Read Online Kickoff! by Tiki Barber - Free Book Online Page B

over’? What do you mean, ‘all over’?”
    Tiki and Ronde told their mom the awful truth: They were losers. Big-time losers—third-stringers, while their friends were starters! Their big dream of starring in the Super Bowl together was dead and buried. They’d never even make it to the Eagles’ starting lineup, let alone the NFL!
    â€œNow, boys,” said their mother, “you need to start paying attention—in and out of class. When people tell you to wait for your chance, and to be ready when itcomes, you ought to listen! When teachers share their knowledge with you, you ought to be grateful and interested. Maybe you don’t think what they’re teaching is important, but you’re still too young to determine that.”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Tiki and Ronde whispered softly.
    Their mother never raised her voice once, but she still got her point across loud and clear. “I don’t ever want to get another report like I got tonight, understand?”
    â€œYes, Ma.”
    â€œIf riding the bench in football means you won’t be distracted in class, maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Maybe that’s why they don’t let most seventh graders start—did you ever think of that?”
    Tiki hadn’t, he had to admit.
    â€œNow I realize football’s important to you boys, but remember, your classes come first.”
    â€œYes, Ma,” the boys both said.
    â€œI know if you pay attention in class, you boys will do just fine. You’re smart kids, always were. But when you know the answers, you’ve got to raise your hands. You need to speak up.”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Tiki and Ronde said again, although they weren’t happy about it. Not a bit.
    â€œAnd from now on, I want you boys to do your homework together. Just because you don’t have the same classes, it doesn’t mean you can’t help each other. Tiki, you’re good in English and history. Ronde, you’re goodat math and science. If your brother has a hard time with a subject, you help him—and I don’t mean do his homework for him, understand?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    â€œYou’ll both get stronger if you work as a team,” she said. “In class, and in football, too.”
    Funny, thought Tiki. She sounded just like Matt Clayton—he’d said almost the same thing. But how could you work as a team if your job was just to warm the bench?
    â€œLook at me and Mrs. Pendergast,” Mrs. Barber said. “We’re a team. She’s got the passion and the drive, and she’s not afraid to knock on strangers’ doors. And I guess I’ve got a way with words. But we all have our weak spots, boys. That’s why it’s good to be part of a team.”
    â€œMa, the way you raised your hand and stood right up there at that meeting?” Tiki said. “I could never do that.”
    â€œMe neither,” Ronde said.
    â€œI know it takes courage to raise your hand and stand up, boys. You think it was easy for me? You think it was easy to ask people at Back to School Night to sign their names on a petition?”
    â€œMa, you didn’t!” Ronde said. “Not at school!”
    â€œYes, I most certainly did.” She held out her clipboard and smiled. “And I couldn’t have gotten all those teachers and parents to sign, if I hadn’t stood up andspoken out. But I believe this issue is important enough to risk a little embarrassment. And to give it my time and all my effort.”
    â€œWow, Ma!” Tiki said, flipping page after page.
    â€œHow many names did you get?” Ronde asked excitedly.
    â€œOver a hundred, just tonight,” Mrs. Barber said proudly. “That’s what a person can do when they’re not afraid to speak out. Now, you boys need to show a little confidence by raising your hands in class, and calling out the answers nice and