The room is full of reporters. The little known Kicker and Punter from Rice University is a minor phenomenon; when a pro football-hopeful comes out of Texas, people guess Texas A&M or the University of Texas, not Rice. Even so, most of the reporters are from local stations. There’s a reporter each from ESPN and Bleacher Report, but not any other prominent sports news organizations. As it stands, this young man’s professional football career is still a dream. Unless he is drafted, or picked up as an undrafted free agent, he will continue to fly under the radar.
Jackson: “Hey everyone, thanks for coming out. Since you’re here, you probably know that I’m Dean Jackson, and that after graduation yesterday, I declared for the DSFL. Now I know y’all have got some questions, so I’m here to answer them. Who’s first?”
Reporter 1: “How did you first get into football, and being a kicker?”
Jackson: “Not like most of the guys, I can tell you that much. Better sit down, cause it’s story time. I didn’t step onto the field until eleventh grade. You see, my first sport was soccer. Makes sense for a kicker, right? Not really; I played soccer for about six months when I was six years old, and I hated it. Mostly because I was terrible. After soccer I moved to baseball, and as it turns out, I wasn’t half bad. I played at second-base as was a big hitter, but after 5 years I just got bored of the sport. So from ages 11 to 15 I didn’t really play a sport, and got kind of out of shape to be honest. Not out of shape, I guess, but I was no athlete at that point, you know what I mean? It was during that time I started playing the violin, which I of course loved and stuck with for a while, seeing as Violin Performance is one of my two majors I just graduated with. Well, during that time I also got very interested in football. I first asked to play when I was 12, but my parents didn’t let me, citing that I wasn’t in good enough shape to play football, and that even if I was, I was just too short. Well, when I turned 15 I’d had enough. I said screw it, and started working out. When my school’s teams weren’t using the workout center, I’d be there. When they were using it, I’d be out doing laps on the track. Finally, it was time for football sign-ups ahead of my Junior year. Me and all the other noobies went out to meet the coach ahead of the first practice so we could get our positions, and let me tell you something: I wanted so badly to be a quarterback. I had practiced throwing every day of the past year and could throw a perfect spiral every time. But guess what? So had the current quarterback, and he was 8 inches taller than me -- I was 5’6” at the time. Well, I ended up being not even the second string QB, but the third string. However, the starting quarterback got injured in the preseason, and when the first regular season game came along, QB2 started our season with incompletion, incompletion, interception. Next drive? He puts me in. I’m all pumped up, thinking it’s my opportunity to earn the starting job for at least a few games until our starter was able to play again. Well, my first pass was a pick-6. QB2 got put back in and finished the game with decent stats and we actually came away with a victory. Well, I don’t play in a game again until the state championship. The starting quarterback got hurt again in the second drive of the game, and the second string quarterback was currently suspended for drug use. So there I am, with 3 quarters to play in the state championship, only up 7-0, having only ever thrown a single pass in a game situation -- a pass that was picked off. Well, by halftime, I had thrown one more pick, but also three touchdowns, so I was feeling pretty good about myself, with us up 28-17. Then I came out after the half and on the first play, I got hit real hard from the left side. I kinda just laid there on the turf for a few seconds before realizing how much my arm hurt. That son of a gun left-end just broke my arm. We ended up losing the game 31-40, and my parents said I wasn’t allowed to play football again. Well I went to the coach and said “coach, you’ve gotta convince my parents to let me play.” And he thinks for a minute before asking me if I wanna be the kicker. Our main kicker had just graduated, and I knew my parents would never let me play another position after my broken arm, so I said heck to it, sure coach. And that’s the story.”
Reporter 2: “How do you feel to be Rice’s first ever player to declare for the NSFL draft?”
