He considers consequences because consequences can doom a boy. He ignores the false rumors. Before the game last season with rival Midland High School, people called the newspaper and accused Benson and his football friends of all degrees of criminal mischief. Because he's been so closely watched and so proudly heralded in his hometown, Benson keeps the risks low. He can't take chances.
Chances can lead to mistakes.
One bad move could slow a career he's been plotting since he was 15. There's a lot of big things coming up. Just recently, I figured out there's nothing to be afraid of. College used to worry him. College football never did.