That is all I am thinking right now. This whole situation is just wow.
Well if you don't know we beat the Columbus Destroyers 34-32. Our starting QB John Kaleo hurt his wrist in the second quarter, so I got the opportunity to step in and play. The most important thing is that we got the W.
The whole day and game is a blur so this post is going to be all over the place.
Its never a good thing when one of your teammates gets hurt and I don't wish that on anyone. But this is the game of football and guys get hurt so whoever is behind them has to be ready to step and get the job done. I didn't want John to get hurt, he is a great guy and has been teaching me the game in the past week. In the first quarter he was getting knocked around quite a bit and to start the second quarter he would run over to the sideline to get the play and he was out of breath and he said, "Man I'm getting hit every play." So it was a physical game and Columbus' front line is one of the best in the league.
So I got to go in the game midway through the second quarter. To be honest with you I really wasn't that nervous. I guess the combination of not knowing the extent of Kaleo's injury and how quick it happened, I really didn't have time to get nervous. Another reason may be because I was prepared.
I got a call the night before the game from my buddy and former teammate Jeff Jourdan. The weird thing was that Jeff didn't know where I was or what city I was in. I played with Jeff in college and then a year when we played for he Cincinnati Marshals in the NIFL in 2005. Then Jeff moved to Phoenix to pursue a career in Sports Psychology. I've talked to Jeff on and off since the 05 season. So it was definitely a call out of the blue. He asked what team I was on and how the season was going. I told him it was weird that he called because I was getting ready to suit up in my first AFL game as a backup QB. Then I asked if he had any sports psychology for me. He had some really good advice and put me in the best mind frame right before I went to bed. The thing he said that really stuck with me was "prepare for the game like you are the starter". So before the game I did the same routine I did before all my games last year. If I didn't talk to Jeff I think I still would have been ready to go in, I just wouldn't have been conscious of all the things I need to do to prepare. In other words, Jeff told me to "get my mind right". I think it really helped and that is why I don't think I was nervous about it and I expected it.
The first drive I got in on we were already towards the goal line. On the first play I was in, I threw a touchdown! But, it got called back because of a penalty. So we sucked the clock down on a ton of more plays and penalties in which I threw my second "first AFL touchdown pass" but that got called back. We ended up settling for a FG.
At halftime it was a weird mood in the locker room. I think that was because we just lost another starting QB and we were down at the half. Then Coach Marcum gave a good halftime speech that got us up and going.
The second half just flew by in another penalty infested half. We were down by 10 at one time in the second half but I didn't really worry about it, I just went out and played and worried about putting points on the board. In the second half, I threw my third "first AFL touchdown pass" and this time it didn't get called back. (I kept the ball by the way.)
The defense played really well the whole game, our D-line was putting pressure on the QB and our DBs were doing a good job of breaking on the ball and reading their routes. It was awesome. The defense made then try a long FG that they missed and ended up getting a 4th quarter interception that helped us secure the lead. They also batted down the 2 point conversion that would have tied the game with under a minute left in the game.
Overall, I think it was a good debut for me but I can do better and will do better. I was 12-24 with 2 td passes and I ended up rushing one in too. I think I had about 165 yards passing. I ended up having 3 touchdown passes called back throughout the game due to penalties. I had never really had that many called back in a game, but it didn't bother me and I didn't dwell on it I just wanted to get the next play and move on.
The most important aspect of the game was that we took care of the ball. We didn't have any turnovers and that was really the difference in the game.
But I hate it at the same time that one of my teammates got hurt. I don't really know how long Kaleo is going to be out. This next game will be the third consecutive game in which there has been a different starting QB every game.
After the game I really couldn't believe what just happened, it really didn't sink in. I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates for stepping up for me and for helping me along the way, just some of the things they said to me throughout the game gave me the confidence I needed to hear from my teammates. Even the next morning I woke up and had to take a second and ask myself if it was a dream. Then it was awesome to see my name going across the bottom line of ESPN, a dream come true. AND to see myself on the highlights of the Monday night AFL game was incredible even though they said my name wrong. (Johnny Mize said he called the ESPN studios and complained and told them how to say my name.)
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I'm ready to take over. I've had a good week of practice so far and I'm feeling good. We play this week in Austin against the Wranglers on Sunday. The game is on TV but only on FSN Southwest and SUN networks.
Well I'm out, gotta run, keep me in your prayers,
Go Storm!
Brett