Jackson: “Well it’s an honor, of course, but also kinda funny. After all, Rice didn’t actually recruit me for football; University of Arizona is the only college that tried to, and I get why. I learned fast as a kicker in that senior year of high school, but while I was above average, I wasn’t way above. I was a walk-on here at Rice, and it’s here that I got really good. My classmates sometimes congratulate me for holding Rice’s all-time best career field goal percentage, and I just say thank the coaches. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.”
Reporter 3: “What prompted you to declare for the draft?”
Jackson: “Well, I originally planned to go straight to graduate school, but a few weeks ago I was on the phone with my dad and he says: “hey, I was watching the game yesterday and those were some good field goals,” and of course I said thanks and all, but I also mentioned I was a bit sad that I’d only have a few more games to play before my eligibility was up and I’d have to stay off the field, to which he goes, “Dean, I’m not telling you that grad school isn’t important, but you could go now, or in 10 years. If you really love football, now is the best shape you’ll ever be in. If you wanna play more, you have to do it now. Don’t wait till you’re old like me.” And I realized that my dad’s right, if I wanna play football, I’ve only got so long. So I made my decision and declared for the draft. ... Of course, my dad then went on to to tell me how the Hawks would’ve won the Ultimus Trophy if they’d just signed him as QB, so his advice isn’t always perfect, but I think that in this case he’s spot on.”
Reporter 4: “I don’t mean to be rude or pessimistic in any way, but what are you going to do if you don’t get drafted?”
Jackson: “Hey man, that’s not rude, that’s just smart. You’re right: there’s a very real possibility I don’t get drafted, and if that’s the case, well, yeah, I’m gonna be pretty disappointed. But I’m not gonna let that be the end. If I don’t get drafted, I’ll go to grad school, but even though I won’t be playing for the Owls, I’ll be training every day and I’ll try again next season.”
Reporter 5: “Some people have claimed that, with you double majoring in two unrelated fields, there’s no way you’ve been spending as much time on the field as you shou-”
Jackson: “I’m gonna stop you right there and ask who? Who is “some people”?”
Reporter 5: “I don’t know, just... some people say-”
Jackson: “Well maybe “some people” should come say that to my face, because it sounds like they’re accusing me of neglecting football, and more importantly, neglecting my teammates. And if they think that, I wanna have a word with them and tell them about a little thing called work. Has it been tough to balance my pursuits? Definitely. But I wasn’t raised a quitter, and with hard work and effort I’ve been able study, perform, and practice. Next question.”
Reporter 6: “Do you have a favorite DSFL team you hope to get drafted by?”
Jackson: “Nope. I just wanna win. Whichever team plans to win it all is the one I hope drafts me. I get a feeling sometimes that the casual football fan forgets the kicker is part of the team too, and thinks the kicker just goes out, kicks, and goes back to the sideline without a care. Wrong! I’m in that locker room too, and just cause I don’t have to throw, run, or tackle in the plays after my kick doesn’t mean I don’t love what I’m doing out there. Kickers are people too! Put that on a t-shirt.”
Reporter 3: “You may not have a favorite DSFL team, but what about NSFL? You mentioned the Baltimore Hawks earlier?”
Jackson: “No, I’m an Outlaws fan actually. I’m not a bandwagon fan, I promise! I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, so... you know. That said, if I reach that level -- dare I say, “when”? -- I don’t care what team I’m on so long as my teammates and the front office is giving it their all. Except maybe the Wraiths. It’s awfully cold up there. ... Kidding! I’m kidding. I’d loved to play for them.”
Reporter 7: “You’ve got some competition this draft. What do you think of the other kickers and punters who hope to get drafted into the DSFL, and what sets you apart?”
