Praying for a Hail Mary

Praying for a Hail Mary 3

Written by J.P.G.

{Praying for a Hail Mary is fictional. As I am writing this story, I am above the age of 21. If you want a story with lots of sex, look elsewhere. This is not only a love story, but a sports story. Seeing, as it is a love story, sex is in there, but it is in realistic balance in the characters' lives.

Any similarity to any real events, names, or life events is purely accidental. If you are underage, (according to your state laws, a minor), if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are reading it, stop reading the story.

This story cannot be distributed in any way, shape or form without the author's expressed written consent.}

Story Written by: J.P.G.

Edited By: Trevor

I have a home page for you to see what the characters look like or what the places look like. If you want to walk in their shoes, please go to: http://jacobmillertex.com/

Chapter 3

Back in El Paso Thelma was lugging down the last of the bags she was going to be taking with her to Dallas when she heard a knock on the door. Looking at the watch on her wrist she started to mumble to herself it was too early. She thought it was the taxi that she called to take her to the airport, but when she opened the door, she saw it wasn't, it was her parents instead.

Hesitantly she invited them in knowing why they were there. It wasn't to wish her a safe trip or good luck. It was to continue the conversation they were having the night before over the phone but this time in person. A conversation that she had hung up on because she got tired of getting the third degree from them about moving to Dallas to be with Jason.

"Mom, dad if you are here to pick up from where we left off last night, you've wasted your trip." Thelma spoke as she moved her luggage out of the way so her parents could get through to the living room. "I made a promise to Jason and I plan to keep it. I would think you would be proud of me for doing what you guys taught me to do. Keep promises that are made and be there for your friends and family when they need someone in there corner."

"Sweetheart we are proud of you on being there for your friend and keeping your promises that you have made, but in this situation we think you should rethink your actions." Thelma's dad reached his arms for his daughter to give him a hug. "We don't want to see you get hurt, that's all. By you going down there to be with Jason we know that's what's going to happen. He doesn't and never will love you the way you love him. It's just not in him to do so because..."

"Before you speak another word you better think about it dad!" Thelma interrupted her father before he was able to say more than he already has and can't take back. "You didn't bring up a stupid daughter. I know where I stand in Jason's life. And yes you and mom are right, he will never love me the way I love him, but I'll be there for him whenever he needs me and right now is a time that he needs me to be there in his corner to make his life a little easier."

"Honey your father and I are just trying to keep you from making a mistake that you might never be able to come back from. I mean come on you are uprooting your life and moving down to be with a guy that will never marry you. And when the day comes that he does find the person he is going to marry, what's going to happen to you?" Thelma's mother looked at her daughter with a concerned look on her face. "Let me tell you what is going to happen to you. You are going to be out in the street with nowhere to go and you're life in shambles."

"Jason will never do that to me." Not meaning to, Thelma raised her voice at her mother. "He isn't one of those people that just throws away those that he loves when he gets another person in his life that he loves as much if not more. If that day comes, I'm sure we will work something out so that I won't be left in the cold. Or like you said in the street in shambles!"

Thelma's parents are trying everything under the sky to try and get their daughter to see what is right in front of her; at least what they think is right in front of her. They have no doubt that Jason is going to use their daughter and once he gets what he needs from her he is going to throw her out with yesterday's trash. However, no matter how they say it, they are not getting through to their daughter. On top of not getting through, they know if they keep going they are going to lose her.

"It seems that nothing we say is going to get you to see what we know is going to happen. So for now we are going to drop it. Not because you showed us we were wrong." Thelma could see as her father was talking he was masking the fact he was hurt. "You didn't! We are not wrong and I feel the only way you will see that is by our nightmares coming true. And when that day happens sweetheart, I want you to be able to call home to us for help."

"Please mom, dad..." Thelma looked back and forth between her parents. "I understand what you guys are trying to get through to me. Trust me I understand! But I truly believe the Jason you have in your minds isn't the Jason I know. He will never do the things you guys fear and like you two the only way I think you will believe that is by seeing."

Before anyone else could say another word, there was a knock on the door. Thelma didn't need to look at her watch to know who was at the door. She got up and walked over to let the taxi driver know that she will be right out before returning to her parents to say her goodbyes.

"Sweety why don't you let your mother and I drive you to the airport!" Thelma's mother started nodding her head with a big smile on her face. "Save the money that you would have spent on the taxi to get yourself something to eat or spend down there in Dallas when you get there. What do you say, let your mother and I drive you and see you off."

Not waiting for a response from his daughter, Thelma's dad walked out and over to the waiting taxi. He thanked the taxi driver for coming down after he informed him that they wouldn't need his services. Not wanting the taxi driver to feel he wasted his time or trip, he gave him a twenty before heading back into the house to rejoin his wife and daughter.

Meanwhile back in Dallas at the Cowboys training facility, Jason was in the locker room changing along with the other seven men that were trying out for the position he wanted. None of them gave him the time of day. He had no idea if is just plain old rudeness or they were as nervous as he was and didn't want to talk. Whatever the reason was, Jason really felt out of place with the talented men that were in the room with him.

Just as he finished lacing up his final shoe, the doors to the locker room flew open. Coach Campbell and his staff walked in, causing everyone in the room to stand up. "Good morning gentleman! I would like to be the first to thank you all for coming down here in such a short notice and welcome you." Campbell spoke in his commanding voice as he looked each player over.

"These next three days are not going to be easy, but I know there is no need for me to be telling you guys what you know." Coach Campbell winked at Jason before turning his attention back to the others. "There are eight of you standing here today, but by the end of the third day only three of you will be offered a position here. The rest of you will be back out there looking for a new team to play with. And let me tell you those five that won't be offered a position here are the lucky ones because the three that are offered a place your lives will be hell."

The locker room was dead quiet. So quiet you were able to hear the leaking faucet that someone left on. "Before I go over what is going to happen in the next three days, let me make one thing clear to all of you. If you are here in hope of getingt headlines, forget it. And if you are one of the three that is picked and think you are going to get your name in the press, think again. This team is filled with enough prima donnas and we don't need anymore. Is that clear?"

Coach Campbell yelled, getting everyone to respond yes. Once he got the answer he was looking for, he went over what was going to unfold in the next three days and how they were going to bring themselves down to the three they wanted. By the looks on the other faces as the coach spoke, it seemed it was the first time they were hearing about how he was going to go about filling the open quarterback positions. Some of them had no problem with what they are about to be put through, but one, maybe two of them did.

