The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

[WVUFan]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

Great job man! I'm really enjoying reading this, especially with the new format. Roddy is a beast, it looks like he might be stealing your spotlight... good thing he's only a sophomore, right? Have you heard from Pitt lately? And, I think you should check into rehab as soon as the playoffs are over... just make sure you accept one of those scholarships first! :wink:

Thanks, man. Roddy's a senior, the sophomore who ran the big run was in as a sub when Roddy was catching his breath. (Roddy's #33, the sophomore's #27).

Yeah, I have a suspicion the pain killer thing will be a constant plot thread as the story progresses. As for Pitt, there's an update on Pitt and a few other teams coming up.

[Qb]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

Thanks, man. Roddy's a senior, the sophomore who ran the big run was in as a sub when Roddy was catching his breath. (Roddy's #34, the sophomore's #27).

Oh, I missed that entirely. Some scout I am...

[bascomeb]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

Good read sir. I'm enjoying the plot

[WVUFan]

Entry: December 7, 2006

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--- The Diary of Fritz Brady -- December 7, 2006 ---
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I just got off the field in Morgantown. The stadium is HUGE, I cannot imagine the feeling of what it would be like to be running onto the field with 60,000 screaming people dressed in Mountaineer colors.

We're in Morgantown because the state championship game is being played tomorrow, here, against Weston. I get to play a football game on Mountaineer Field. Both my coach and my dad have told me that there will be a good number of scouts there to watch me.

Speaking of college, I got yet another offer before I left. This one was both in a letter and a phone call from Dave Wahnstadt, the head coach of Pitt (and formerly of the Miami Dolphins, the same teams my hero Dan Marino played for), telling me my style of play is perfect for what he is trying to set up for the Panthers. He told me flatly that I would redshirt the first year (something the other schools haven't, although I'm sure I'd redshirt on every team except maybe Marshall), because he wants a full 5 years from me. We talked for a good 45 minutes. He told me some of his philosphies on football and on how a person with the talents I have should act. He told me he thought I had the chance, under the right system, to be successful not only in college, but in the NFL as well.

I have to say, even though he's not the most flashiest of coaches on television, he has quite a lot of knowledge, and he made me rethink some of my preconceived notions about Pittsburgh. Certainly made me think about my options.

So, running talley of schools offering scholarships: Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Marshall, Virginia Tech. Four amazing schools. This is gonna be a touch choice.

Kristy is telling me she's still looking into the whole referee thing, but so far, she hasn't found anything.

---

Coach Upshaw, one of the coaches from WVU, invited me to the athletic facility while everyone else on the team was relaxing. They took me around the facility and then I met Coach Rich Rodriguez. He talked to me about playing for WVU, how they want good players from the state to come to WVU, and how they're developing an atmosphere of winning here in Morgantown. He then offered me a scholarship on the spot. I told him I would heavily consider it.

I walked out of my meeting with a strange feeling -- something told me I was am supposed to go here, that this school is my destiny, BUT I have to be honest -- I didn't feel entirely comfortable. I can't explain it. Something felt ... wrong. Maybe it's some sort of internal rebellion in me, since everyone expects me to go to West Virginia. One thing's for certain -- I don't want to sign anywhere without thinking long and hard about my decision.

If I don't sign with WVU, at least I'll get to play on their field tomorrow, Which is awesome.

LIST OF OFFERING SCHOOLS:

WVU
Virginia Tech
Tennessee
Marshall
Pittsburgh

[superjames1992]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

Go to WVU!!!

[jayfxtw]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

MARSHALL!!

[WVUFan]

Entry: December 9, 2006



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--- Diary of Fritz Brady -- December 9, 2006 ---
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WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!

Roddy is THE MAN! Nice little run (with a nice picture by Kristy) to set up the winning score in the fourth quarter, giving us a nice cushion and a win, 21-14. I was 14-16, 200 yards, 1 touchdown and a pick. Roddy rushed for over 100 yards and 2 scores, and probably earned him a Division I scholarship with a big game in front of all the scouts. Our kicker missed 3 field goals. He's entitled to a bad game, he's pulled our butts out of the fire more times than I can count.

