ball is life br0

It’s supposed to be the time of your life playing under the lights. One minute he’s still a member of the Giants organization then the next, his rights are being traded to New England for what.. a few draft picks? He didn’t object of course. There’s a plan in all of this, and that’s what he’s reminded himself on the flight out to Massachusetts and through out this game. 

‘‘And Washington is coming out onto special teams.’‘

‘‘I’m not surprised here, he’s had a hell of game on offense and it’s because of his speed that the Pats are up. ‘‘

‘‘One hundred and thirty six receiving yards, two touchdowns, and forty yards on the ground.  Belichick has something up his sleeve here.’’

The Pats were short a few yards so it would be 4th & 4. Henry had ran out to be one of the gunners on special teams, due to his speed. He’d be able to down the ball and get Tennessee in their own territory, and force something to happen. That was his objective here.

The ball was snapped and it was booted into the air. Henry had put a move on one of the Tennessee defenders, and he was running down the field. One of them were in close pursuit, a hand on his jersey trying to prevent him from going down the field. Henry had stumbled a bit but managed to force himself out of that grip, keeping his head up til--

BAM. 

A shoulder being lowered and up into Henry’s helmet. Henry’s out before he even hits the ground, laying motionless on the field. 

If this is what it’s like getting hit by a truck, it hurts. Henry has been hit before, but he’s always bounced back up. 

So why is this time different ?? 

It’s like for a moment, his life flashes before his eyes. He remembers Edie winning custody of them, and her basically being the mother he never had. His relationship with Sutton, the moment he was drafted, and the moment he played Santa Clause when he came back home for his first Christmas with Mikey. 

His eyes closed tightly, and he couldn’t find the STRENGTH.. No he couldn’t even move. No matter how hard he told himself to move, he couldn’t. Edie and Mikey.. And Sutton were at home watching this, and god this was probably killing them. Medical staff had come out, and were kneeling at his side, one holding his head in place while the others were checking in on him.

‘‘Henry, hey kid. You okay ?? ‘‘

‘‘My neck. It’s my neck.’‘ He muttered to them, wanting to be able to reach out and grab somebody’s hand at the moment-- but hell, it hurts so damn much to even move. The medics end up shushing him, telling him to not put any energy into talking or even moving as they work to get the cart out to him

Both Tennessee and Patriot team members are out on their knees, heads lowered and praying for the Newly fallen patriot. The cart is driven out onto the field with the gurney and stretcher.

A few minutes later Henry is loaded onto the gurney after being strapped in. He hears the crowd clap and his teammates clap as he’s being loaded onto the cart. Slowly but weakly, Henry had lifted his arm up and made a ‘thumbs up ‘ as he was being wheeled off and the clapping only got louder.