Prologue

The football community is waiting for the bowl game announcements. They are going to come out any minute. Players and fans are anxiously waiting to hear who will be playing who.

Bowl games, while they seem to be unnecessary, are essential for teams to celebrate their season. As well as fans to celebrate, and get a last chance to see their favorite teams in action.

Finally, the notification is sent across a multitude of news sources. People's phones are lighting up, and some of the matchups are going to be tough games, whereas others might not be so well.

Specifically, the players are the more anxious. Players from many teams have gathered together for announcement parties.

The University of Georgia football players are gathered, but they are mourning the season.  Georgia did not make the national championship bracket, and they are mad, as this is rare. However, it has been a tough season, going up against some of the toughest teams in the SEC, and in the nation.

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James Cook is gathered with his team as the notification comes across his screen. Georgia has been matched against Boise State.

Cook, a running back on the team, is upset, but with how the season has gone, it is only fair. Missing catches and failing his team has taken a toll on his mindset. He just wants the season to be over with, in hopes that next year will be better.

His teammates groan as they all read their phones. They all sit there in silence, until Cook stands up and says, "Hey now! Let's just go out there and have fun! Who cares what happens in the game. They are just Boise State anyways!".

The teammates shout in agreement. Regardless, they have to go out there and try to do their best as they all have League teams looking at them, and companies are looking at them for sponsorships.

Cook goes back on his phone, reading more about the Boise State team because he hasn't really paid attention to them this season. He has no clue if there are even any good players on the team.

He is looking at the roster, scanning for any recognizable names. He doesn't see anyone he knows, but he sees the name and picture of one of their wide receivers, Khalil Shakir. He is looking at his stats, and he notices that he is pretty good.

"He is at Boise State, so he cannot be that good, right?", Cook thinks to himself. However, deep down, he thinks with Shakir, Boise State can easily beat Georgia.

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Meanwhile on the opposite coast, Boise State is gathered for an announcement party as well. Their season did not go as well as they hoped, but they are still happy with their season.  They ended with a 7-5 record for the year, and they are not upset as they all played very hard, they just faced difficult teams this season. They have high hopes that next season, they will have better luck.

They hear a unison of notifications, they quickly grab their phones, eager to see who they got matched up against.

Khalil Shakir, a wide receiver for the team, read the notification as his teammates began yelling.

"Oh My God!" scattered across the room.

"Boise State will face Georgia in a bowl game" headlined across Shakir's phone. Shakir and his team celebrate with cheering, as Georgia has had a rough season. The Boise State players are excited to face Georgia, as a win against them, a SEC team, will look really good.

Shakir is reading up on the Georgia players more specifically, when he sees James Cook's name on the roster. He recognizes him from somewhere, probably a training camp at some point, but he cannot place where he has seen him before.

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Game day has arrived, and both teams are nervous. Georgia is nervous to end their season on a loss, and Boise State nervous as this could be a HUGE win for them.

Cook is sitting in his locker room, looking down at the floor, with his head between his hands, wishing the game would come and go already. He is tired as he was up until two in the morning lost in his thoughts.

Shakir is in his locker room, getting prepared with his team. They have music blasting loud enough to rattle the lockers. The Boise State team is still very confident that they can pull this game off and end the season on a win.

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There are three minutes left in the game. Boise State is up, 42-35. Boise State has possession of the ball. It is third and down, Taylen Green has just received the snap.

He is looking for an open receiver. He sees Shakir on the sideline near the Georgia bench. He throws the ball to Shakir, Shakir catches the ball.

But while doing so, he doesn't realize he has gotten too close to the sideline, and turns and runs head first into Cook. Cook pushes Shakir to the ground, as he thought Shakir intentionally ran into him.

Shakir gets up, and walks away muttering "That fucking asshole."

The sadness in Cook's eyes concerned Shakir, but Shakir couldn't help but admire his long locs. But still, the anger and hatred in his eyes scared Shakir, and he doesn't ever want to feel that way again.

Cook cannot believe that Shakir would intentionally run into him, and he hopes he never has to see him again.