Anyway, we score quickly in the first quarter with a nice pass to Bob McKinney for an early score, and the kicker misses a field goal late in the quarter, and we go ahead at the end of the first, 7-0.

Early in the second, we move right down the field, then I do something dumb.




They move it right down the field and tie up the game. The last play of the first half ends like with me sacked, the 4th of the half, and we go into halftime tied.

This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x360.

I go back out in the second half determine to be more aggressive in my passing and more agile in the pocket, which isn't easy for me since I'm slow. But, ultimately, I didn't have to do either, because Roddy Parsons had over 70 yards rushing in the second half. We slowed down, and used up an inordinate amount of time on the field. The first drive ended with Roddy coming in from a yard out, carrying people into the end zone, and no one can score for the rest of the quarter, even though we had a couple good drives than ended in missed field goals. Finally, in the early part of the 4th quarter, we get the ball on the 30, then proceed to have a 13 play, 70 yard drive that takes up nearly the entire quarter and ends like this:




We go up 21-7, and with only a minute and change on the clock, Weston doesn't have time to score twice. They get a last second touchdown (3 seconds left on the clock), and we recover the onside kick to seal the victory.

I gotta tell you, it's nice to win the state championship, but after our game against Barboursville, this is a little anti-climatic. It's nice to bring a title home to Winfield though.

Now I have to decide the rest of my life in the next few days.

[WVUFan]

Entry: December 10, 2006

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-- The Diary of Fritz Brady -- December 10, 2006 ---
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I have no idea what I'm going to do.

Today I got a 6th school invite, this one from the University of Maryland. I had visited the campus earlier in the year, and I thought the campus and the people of the school were fantastic. I met more than a few interesting people with so many differing viewpoints. I know that I'd learn alot being in that school, and have the opportunity to play against some great schools being a part of the ACC. But that's not what I'm talking about.

Kristy pulled me aside today and told me that her dad, who owns a car dealership in town, had told her that Percy Simmons, the ref that I had asked her about, came in a few days ago and plunked down a thousand dollars for a down payment on a car. Just a few weeks earlier, he had came in but didn't have the money for the down payment. He said Percy had to the salesmen he had "done some work for a friend" and had gotten some extra money.

So that wasn't a big deal, but I got curious. I just knew it couldn't be the Coach, since they don't make that kind of money teaching in West Virginia, but a few months ago my dad had gotten lucky and won $1500 in a scratch off ticket, but I never knew what he had done with the money. So I asked Mom. She kinda ... paused for a sec, and looked up and to the left, and then said they had paid some extra on some bills.

Now, I watch CSI. I know from that show that if someone looks up and to the left (or is it right) they're thinking of something to say. In other words, they're lying. I asked her again, and she said that it wasn't my concern. Then I out and out accused her, and told her that the ref had admitted it to me himself. She looked down, than at me and said "We were just trying to ensure your future.".

In a flash, my whole world came down. Did I EARN those scholarship offers, or was it this ref who made it happen? I know if I say something, the offers go away, and my future is sunk. I also know that if I don't say anything, I'll never been able to look at myself in the face. I turned away from mom and went to find Dad.

I found Dad outside on the porch talking on the phone. He saw me, then the look on my face, and told the person on the other line he'd call him back. I started to say something, then he looked at me and told me he had overheard, and that I should be grateful that I had parents that were willing to do what they did to make sure I got to a good school. And twice in as less than a week, we had a screaming match. I accused him to destroying any sort of self-confidence I had, that I now knew none of my accolades I actually earned, and I certainly didn't earn any championship.