Jackson: “Ah, that’s a trap question right there! Haha, nah, but really. There’s definitely a lot of depth at the kicker and punter positions, and while I hope to be the first one to go, that’s every one of our goals. I’m sure we’re all putting in work, and in the end it’s gonna come down to the scouts at each of the organizations to determine who gets drafted, in what round, and who does even get drafted at all. If I had to pick something, I’d probably say I’ve got an edge up on everyone when it comes to accuracy. Not everyone, but like, uh... the Arizona State kicker, John Mueller -- also born in Phoenix like me! -- can certainly kick it as far as I can on a neutral field, but I’m gonna be putting it right down the center even when he’s getting close to the left crossbar! Power kicking is his specialty though, to be fair. 6 inches taller than me too. A big guy, that is. But enough about him, more about me! What other questions y’all got?”
Reporter 8: “Assuming you make it to the DSFL, and subsequently the NSFL, where would you want to go to graduate school when your career is over?”
Jackson: “Oh, a non-football question. Yep, well, I’ve really loved my time here at Rice University, and they have some amazing graduate programs here that I’d love to participate in. I wouldn’t completely rule out other universities, but my heart is here, and if I get a scholarship again when I apply for grad school, then my classes will be here too!”
Reporter 1: “Jumping back to the story of your past for a minute: do you ever still wish you ended up a quarterback?”
Jackson: “Not one bit. I’m very happy with what I do now. Plus, I still get to throw passes and even run every now and then! I know y’all saw that fake last week! Never thought a punter could throw that far, did ya? ... Oh, it’s getting late. One more question and then I’m outta here. I got a plane to catch.”
Reporter 9: “Where are you flying to?”
Jackson: “Phoenix. Home. If you got another question ask it fast, otherwise I’ll count that as the last one.”
Reporter 9: “Oh, yeah, uh, would you rather be on a team where you’re the only kicker, or drafted to a team where you learn underneath a well established kicker?”
Jackson: “I got news for you buddy: it might help other positions to develop underneath an experienced mentor, but most teams don’t like to keep more than one kicker or punter on the roster. If there’s a kicker above me, it means I’m always right on the edge of losing my job! Also, if there’s a game winning -- or losing -- kick to make, I want to be the one on the field kicking it. I love the pressure. As far back as that senior of high school I’ve always said “forget the hail mary put me out there coach! I can make it!” That has yet to change and it never will. ... Alright, that’s enough questions. Thanks again for coming out everybody. Hopefully I can sit down with you all one day as a DSFL player! Peace out.”
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Ready to be graded (2,205 words)
Jackson: “Hey everyone, thanks for coming out. Since you’re here, you probably know that I’m Dean Jackson, and that after graduation yesterday, I declared for the DSFL. Now I know y’all have got some questions, so I’m here to answer them. Who’s first?”
Reporter 1: “How did you first get into football, and being a kicker?”
Jackson: “Not like most of the guys, I can tell you that much. Better sit down, cause it’s story time. I didn’t step onto the field until eleventh grade. You see, my first sport was soccer. Makes sense for a kicker, right? Not really; I played soccer for about six months when I was six years old, and I hated it. Mostly because I was terrible. After soccer I moved to baseball, and as it turns out, I wasn’t half bad. I played at second-base as was a big hitter, but after 5 years I just got bored of the sport. So from ages 11 to 15 I didn’t really play a sport, and got kind of out of shape to be honest. Not out of shape, I guess, but I was no athlete at that point, you know what I mean? It was during that time I started playing the violin, which I of course loved and stuck with for a while, seeing as Violin Performance is one of my two majors I just graduated with. Well, during that time I also got very interested in football. I first asked to play when I was 12, but my parents didn’t let me, citing that I wasn’t in good enough shape to play football, and that even if I was, I was just too short. Well, when I turned 15 I’d had enough. I said screw it, and started working out. When my school’s teams weren’t using the workout center, I’d be there. When they were using it, I’d be out doing laps on the track. Finally, it was time for football sign-ups ahead of my Junior year. Me and all the other noobies went out to meet the coach ahead of the first practice so we could get our positions, and let me tell you something: I wanted so badly to be a quarterback. I had practiced throwing