Kickoff! by Tiki Barber Read Free Book Online Page A

comments as they went.
    â€œDon’t worry, Shrimpy and Wimpy—we’ve got your backs.”
    â€œYo, you looked good on that long bomb yesterday, Ronde. You a wide receiver?” Boomer asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” Ronde answered. “Maybe.”
    â€œYou’re James’s brother, right?” Bryce asked Paco. “What’s your name again?”
    â€œPaco.”
    â€œPaco? You’re some sack of cement, dude. Welcome to the offensive line.”
    â€œWelcome to the once and future champions!” Boomer boomed, true to his name.
    Tiki tried to chest bump Bryce, but he had to jump pretty high, because Bryce was six inches taller.
    â€œDon’t worry, little dude,” Bryce told him. “You probably haven’t hit your growth spurt yet.”
    It was the same kind of comment he’d made yesterday—but today, it sounded totally different. They were teammates now. Tiki felt a warm glow all over just thinking about it. They were all teammates!
    Assistant coaches came around, giving out uniforms and helmets. Tiki was handed jersey number one. Ronde got number five.
    When he was all dressed, Tiki trotted outside. Most of the others were already there, surrounding Head Coach Spangler.
    â€œAll right, welcome to the Eagles, all you new guys,” he said. “And welcome back, you upperclassmen. As most of you know, this is a team with a long and glorioushistory—including two championships in the past ten years. And I’m confident that this will be the year we make new history, and repeat as conference champs!”
    A huge cheer went up from all the Eagles. When it died down, Coach Spangler continued.
    â€œNow, the next two practices, today’s and tomorrow’s, are designed to help me and the other coaches figure out who plays where, and to firm up the starting lineups. So you new kids, this is your chance to show us everything you’ve got. On Monday, we’ll post the list of who’s starting, who’s second-string and third-string. Our season opener’s next week, so let’s not waste any more time, shall we?”
    Once practice got started, Tiki found himself feeling tense. Normally, he was free and easy on the football field, sure of his talent and having fun playing the game. But today, he could feel his heart pounding, and hear it pounding in his ears.
    He dropped easy passes he normally caught. He tried to make cuts that were too tight, and wound up slipping and falling on his face. On defense, he let a touchdown be completed right over his outstretched fingertips.
    When practice was over, he found Ronde. “How’d you do?” he asked his twin.
    â€œNot too good. You?”
    â€œAbout the same.”
    â€œI don’t know what happened to me,” Ronde said. “I stunk.”
    â€œMe too. You think Coach might change his mind and kick us off the team?”
    â€œNo way!” Ronde said quickly. “I mean . . . I don’t think so. Do you?”
    â€œNah,” said Tiki. But he had to wonder.
    As the two boys passed the sidelines, Matt Clayton called them over.
    â€œHey, you two,” he said. “Don’t get down. There’s still tomorrow.”
    â€œBut we skunked it up,” Ronde said.
    â€œWe stunk,” Tiki agreed.
    â€œListen,” Matt said, “quit trying so hard to impress the coaches. Just do your thing, and trust them to notice. You guys are talented enough, okay? Don’t get down—just learn from your mistakes.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Ronde said, shaking his head.
    Matt gave them both a pat on the shoulder. “Just remember, you guys—it’s all about the team. Success starts with the right attitude.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Tiki asked.
    â€œQuit trying to be solo superstars, okay? Think about the team, and it will happen.”
    The words stung, but deep down, Tiki knew Matt was right. The