He told me the ref had messed with a single solitary call, and that call didn't make the difference in the game, and that he had told Dad that it was the "easiest thousand dollars he had ever gotten" since he didn't have to do anything. I called him a liar. That if he was willing to do this, what else had he done to fix games -- did he pay the coach to start playing me all those years ago -- did he pay off refs earlier in my high school career. How could I believe ANYTHING he had told me? All those years of "be honest, and don't cheat" when talking about school work was hypocritical, when he had done the same thing. I told him I was gonna go and admit this, set things right.

He told me I couldn't do that, that not only would it destroy my career, as no college would touch me, it would hurt the town, since we would certainly be stripped of the state championship, and that he's pretty sure him bribing the ref was illegal in some way. So I could either shut the hell up and take the opportunities given me, and earn it from this point on, or ruin my life, ruin my teammates life, since they'll lose scholarships too probably, and probably send my own father to jail. Certainly ruin his reputation too. But I'd have a clean conscience.

DAMN HIM. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do here.

[WVUFan]

Entry: December 14, 2006

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--- The Diary of Fritz Brady -- December 14, 2006 ---
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I thought about talking to Roddy, but I know him. He would be obliged to tell someone, regardless of the consequences. He's pretty black and white in terms of ethics.

I wish I could be like him.

So, I sat down and had a talk with Kristy. I have to say that I always just looked at her as a friend, and someone to help with homework, but the more time I spend with her, the better I felt about myself. She said she had went through old games, and that it looked like my dad with right -- that one bad throw and catch out of bounds was the only really questionable thing the ref had done. I told her it didn't matter, it was the principle, but she touched my arm and said I earned what scholarships I had been offered.

She then suggested a solution that allows me to get what I want and show everyone involved what I think of what they did. She smiles as I pick up the phone and dial a number.

I had been given his home number in case I had any questions, so when he answered, I just blurted out. "Sir, I want to go to your school. I want to be a Hokie."

A day later, surrounded by my brother, (who will be a great player too, mark my words), my mother, Coach Richmond, my friend Roddy Parsons (who is going to West Virginia) and Kristy Mason (who is also going to Virginia Tech), I signed my letter of intent and became a Virginia Tech Hokie.

My father did not attend the ceremony. He knew why I was going there. I hope I do get to play West Virginia someday. When I throw the winning touchdown and beat the Mountaineers, he'll be responsible for them losing.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Entry: December 14, 2006

Woohoo! Go Hokies!

[superjames1992]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

Traitor! Traitor!

[erich20012001]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

HA! Whoooo great storyline man keep it up.

[WVUFan]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

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--- The Diary of Fritz Brady --- January 11, 2007 ---
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I know it's supposed to be the opposite -- that a potential recruit is supposed to visit the campus of a school BEFORE he makes a decision, but I visited the campus today for the first time, a month after I signed with Virginia Tech.

Blacksburg is absolutely beautiful. The people are friendly, the way the campus is set up is gorgeous. I think I'll like it here.

Me and my mom drove up here, and Kristy came along for the ride. She had toured the campus before, so she could take me around to some of the more important places. She's become a good friend over the course of the last few months.

So, I'm with Kristy looking around the library, called the Newman Library, and it's very well put together. It looks like a half-circle on one side of it, and it's MASSIVE. I walk through the doors and there's a student worker at the front of the building, blonde hair about mid-shoulder -- looks like a model, only not as skinny (and that's a good thing, by the way). She looks at me and smiles. She says "Hi, Fritzy".

SHE KNOWS MY NAME!!!

I ask her if we'd met before, and she says she's a big supporter of the football team, and she's glad someone of my (and she paused here) stature is coming to school. That's very cool, and then Kristy took my arm and pulled me into the school, saying we had a lot to look at and not a lot of time.

I think I'm gonna like Blacksburg. Never did get that woman's name, though ...

[Blaxican8504]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

Niiice...groupies.

[Blaxican8504]

Re: The Diary of Fritz Brady REDUX (NCAA 08)

Just going to give this a little bumpage.