every day of the past year and could throw a perfect spiral every time. But guess what? So had the current quarterback, and he was 8 inches taller than me -- I was 5’6” at the time. Well, I ended up being not even the second string QB, but the third string. However, the starting quarterback got injured in the preseason, and when the first regular season game came along, QB2 started our season with incompletion, incompletion, interception. Next drive? He puts me in. I’m all pumped up, thinking it’s my opportunity to earn the starting job for at least a few games until our starter was able to play again. Well, my first pass was a pick-6. QB2 got put back in and finished the game with decent stats and we actually came away with a victory. Well, I don’t play in a game again until the state championship. The starting quarterback got hurt again in the second drive of the game, and the second string quarterback was currently suspended for drug use. So there I am, with 3 quarters to play in the state championship, only up 7-0, having only ever thrown a single pass in a game situation -- a pass that was picked off. Well, by halftime, I had thrown one more pick, but also three touchdowns, so I was feeling pretty good about myself, with us up 28-17. Then I came out after the half and on the first play, I got hit real hard from the left side. I kinda just laid there on the turf for a few seconds before realizing how much my arm hurt. That son of a gun left-end just broke my arm. We ended up losing the game 31-40, and my parents said I wasn’t allowed to play football again. Well I went to the coach and said “coach, you’ve gotta convince my parents to let me play.” And he thinks for a minute before asking me if I wanna be the kicker. Our main kicker had just graduated, and I knew my parents would never let me play another position after my broken arm, so I said heck to it, sure coach. And that’s the story.”
Reporter 2: “How do you feel to be Rice’s first ever player to declare for the NSFL draft?”
Jackson: “Well it’s an honor, of course, but also kinda funny. After all, Rice didn’t actually recruit me for football; University of Arizona is the only college that tried to, and I get why. I learned fast as a kicker in that senior year of high school, but while I was above average, I wasn’t way above. I was a walk-on here at Rice, and it’s here that I got really good. My classmates sometimes congratulate me for holding Rice’s all-time best career field goal percentage, and I just say thank the coaches. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.”
Reporter 3: “What prompted you to declare for the draft?”
Jackson: “Well, I originally planned to go straight to graduate school, but a few weeks ago I was on the phone with my dad and he says: “hey, I was watching the game yesterday and those were some good field goals,” and of course I said thanks and all, but I also mentioned I was a bit sad that I’d only have a few more games to play before my eligibility was up and I’d have to stay off the field, to which he goes, “Dean, I’m not telling you that grad school isn’t important, but you could go now, or in 10 years. If you really love football, now is the best shape you’ll ever be in. If you wanna play more, you have to do it now. Don’t wait till you’re old like me.” And I realized that my dad’s right, if I wanna play football, I’ve only got so long. So I made my decision and declared for the draft. ... Of course, my dad then went on to to tell me how the Hawks would’ve won the Ultimus Trophy if they’d just signed him as QB, so his advice isn’t always perfect, but I think that in this case he’s spot on.”
Reporter 4: “I don’t mean to be rude or pessimistic in any way, but what are you going to do if you don’t get drafted?”
Jackson: “Hey man, that’s not rude, that’s just smart. You’re right: there’s a very real possibility I don’t get drafted, and if that’s the case, well, yeah, I’m gonna be pretty disappointed. But I’m not gonna let that be the end. If I don’t get drafted, I’ll go to grad school, but even though I won’t be playing for the Owls, I’ll be training every day and I’ll try again next season.”
Reporter 5: “Some people have claimed that, with you double majoring in two unrelated fields, there’s no way you’ve been spending as much time on the field as you shou-”
Jackson: “I’m gonna stop you right there and ask who? Who is “some people”?”
Reporter 5: “I don’t know, just... some people say-”
Jackson: “Well maybe “some people” should come say that to my face, because it sounds like they’re accusing me of neglecting football, and more importantly, neglecting my teammates. And if they think that, I wanna have a word with them and tell them about a little thing called work. Has it been tough to balance my pursuits? Definitely. But I wasn’t raised a quitter, and with hard work and effort I’ve been able study, perform, and practice. Next question.”
