Pegasus Scouts: “David, what is your biggest weakness, as you see it?”
David Dawson: “I have a long way to go to be a ‘student of the game.’ I need to get better at breaking down film and understanding what I’m looking at. I also need playing time. I’m a strong believer in learning by doing. The more I can be under center and read defenses, the better I’ll become.”
College Sports: “Coach Mason seemed to be getting onto you today. What were his concerns?”
David Dawson: “Let’s see. I was throwing the ball too low; I was rocking back on my heels instead of staying on my toes; I made a wrong read; I skipped a progression, but I scored, so I don’t think he was really mad. Coach was making me a better player. Whenever I can get someone of his caliber to give me instruction, I’ll be there all day long! I just wish I could take him home with me!”
Scouts: “Where do you plan to play in college?”
David Dawson: “I was going to announce for Notre Dame, but Nike said I would have to leave if I did. My mom informed me I was going to USC. I had to let her know they passed on making me an offer.”
Scouts: “Seriously?”
David Dawson: “I know; weird, right? I think I made a mistake when I trounced their five-star recruit when I went to their camp last year. I don’t think they appreciated him having to carry my bags. Don’t tell anyone, but I got lucky as hell. Ridge Townsend could smoke me nine times out of ten. Plus, I had only played half a season at quarterback. I don’t blame them for not making an offer.”
They had other coaches to talk to, so I was let go. On my way out, Bo stopped us.
“Jordan and Tanya want to go to dinner again tonight.”
“I wish I could. I promised Coach Mason and Quaid I’d take them out to dinner. Don’t let that stop you, though. Go and have fun,” I said.
My mother would not have been proud of me at that moment. Bo would figure it out.
I noticed Coach Mason and Quaid were following me out of the building. I gave them a curious look, and Coach Mason got a big grin.
“Son, if you want us to cover for you, you’re going to have to follow through with your promise. Where are you taking us to dinner?” he asked.
WE ENDED UP GOING TO Ruth’s Chris for dinner. I love a good steak and chose their Cowboy Ribeye. Quaid insisted paying for himself until he saw the bill. I assured him I wouldn’t tell the NCAA that I’d bought him a meal. Florida wasn’t currently on my list of schools, and we didn’t talk about Florida football during dinner anyway.
“What do you see as my biggest weakness right now?” I asked.
“I think you gave a pretty good answer,” Quaid said. “I’d make one suggestion. Either graduate early and participate in Spring Ball or go to summer school when you go to college. The biggest problem in your freshman year will be learning the playbook. That’s why you see so many quarterbacks redshirt. It took me almost a full year to learn mine. Now I’m doing it again with a new coaching staff.”
“Quaid makes a good point. I still worry you’ll get injured. Your scrambling around and running the option are insane, if you ask me,” Coach Mason said.
“A good friend of mine, who plays for Kentucky, stepped off a curb and popped his Achilles. I would rather be initiating the hit than getting blindsided standing in the pocket. Every time I’ve been hurt, it’s been because I didn’t see it coming.”
I knew I would never convince Bud, but I couldn’t worry about it.
We ended up ordering dessert. Bud ordered a scotch and Quaid ordered a grapefruit and vodka, something he had picked up in Florida. I stuck with my iced tea. I enjoyed talking football with the two of them. I was sad to see the evening end.
WHEN I GOT HOME, BO wasn’t back yet. I thought a soak in the hot tub sounded good. This was the first time I’d had a chance to think about the decision Tami and I needed to make when I got back. I was sorry, but Harper’s contention that we might not be able to be together for the next eighteen years didn’t add up. The question was, did we love each other? If we did, we could work it out.
Ohio State was a perfect example. They had an honors program which would be perfect for Tami. They had a solid coach and were traditionally one of the top two teams in the Big 10. My style of play fit into how they played. They liked quarterbacks who could pick up yardage with their feet as well as their arm.
If I ended up playing in the pros, I’d have several months a year when Tami and I could live together. She could always fly in for weekends and holidays.
I was ready to commit. The question was, was Tami? If she wasn’t ready, I needed to move on. I couldn’t really see me getting serious with anyone else, but I also wasn’t going to be a monk if I was forced to be single.
I GOT BACK TO THE APARTMENT and was surprised to not see Bo there. Sitting on our couch was Tanya Masters, Jordan’s mom.
“Where’s Bo?” I asked.
“One of the receivers got into trouble at camp. He was called in to help deal with it. He told me to wait for him.”
“Oh, so where’s Jordan?”
“Do you really care?” she asked.
“No, not really; I was just trying to be polite.”
“Is she really that bad?”
What do you say to a mom about her brat of a daughter?
“My one-and-a-half-year-old niece and nephew are less self-centered than your daughter,” I said, smiling to soften the blow.
“I sometimes think she just needs to get laid,” she shot back.
“Man, you’re terrible. Then again, it might help.”
We both laughed. I went and took a shower while Tanya put on a pot of coffee. Bo found us enjoying each other’s company. He had a guest with him: Damion Roth, the receiver from Elite 11 that I let Flee have in the seven-on-seven draft.
“Damion needs a place to stay. He got kicked out of the camp housing. Is it okay if he stays with us?” Bo asked.
“If you’re fine with it, I’m fine with it,” I said.
I knew Bo well enough that if it was something that might harm me, he would never have invited Damion to stay with us. I was tired, so I begged off and went to bed.
Friday July 17
I WAS ABOUT TO OPEN the front door when Damion asked me where I was going. When I told him I was going to run, he wanted to go with me. I was wearing the weighted vest Bo had given me; well, he didn’t know he had given it to me yet.
Me being six-four, and Damion was six-six, our strides were similar enough that we ran well together. We ran in silence the first half of the run. I figured he needed time to work through whatever was going on.
“Why didn’t you want me in the draft?” he asked.
I didn’t expect that one.
“Bo showed me the reports about you from various scouts. It said you were either spectacular or dropped passes. I knew Flee would cut me a deal based on your SPARQ score.”
“So, it didn’t have anything to do with me being a dumb black hick?” he asked in all seriousness.
“I don’t really care if you’re black. I haven’t known you long enough to be able to tell if you’re dumb or a hick. Why would you think I’d have an issue with that?” I asked.
“People say things.”
That was the only answer I got. I liked running with Damion. He pushed me. I think he could run all day. I was also feeling the effects of the vest. An extra thirty pounds doesn’t sound like much until you wear it.
When we got back, Tanya, Jordan and Bo were eating breakfast. Tanya had made enough for everyone, so Damion and I joined them.