The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

PS5 | Madden [22] | Player Chise
15 Minutes | 15 Second Accelerated Clock | Custom Sliders

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

{Reserved}

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

SZN I PREMIERE: TO THE SUMMIT PT.1

It was over. The 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic chapter was written, even before the first snap of the game. The Alabama Crimson Tide crushed the Cincinnati Bearcats 27-6. It was a tough game, the Crimson Tide only allowed points on the board by way of field goals. Other than that, it was a lopsided victory as expected.
"Good game, kid"

"Thanks, Coach. Gave it my all out there."

"We all did. Don't hang your head too low, it's Alabama. They're just a great program."

"Yeah, Coach, I know."

Amari took this loss to heart. It was his first big game in his two years at Cincinnati. Not to mention that he didn't see much time on the field playing behind Desmond Ridder. With Coach Fickell sitting Ridder in the 4th, Amari tried to make the best of it, to showcase what countless hours in the gym and practice done for him, but Alabama just kept shutting him down every drive. Simply put, a horrible night. More so, a horrible way to end the year.

It's been a few days back on campus and Coach Fickell called Amari in. With the season over, it was all but one question to ask...

"Hey kid, how you doing?"

"I'm good, Coach, hanging in there."

"Glad to hear it. That's some beating we took out there in Arlington, huh?"

"Yeah, you can say that again. That's definitely one night I'd like to put behind me, permanently."

"I hear you, but don't dwell on it emotionally too much, use that hardship to build grit for the next games. Learn from it, work harder towards the next."

"Loud and clear. It's just, man... That night hurt a bit. Big game feel, we down, but still fighting. I finally get the call to run some snaps. Crowd is buzzing, family is watching, trying not to let the pressure build on me, and we got creamed. "

"Yeah, it's tough when you want to be at your best for your friends, family and team. But like I said at the end of the game, don't hang your head too low. Alabama is just a maelstrom of wickedness to endure. But you got heart kid. I've always seen that in you. Anytime your number is called, you do not hesitate to get in there and put on a show in practice and games. Always the last one off the field."

"Thanks Coach, I appreciate that. I'd hate to be "Mr. Irrelevant" on this team", Armari joked.

"Oh no, none of your contributions went under the radar, the guys love you. It's just a matter of playing the right pieces most games. You been here, what? Two years now? Ridder's more than likely to place in the draft. So, the spotlight is on you, providing you stay another year."

Coach Fickell looked onward to Amari as he soaked in the idea of staying another year. Amari had his mind made up, but with Ridder bound for the NFL, he was enticed to the thought of upping his draft stock. While that was an option, Amari also knew the situation back home.

Amari grew up in foster care before being adopted at the age of six. Both his foster parents were staff members at Lehman HS. His father a teacher, and his mother a secretary. It was deeply embedded in Amari that a great education was key to success in life. There's no life without trials and tribulations, adversity and failure, but with Covid-19 taking the world by storm, it left Amari with just his father. Times in New York were extremely hard with the inflated cost of livelihood and the lingering covid variants. Life was even harder living on a teacher's salary...

"Listen, Coach, as much as I'm enticed at the idea of staying for another year, improving my craft, I'ma have to choose otherwise. I got family back home that needs help the best way possible and I got to put that first. So, I'ma have to decline and state I'm declaring for the draft as well."

A brief silence fell on Coach Fickell, having to accept Amari's decision and prepare for investments elsewhere. Blowing off a heavy sigh, Coach Fickell stood up, extending his hand to Amari as he complied to shake.

"I really hate to see you go, but I do understand your situation. If you think it's the best decision, then go for it kid. Like I said before, you got heart, furthermore, I know you got the talent to go along with it. It's safe to say that you won't be a first rounder, but you will be a big sleep in the draft. Use that as ammo against every team passed up on you", Coach Fickell praised.

"Thank you Coach. It's been a pleasure to learn under you. You have my word I won't let you down..."

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

SZN I PREMIERE: TO THE SUMMIT PT.2

It's been months since Amari had declared for the NFL. Friends and fans in the eastern region had boarded the hype train as he kept his instagram and twitter accounts plentiful of training exlusives with the exception of a workout with an NFL team. While the video reports kept his name buzzing, on a few mock drafts, and even gnabbing a Jordan Brand contract, the biggest night of the NFL was finally here. The 2022 NFL Draft, the place where SuperBowl teams are created and forged through the season...

"You ready for the night baby boy?"

"No, I'm not Kase", Amari responded.

"What's up? Something's wrong?"

