Seniors having fun with the freshmen, welcoming them to the team
It happens everywhere
But this is the first I’ve heard of the Hit Parade
This is the opposite of what I teach these kids
This is all
I had no idea
All we wanted to do was create unity
A team
A family that would do anything for each other
Go to battle together
These kids are like sons to me
I love them as my own kids
This is my life
This is not what I teach
I had no idea
The last few days, I’d heard some things
I didn’t know what to believe
It sounded so crazy
I started hearing some things
But I didn’t want it to be a distraction
There is only one thing to think about and that is praying for your son’s recovery
Of course we will address it after your son recovers
I’ve been waiting because I didn’t want to cause more pain right now
I just want your son to get better
But it was going to be addressed
We were going to deal with it
Fix it
There’s so much good that this program does
Being part of something special
Teaching boys how to grow up
Be strong
How to look out for themselves
How to build the friendships that form on that field
Bonds that last a lifetime
Those are—
DAD
Coach Bizetti
I’m sure you feel badly, and I appreciate that
And yes
Maybe it’s true you didn’t know exactly what was happening
But isn’t it your job to know?
Isn’t it your job to lead and to do the right thing?
You’re in the Hall of Fame
You’re a legend in this town
But none of that matters anymore
You’re more concerned with protecting your reputation than protecting our kids
You had me fooled
I trusted you and I believed in you
You know what?
It turns out you’re no better than anyone else.
MOM
Mr. Bizetti, it’s possible that you care about the kids and have a good heart
But my guess is that you care about winning more
You failed my son and the other kids and the whole town
You failed to protect our children
You and your coaches watched and laughed
And if you didn’t know, it’s because you didn’t want to know.
DAD
Thank you for coming, but I think you should go
Coach Bizetti
You need to go now.
COACH
I
Yes
I will be in touch of course
I am praying for Teddy
Goodbye.
5:38 PM
Group Text from Will
16 People
guys
i know i said we need to stick together as a team
it’s more important now than ever
teddy is an amazing kid and he’s going to be okay
i don’t think he’ll play football again but he’ll always be a walthorne wildcat
we’re not going to let one lame cheap shot bring us down
we stay strong
like it says on the locker room wall
no one comes between you and the team
we are walthorne
now on to business
everyone knows official practice is suspended
but we are holding captain’s practices
helmets no pads
let’s get back at it
team meeting first thing tomorrow morning, 8am at the field
don’t be late
ALEC
Hey
I’m
Hey
DAD
Alec?
What are you doing here?
This isn’t a good—
ALEC
I
I had to come back
I heard Ethan was coming
Ethan
I hope you’re
Did you
Did you tell them?
ETHAN
I told them.
ALEC
Everything?
ETHAN
I
I
MOM
Alec, is it true what he told us?
About what happened?
ALEC
I uh
I wanted to be here when Ethan told you
I lie awake at night thinking about hitting Ethan during the Rookie Rumble and then celebrating
High-fiving other kids while Ethan was lying there
While you were lying there, Ethan
Not helping you up
It keeps me up at night
That’s not me, I swear it isn’t
I don’t
I don’t think I want to play football anymore.
DAD
Thank you, Alec
It took a lot of courage for you to come here.
MOM
Oh, Alec
You’re Teddy’s best friend
Why did this happen?
How could you all let this happen?
JANEY
Mommy
Dad
Please
You shouldn’t blame Ethan
Or Alec
Or anyone
It wasn’t anyone’s fault
They were just
Ethan was just
It’s not his fault
Ethan, I think you’re brave
You didn’t have to do this
You didn’t have to come
You didn’t have to admit anything to anyone
You’re really
You’re just really brave.
ETHAN
I really
Thank you, Janey
And
I don’t
Mr. and Mrs. Youngblood
I hope you can forgive me
I don’t
It isn’t anyone’s fault
This is just what happens with sports and teams and stuff
Sometimes it gets crazy
And so much of it is great
But sometimes it gets crazy
I wish it didn’t have to be like that
I still love football
I still want to play
Maybe it will be different now
Maybe things can change.
ALEC
Maybe
I hope they can
INSIDE
I’m getting ready
I’m almost there
DAD
Sarah, do you hear these kids?
They’re right
We need to take into account what we’ve done
And you’re right, I got too wrapped up in it
Maybe I didn’t look hard enough at what was really going on
And when Teddy hit someone hard, I loved it
I cheered louder than anyone else
I was so proud of him
I was
I loved it
That’s all there is to it
I loved it.
MOM
Jim
I don’t mean to
I’m just so tired
But I know how much you’ve done for our kids
And I know how hard it’s been for you
Teddy
Janey
Can you
Can you forgive me?
DAD
We’ll find a way
Teddy
Janey
We’ll always be here
I promise you
We will always be here for you.
MOM
Yes
Yes we will.
INSIDE
I’m ready
I’m ready now
JANEY
Teddy
Can I hold your hand?
Think of home
Think of your bed
Think of Ollie licking your feet
Think of fried chicken
Think of Chinese food
Just feel my hand holding your hand.
MOM
Ethan
I hope you know
I didn’t mean
I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that
I hope you understand what we are going through
But that is not an excuse
You’re right
This is not your fault
I’m just so exhausted
But you’re absolutely right
And, Janey and Alec, you’re right
Things have to change
We need to make sure things change.
INSIDE
I see the colors
I have the words
I’m ready
JANEY
Oh
Teddy, did you just do that on purpose?
Teddy just squeezed my hand
I think
Teddy just squeezed
Wait
DAD
He
He squeezed Mom’s hand before
He is starting to respond
I wouldn’t get—
JANEY
This seems different
Wait
See?