"Now that we got through that mumbo jumbo, let's get out there and warm up." Coach Campbell said as he started walking out of the locker room, followed by the other coaches. For a few seconds everyone else just stood there really not looking at anything in particular or saying a word to each other. It wasn't until Peyton and Brett started to move towards the door that everyone else snapped out of it and followed them out to the field.

Coach Lewis led them in their warm ups and stretches before they were told to run. As they began their run, one the quarterbacks, Chris Harris from Penn State jogged over to Coach Campbell. He was nervous, but was determined to do what he decided to do.

"Um Coach, can I speak with you!" Coach Campbell turned and shot daggers at the young quarterback when he made eye contact with him. "I don't know what the process is to do something like this, so please forgive me if I'm doing this wrong. Um, well, um..." Coach Campbell interrupted Harris. "I don't have all day here, so just spit whatever you have to say out."

That didn't help Harris to get his tongue untied any faster. "Um, I'm sorry sir, but, um." The ums were driving Coach Campbell up the wall and you can see it in his face. "Um, um, um knock that shit out damn it. Just say whatever you came here to say so I don't waste any more time that I will never get back standing here listening to your inability to form a complete sentence."

Harris couldn't stop the tears from falling from his eyes and roll down his face. "Damn it! I don't need a pussy like you on my team. A quarterback is the leader and if you can't take this simple back and forth, there is no way you will make it on this team." Coach Campbell looked at his other coaches before turning his attention back to the now visible shaking Harris. "Why don't I do you a favor and let you go now. Head back to the locker room and get out of that uniform."

Not saying another word, Harris turned and started walking towards the tunnel leading into the locker rooms. Just as he reached the doors, Coach Jackson caught up to him. "Harris wait a minute will you please." Harris turned, but couldn't make eye contact. He was way too embarrassed. "I don't know what happened out there, but I was the one that pushed for you to be invited to the tryouts to fill our open positions. Can you please give me something I can go back and tell Coach Campbell why you froze the way you did. I know if it is a good reason Coach Campbell will give you another chance to earn one of the open positions? Just give me something!"

It took a few seconds before Harris responded, and when he did, his voice was so low that Coach Jackson had to ask him to repeat what he had said. "I'm sorry coach! It's just I'm not used to being yelled at the way Coach Campbell yelled at me just then, but that really doesn't matter." Jackson had a look of confusion on his face. "I mean it does matter in a sense that you guys are looking for a new quarterback and invited us down here. If you want to get the ones that you want you will need to treat the person with a little bit more respect than Coach Campbell treated me."

The confused look on Jackson's face was replaced with the look that Campbell had when Harris first walked up to them. He was shooting daggers now with his eyes at the young quarterback. "But again that really doesn't matter to me since the reason I wanted to talk to Coach Campbell was to tell him I was quitting. Don't get me wrong I'm thankful that I got the invite to try out for the quarterback position of this great team, but I don't like not knowing what I was walking into. No team puts their future players through what you guys are going put those guys through to make the team. That's not right and not telling the player beforehand wasn't right either."

"Mr. Harris let me first say what you have just said here is a load of bullshit. Every team puts their players through these kind of tryouts, just not in a short period of time that we are doing it, but that is neither here nor there. We don't need to explain ourselves to you or any of the others out there on that field right now. As you said you are getting the honor to try out for this team.

And second Coach Campbell made the right call by calling you out and sending you home. You think what he did to you was wrong, you haven't seen nothing yet. That was him being a teddy bear! I've been around this game for a while now in different organizations and let me tell you the majority of every head coach and his assistants are like that. Those head coaches that are not like Campbell leave the yelling to his assistants, but no matter who does it, it happens. So if you want to play in the NFL some day you need to get off that fucking high horse you are on, pull the stick out of your ass and get used to this being how things are done. You fucking college kids have been given everything on a silver platter, not having to earn a thing. The world is a lot different than what you have be taught. It's time for you to open your eyes and see that."

Coach Jackson didn't give Harris a chance to respond, he turned and walked back to the field. When he returned, the remaining seven going out for the open quarterback positions had completed their run and were now going through drills. The same drills they have used in the past to weed out the weak and keep the strong and it has already worked. Before even getting into the drills, just the talking of them got the weakest to quit.

As the coaches looked at the remaining seven trying to outdo one another for the quarterback positions that were open, up in the stands were a few players that already were on the team. They were looking on wondering who it was going to be that was going to lead their team on the field for the rest of the season. Each of them had their own opinion and wasn't afraid to share it.

Miles Austin and Des Bryant, the cowboys starting wide receivers, DeMarco Murray, one of the Cowboy's running backs and Jason Witten, tight end on the team are on the offensive line that came to get a glance of the men going out for the quarterback positions. However, they were not the only ones that came out. A few players from the defensive line as well joined them. Sean Lee and De Marcus Ware, line backers as well Marcus Spears, defensive tackle, were giving up a few hours of one of their days off to see who came out to become part of their team.

"Look I think the best choice out there is either Manning or Favre." Ware broke the silence. "We need a veteran to lead our team, not a person that has never played the game at our level. Plus with a veteran like Manning or Favre in place we have more of a chance on getting back into playoffs and just maybe back to the big game, the Super Bowl."

One or two of those sitting there with Ware agreed with him, a couple didn't show what they were thinking, but the majority didn't agree with him. "Come on De Marcus you can't really mean that. Favre should have retired from Green Bay when they didn't renew his contract. Not try to keep playing a game that he simply got too old for" Bryant said a little too loud. "Manning, what needs to be said there than what we already know. The dude is lucky to be walking around after the neck surgery. If I was in his shoes I would retire, not risk my life. These two were great players in their time, but their time has passed them. Now it's our time and we need a young quarterback."

"You have to be kidding!" Spears jumped to his feet, mad dogging Bryant. "We are tired of having to clean up the mistakes our offensive line makes!" That didn't sit well with Witten and he wasn't about to sit back and allow the hard work he does get torn down by anyone. "What do you mean mistakes that you guys have to keep cleaning up? I won't sit here and say that we don't make mistakes out there, but hell we are a team out there. When we do make those mistakes, it's in your hands to fix it. Like we have had to do so many times for you guys."