"I'm just nervous as all hell man. When we leave this hotel room and sit in that table, my life will be in the hands of fate. How long until my name is called? Will my name even be called? How will I look walking up on that stage? If I don't get drafted, then what?"

"Hey, hey! Look at me. Calm down man. You're going to spill all over your-self."

Amari took a seat at the counter, steadily overthinking the night. Kasey grabs a seat next to him, handing him a cup of water, "here, drink up, take a deep breath."

"Look at me, dude. My name is Kasey Thompson, and I'm the agent of Amari Garnett, the NFL's biggest underdog if they don't know what's good for them and draft you within three rounds. Not only that, I'm one of your biggest supporters here rooting for you. We've been rocking since AAU and high school. Look at us now, we came a long, you came a long way. Only question to answer is how much further you want to go?"

Amari listened intently without responding. It wasn't so much that he was nervous of playing in the NFL, but more so of beginning a new life, providing he was selected. For the longest, fate has dealt Amari bad hands he had to endure. Time and time again, he shown that resilience instilled in him.

'How much further do you want to go, Amari?", Kesey asked once again.

"All the way. Only one place I want to go."

"And where's that?" Kasey asked anticipating.

"Back to Ohio, where it all started, but preferably in Canton. It's not a career if I'm not in the hall of fame."

"Then let's go. Let's get you drafted, get you signed, and get you to winning. And I assure you, before long, your name will echo those halls."

"That's a big promise, Kase. You sure about this?"

"Quit doubting your-self man. You got all the tools to keep that promise. All you have to do is will it, my man."

"You right, man. Thanks for the pep talk."

"Feeling better?"

"A little. Still got butterflies. New life, new places, new things and experiences."

"It won't be a life without them, bro. Come on, let's get out of here. Don't want to be late on the big night..."

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN

Two days of the 2022 NFL Draft have come and gone, and Amari has yet to hear his name be called. The night was not getting any younger as "Day 3" took way.

So far, 7 members of the Cincinnati Bearcats were already called. Gardner in the first, Ridder, second, Myjai and Coby got hit up in the 3rd round, Beevers and Pierce in the 4th round, with Cook rounding out the crew in the 5th round. Here it is, halfway through the 7th round, Amari started looking less hopeful about being drafted...

"Man, this is some B.S.", Kasey said to him-self. Disappointed at a third night that could possibly end with Amari's name uncalled, the boys at the table, along with Amari's father, Ahmad, sat with a taste of bitterness.

"Now, now, it's not over just yet. Don't lose hope", Ahmad tried to reassure with optimism.

"Yeah, well, at least you're optimistic about things, Pop."

"You always have to be, even when things doesn't go your way initially. Sometimes, greater things come later."

"Hey, your dad is right, we got to look on the plus side of things. If anything, we can always keep working and you get picked up as a free agent. At least you have a choice of where to go instead of getting picked by a bad team, or even worse, sitting 2nd or 3rd string", Kasey interjected.

"Yeah, you're right. We got to see this thing through. I don't know who else could possibly be around that can go before me, but we'll just have to see", Amari says with resolve.

"So, humor me. If you had to draft your-self, where would you go?"

"Hmm... Never thought about it from a situational point. If I had to though, I'd say Green Bay."

"Green Bay is prime choice."

"Definitely. Rogers still that guy out there, but unless he's pulling a Brady, it would be a nice setup to pick up where he leaves off. All that history out there. Farve, Driver, White..."

"Nah, nah, my son ain't playing in no Green Bay, anywhere but Wisconsin." Ahmad interjected.

"What? You got something against the Packers?" Kasey asked with Amari curious as well.

"No, not necessarily. But I'm not going to be out in no 20 below weather with a cheese foam on my damn head. Besides, it's bad for my arthritis."


Eleven selections in the 7th round goes by. Halfbacks, linemen, second and third-level defenders would get their names off the board. And then it finally happened...

"With the 220th pick in the 7th round, the Detroit Lions select... Amari Garnett, out of Cincinnati!"

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! That's what I'm talking about man!" Kasey was uber-excited about his agent and childhood friend finally getting the call up. He hugged his dad, which seemed like eternity, "Congratulations, son. I'm proud of you. You mom would be proud of you"

"Thank you Pops. I know she is."

"Aye man, listen, Detroit isn't Green Bay, but what's more important is that you're off the board. You did it baby!"

"Nah man, we did it. I got both of y'all as my biggest supporters backing me. Wouldn't be doing this without y'all. Finally, my time has come and I was nervous for nothing..."

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory

[infamyice]

Re: The Gridiron Crusader | Fight For Glory