There's no Crying in Football

Jeremy and Coach Lombardi get down to the field and start jogging over to Terrell to figure out what the commotion was for. They look around the field and don't see a woman around; they're trying to figure out why Terrell said no women are allowed on the field.

"What's all the fuss, Terrell? Why did you stop training camp? Shouts Lombardi.

Terrell Hillis is huffing and puffing with anger, trying to calm down, stating, "A woman is trying to try out for the team. That's not allowed."

Jeremy laughs and says, " I've never said that wasn't allowed; I want to have the best players on the field that the Cannibals can have. Who's the Woman?"

Terrell points to the Linebacker, who just lit up the quarterback, then fires back at Jeremy, "It might not be your rule, but it's my rule, and I'm the GM; I make the rules and decisions."

Jeremy stares at His coach while contemplating firing Terrell and says, "You're right, Terrell, you're the head coach and general manager, but just in case you don't remember, I own the team, so my team, my rules, my decision. If you don't like it, there's the door."

Sensing the building tension, Bill Lombardi says, " You both are Right, and I'm sure that we can all come up with a solution that everyone can agree to in the short term and long term. Firstly, I, for one, would see what the lady can do because she could've just had a lucky hit, and then we'll come together and get an agreement."

Jeremy, still having some issues fighting off the flashback, and borderline PTSD over the hit, agrees to say, " I concur with Lombardi; let's see what she's made of first, then we'll discuss our issues in my office after camp today. "

So they restart training camp and run drill after drill. Lombardi and Terrell aren't showing any emotion, just stone-cold emotionless faces throughout the rest of camp. Jeremy looked miffed, given his facial expression, but he was focused on the camp and how this lady was doing compared to the other guys. She was pretty good at linebacker. She had raw talent and ability; she did have some areas that needed to be addressed and also included some weaknesses that needed to be conquered or covered up. Overall, Jeremy thought if she was a man that, Terrell would sign her on the spot.

Terrell blows the whistle for camp for the day and shouts, " Hit the showers; see you guys tomorrow."

Terrell looks at Jeremy and Lombardi and says, " Give me thirty minutes, and I'll be in your office."

Terrell walks to the locker room. Jeremy looks at the lady linebacker and yells, " Hey, 51, come here. "

As she comes up to him, Jeremy looks at Lombardi and tells him that he'll meet up with him in Jeremy's office. Lombardi turns and heads to Jeremy's office. 51 takes off her helmet and says, " Yes, Mr. Davis? what can I do for you? "

Jeremy chuckles, responding, " It's Jeremy; Mr. Davis is my father. Great practice out there today. What's your name? Where did you get ready for practice? "

" Thank you, Mister, I mean Jeremy. my name is Alex, Alexandra Jordan, and I got ready in my car. I brought a change of clothes and things. I was going to wait for the guys to get done before I went there." Fifty-one replied.

Jeremy reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys, and handed them to Alexandra, saying, " Well, Alexandra, here are my keys. Go to the VIP room and lock the door, get cleaned up, and relax. Once you're done, please wait for me outside of my office; I'd like to talk with you after this meeting that I have to have. I don't trust those neanderthals, and I know what you're going to say, but take the keys."

Alexandra reluctantly takes the keys and says, " Um, thank you, Jeremy. I'll see you in a bit. "

Alexandra heads to the VIP Room. Jeremy standing at midfield, takes a deep breath; memorized by Alexandra, there was something about her that he doesn't understand. After taking a moment to reflect and get some composure before this mess of a meeting. Jeremy walked into his office in the Coliseum; Coach Bill Lombardi was sitting on the right side of Jeremy's desk, waiting for everyone to arrive.

Lombardi and Jeremy small talk for a few minutes until Terrell Hillis comes in, looking like he's dreading the meeting as well. Lombardi starts: "Let's get to it and come to an agreement that everyone can agree with. Here are the facts, Jeremy is the team owner and makes the ultimate decisions, including the team name and hiring personnel. Terrell was hired to be the general manager and the head coach of the Cannibals; Terrell makes the decisions about the players and makes sure he puts the best team on the field to win a championship."

Before Coach Lombardi can finish, Terrell butts in to say his peace: " Ya, that's why there are no women on this team, and by the way, the Cannibals are a stupid team name that'll cost you fans."