Lee and Spears were both on their feet and were about to say something when Ware stopped them from doing so. "Look guys if we go any further on this, things are going to be said that can't be taken back. Let's just agree that both sides have made mistakes and leave it at that. All of us wants to win and will do anything to make that happen."

"Yes I have to agree with De Marcus on that." Austin spoke in a calm voice, not looking away from the field. "I know I haven't been part of this team that long, but I want to win a Super Bowl as much as you guys do. The only way that is going to happen is by getting the right person in the quarterback position and I don't believe it is Favre or Manning. Not because of their ages or their injuries, but because they have their own way of playing the game that might not jive with ours.

The only one down there that I really believe is our best chance to get to the Super Bowl this year and for many years to come is the man that led us last Sunday when things were falling apart. That's the person we need in our corner." Ware, Spears and Lee looked at Austin as if he was out of his mind for saying what he just said. "The three of you that are looking at me like I have lost my mind weren't in the huddle with that guy last Sunday. You guys didn't see his eyes like we did. Yes, he hasn't played in the NFL before, but neither did we until we were given a chance. By what I saw last Sunday being in the huddle with him, he only knows one thing and that is win. That's the kind of guy I want as my quarterback."

"I have to agree with Miles here." Murray spoke even lower than Austin. "For the first time last Sunday I had holes to run through and not for just a couple of yards. Because he was willing to go out there and help block, I was able to get into double digits in almost all my runs. That hasn't happened in a long time and you guys know that." Murray looked at the defensive players that were for Favre and Manning. "And you guys have to agree that last Sunday you rested more. You guys were less on the field than you have been in a very long time and less messes to clean up."

The three defensive players that defended the idea of getting a veteran on the team in the quarterback position couldn't disagree with Murray or Austin. They were right. Last Sunday they spent more time watching their offensive line out there on the field than they have in the previous two games put together. That allowed them to rest and stay fresh, which means they are able to play more downs. Something they all wanted to be able to do. Play most of the game.

"Okay, okay the kid was good in the last game, but who's to say he can keep it up? I mean come on he probably did what he did in the last game in hopes that he would be handed the position if it became open. Then once in, he would stop playing so hard because he doesn't want to get hurt."

Austin, Bryant, Witten and Murray were stunned on what their fellow team mate had just said. Even Lee and Ware were thrown off balance on what Spears just said. They all knew there were players out there like that. They even know they have some of them on their team, which they have tried to give them a swift kick in the butt in hopes to get them to play like they used to. However, they have never made an assumption a player is like that if the player hasn't shown it.

"Just look at him out there." Lee broke the uncomfortable silence. Getting everyone to turn their attention away from Spears to Jason on the field. "The kid doesn't look like he is one of those type of players to me. He is working his ass off down there to make this team and he really doesn't have to since he already has position on the team no matter what."

"Yes exactly he is kicking ass down there!" Witten chuckled as he watched the seven quarterbacks going through the drills he himself hated at times. "By the looks of it he is the only one down there that isn't out of breath. On top of that. The whole time we have been sitting here talking I have been watching them down there and he has been the fastest out of all of them." Witten took a breath giving the guys a chance to see what he was seeing. "I for one hate losing our quarterback and all of you know that, but it's happened. Because that decision was made for us, we have to replace him and I want a quarterback that is fearless, willing to play the game."

"That is Jason!" Bryant interrupted Witten. "Favre and Manning are great quarterbacks and can probably get us to the Super Bowl this year, but that's all. They have one or two more good years in them and then what. This team will be right back where it is right now looking for a new quarterback. And when that day comes Jason might be on another team. If he is the player I think he is. The one that was on the field last Sunday. Let me tell you I don't want to be the other team trying to stop that guy when he does get a couple of years playing in the NFL under his belt."

The three defensive players that were there couldn't agree more. They just like those in the stadium and those at home last Sunday, watched Jason as he tore through the Washington defense. To make things even more stunning he did without knowing any of their plays, never played a down in the NFL before that game, didn't know the players he was playing with and he was nervous. However, that all didn't matter because he got the job done. What is he capable of doing with experience?

Nothing else was said between the Dallas players. They turned their attention to the field and sat there in silence watching the seven players try and show they should be the one picked. Each of them had their good moments and each of them their bad ones. The only one out of the seven that had less bad moments was the least experienced of the bunch, Jason.

Meanwhile back in El Paso, the Engelmann family was meeting for lunch at a local restaurant. The two youngest, Pauline who is fifteen and Carl who just turned seventeen had to get their parents to call in to their high school to get the afternoon off. The older ones, Gerard, who was nineteen, Bernice, twenty, Seth, twenty one were in college, but didn't have any afternoon classes to worry about. The eldest of the Engelmann kids was Adam, twenty three, was already out of college and the only one of the Engelmann clan that was married and working. He took the afternoon off since he knew family meals normally are long affairs.

The first to arrive at the restaurant was George and Christine, Jason's parents with the two younger kids. After they arrived, it was a parade of Engelmann's walking in, but within ten minutes after the George and Christine sat down, all of their kids had joined them. It was small talk at first, but it didn't take long after giving their order to the waiter for George to get right down to why he asked for his entire family to come together on a Monday afternoon.

"Okay, we all knew this day was going to come." George talked over everyone at the table and repeated himself until he had everyone's attention. "Now that you all are listening to me, let me say again we all knew this day was going to come concerning your brother. We knew after he graduated college he was going to get picked up by a team in the NFL. I thought we got a reprieve when it didn't happen during the draft. And then when it happened, it was not for a position that is in the spotlight. Well after last Sunday that has all changed."

"We know dad, but I don't think we should be worried for him." Adam interrupted his father, something he was taught to not do, but couldn't help himself. "In fact, I think this meal should be a celebration. He was given a chance to show the world what they didn't know about him since he didn't go to an Ivy League College like Stanford. He went to little old UTEP. An unknown football program until these last couple of years, but even then he didn't get the headlines like he deserved since he was playing in a program that wasn't known outside of El Paso."

"Yes you're right son on everything you said, but I was happy about him not getting the headlines that he would have gotten if he went to an Ivy League College as you put it. Even when he was nominated for the Heisman Trophy, the press didn't look at him once, more so twice and I was happy for that." George felt bad feeling happy that his son didn't get his name in the newspapers outside of El Paso or didn't win the Heisman. However, by those things not happening his son was safe, which all that has changed now. "Now he is with one of the most famous teams in the NFL, The American Team, but that isn't what is worrying me. What is worrying me is the position he is trying out for and might actually get. We all know if that happens, he will be in the spotlight."

