First FNL story. Even though I'm a hardcore Riggins fan, I had the feeling that a meetion of this two could be interesting. Man, I'm still not sure how you play it, but I love football.
He shouldn't be talking to him. This guy shouldn't be here at all, really. But he is.
"That as one awful game you played, last night."
Vince should want to punch him. He should be mad. But he's not.
"Yeah."
"I was just like you, ya' know? I've been receiving college letters since my first game. All that glory, all that attention, all that power..." He laughs a little and takes a long drink from his beer " In the end, it all meant nothing, because ya' know, you can't play football on your own."
Vince nods absentmindedly.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just wanted to feel it one last time before I head to college."
"What?"
"The love. For football." He glances around the room filled with Lion's posters and flags, and a smile finds the way to his lips "I had forgotten."
Vince stares at him and suddenly remembers that he is the enemy. Or was. He's not sure anymore.
"But y'are going to play college football now."
"I used to watch Jason Street on the TV. I wanted to be just like him. And, when I finally made it. When I was finally part of all that, coach Taylor, Tim Riggins, Smash Williams...Nothing will ever be like that again." He stops, like lost in a memory, but he's smiling "Then coach Taylor was transferred, it was my father's fault, I know. But I didn't get it then."
He turns from his beer and looks at Vince.
"Coach Taylor loves football."
Everybody loves football
"I love football too."
"Then don't forget it, like I did. Because if you forget...maybe, when you remember, it'll be too late."
He stands to leave, and Vince has the sudden urge to know.
"Hey, J.D! That's why you're here, in a bar filled with Lion's pride?"
"It doesn't really matter anymore if it's Lion pride or Panther pride, or high school or college. It's just...football pride, in the end." J.D turns to leave, but stops mid-way and looks back at Vince. "A very wise man told me once Clear eyes, full hearts, can't loose. It's a good thing to live by." J.D McCoy leaves Buddy's with a smile on his face.
Vince stares at the door long before the former Panther's QB1 has left.
Everybody loves football.
He realizes he had almost forgotten. It'll never happen again.