Naked as a JayBird #7

My grades really started to suffer after I quit football. I didn’t have a motivator (football) to keep me handing in my assignments and doing well. I ended up failing my math class due to unexcused absences and not turning in my homework. This would mean that I’d have to retake geometry in a Summer class, so I could move onto my Junior year.

Just about right after I quit football, two girls (Lori and Audrey) told their friends to tell me that they like me and want to be my girlfriend. I ended up choosing Lori and we stayed together through the rest of high school and a little of college. I continued to play on the basketball team; I was good enough to make the team, but rode the pine most of the time (no special hoops talent). One day during 3 period my basketball coach pulled me out of class so we could chat in the hallway about the night’s game. He told me that the starting point-guard was injured and that my whole team was now counting on me to start tonight. As he was talking, I was thinking in my mind about how I was failing a few of my classes and wouldn't make the grades in order to play that week. When he got done, he said, “Okay, Bennett, go get your grades and get pumped about tonight’s game. See you later.” I really liked him and thought he was a good guy.

As I walked to each teacher with my grade sheet, I had the ever-present knot in my stomach but it was really bad on this day. Each teacher took my grade sheet and put my grade in ink and handed back to me with a look that seemed to say, “You knew this was coming, Jay. You can’t neglect your homework forever.” I had passed all my tests with A’s, but apparently homework and attendance are part of passing a class. At the end of the day, I slowly walked towards the locker room to get changed-over for basketball practice. Instead of getting changed-over, I went to the coach’s office and asked him if I could talk to him alone. We went out into the basketball court and stopped at half-court. I said, “I really have to tell you something coach. I’m sorry to let you down, but I can’t keep going like this. As of today, I am failing 4 classes and can’t play tonight. I’m sorry that I’m not here for you when you need me. I’m sorry to let down my teammates as well. I think it’s best for me to quit, right now, and not waste any more of your time. Thanks for everything and I think you’re a good coach.” Coach said, “I’m disappointed that your grades are down. It’s important to do your studies—more important than playing basketball. I’ve heard some things about you quitting football as well. It would probably be good for you to seek some help for your home life and concentrate on your grades. I know you’re hurting inside and I’m sorry you've been hurt. Good luck, Bennett.”