The entire Engelmann children understood where their father was coming from, but at the same time they thought he was worrying a little too much. They believe in their older brother Jason and want his dream to become reality. His personal life shouldn't come into play. Not unless of course he is doing something that is considering cheating, which he isn't.

"Dad I'm sure Jason has looked at everything and then some on what could be thrown at him before even thinking of going after the quarterback position." Brigitte spoke in her soothing voice that always calms whoever she is talking to down. "He is so much like you dad at times I worry that he might worry himself to an early grave just like you. Both of you need to sit back and just relax. Let things unfold and be ready just in case things go in the wrong direction."

"Yeah dad please don't ruin this for Jason." Carl jumped in. "I want to see him get that position and play every Sunday like he did last Sunday. It was the coolest thing I have seen and my friends at school thought so too. So please let him play for Dallas Cowboys."

"Carl I'm not trying to keep Jason from playing for any team. I'm just worried about what could happen if things that he or us don't want out gets out. It will not only ruin him, but in parts of this country his life would be at risk. I don't want to get that call one day asking me and your mother to go down and identify our second oldest because some back woods idiot decided to pull your trusting brother into an alley and take a baseball bat to him."

The image of that happening was in everyone's head at the table, causing complete silence. No one said a word for a couple minutes because they couldn't get the image of their brother being beaten to death in a dark alley with a bat. They all know it's possible, but they want to believe and hope that not only their brother is smart enough not to go into a dark alley with someone that he doesn't know, but also at this day and age that hatred is rare.

Finally it was Christina's soothing voice that broke the silence. "I think this conversation went somewhere that your father and I didn't want it to go. So let me try and bring the conversation back to where we wanted it to be." Christina looked over at her husband before making eye contact with each of her kids. "We love all of you so much and would do anything in our power so none of you would get hurt, but we know that's impossible. Since it's impossible, we try to do the second best thing and that's to try and open your eyes to what could happen with the decisions you make. The decision Jason has made can hurt him in so many different ways."

"We all know that and we are pretty sure that Jason has weighed the good and the bad of his decision before going for it." Seth shook as he spoke. "And who really are we to stand in his way on him going for his dream. I mean he is a grown up now, living on his own. It's time that he is allowed to make his own decisions and if they are wrong we will be here for him if needed."

George, Christine and really everyone else at the table were stunned hearing Seth talk all grown up like he just did. The youngest of the boys had some sound advice for his parents. Advice that is obvious that his parents didn't want to hear or liked hearing by the look on their faces. Whatever the reason was that had their parents looking the way they do, it doesn't matter. It has been said and can't be taken back now even if Seth wanted to.

"It's seems that your mother and I are not getting across to you guys how much danger your brother is in right now." George reached under the table and grabbed Christine's hand. "Like you we want all of our kids dreams to come true, but not at the cost of their wellbeing and or safety. This world isn't ready yet for Jason and those like him in any position of organized sports, more so the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys. If it gets out, he will always have to be looking over his shoulder everywhere he goes and always be on guard with everyone he comes in contact with."

Seeing that they were not going to see eye to eye with their parents, the older Engelmann kids decided to keep their opinions to themselves. It didn't take long for the younger Engelmann's to see what was going on and they too kept their mouths shut. Whenever the conversation started to go to Jason, one of the Engelmann children quickly changed the subject. Not another word was spoken about Jason or what he was trying to accomplish in Dallas as they sat there eating.

Until they got up and headed out to the parking lot that is. George wasn't done talking about his second eldest son. He never got the chance to talk to his family about the main reason he asked for all of them to meet him and their mother for lunch. There was no way he was going to let them leave without talking to them about the reason he really called them together.

So as they were saying their goodbyes and hugging each other, George stopped them and asked them to follow him to the side of building that was secluded from those walking out of the restaurant or anyone in the parking lot. He didn't want anyone to overhear what he was about to tell his children. It wasn't bad, but he didn't want outsiders in his family's private business.

"Okay! I know you guys want to get going, so I'm only going to a take another minute of your time and say this once." George looked around at each of his kids. "From this point on, the press is going to be around a lot more. More so if Jason gets the quarterback position. They are going to want to out scoop each other on getting personal information about your brother. In order to do that, they are going to go to the only place they can go to, his family and friends. You guys need to restrain yourselves from talking to the press about your brother. No matter how small you think the bit of information you give them might be, it can be blown into a huge story and hurt him. So again please stay away from the press. If they hound you, just keep saying no comment whenever they ask you about your brother or the family. Also tell all his friends and yours the same thing. Hopefully they will respect Jason as Jason respects them."

None of them had a problem with their father's request. In fact they were going to do that anyway. They didn't need to be told not to do it because they knew exactly the same thing their father did. If they talked to the press on anything concerning Jason or the family, it will hurt him. So they had no intention of doing so. At the same time they didn't want the conversation to go on any longer than it already has, so they all agreed with their father before saying goodbye for the second time and heading to their cars.

Back in Dallas, Coach Campbell blew his whistle ending the first day of tryouts. He ordered the seven men to jog a couple of laps in order to cool off before hitting the showers. Without objection, they nodded their heads as they turned and started to run.

"I don't really know what to say!" Coach Jackson spoke up first as they watched the seven men run. "All of them were great out there. I mean not one of them made any major mistake that I could see that warrants them to be cut. So I don't know who will be the second person to be cut here today to tell you the truth. It's going to be very hard to choose. I think we should take all seven over to tomorrow and see who comes out on top at the end of the day."

"Coach Jackson we can't do that. If we do, they are going to give false hope to the weaker ones and the stronger ones will feel cheated." Coach Campbell looked away from the guys and faced his coaching staff. "This is the hardest part of our job, but that is what we are paid for. We have to make the hard decision for the better of the team. So put aside your feelings and let's decide who we have to give their return ticket home."

The coaches started going over their notes that they took throughout the day. As they looked them over, they chatted among each other in a whisper. By the time the seven remaining guys were done with their jog and making their way into the locker room, the coaches were no further than they were when they started going over their notes and talking about the strengths and weakness of each of the players they observed throughout the day.