Reporter 6: “Do you have a favorite DSFL team you hope to get drafted by?”
Jackson: “Nope. I just wanna win. Whichever team plans to win it all is the one I hope drafts me. I get a feeling sometimes that the casual football fan forgets the kicker is part of the team too, and thinks the kicker just goes out, kicks, and goes back to the sideline without a care. Wrong! I’m in that locker room too, and just cause I don’t have to throw, run, or tackle in the plays after my kick doesn’t mean I don’t love what I’m doing out there. Kickers are people too! Put that on a t-shirt.”
Reporter 3: “You may not have a favorite DSFL team, but what about NSFL? You mentioned the Baltimore Hawks earlier?”
Jackson: “No, I’m an Outlaws fan actually. I’m not a bandwagon fan, I promise! I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, so... you know. That said, if I reach that level -- dare I say, “when”? -- I don’t care what team I’m on so long as my teammates and the front office is giving it their all. Except maybe the Wraiths. It’s awfully cold up there. ... Kidding! I’m kidding. I’d loved to play for them.”
Reporter 7: “You’ve got some competition this draft. What do you think of the other kickers and punters who hope to get drafted into the DSFL, and what sets you apart?”
Jackson: “Ah, that’s a trap question right there! Haha, nah, but really. There’s definitely a lot of depth at the kicker and punter positions, and while I hope to be the first one to go, that’s every one of our goals. I’m sure we’re all putting in work, and in the end it’s gonna come down to the scouts at each of the organizations to determine who gets drafted, in what round, and who does even get drafted at all. If I had to pick something, I’d probably say I’ve got an edge up on everyone when it comes to accuracy. Not everyone, but like, uh... the Arizona State kicker, John Mueller -- also born in Phoenix like me! -- can certainly kick it as far as I can on a neutral field, but I’m gonna be putting it right down the center even when he’s getting close to the left crossbar! Power kicking is his specialty though, to be fair. 6 inches taller than me too. A big guy, that is. But enough about him, more about me! What other questions y’all got?”
Reporter 8: “Assuming you make it to the DSFL, and subsequently the NSFL, where would you want to go to graduate school when your career is over?”
Jackson: “Oh, a non-football question. Yep, well, I’ve really loved my time here at Rice University, and they have some amazing graduate programs here that I’d love to participate in. I wouldn’t completely rule out other universities, but my heart is here, and if I get a scholarship again when I apply for grad school, then my classes will be here too!”
Reporter 1: “Jumping back to the story of your past for a minute: do you ever still wish you ended up a quarterback?”
Jackson: “Not one bit. I’m very happy with what I do now. Plus, I still get to throw passes and even run every now and then! I know y’all saw that fake last week! Never thought a punter could throw that far, did ya? ... Oh, it’s getting late. One more question and then I’m outta here. I got a plane to catch.”
Reporter 9: “Where are you flying to?”
Jackson: “Phoenix. Home. If you got another question ask it fast, otherwise I’ll count that as the last one.”
Reporter 9: “Oh, yeah, uh, would you rather be on a team where you’re the only kicker, or drafted to a team where you learn underneath a well established kicker?”
Jackson: “I got news for you buddy: it might help other positions to develop underneath an experienced mentor, but most teams don’t like to keep more than one kicker or punter on the roster. If there’s a kicker above me, it means I’m always right on the edge of losing my job! Also, if there’s a game winning -- or losing -- kick to make, I want to be the one on the field kicking it. I love the pressure. As far back as that senior of high school I’ve always said “forget the hail mary put me out there coach! I can make it!” That has yet to change and it never will. ... Alright, that’s enough questions. Thanks again for coming out everybody. Hopefully I can sit down with you all one day as a DSFL player! Peace out.”
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Ready to be graded (2,205 words)
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