SIDELINE #3
After the stage was all set, Lindsey went up the three steps and walked around to get a feel for it's size. She would have to leave plenty of room for those she called up. She had Bob take some test shots and got some feedback from the network cameraman. Once she found her spot, she scanned the gathering crowd. The Amotas were already there and the Dragons were coming in. There were also people from the Owner's box, family of players and friends. Sage was there, as was Mindy, Jenny, and Bill. Cameras and reporters congregated near the front to get the best view of the stage.
This was a big event, so Lindsey took her cue from the network producer. They needed to be set and ready to broadcast this moment nationwide. While they set up, she went through her head who would come up in what order. The Amotas first, obviously. Then Sims, and then the players. But which players. The usual presentation would bring up two or three, but this moment wasn't usual. The Dragons weren't usual and there were so many who deserved to get a hand on that trophy.
Once the network guys signaled ready, Lindsey nodded then took the mic and nodded to the Amotas before addressing the crowd. The Trophy was already there on a pedestal to her right, and it was show time.
"Hello!" She said into the mic and playing into the cameras. "Hello, New Jack! Hello, America! Hello, World!!" She waited for some cheering to die. "I'm Lindsey Garret and we're here are at the end of the AFC championships for the 2080 NFL football season. I'm pretty sure everyone watching this now already knows this - and the people in front of this stage definitely know this - but tonight the New Jack Dragons faced off against the New York Jets to see who would walk away with this AFC Championship trophy." She picked it up and held it high, then waited for the cheers. "Now, after sixty minutes of play time, and three hours and nine minutes of viewer time, and with a final score of One HUNDRED and thirty-nine to thirty-eight, I can report that the 2080 AFC Champions are the NEW! JACK! DRAGOOOOOOOOOONS!! WWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"
Holding the trophy with both hands she shook it at the crowd as they cheered.
"Now, obviously, I did not win this." Laughter. "But I've been waiting for this day literally for my whole life. But I'm just a fan. A spectator with a microphone. There was a whole host of amazing people who really made this happen, but first and foremost, this team... this phenomenon... would not exist but for the vision and commitment of it's owners." She looked over at the Amota clan nearby and indicated them with a sweep of her arm. "Orato-san, Nillie, Yuto-san, and Lu-Ti, come up to this stage right now." Lindsey shifted to make sure they all had center stage. She handed Orato the trophy right away.
"When the Amotas wanted to buy this team, they were initially rejected." Booos "Right? There was a pitched battle with the Amotas finally being awarded the Jacksonville Jaguars. But that came with caveats. They would be made an expansion team with last pick of the players. They were jeered and laughed at and told that they didn't know what they were doing." She poke her finger at the trophy to mock the idea of it. The crowd laughed. "But that was all okay, because they had a really good idea of how to do it. It's different than everyone else's idea, but then again, no other team has scored over 1800 points in one season. Orato Amota, you did it. Your vision brought you here to prevail as the new AFC champion team. It's got to be amazing for you. How does this feel?"
"I want to reiterate to everyone that you did this your way, and you were mocked for it. What would you like to say to everyone who thought this couldn't happen?"
"Just keep going. This is your moment, what more do you want to say to the world?"
After Orato spoke and let his family all participate in handling the trophy and say anything they wanted to say, she set the trophy back on the stand - it was too heavy to keep holding - then continued.
"So, part of the Amotas genius was to break the mold. And if you want to make a new team with a new vision, you need a coach that can make that a reality. Bart Sims! Coach come up here!" Lindsey stepped aside for him, handing him the trophy as the crowd cheered. She gave him a big hug.
"Wow, Coach Sims. Congratulations" Cheering. Lindsey applauded. "Yeah! Look what you went and did, Coach. You broke the AFC!" Laughing and cheering. "All that hard work... You have your own way of doing things. I've seen visiting coaches laugh at how the guys were practicing. Tell them all how it is."
"Coach, tell us all, what led you to use the training methods you've employed? How did we all get here?"
"What do you want to say to your team, to the fans, to everyone who's watching?"
"Awesome, and now you're going to the SuperBowl 114. What message do you have for the NFC champions, the New Orleans Saints?"
"Okay, you're mic, Coach, go!"
Coach sims made his statements and then stepped back out of the way.
"Yeah, so those were the Generals. But we haven't yet heard from the warriors. We want to, right?" Cheers and applause
"Okay, then, Let's start with Captains! Duke Fillings, Marques Payne, and Heather Montomery! Woooo, yeah!" The crowd went wild as they made their way up. Lindsey handed the trophy to Duke, then distributed hugs to each.