He did it again
Teddy?
Teddy?
Mom, look
Dad
Teddy?
MOM
What’s happening
Oh my God
Get the
Teddy?
Get the doctor
Teddy’s waking up
Teddy, honey
Teddy
It’s mommy
I’m right here
I’m right
Jim, go get the doctor
I’m right here, honey
Teddy, I’m right here
I’m not going anywhere
I’m right here
Oh my—
Wow
Look at your big, beautiful eyes
That’s right
You’re safe
You’re here with us
Janey is here
Dad is getting the doctor
We’re right here
Hi, honey
It’s really good to see you
It’s so good to see you, honey.
NURSE RICKY
Whoa Whoa Whoa
What do we have here
Look at this
Good morning
It’s morning in America, people
Let me just get in here for a second
Check a few things
Good
Good
Better than good
The doctor is coming
The doctor will be right here
You just relax
It’s good to see you, young man.
DR. SPARKS
Well
What is happening?
All sorts of good stuff I see
This is a sight for sore eyes
Hello, Teddy
We haven’t been formally introduced
I’m Dr. Sparks
Let me just see here
Look into my light, okay, Teddy?
Look left
Look right
Up
Down
You see how many fingers I’m holding up?
Can you hold up the same number of fingers with your right hand?
Now with your left?
That’s great
That’s perfect
You’ve had a good rest, a nice long rest
Good to have you back with us
I’m going to ask the nurse to help me here
This is not going to hurt one bit
You are not even going to feel a thing
We are going to take out this tube
Your throat will feel a little dry
It’s not going to feel great
But it won’t hurt
Talking is going to take some time
But we’ve got plenty of that
Nurse, please help me here
That’s it
Yep
Yes
Terrific
There we go
You’re doing great, Teddy
You’re doing terrific.
MOM
Thank you, Dr. Sparks
You’ve been so wonderful
I hope you know I didn’t mean what I said earlier
You’ve been amazing
Oh my God
Teddy
This is such a blessing
Jim
Teddy is pointing
He’s asking for water
Dr. Sparks, he can drink?
Please, Jim, can you
Thank you
Here we go
Use the straw
There you go
That’s it, honey
Small sips
Janey
Janey, he wants to hold your hand
Honey, Janey was holding your hand when you woke up
She’s got the lucky hands
Okay
Daddy is going to sit here
I’m going to get some ice chips
I’ll be right back
I’ll be right here.
DAD
Hey, kiddo
Hey
This is what we’ve prayed for
Everyone has been praying for this moment
And now our prayers have been answered
It almost doesn’t seem real to have you back
I was
I’m not going to lie, I was a little worried there
A little scared
I mean
I know what a tough kid you are
But I was scared
I love you so much, Teddy
Remember I said you were a game changer
This time you really are
You’re changing the game for keeps
I’m so proud of you, son.
MOM
Jim
Jim, wait
I think Teddy might be trying to tell us something
Ethan?
Ethan and Alec, come over here
Okay, honey
I just don’t
We don’t want you to do too much
ALEC
Hey, buddy
Hey
Man it’s good to see you
It’s
Oh man
I’m just
Wow
I’m so glad to see you.
ETHAN
Hey, Teddy
Hey
I
It’s uh
I’m so glad to see you too
Everyone is
I’m really happy to see you
DAD
Teddy
Everything is okay now
MOM
Go ahead, Teddy
Honey, go ahead
What is it you want to tell us?
TEDDY
I remember.
WALTHORNENEWS.COM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 9:19 AM
Young Athlete Emerges from Coma; Investigation on Cause Will Be Launched
A lot of local prayers were answered today as officials at TriCounty Memorial Hospital confirmed that Edward Youngblood, the young football player who was injured last Friday at preseason camp, has emerged from his coma and is expected to make a full recovery.
The family was unavailable for comment, but Coach Louis Bizetti released a prepared statement through the high school. “The entire Walthorne Wildcat community is totally thrilled and delighted at the news of Teddy’s improvement,” the statement read. �
��The Youngbloods are a wonderful family, and our hearts have gone out to all of them over these last difficult days. We wish only the very best to the family, and a return to full strength for Teddy, who is such a tough kid. We’re dedicating our season to this terrific young man.”
In other developments related to this case, there have been reports of a dispute about what exactly caused the young student’s injury, with some online commentary suggesting that a hazing ritual may have played a role.
“I can’t confirm any of the details related to this particular situation, and I urge the public not to jump to conclusions,” said Board of Education spokesperson Celia Cutliffe. “What I can tell you is that there will be a full investigation, and depending on the results, we will implement changes that need to be made in a careful and thorough manner.”
More on this story as it develops.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I love football and I always have.
I didn’t play—back in the day, my go-to sport was soccer—but when I was a kid, the NFL was pretty much my favorite thing to watch on TV. I was a huge Jets fan, and still am—I have no idea why, since they’re almost always lousy—but I’ll watch any football game if it’s good.
When my youngest son, Jack, was in seventh grade, he announced to our family that he wanted to switch from soccer to football. My wife, Cathy, wasn’t crazy about the idea, but I was fine with it. In fact, I was excited. This was about ten years ago, and the long-term dangers of concussions were just starting to become well-known, but I didn’t think too much about that. These were kids, after all. How hard could they hit?
Well, pretty hard, as it turned out.
My son ended up playing through high school, and he was pretty good. He got knocked around a lot, but luckily, no major injuries. The friendships he formed with his teammates last to this day. The coaches seemed tough but fair. And there was no obvious hazing—at least none that I was aware of.