I remember that one fateful day when Coach took me aside. I knew what was coming. "You don't have to tell me," I said. "I'm off the team, aren't I?"
"Well," said Coach, "you were never really ON the team to begin with. You made that uniform out of rags and towels, and that's a motorcycle helmet you're wearing by the way. You show up at practice and then either steal the ball and make us chase you to get it back, or you try to tackle people at inappropriate times."
It was all true what he was saying. And yet, I thought I could feel something brewing inside Coach's head. He sees something in me, some kind of raw talent that he can mold.