(This is another in a series of columns I wrote and published in the Rich South Centurian. This story appeared November 1, 1974)
The young man sat in the stands and watched as the others that were once his teammates celebrated their victory that had seemed so far out of reach only a few days before. He sat and thought about his decision that he had made months ago that seemed so right at the time.
It was March and the wrestling season had ended with feelings of accomplishment for him. He wasn't an excellent wrestler, mediocre is more the word. But he did participate and he did enjoy it.
He was very vocal person. In fact, sometimes he was too vocal. His final decision would be influenced by an occasion where he was asked to speak the voice of his peers.
He had spoken the voice of the majority of his fellow players, but not the voice of his coach. He looked now to his future. The coach had a great deal of influence in the sport he loved so much. But he couldn't risk a relapse of the disagreement they had had after the young man's speech. His fellow players were split as to the young man's future.
Some had encouraged him to fight back, make he enemy kneel. Yet others felt he should forget it and enjoy the game he loved so much. He was a good player in that game, but only mediocre in the others he participated in. It was a difficult decision for the young man. He chose to fight back.
He sat idle for many months. Only a few close friends were told of his decision. He was fighting back and he enjoyed it. He was beating the system that had been against him for so many months.
The more he talked, the more he became convinced that he was doing the right thing. He had even built a strong alibi that could be used when he would meet the coach.
He was proud of the way he had avoided "the enemy" for the duration of the summer. He had even convinced his teammates that he was still a loyal part of the team. The system was falling in front of his eyes and they didn't know it yet.
Second thoughts began to set in. But he was a strong man, not one to fall back on his word. He couldn't change his mind now, it was too late. The plans were already too well laid.
The season had begun to set in and he was only an observer this year. He was surprised that his team was doing so well., the even challenged the conference title holders. But he could do nothing more than sit on the sidelines.
He realized now the he hadn't beaten the system. But he had been defeated the day he spoke against it.
The team had moved off the field and had long since left the school to celebrate their victory. The young man sat and pondered his future. He had already begun preparations for the coming wrestling season. But he had been beaten, while his former teammates enjoyed their victory, the young man could only feel the pains the came with defeat. He had missed the season deeply, but it hadn't missed him.