"Let's take this into the conference room and finish it there." Coach Campbell suggested as he started his way off the field. The other coaches didn't need to be told twice. They closed up their leather binders and followed Campbell back to the building. When they got to the conference room, they grabbed a drink before taking their seats and picking up where they left off.

Coach Campbell was the last to walk in. After closing the door, he turned and looked around the room at his staff talking among themselves on who they should keep and who they should let go. He could see by their body language and facial expressions they were not agreeing with each other on the topic at all. It left no doubt in Campbell's mind that this is going to be a long afternoon, maybe even a long evening if he couldn't bring his staff to agree on who it should be.

"Okay gentlemen I want to see my wife and kids at a good hour today, so let's get right to the matter at hand." The room went quiet the minute Coach Campbell started to talk. "We lucked out by one of the eight being a total fairy giving me an easy way to cut one right off the bat, but that still leaves us seven. One more of them needs to be cut. I would like to go around the table to give each of you a chance to put your two cents in and then we talk as a whole."

Since there was no objection to Coach Campbell wanting to go around the table to let everyone say their peace, they got right to it. Some of the coaches didn't have much of an opinion on who should stay and who should go, but a couple of them did. Those that did took up the majority of time. By the time each of them got done saying their peace, Coach Campbell wanted to pull out his hair. None of those coaches could agree on who should be the next to be cut or would budge on the one that they felt should go next. Making what should have been a short process into a long one, which didn't make Coach Campbell happy at all.

"Look if we can't come to an agreement here I will make the decision on who should be cut. Trust me if I'm left on doing it because you guys can't calm down and agree on one, I will cut the one that none of you want cut." The coaches around the table could hear anger in Coach Campbell's voice as he spoke. "I sat here and heard you all out on who you think should be cut, which I think most of your reasons is nothing but hot air, but I listened. It's time to make a decision."

The other coaches didn't know what to say, so they just sat there looking at each other in dead silence. They knew their head coach was a man of his word. So whenever he says something you better believe he means it. And in this instance he will more than likely cut the one player that they all agree should stay and leave the ones that they feel should go.

"I think we should keep the veterans Manning and Favre because they are our best chances on getting back to the Super Bowl." Coach Kroell, the defensive coordinator broke the silence. "And I think the one that should be cut is Jason." All the coaches looked at him as if he had lost his mind for giving that suggestion. "I mean since we can't come to an agreement on who should be cut, he is the best candidate. It's not like he is going anywhere this season since he is already signed to us on the special team. Keep him there and relook at him in the off season. If he takes not being chosen in his stride, we can look at him to maybe be the third string quarterback."

That didn't sit well with neither Jackson nor Lewis and you could see it in their faces. It also didn't go down well with Campbell, but he didn't show it. "Are you fucking crazy?" Lewis jumped to his feet. "Or just plain old dumb because those are the only two logical answers to why you would even suggest what you just suggested for us to do with Jason."

"Wait just a minute Lewis, wait one damn minute. I don't deserve to be talked down to the way you just did and I deserve an apology!" Kroell jumped to his feet and met Lewis in the middle of the conference room. Campbell jumped to his feet and walked between the two coaches. He knew if he didn't, these two were going to land up in a fight that no one would be able to stop.

"The entire world saw what Jason did last Sunday. Don't you think coaches and owners around the league are watering at their mouths on the possibility of getting a chance to sign Jason? If we don't tie him down in a contract in a position he wants and can play in, in the off season he'll be looking elsewhere. Trust me he won't be short of offers on getting a quarterback position."

Kroell laughed as he turned to walk back to his seat. "You know that's a load of bullshit. It's a fix we can do here in house during the season." Everyone in the room knew where he was going, but didn't want to do it. "We bench him. Don't give him one second on the field and he'll be forgotten. Then in the off season we will be the only ones offering him a contract and because he wants to play football, he will sign it, reluctantly, but he will."

"That is not the way I do things!" Coach Campbell jumped in before Lewis or any of the other coaches could speak. "If he is the right player for the position, he will play. I have never benched a player to give him no playing time to get a lower contract price for him in the off season and I won't start now. So if that is your answer, forget it. Come up with another!"

"Coach Campbell you may not want to admit what is right in front of us, so let me paint you a picture. Jason is an unknown. Yes he was astonishing out there last Sunday, but that was only one game with a pretty average team on the other side of the field. Most of what's left of our schedule are teams that are Super Bowl caliber teams. If we take our chances with this unknown and put him in as our starting quarterback position, you better get used to losing because you will rack up more losses than wins with him leading this team."

Coach Campbell could see where Kroell was coming from, but doesn't envision the same outcome as he does if he did choose to take a chance with Jason. "I'm not going to commit myself here and now that Jason is the one. However, I will not cut him because he is the easy cut and let the weakest of the seven get through. No sir, we have two more days of this and we will do it right. We will cut the weakest each day until we are down to the strongest three."

"Who knows if Jason is going to get through tomorrow?" Jackson spoke in a calm voice trying to bring down the hostility that was in the room. "He did great out there today, but those were just drills. Tomorrow he is going to face down the second and third string of our team. And even if he gets through tomorrow, the next day he will be going up against the first string of our team. I'm not saying they are the best out there, but they will give all those going out for this position a run for their money. Let's just see what the nest couple days brings us."

"I think if you don't put Jason in the starting quarterback position you will be making the worst mistake of your lives." Everyone looked at the door and saw Brett Favre standing there. "I'm sorry for intruding like this, but I came down to speak with you Coach Campbell." Brett looked around the room before making eye contact with Campbell. "I couldn't help but over hear what you all were saying in here since everyone in the building could hear the yelling."

Coach Campbell looked around the conference table at each of his coaches not to happy that their conversation had gotten so loud that if you were in this area of the building you could hear it without having to be in the room. At the same time he was doing this to buy time. He knew if he would talk with Favre at that moment he would say something that he would not be able to take back. However, he knew he couldn't keep Favre waiting. He needed to get this meeting over with his coaches so he could get home at a decent hour.

Turning around, Campbell started to walk over to Favre. "I'm sorry that you heard our discussion we were having. No one should have heard what was going on in here." Campbell put on a smile, but Favre read through. He knew the coach wasn't happy with him hearing what he heard. "No one likes to know how to get their meet, just as long as they get it."

