The Life of Callan Quinn

For anyone that is even remotely tuned into any sport you might know that preparation for an upcoming season are essential. What you might not know, though, is that this process begins almost immediately after the final whistle of the previous season. Whether it be the players themselves, the coaching staff, or the organization all have some role in getting ready to compete once more. That is especially true in the world of college athletics, where the players have more than just a game on the line. Not only is there pressure to maintain the necessary academics and behavior expectations to ensure they keep eligibility needed for their scholarships, but also the demand to perform well in their chosen sport.

It's no secret that the football program at State provides more revenue for the university than any other sport or team affiliation. This has created immense pressures to win games and succeed as if the integrity of the university depends on it.

As spectators of these sports and especially this football program, we don't always know what the word preparation means. Most of the time we assume it's watching game film, working through new plays or tweaking old ones while keeping up with an off season work out regime. But what would be easy to overlook is just how much time and energy is expended by players in the off season.

That's quite the case for Bulldog quarterback, and former Heisman finalist, Callan Quinn. Even though he's only entering his sophomore season, Quinn takes the approach that football is his career, putting in well over forty hours each week to maintain and prepare for his next meetings.

I had the opportunity to figure out just what it meant to be Callan Quinn in preparation for his return as quarterback for the defending National Championship Bulldog team. In the exclusive interview, Quinn allowed me to follow him throughout an entire day to document each and every detail put forth on his behalf to ensure that this team's leader is at his best come September second, when he will guide the team in their much anticipated home opener against Notre Dame...

I finish reading the opening section of the proofed article Alyssa emailed me this morning. I'm not even to the section about myself and already, I'm blown away at her ability to write.

My amazement only grows with each new word that I read. She's mastered a way to describe how the X's and O's move around the play board in our meetings and the way we follow through reps in practice. Her words mimic exactly what each of my body parts flows through as I drop back for a pass and extend, releasing the ball and finding my target. It would make any person reading feel as if they too, were in the room with us. I already know our fan base will eat it up.

I quickly reopen the original email and reply. I could text her, but I swore I would keep it professional for the time being. Regardless, I need to let her know what I think, and that I think she's the most talented writer to ever exist. I just hope she believes me and doesn't think I'm just telling her what she wants to hear.

🏈🏈🏈

I exit my first class, a pointless lecture on environmental science. I have no interest in the subject, but I needed a lab science to fill a requirement for my degree. I pull my headphones from around my neck and use them to cover my ears. I press the volume up button as high as it can go without blowing out my ear drums.

I've learned that wearing headphones anywhere when I walk around campus is the only way to ensure that people aren't always coming up to me and attempting to talk to me. Not that I don't enjoy engaging with the fans, but sometimes I think they forget I'm more like them than they realize. I'm a student too, and have to make it between my lectures with only twenty minutes just the same as them.

I make it to the journalism building for my next class with five minutes to spare. I'm about to open the door to the room when I spot Alyssa leaning against the wall beside the door. Her dark brown hair is tucked behind her ear on one side, but falls across her face on the other as she looks down at her phone.

"Are you stalking me or something, Alyssa?" I tease.

"You really liked it?" An anxious look swims in her eyes as they search my face.

"Do you really need to ask me that? I already told you I loved it." I let go of the door handle and move closer to her. To my surprise she doesn't back away, even though we're nearly toe to toe.

"Seriously, I meant everything I said. You're so talented. I'm lucky that you painted me in such a positive light going into the season," I say to hopefully provide the reassurance she is obviously seeking.

A huge smile breaks out across her face and a squeal falls from her lips as she jumps up and down in excitement. I begin to laugh, not at the actions, but because she looks so cute. She keeps going for a few more seconds and I let her. She runs a hand over her chin length hair, tucking it behind both ears this time.

"My editor flipped for it too!" she squeals again, but goes neutral just as quickly. "Which is why I'm her—" she begins as I cut her off.

"And here I thought you just wanted to see me again." I wink at her, but she holds up a hand signaling for me to stop, to allow her to finish.

"I might regret this... but when he freaked I pitched another idea to him. One that I've had since I watched you move through your meetings. I want—I want to do a series on you Callan. Three more features following the other aspects of your game, your systems and the passion you put into it. I really think people would be interested in reading about what you do for pregame rituals, and then after a game win or lose. But I also think people would flip to see who you are off the field—what classes you're taking, what you do for fun...You're like a celebrity to these people. They would lose their shit to get a first hand account of your life."

"And what? You follow me around for all of them? The same style as the first one?" I question.

"Yeah... I mean, if that's okay with you. But I thought we sorta made a good team the first time. I stayed out of your way and just used what I saw to help me write," She offers.

I eye her for a second and shift on my feet. I know for a fact my dad won't go for this. He'll call it a distraction, one that I don't need. But it's one I want. Having Alyssa around for at least three more stories worth of time would help finish what we started in June. Maybe then I can figure out why she's trying to pretend it never happened.

I should really talk with my dad first, or at least give him a heads up before I agree, but I'm afraid if I don't answer now that she will take it back. That I'll lose the chance to have constant contact with her.

"Okay... yeah. But I have stipulations this time." I cross my arms over my chest, and allow my face to screw the way hers did when she demanded I follow her rules. Alyssa raises a questioning eyebrow at me, but I brush it off. "I have to go to class, but meet me at my apartment at seven," I say. Alyssa begins to protest, so I add, "Don't worry, Lys. I won't bite, I won't even try to touch you," I lie. If I get the chance I won't hesitate. But she doesn't have to know that, not yet.