"Congratulations, guys. Awesome job. So, real quick, down the line, how amazing do you feel right now?" She held the mic for each of them so they could have their hands free to handle the trophy.
"We all feel you. It's awesome for us too. Euphoric. But you guys put in the real work. Duke, man, over seven hundred yards passing in just this game. That's like a whole season for some. The quarterback is a really special position. You're the leader of the offense. You're part of every single play. What was it like out there today?"
"Marques, Chuck Hollen was going for broke, but your defense all but shut them down in the second quarter. You weren't out there for every play, but these guys all answer to you. What do you want to say about your defense?"
"And Heather, you broke so many records last game, and this game your special teams really set the tone for the game. You were making on-side kick after on-side kick. You recovered some yourself too and tackled the runner so many times. And while there are two other women on the team now, you're still the most versatile playing in three positions. Tell us how it was from your perspective."
"So, Duke. Marque... Heather, your mic. Anything else you want to say?"
After they answered, Lindsey applauded. "Okay, so thank you." She waited for them to step out, then continued.
"There are so many play makers here. So many inspirations. But I have to recognize one in particular. He's not a captain, but he's been called the heart and soul of the team. Adam Bronk, come on up here." The cheers went up and so did Adam. She put the trophy in his hands.
"Adam, I think your story's been told plenty. You've been underestimated, you've been disrespected, and you've been maligned. But despite the hate, you have been so pivotal to the success of this team. Yes, you're a wide receiver, and the wildcat QB, but that's not all. You're also the teams primary analyst, spending untold hours studying game films. You're also quite the cheerleader, motivating the team at pep-rallies, in locker room speeches and sometimes even on TV specials. You've worked so hard and sacrificed so much to get here. Tell us how it feels in this moment."
"So, not only do you motivate your team, but you really piss off your opponents." She waited for the laughter to stops. "I know it's part of your game, but tell everyone the how and the why. Why does the Bomb get his opponents so riled up?"
"Okay, Adam, we have to move on. Open mic, what do you want to say?"
"Adam Bronk, thank you." She applauded, accepting the trophy back as he exited the stage.
"As you all know, the New Jack Dragons weren't the fist team in Jacksonville, Florida. Before there be Dragons here, there were Jaguars. Those of us who grew up here will tell you how miserable it was to see losing season after losing season. I've sat in these stands for almost every home game since I was an infant in my mother's arms. Three generations of my family all coming season after season, hoping that any one of them would be ours. Well now that season has finally arrived and three generations of Garrets were in these stands tonight. They could have been in the Owner's box but they wanted to be in their seats. The one's listed on the season tickets they've held for over fifty years. And while it was terrible for us, there were players out here doing the best. When the Dragons took over, it was a new team. However, not all of the old Jags left. We still have four, and it just wouldn't be fair if they didn't both get their moment on this stage and with this trophy. So, Norton Miles, Tom Sloane, Byron Worth and Marques Payne, let's do this." Lindsey handed the trophy to Miles when he got into position and gave them all big squeezy hugs.
"Om my God, Guys. I feel like we're family. All those years of the blood sweat and tears - a lot of tears - and now, finally, the AFC Championship. Your Dragons now, but you still carry the spirit and pride of the Jaguars for all of Jacksonville. Norton. This has to be special for you. Tell us about it."
"Tom. Your turn. How do you feel after all those bad old days?"
"Byron? Give us your thoughts."
"Marques, I know you were already up here, but from a Jags perspective, what's it like to finally place the flag on the hill?"
"Okay guys, the networks hate me right now. Each of you, say anything you want." She held the mic for each of them then applauded them off the stage.
"Unfortunately, we don't have forever up here. Otherwise, I'd have every single Dragon, the cheeleaders and the trainers. They all deserve to be recognized. We all know the big play makers, like Ben Hope, and Mik San-Guigerre. But a team requires everyone. The backs, the receivers, the linemen. If one person isn't doing their job, the team fails. It makes me sad that I can't have every one of you heroes up here. But what I can do is lead a cheer for you. So, let's all hear it for the 2080. AFC CHAMPIONS. The NEW JACK DRAGONS!"
After the cheers died, Lindsey waved Coach Sims back over to give him the trophy and then led claps until the feed cut.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Tue 05 Dec 2023.