Favre knew what Campbell was saying in his weird way. There are so many sayings out there about how things are done and people don't like to hear how it's done as long as it gets done. You have to crack a few eggs to make an omelet kind of saying. Here the fans want to have a Super Bowl team, but they don't want to hear how the organization got it done.

"Anyway, you said you came down here to speak with me." Campbell escorted Favre out into the hall, looking back at his coaches. The look he gave them they knew he wasn't happy with them at all. "Is everything okay?" Coach Campbell expression changed to concern look. "Is everything okay? I mean, you came up here to see me, I..." Favre interrupted him.

"I'm fine, I didn't mean to worry you! I just needed to talk with you about the hardest decision I have come to!" Favre leaned against the wall, starring out to nowhere particular. "I have been in this league for a couple of decades now and I never thought I would be trying out for another team, more so this one." Favre chuckled. "Nothing is wrong with this team. It's just I have always been on the other side of the ball against this team with Green Bay. I always thought I would be one of those players that would only play for one team and retire from that team, but that didn't happen.

After my contract ended with Green Bay instead of retiring I went over and played with the Vikings, which I regret." Favre stopped, rethinking what he just said. It didn't come out right. "What I'm trying to say isn't coming out the way that I want it to. I didn't mean regret because hell I got another couple of years of playing. It's just I should have retired and never tried to stay in the game. Just like Michael Jordan, I should have gone out on top of my game, on my terms." Favre could barely get the words out. He knew this day was coming, but he thought he had a couple more years in him left at least.

"This game is for the young, not for forty year olds like me. I looked at that young kid you have Jason and saw the hunger in his eyes that I once had. Don't get me wrong! I love the game and really want to still play it, but I just can't. My spirit and heart are in it, but my body just can't take it anymore." The words started to sting even more as he went on. "What I'm trying to get at is that I'm done. I'm going to stay retired and make the decision for you and your staff easier today."

Coach Campbell looked around the hallway, stunned on what he just heard. He had no idea how to respond to Favre and the decision he made. In his book, he, Manning and Jason were the front runners for the quarterback positions. Now with him stepping away, it leaves the door right open for the others to walk right through and snag one of the open slots he has on his team.

"I know that I just unloaded a ton of bricks on your shoulders, but I wouldn't do you, this organization or the other members of the team any good. My body doesn't want to do what my heart, soul and brain want to do. Without the body, I'm useless." Coach Campbell finally found his tongue and interrupted Favre. "How do you really know that Brett? I mean you haven't got there on the field with the actual team. Who knows what will happen." Brett understood where Campbell was coming from, but he knew it was over. "I know coach, I know. Each player that has played this game gets to a point in their career when they know it's over. I'm at that point. Really I have been there for a while it's just I wasn't willing to accept it."

"I won't stand here and try and tell you what I don't know. Only you know what your body can and can't do." Coach Campbell stepped in front of Brett and laid his hands on his shoulders. "But I would like it if you would go back to the hotel and think about this. Sleep on it and then come morning if you still feel this way let me know. You don't even have to come down. You can call me if it makes it easier for. Just do me this small favor and sleep on it."

Reluctantly Brett agreed to sleep on it, but made no promises that his decision would be reversed. Coach Campbell was satisfied with what he got and walked back into the conference room to inform his staff what had just happened. But before he did, he looked down by sides of the hall to make sure there was no one else in the area that would over hear what they were discussion.

Meanwhile back in the locker room Jason was just finishing up showering when he overheard a couple of the guys talking about what just transpired with Brett Favre. He couldn't believe what he was hearing and decided not to believe locker room gossip. If what they were saying were true everyone would find out at the latest tomorrow, if not today when they return to the hotel.

Minding his own business, Jason walked over to his locker that wasn't near the other six since he wasn't a guest. He already had one assigned to him since he was already on the team, which made it easier for him in several ways. First and the most important is that he wouldn't hear the locker room gossip. Second, he wouldn't get involved in any locker room gossip. And finally he wouldn't get close to those that he is trying to beat to become the quarterback for this team. He has a bad habit of getting too close to those on his team and when they get cut it hurts him more than it actually hurts the one being cut. Simply put, he hates seeing others lose out on their dreams.

Being that time was a factor, Jason didn't waste any time on getting dressed. He quickly put on his street clothes, combed his hair and grabbed his gym bag before closing and locking his locker. Just as he reached the doors leading into the parking lot he heard Coach Lewis yelling out his name. Knowing if he stopped and talked with Coach Lewis he was going to be late on picking up Thelma at the airport, but at the same time he was never rude to anyone.

Thinking quickly on his feet, Jason pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and started to text Thelma that he was going to be late picking her up as he turned around. Just as Coach Lewis got to him, he finished up the text and pressed send. With a big smile on his face, Jason greeted his coach as he put his cell phone back in his pocket with one hand and with the other he shook Coach Lewis hand worried that he came out to give him bad news.

"I thought I'd missed you!" Jason could tell Coach Lewis was running because he was out of breath as he spoke. "I got tied up yesterday in so many things I forgot about getting you a room at the hotel I was telling you about when we talked in your room." Lewis handed Jason a key card inside the hotel envelope. "Sorry, I didn't mean to forget about you. You are all set and I took the liberty on moving you out of your old room and into your new one. All you have to do is go on over to the hotel and not worry about anything except getting rest for tomorrow."

Coach Lewis smiled as he turned around and started to walk away. He didn't give Jason a chance to respond. It wasn't that he thought that Jason was going to object on what he did. No, that isn't the type of person the coach has gotten to know. The real reason was simple, he didn't let Jason respond because he didn't want to get into a huge conversation. He saw in Jason's eyes and body language that he was in a hurry on getting out there and didn't want Jason to feel obligated that he had to stand there and hold a conversation because he felt that he had.

On the other side of the room Jason stood there for a couple of seconds before turning around and heading out to his waiting taxi. All the way to the airport Jason couldn't stop wondering why his coach just walked away the way he did. He couldn't stop the negative thoughts from floating into his mind. Thoughts of him becoming the quarterback are slim to none.

When he got to the airport, he decided to let it be and stop thinking about something he will never get the answer to. Putting on a smile, Jason asked the taxi driver to wait for him as he got out. He waited to hear a response from the driver before heading into the huge Dallas airport that he got lost in when he first arrived. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that while looking for Thelma he was going to land up getting lost in the huge building again.

