September 9, 2025 • 8:37pm • Field
The roar of the crowd was a tidal wave, crashing over me as I stood on the Lansdowne High School's football field. Friday night lights, My first game in High School.
Lansdowne vs Milford
Everything felt like it was on the line. Dad would have loved this. It was the first play on the drive, 11:56 on the clock.
Before the play Coach Zane clapped me on the shoulder, his eyes crinkling at the corner. "Dixon, you ready to show 'em what you got ?"
Tyrell responded "Born ready, Coach" I grinned though a knot twisted in my stomach. College scouts were in the stands tonight, This game could change everything. Back home, Mom was working double shifts at Johns Hopkins, trying to keep us afloat.
Little Nate idolized me, his eyes glued to the field whenever I played. Football wasn't just a game for us it was a lifeline, A way out.
The whistle blew, snapping me back to reality. The Ball was snapped and I exploded through the line, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I saw an opening the defender caught the ball in stride, sprinting passing the DB, and towards the end zone.
"Go, Tyrell, go!" I heard Nate screaming from the stands, his voice cutting through the noise.
All of a sudden, a searing pain ripped through my left knee. I crumpled on the ground and the world was spinning.
All the players and the coaching staff surrounded me.
Locker room • 10:05pm
Later, in the locker room with the team trainer, Coach Zane knelt beside me, his face grim. And said "It's an ACL tear, Dixon... You're out for the season."
My heart Sank, Everything I'd worked for, everything my family was counting on me,
….
At the age of 7 years old, Tyrell and his Dad Terrell got into a car accident, Only Tyrell came out alive.
Terrell was rich from being an NFL wide receiver, but the accident was decided to be his fault and the victim sued his estate for damages, causing Tyrell's family to lose their house in Chevy Chase Village.
….
As Tyrell recollected, he said with tears stinging his eyes "What am I going to do now" he whispered.
Coach Zane responded "Dixon you're a strong kid but you still need some time to recover, you get back up, you heal, and you come back stronger.
As coach Zane left, a soft *whirr* echoed in my head, then a clear, calm voice. *Condition met for system Activation: The L.N.P.S. or The Legendary NFL Players System.*
A translucent blue screen flickered into my vision, showing status and stats, Drills, recovery plans, and lastly, inheriting skills from NFL legends. My breath hitched, This wasn't some dream. This is real.
….
*status*
Tyrell Dixon
Age: 15
OVR: 62
Position: Wide receiver
templates: None
Injuries: Fatigue and ACL tear in left knee
ACL Tear Recovery: 6-12 months
*stats*
Speed: 63
Strength: 55
Acceleration: 59
Jumping: 56
IQ: 65
Evasiveness: 55
Catching:60
Recovery plan: 5 sets of one-legged Squat (particularly the left Leg), 5 sets of RDL (with 45-pound dumbbells), 5 super sets of squats and resistance band training.
….
The screen shifted, a holographic diagram of a knee appearing. *Diagnosis: Complete ACL tear. Estimate Recovery time: 6-12 months*.
My stomach dropped again after half a year. Or maybe more?
"No" I whispered, the word a raw rasp "It can't be that long ." Then,*A new notification pulsed: Unlocked! Special Recovery ointment, 5 points to all stats, Tyreek Hill template acquired.*
I stared at the new notifications from the system and saw the healing Ointment And saw the screen say, accelerated healing with a bit of disbelief and hope in my voice.
….
*status*
Tyrell Dixon
Age: 15
OVR: 65
Position: wide receiver
Templates: Tyreek Hill (0%)
*stats*
Speed: 68
Strength: 60
Acceleration: 64
Jumping: 61
IO: 70
Elusiveness: 60
Catching: 65
Recovery plan: 5 sets of one-legged squat (particularly the left leg), 5 sets of RDL (with 45-pound dumbbells), 5 super sets of squats and resistance band training.
….
The Dixons' Home • 10:21pm
After the game wound down, my little brother needed help getting me to my car and we drove back home.
I used my House keys to get inside, and my little brother Nate took my football gear to my room. Well, I sat on the couch then I remembered what mom said" One of your father's friends is a physiotherapist. I think his name was Mr. Stevenson. His number is on the coffee table.
So I rang the number and I heard a deep voice on the other line he said "Hello this is Dr. Stevenson's office, who is calling?
Hey Dr. Stevenson, this is Tyrell Dixon I think you knew my dad?
Oh, is that Terrell's son? Dr. Stevenson replied.
Yeah, do you still do physiotherapy?
Yes, why what do you need? Dr. Stevenson replied.
Yeah, I was playing in the game and felt my left knee give out from under me in the middle of a game now my coach is saying that it's an ACL tear and I'm out for the rest of the season.
Tyrell, are you OK? Dr. Stevenson's reply.
Yeah, but I was seeing if you could help me with recovery?
Dr. Stevenson replies You can come to my office tomorrow. .
OK, thank you, Dr Stevenson.
Dr. Stevenson said You can call me Darnell, okay Tyrell.
OK, see you later. Darnell.
When I got off the phone with Darnell, I felt my left knee throb with pain but now there was a new kind of hope that coursed through me. Because I knew this wasn't the end this was the beginning of my legend.
I'm not a great author