Review: Great Sports story, Love story and an education on getting to the NFL or the show
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 1, 2014
I am a reader, but the only sports I like are football and baseball.  I have always refused to date jocks:  Homophopic, self-centered, entitled behavior like Jayce.  Being a woman makes relating to gay men easier and I was so proud a good college player finally came out, yet I worry for him and my nephew in this world where even parents diminish and damn you for being what you are.  MLB half-hearted policing of steroids with some players bearing the brunt and others skating free is unfair.Roger is the kind of boy every mother would like to raise.  His intelligence, big heart, small ego and focused desire to achieve would have made even me a devoted sports mom.  Brian lived in the same town, went to the same college Roger's Dad taught at and worked hard to make it to the show and show his father who played AA & AAA ball and made him feel worthless.  Roger falls in love with the quarterback they started over him in high school.  Even though he knew Jayce was bad boy material, he could not help himself and carefully learned to box in his feelings when he figured out he was gay.  Jayce kills himself driving too fast in the rain two games before the championship they seem destined to win.  When Roger quits crying, his Dad talks to him and lets him know being gay is okay and that now he owes it to his team to take charge.  A poignant shot and the ESPN coverage makes Roger every scout's dream pick.Brian went to the local school, because everyone scouted him but his reliance on batting when he could not field was not impressing anyone.  The coach at the school Roger's Dad teaches history at sit down with Brian and tells him he is good enough to make the show.  If he gives him 2 years, he will have to sit out a year and then he will be eligible for the majors.  They end up at the same top school in the same history class.  Roger has played back-up for three years behind a golden boy who was drafted into the NFL and now it is his turn in the sun.  His is a face to sell magazines and endorsements because he is the poster boy for fair and legal behavior.  Brian and Roger become friends and before he know it, Roger has fallen in love with another straight guy.  He knows to realize his goal of playing in the NFL he will have to wait to have a relationship.  His father told him both he and Roger's mother were the same way and he will wait until he finds the one.One day after the big win Roger sneaks out dressed like a coach and lays on his bed going over the game in his head.  Brian shows up and is drunk and high and is so happy he feels like kissing Roger and then he does.  He makes Roger cry because he feels that since Brian knows he is gay and has feelings for him it is cruel to taunt him that way.  They come to terms with their feelings over the next weeks and enter into a secret relationship.  Roger has so much pressure riding on this:  Bowl games, the Heisman, NFL that he just wants someone else to take over for awhile.The story is well written with few errors, the characters are wonderful and well rounded, and Roger and Brian have spent lots of time together.  It makes the story ring true and proves it is the person you love and not the sex of that person.  The story is timely and gives me a new take of football.  I know the rules, but this was an education in what it takes to be a world class athlete.  I know horses and I can see how similar it is to work and train toward one goal.  Given the circumstances, you must read this book to see how it all ends for them.  Enjoy!