Not wanting to get lost a second time, Jason quickly made his way to the area that showed the flights that have arrived. He looked for Thelma's and saw that it had just landed. Feeling good that he didn't get there late, Jason started his way through the crowd towards the gate where she was going to be coming through. Surprised that he found the gate without a problem, Jason waited for his old dear friend, which he didn't have to wait long.

Thelma was the fifth person disembarking the plane once Jason got there. The minute she walked into the airport, she spotted Jason and quickly made her way over to him. Dropping her purse and briefcase onto the floor once she reached Jason, she wrapped her arms around her old friend, love of her life pulling him into her. Nothing was said at first between the two. They just held each other in their arms. After a minute or two, they let each other go.

"You look very good J, I mean, wow!" Thelma smiled, almost laughing that she did it again to Jason. She embarrassed him and she knew it because he was turning all shades of red. "This football really brings out the best in you." She reached over and squeezed Jason's arm. "You are fit and let me tell you I love it and who wouldn't." She let go as she looked around their general area. "Just look at all the young girls, they are staring at you. Liking what I like!"

Just as the words left her mouth, several of the girls walked up to them, giggling. "Aren't you the new quarterback for the Cowboys?" One of the girls finally got out between her giggles. Jason tried to explain to them that he wasn't, but they didn't care. "Can we take a picture with you so we can show it to our friends at school? They won't believe that we met you unless we have a picture of us with you." They stopped giggling and looked up at Jason with a look they knew they would get a positive answer from him. "Please!"

Jason looked over at Thelma who just shrugged her shoulders before looking back at the girls. At first he was going to say no, but he couldn't resist the look they were giving him. "Okay one quick picture then I have to go young ladies, cool!" The girls started yelling, jumping up and down in joy as they grabbed out their cell phones and handed them to Thelma. She walked as far as she needed to get them all in the picture before snapping a couple of pictures of the girls with Jason with each of their phones. Once she took the last picture with the last phone, the girls ran up to her, grabbed their phones and started looking at the pictures.

They were comparing their pictures they had in their phones against one another's as Jason and Thelma walked passed them. At first Jason thought he escaped, but the girls noticed him walking away. They stopped looking at their phones and ran up to him, hugged him as they thanked him for being so cool. Once the last one thanked him, they went back to where they were and pulled out their phones again, giggling as they once again started comparing their pictures.

Thelma couldn't help but giggle herself as she and Jason started to walk towards the baggage claim area. She knew exactly why they were giggling because still to this day she giggles at times for the same reason. The only difference now is that she has Jason at her side. Even though it is make believe, she has him on her arm.

It didn't take long for them to get Thelma's bags and make their way out to the taxi. After loading the bags in the trunk, they jumped in and headed off to the hotel. The entire way the taxi driver wouldn't stop saying how Jason and Thelma looked good together. Not wanting to be caught, Jason and Thelma thanked him and answered any questions he threw at them with half-truths. When they finally got to the hotel, Jason couldn't get out of the taxi fast enough.

Once Jason pulled out all of Thelma's bags from the trunk and paid the fare, he and Thelma headed into the hotel. Since this was the first time he has ever stepped foot into the hotel, he had no idea where to go. No wanting to lug around all of Thelma's suitcases or look like a fool, he went up to the front desk and asked where his room was at. After getting instructions, he grabbed Thelma's suitcases once again and led the way to the room.

The room was nowhere near like the room he had rented when he got into Dallas the Friday before. It was a lot nicer from furniture to the bathroom, this room blew the other one out of the water. Once again Jason couldn't help but think about how much the room was costing. If his assumptions were right, there was no way he was going to be able to afford staying here.

Not wanting to fill Thelma's first night with him with his worries, he pushed the thought to the back, but made a mental note on getting with Coach Lewis about his worries of the cost. With a smile on his face, he struck up a conversation with Thelma. With those two it was only a few minutes of small talk and then down to the meat of what has been going on in their lives.

They spent the next two hours talking about what they had gone through since the last time they talked on the phone. Neither of them left anything out. Thelma told Jason in detail about her conversations with her parents and what they thought about what they were doing. Jason told Thelma about his worries on how his day had gone. By the time they realized that they had been talking for hours, they had helped settle one another's nerves.

Neither of them wanted to go out, but they also didn't want to order room service. The cost for a plate from room service would feed them for several days on how frugal they learned to become from not only their parents, but being in college. So after going back and forth for a few minutes, they decided to go out to the McDonalds they saw on the corner when they drove up to the hotel.

The rest of the evening was much like the same before they went out to eat when they got back. It was catching up, which the two loved doing. Since Jason had to get up earlier the next morning, he called it a night at nine. Thelma on the other hand was too wound up from her trip, she didn't turn in until a little after midnight. Even though she stayed awake while Jason was sleeping, she never disturbed him. He slept from the moment he laid his head on the pillow till the alarm.

When he got up, he tried to not to wake up Thelma, but the alarm did it for him. Thelma tried to ignore it when it went off and go back to sleep, but she couldn't. Unable to go back to sleep right away, she got up and saw Jason off. They talked a little as he got ready, but neither of them were awake enough to carry on an intense conversation of any kind.

As soon as Jason walked off the elevator, he ran into several of the other guys. It wasn't until he walked out to get a taxi that he ran into Manning and Favre. They were standing there with a cup of coffee in each of their hands talking as if they were old friends. Jason couldn't help but laugh thinking that because he knew they probably were old friends since they have been in the league as long as they have been. There wasn't a doubt in his mind on that by the way they were talking.

Jason was snapped out of his thoughts by a horn blaring. He didn't realize that he had stepped off the sidewalk and onto the driveway. Quickly he jumped back onto the sidewalk, waving the car that was blowing his horn at him by. As he stood there trying not to look any more foolish than he already looked, he knew could feel everyone looking at him, something he hates when he knows they are looking at him for something dumb that he had done.

It took everything in him not to look behind him and tell those that were looking at him to mind their own business. It wasn't until he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder that he looked back, and boy was he glad who he saw. It was Brett and Manning standing there with big smiles on their faces, but they didn't mock him or belittle him for what he just did. Instead they asked if he was okay and then moved on to the subject on each of their minds, the tryouts.

