"You need to step up, Malcolm."

I've known Jimmy Ferro since I was 7. Jimmy was at one time the state's most followed football player. A year ago today, all that changed. Jimmy and his family were hit by a drunk driver, and his left knee was so damaged, it almost kept him off the field. He's stil got great hands, but his speed has greatly diminished. Much worse, Jimmy's younger sister was killed that day, and that tragedy has left his family broken and deeply hurt. Now, with his future in sports canceled out, Jimmy also faces the terrible possibility of his parent's divorce.

We're out of the playoffs and more than ever, I feel most responsible. Four interceptions and two of them returned for touchdowns, that about says it all. I blew it. I was never prepared, and because I was careless, I blew it.

It wasn't until walking off the field that I realised how responsible I was. With his head hung low and holding a slight limp, Jimmy looked defeated. I sprinted towards him and then walked by his side. I then said, "Jimmy, I'm sorry." This was it for Jimmy. This was the only championship he'd see. No college was offering him a scholarship. This was it, and he had to walk away defeated. Jimmy stopped walking; I stopped with him. He looked up at me, his eyes were watered down and jittery, his face still wet with sweat. "You need to step up, Malcolm."

That's all he said, and after he said it, he turned away and walked to the showers. I stood there, fully aware of how responsible I was and ashamed of myself.