The Arizona State team was locked in an intense game against the LA Rams, and the stadium was roaring with excitement. The clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, the score neck-and-neck. Caden, a powerhouse linebacker, had been dominating all game, his every move calculated and precise. But this play? This one was going to be a challenge.

The ball was snapped, and the LA Rams' quarterback, eyes scanning the field, saw his opening. He tossed the ball downfield to his receiver, who was sprinting toward the end zone. Caden’s instincts kicked in, and he exploded from his position, charging toward the receiver like a freight train.

But just as he was about to make the hit, something unexpected happened. A Rams offensive lineman, much bigger than Caden, slid into his path, and before he could even react, they collided with a sickening thud. The impact sent Caden flying through the air, his body twisting uncontrollably, a blur of white and red jerseys.

For a moment, it felt like everything slowed down. He could feel the air rush past him as he flipped sideways, the stadium noise fading as he took flight. Then—bam!—he hit the turf, rolling across it like a ragdoll.

The crowd gasped in unison, but Caden wasn’t hurt. He wasn’t even bothered. Slowly, he got to his feet, brushing the dirt off his jersey with a grin spreading across his face. The hit had been brutal, but it was part of the game.

He wiped a bit of grass from his helmet, chuckled to himself, and looked up at the player who had knocked him for a loop. “Guess I went flying a little too high on that one, huh?” Caden said with a wink, earning a few chuckles from his teammates and even a nod of respect from the Rams player.

He turned back to the field, re-energized, and ready to go again. The game wasn’t over, and neither was he.

The play was fast. Arizona State's offense was pressing hard, and Caden was locked in, pushing forward with everything he had. But the Rams weren’t backing down. The defensive line closed in on him, and suddenly, a linebacker shot toward him. Caden barely saw it coming—WHAM—a brutal head-on collision, the linebacker’s helmet smashing into his chest like a wrecking ball.

Caden’s breath was instantly knocked out of him. GASP! His chest caved in as the air disappeared, and in an instant, his body was sent flying back. He hit the ground hard, the world spinning as he clutched the ball to his chest. His vision blurred, everything moving in slow motion, but he still had the ball. That was all that mattered.

Before he could even process what happened, another defender wrapped him up, dragging him off balance. The next thing Caden knew, he was being tackled straight into the sideline, the force sending him crashing onto the grass outside the field.

The whistle blew. The play was dead. Caden’s body felt like it had been slammed into a wall, his chest still tight, his breath ragged. His vision was swimming, and he couldn’t catch a full breath. The trainers rushed over as the referees signaled for him to be checked out.

Caden lay there for a moment, gasping for air, his ribs screaming with every shallow breath he took. The trainers knelt beside him, offering him a hand, but he shook his head. He didn’t want to leave the field—not yet.

But after a few more seconds, he realized he didn’t have a choice. His body wasn’t cooperating, his chest too tight to keep pushing forward. “Just need a sec,” he managed, trying to wave them off.

They helped him up and guided him to the bench, where Caden finally allowed himself to sit, leaning forward and taking slow, deliberate breaths. He could hear the roar of the crowd in the background, but the pain was still there, the pounding in his chest too overwhelming to ignore. For a moment, he just closed his eyes, letting his body recover, knowing he’d be back out there soon.

But for now, he needed a breath.

Caden sat on the bench, his chest still tight, but with every breath, he felt the fog start to clear. The trainers kept a watchful eye on him, but they knew better than to rush him off the field completely. His resolve was too strong. After a few moments, the team rallied around him, the energy from the sideline building. He was getting back in.

“Just a few more plays,” Caden muttered under his breath, his eyes focused on the field, determination flashing in his gaze.

The Arizona State team was on their final drive, the clock ticking down, and the game was neck-and-neck. Caden’s absence had given the Rams a moment to breathe, but now he was back, pushing himself to stand tall, forcing his body to keep moving.

The offense set up, and the ball snapped again. This time, it was a quick pass to the receiver, but the defense came charging, trying to make one last desperate stand. Caden, now back in the game, was at the ready. As the quarterback dropped back, he saw his chance—there was a gap in the defense, and it was wide open.

With the slightest hesitation, the quarterback launched the ball down the field, spiraling perfectly toward Caden, who was sprinting to the sideline. He stretched out his arms, fingers curling around the football like it was meant to be his. The crowd gasped as the ball hit his hands, and Caden pushed his legs harder, turning on the jets.

A Rams defender tried to close in on him, but Caden didn’t slow down. The defensive player reached out, but Caden sidestepped, brushing him off like a fly. The end zone was within sight—just a few more yards.

Boom—a hit came from behind, but Caden was already past it, diving into the end zone with a victorious grunt, his body hitting the turf just as the ball crossed the line.

Touchdown.

The stadium erupted in deafening cheers, the crowd shaking with excitement. Caden lay on the ground for a moment, winded, his body still aching from the earlier hit. But when he finally sat up, a smile stretched across his face. They’d done it.

The Arizona State team gathered around him, lifting him up as the celebration began. Caden’s chest heaved, his body still sore, but in that moment, none of it mattered. They had won. The scoreboard flashed the final score, and the crowd went wild, the roar of victory echoing through the stadium.

Caden stood tall, raising his hands to the sky, his teammates shouting in jubilation around him. They had fought hard, pushed through the pain, and now they were victorious. It was a win they’d never forget.