"I'm pretty sure you have heard this already a lot about how you played last Sunday, but I'm going to say it still!" Manning placed his hand on Jason's shoulder. "You were awesome in last Sunday's game. I'm really glad that I'm at the end of my career because man I don't want to face you on the other side of the ball. You can only get better in time and I fear when that happens."

"Enough with the sweet talk, let's grab a taxi and head on over to the Cowboy stadium." Favre broke the silence. "We don't want to be late for our second day now do we?" Favre really didn't ask rather than make a statement, which surprised Jason. The guy talking at this moment isn't the same guy that he talked to yesterday. Something happened over night that has changed him, or is this the true Favre and the one that Jason met the day before wasn't.

I didn't take long at all to get a taxi. The minute Favre lifted his hand into the air, a taxi pulled up and he and Manning got in. Jason wasn't sure if he was invited to go with them in the same taxi, so he stood there on the curve and until Manning told asked him if he was getting in or not. Without hesitating, Jason jumped into the car sitting next to Manning.

"Come on kid you need to stop acting so innocent." Favre leaned forward to make eye contact with Jason. "This is the NFL after all! Everyone in this league are out for only one thing, themselves. If you don't get with the game and start putting yourself first, you are going to be run over." Favre chuckled as he sat back. "I mean look at us sitting here. The three of us are going for the same position and even if it seems that we are friends here that ends once we get on the field. We're not thinking about the friendship. No, we are thinking about doing whatever it takes to get the position we are going out for. That includes running over your best friend in order to do it!"

Not only was Jason stunned on what he was hearing, but Manning was as well. Manning knew his old friend was competitive, but he never thought he would go as far as he was talking about at that moment. However, half of it he did agree with. Like leaving friendship at the door, but not running over that friend in order to get a leg up. He also agreed that they will do almost anything they need to in order to get the position, but to a certain point. By the way his old friend was talking it sounded like he was willing to cross that point and then some.

The two were not really listening to Favre any more as he went on trying to half scold and half give advice to Jason. They were in their own minds trying to figure out what has come over him. The only thing that was certain, at least to Manning, something was wrong. Jason didn't think that since he didn't know the legend from Green Bay. Instead he was thinking this was the true man. A man that he didn't think he had to watch out for, but now he sees not only does he have to watch out for him, but has made it to the top of his list as the most dangerous of them all.

TO BE CONTINUED...

WRITER'S CORNER:

{Welcome one and all to a new chapter in the sage of `Praying for a Hail Mary'. Before I go into the summation of this chapter, let me get rid of all the legal mumble jumble I have to do by using real names of people in my story. This story is purely fictional and does not imply anything about the sexuality of the featured people. I also like to note that The Dallas Cowboys and any other team I write about in this story is a copyright and trademark of NFL and its affiliates.

What a chapter. I love this one because we got to know a lot more of the people in Jason's life. From his family to those on the Dallas team, we got to what Jason has in store. Even though this chapter only covered a day, it covered a lot. I hope I didn't bore you guys on any part of the story. I tried to be even on each plot, but as this story goes on it will have at least twenty five percent in each chapter football. Oh yeah I know I'm not calling certain things right as far as what happens in a game. Like I wrote foul instead of penalty or not called the penalty right. If you notice I have done that, please drop me an email or comment on the site letting me know. I will go back into the chapter and correct the mistake after researching it.

Anyway let's get to what this corner is all about, the summation. It looks like Thelma's parents aren't too happy with her decision on coming to the aid of Jason. I don't know what is there, but we are going to probably find out in the future chapters. However for now it looks like a friend is going to help out a friend who needs help. It's a dangerous situation they are getting into because I do believe as well like Thelma's parents someone is going to land up getting hurt.

From there we went back to Dallas and saw a few things going on. The first day of tryouts was on its way, which didn't get off smoothly. Right away Coach Campbell released a player. Do you guys think he was wrong, or right after reading the conversation between the player and Coach Jackson? This sport, like most of them, you can't be weak. If you are, you are going to be eaten up and spit out before your first year is over.

We got to hear what some of the players thought of Jason as they sat watching the remaining seven trying out. It looks like the offensive players that were there liked Jason and would like him to be their quarterback. However, the defensive players didn't think the same thing. They want experience like Favre and Manning. I guess you had to be in the huddle with Jason to know he is the right choice for the position that is open.

What is going on with Engelmann family? They met to talk about Jason, but it went totally in the wrong direction. At the end though, George, Jason's father said what he wanted to say. I agree with him about the press and how they hound those in the spotlight. They are not going to be able to stop that from happening, but hopefully they will not give them anything to cut their teeth on.

I wonder what is going on with Favre. I mean one moment he is supporting Jason and telling Coach Campbell that he is the right choice. Then the next moment he is ragging on Jason on their way to Dallas Stadium. Which is the true Favre? He told Coach Campbell he wanted to retire, but by the sounds of his conversation the next morning he rethought his decision. If he did, is he going to be picked? How true is he to his statements about competing for a position?

Thelma is now in Dallas with Jason. That is going to be interesting how it unfolds. The next two days are going to be filled with a lot of drama as the competition for the open positions get harder. I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait to see who gets the position. Do you guys think it is going to be Jason, or one of the veterans? So much is going to happen in the next chapter, you don't want to miss it. This story has just begun. So sit back and hold onto your hats.

I know it was short and sweet, but don't get used to it. I have big plans for this story, so come on back and keep reading this saga. You won't regret it, I promise. And if I forgot anything in my summation that needed to be mentioned I know my Editor Trevor will pick up on it and write it out in his editor's corner below. Thanks again for giving this new story a chance.

There is going to be a lot developing in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}

EDITOR'S CORNER:

Another interesting chapter from my favorite author. Jason is still nervous and uncertain what is happening but it is good to see that he has the backing of his family and they are well aware not to speak to anyone from the media.

Thelma as now joined him and is excited at being on the arm of a celebrity but will this novelty wear off? Are here parents on the right track warning her that she will get hurt in the long run?

I for one can't wait to see who gets selected. The obvious one is the hero of the story Jason, but the devious mind of Jacob could lead us somewhere entirely different.

Being an ex-Australian I am only just learning the ins and outs of this game so I back up what Jacob said at the beginning of his corner. If you find some of the wording and phraseology not quite right please let us know so we can correct it.

Don't forget to let Jacob know what you think of this story so far because it is something totally different from any of his other yarns.

Hugs Trevor