Jeremy, leaning back in his chair, looks at Lombardi irritated/ annoyed, then stares at Terrell for a few seconds and calmly responds to Terrell: " Firstly, about the team name was picked and voted on by the fans through the Top 24 names of fan suggestions that were put through a bracket like a college basketball tournament. Secondly, it's my job to worry about losing fans and building up our fan base. I love the name, the Colorado Cannibals, as it plays off the legend of the Colorado Cannibal, which we have a lunch hall named after him at the college in Boulder. I also think of the merchandising angle, like The Las Vegas Marauders with the black and silver, all kinds of people but their merchandise because it looks cool, and I'm going to down that road with our merchandise. Regarding " your" team rule of no women, I don't like it, nor do I agree with it. We should have the best players that we can get on this team regardless of their gender, sexuality, or lifestyle. I don't know about what you saw today at Camp, but what I saw was Alexandra whip those men around. She's a rough and raw prospect, but with a bit of training, she could and can be a great linebacker. I want Alexandra on this team. Also, part of your job as the GM is to make sure that the team owner is happy with the direction of the team, and as the sole owner of the team, I have my doubts about your abilities to get this team to a championship. I hired you as a favor to the man sitting on your right, Coach Lombardi, and I wasn't going even consider you for the positions otherwise. If you don't like the team name and don't like the way I want the team to run, there's the door. "

Terrell puffed up with anger and screamed, " FUCK YOU, You COCKSUCKER!!!!, I'm the best thing that will ever happen to this pathetic minor league team. You are just upset that you are " a never was " player that got free money and started this team."

Coach Lombardi interjects while suggesting to Terrell that he sits and calms down, saying, " Come on boys, let's calm down and move forward. Jeremy, you're 100% right in all of your points. I can see your merchandising strategy; also, the historic element in the name, and I kind of like it. It's Your team, and you can hire anyone you want to, but you did hire Terrell, even though I asked you to give him a chance to prove his worth. I agree with you about the lady linebacker, she's got some talent and will probably be good in indoor football, but Terrell is the GM and coach. Terrell, it would be best if you worked on your temper; it's going to be two-three years before you're coaching anything in the NAFL. Now, what the Mustangs owner does with me every year, which I think will work for you guys, is a bi-annual meeting, and he sets clear expectations for the upcoming season; the other meeting was at the end of the year/ beginning of the offseason. Since the season is almost here, this will count as the beginning of the year meeting, so let's come to an agreement and head home for the day."

Jeremy thinks for a moment as Lombardi makes some sense about the meetings, then speaks: " Alright, how about this, Terrell? I let you do things your way with player personnel this year, and anything short of winning the championship, you'll be fired from both positions. Still, if you win the championship, we'll reevaluate everything at the start of the offseason. What do you think, Terrell?"

With a cocky attitude, Terrell answers, " I like it, and I'll agree with the terms. I'll show you, punk, that you messed with the wrong man. By the way, the girl isn't going to be on the team."

After Terrell finishes speaking, he gets up and leaves. Lombardi, looking like he's going to end up doing damage control with these expectations, sighs and says, " Have a nice rest of your day Jeremy. I can't wait to see how the first season as team owner goes."

Lombardi heads out, calling for Terrell. Shortly after Lombardi leaves Jeremy's office, Alexandra comes in with an uneasy feeling and says, " Thank you, Mr. Davis, for letting me use the VIP Room to get cleaned up. Here are your keys. I'm sorry that I caused you a lot of trouble today. Do you still want to talk? Do you want the door open or closed? "

Jeremy fought the memorizing feeling of being around Alexandra and realized she could've heard that entire conversation. Alexandra was about 6 feet, with an hourglass shape, and had long red hair that went down to the tip of her butt. Her jeans were fitted to her voluptuous form. The young woman had a figure that spoke of strength and femininity. Jeremy could barely respond, and his mouth had dried like a desert just looking at her. "YYou're Wwwelcome, ma'am. Please call me Jeremy. You weren't any trouble today, I promise you. I still want to talk to you if you have time to talk, and please leave the door open. "

Alexandra says, " I have the time to talk. I just overheard a little accidentally when returning your keys, and it seemed like you were arguing over me."

Jeremy smiles a little and says, " There's tension and issues between Terrell and me that have nothing to do with you, but you making waves at practice just pushed things over the edge. I apologize for that; by the way, you don't deserve that, and great practice today."

Jeremy thinks of his following words as Alexandra quickly says, " Thank you, that means a lot to me coming from you, a Colorado legend."

Jeremy continues, " My praise for you comes from your hard work and grind on the field today. I'm no Colorado legend. I'm curious to know your credentials, like where you've played, what you're looking to accomplish, and what you do for work. What are your short and long-term goals?"

Alexandra is surprised that Jeremy is asking these questions as no one ever has; she's always gotten the brush off from people, answers " I've played for the Denver Outlaws, a semi-pro Women's football team, the last four years, was an all-star linebacker for them, I'm looking to move up leagues to prove my skills can make it in with men's football. I'm currently an insurance sales agent, but I'd like to play professional football full time and hopefully maybe make it into the NAFL; I know that's a long shot, just always been a dream of mine since I was a little girl."

Jeremy is impressed by her determination and passion and responds, " Well, with that passion and determination, you'll make it into indoor football, I believe. It won't be this year due to Terrell; I wanted to sign you, but you need to refine your skills, and I want to help you do that since I can't sign you to the team. I'll find a coach to coach you up and get you ready for next year while still being able to play for the Outlaws."

Alexandra is slightly excited to hear this news and says, " With all due respect, sir, I don't want any coach; I want you to be my coach. "