Matt felt as if this season would be special. He had a beautiful, growing family. He would be the starter. But he could never have fathomed how special this season would be.
His second pro stint was even more special because of Lily. She was now two years old and could understand a bit more what Matt did. He taught her well.
Before the first game of the season, Matt picked Lily up and said, "Do you know who's going to win tomorrow?"
Lily said, "Daddy win!"
Matt told Lily, "That's my girl!"
Lily continued, "Daddy throw ball! Daddy run! Daddy good!"
Matt laughed and said, "Daddy tired. Daddy have big game tomorrow. Daddy sleep."
The next day was the first game of the season. During warm-up, the other team came out. Matt noticed a player throwing the ball-the other quarterback, he presumed. Matt thought, Something looks familiar about him, like I've seen him before. When the other quarterback turned around, Matt saw the name on his jersey. He blinked to make sure he'd seen it correctly. He thought, It can't be! It's not- The name on the back of the other quarterback's jersey was McCoy.
Julie and Lily came out then. Julie said, "This other quarterback seems to have a rocket arm. He's going to be tough."
Matt pulled Julie aside and said, "Julie. Do you know who that is?"
She shook her head.
Matt continued, "That's JD McCoy!"
Julie said, "JD McCoy?! The guy who nearly ruined your career?"
Matt said, "Yes. I don't think he sees me. I doubt he even knows I made it to the pros."
Just then, JD walked over and said, "I feel like I've seen you before." He held out his hand, but Matt didn't take it. He said, "You have, McCoy." He showed the Saracen on his jersey.
JD said, "No way! Matt Saracen? The guy I outshone in high school? I'm surprised an armless, physically skill-less bum like you made it this far."
Julie glared at JD and said, "Boy, you really are an #*$, aren't you, McCoy?"
Lily said, "What's an #*$?"
Julie said, "Nothing, honey."
They went back into the stands, and Julie was really embarrassed about swearing in front of Lily.
Matt said, "McCoy, is your life so empty and pathetic that you're reveling in taking my place eight years ago?"
JD said, "Yes. And I'll revel in this victory for the next eight years."
Matt said, "Let's settle this on the field like real men."
"Fine."
Matt went to his sideline and told the defense to blitz JD all day. As the game began, the announcers commented on the rematch between Matt and JD.
JD's team won the toss. As the ball was snapped, the announcers said, "This is the first career play for highly touted rookie JD McCoy. Let's see what he can do. How good will he be?"
A blitz came, JD fumbled after receiving the snap, and a defensive lineman recovered and ran it in for a touchdown.
On the kickoff, the receiver muffed it and Matt's team recovered. Matt ran for a touchdown on the next play.
Julie and Lily screamed. Lily added, "Go Daddy!"
Matt looked at the other bench and said, "In your face, McCoy!"
JD was blitzed constantly, picked off five times, sacked ten and knocked down countless more. Matt threw for five touchdowns, 400 yards, and was not even knocked down once in a 45-0 wipeout.
One of JD's teammates said, "Come on. No harm done."
JD replied, "Yeah. Just a few broken ribs."
At home, Matt said, "Look, Julie, I know I was holding a grudge-"
Julie interrupted, "And you had every right to. Look, he humiliated you, insulted you and made you look bad. He was a jerk and deserved what he got. I'm glad you pounded him."
Matt knew she was right. This was the most thrilling victory he had up to that point.
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