Bogdan Podarok: Thank you. Godfrey’s father Jamison was an excellent man. I’m honored to have been able to talk to him every time he was in town for a game. For those of you who know what a fantastic young man Godfrey is, I assure you that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Jamison made sure to respect everyone he met, and wouldn’t leave a room until he’d personally made everyone smile. On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to say that our best wishes go out to the King family during this trying time. I’ll let Godfrey say a few words if he’s up to it. There won’t be any questions today, I’m sure all of you can understand why. Godfrey?

Godfrey King: Thank you Mr. Podarok. Those words really do exemplify what my father was all about. From as long as I can remember, he would tell me that I should go into a day hoping to make the world a little better. He taught me how to laugh, how to respect others, and how to care for my family. Today is a day that I don’t want to talk about football, so let me get this out of the way—I will be playing in our first game tomorrow night. My father never wanted me to quit at anything. He always came to any of my games which he was able to—he always told me it was one of his greatest joys in life. My mother and I talked about it and we decided that the best way to honor him would be for me to play so that he can smile down on me and watch from heaven. I appreciate all the support I’ve received from my teammates, coaches, management, and the media, you’ve all been making this terrible time a bit easier on me and my family. It’s funny because in these moments, it’s really hard to know what the next step is. For those of you who have lost loved ones before, I’m sure you understand what I’m going through. I’m blessed to know that my father will be watching me every step of the way. I thank all of you for coming out, and as a final way to honor my father ask that when you go home, you say “I love you” a little bit extra, smile a little more, and hug a little harder. Thank you.

*camera cuts back to the NSFL Network Studio*

Steve: We want to thank all of our viewers for joining us in that moment, the support of the entire NSFL Network community goes out to the King family.

*cut to commercial*

GRADED