What a day it was. I went from finding out a rumor that I was to be traded to all of a sudden realizing some crook within our organization tried to one up Brett and he paid the price as a result. Even though I was relieved to know I hadn't been traded like I thought I was going to be, it still didn't make my situation a whole lot easier. Despite having been the man that had brought the Texans to within a finger tip of winning and going to the Super Bowl, I was still relegated to my favorite spot in the whole world: the bench.
As I figured, much to my disappointment, despite a great training camp and preseason I had, Todd was still going to be named the starter. Much of it had to do with that Todd was the one that got us to the championship game and I was only brought in because he struggled. Yet, this choice didn't sit well with me and I figured maybe I should've been traded.
I wasn't alone in this assessment as some of my teammates felt I deserved a chance to be the guy. There had been some tension with Todd and my teammates because of the poor demonstration Todd displayed in the AFC Championship game that broke trust with everyone.
"Damn it Gordo," Troy Paulson said to me one day in camp. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say Coach had it out for you. If I was the coach, you would be the guy and you know it too."
"Well," I answered. "I'm sure Coach Robinson has his reasons. Just wish he would be more upfront with me about them. Maybe I should be traded."
"Ah hell no. Don't even go there."
"Did I hear Gordon wants to be traded?" said Quincy Spiers who came by to see what we were discussing. "If that's the case, I want off too. Coach Robinson really wants to make a statement and I think he's got it out for you."
Although I wasn't sure if Coach Robinson had it out for me, I had to wonder why he was keeping Todd as the starter. As I've said, Todd was a good quarterback, but the offseason for him had been marred by his behavior that never seemed to quell entering the season. It made some teammates concerned as well as the fans and media, who were already starting to question if what we achieved last season was just a one time fluke.
To make matters more intense, we opened the season in Kansas City of all places and that night was the night they would unveil their AFC Championship banner. It wasn't the Super Bowl, but their fans were excited because in their mind, they would win it all this season. Of course, their fans were in some ways relieved to know I wouldn't be starting this game.
Coach Robinson did have to answer questions as to why I wasn't starting over Todd. He did say it came down to experience and a gut feeling, but that I was capable of doing the job if my number was called. To him, it was a standard answer that coaches give to the media to avoid being criticized privately. To me, it was his way of saying don't get your hopes up because you might not suit up ever again.
Well, we won the toss and elected to receive. Todd started the game and his very first pass was a pick-six that he didn't see from the safety coming to shield Jermaine. Fifteen seconds in. Texans - 0, Chiefs - 7. How do you like that?
Our defense kept Kansas City out of the endzone for all of the first half. But, that didn't necessarily mean we didn't give up points. Two field goals by their kicker made the score 13-3. Our only response was a field goal by Diego Carmen to trail 13-3 at the break.
At the start of the third quarter, Troy sacked Patrick Mahomes and forced a fumble, which Lucky Dupree was able to pick up and go to the endzone. After forcing Kansas City to a three-and-out, we returned a punt deep into the Chiefs' redzone and I was sure we would score a touchdown. But Todd decided to get greedy as he misfired on three straight passes leading to incompletions. With no other option, Diego tied the game entering the fourth quarter. That's when things got interesting.
Mahomes guided the Chiefs on a scoring drive to open the quarter as he threw a pass to Tyreek Hill to give Kansas City a 20-13 lead. Todd was unable to connect on any of his passes while our running game was not producing yards. If it wasn't for our defense making great defensive stops, we wouldn't be sitting with the ball at our own 12 with a little under two-and-a-half minutes to go.
Todd took the snap on the first play of the drive and started to scramble in the backfield. I stood on the sidelines and watched and then I saw a sight that made me shutter with disgust and fright. Without giving you the full details of what took place, Todd later said he felt something snap and he immediately went down. As he did so, he dropped the ball and the Chiefs picked it up and scored the touchdown.
It was 27-13 in Kansas City's favor and it seemed like it was game over. Yet, our concern was on Todd. Our quarterback was down and injured. I knew it was bad and I knew there was a chance he wouldn't be playing for the rest of the season.
"Henry," I heard Coach Robinson shout. I turn to face him and he looked at me. "Get loose."
The crowd was silent as our trainers tended to him. Immediately, they called for a cart and soon, Todd was lifted up and carted off the field to a rousing support from the Chiefs crowd. When play resumed, the Chiefs kicker kicked off and we had a decent return to the 36-yard line. Soon, I came in to the game.
"Well, well, well," I heard Jermaine say as I got in. "Look what the cat drugged in?"
"I got a good feeling we're going to win the game boys," Forest said.
"Okay guys," I said. "We don't have much time. So let's make the most of it." I then called a play and we soon broke the huddle. I don't know why, but the vibes in Kansas City were so weird. It was as if the fans were about to experience some deja vu all over.
As I got to the line of scrimmage, I immediately saw the defense starting to try and make some adjustments. It then dawned on me that they were familiar with me and were guessing where I was going to go with the ball. As much credit as I was going to give them, I had studied hard on the Chiefs' defense to see their weak points that for some reason they never picked up on.
I then signaled to my receivers an audible to switch things up and that got the Chiefs' defense more confused. I had them in my sight. I took the snap, dropped back and saw Otis Miner breaking down the sideline. I wait for the perfect time to throw before I launch the ball. Otis caught the pass and ran down before he was tackled deep inside the red zone.
We hustled to the line of scrimmage and I was instantly thinking of spiking the ball to stop the clock. But then, I had another plan. I signal to Duncan that he was getting the ball next. Taking the snap again, I look and see Duncan all alone. It was an easy toss and catch and he caught the ball in the endzone. Two plays that took thirty seconds off the clock and we were at the two-minute warning trailing 27-20.
We had timeouts to spare and the coaches were discussing what to do.
"Onside, onside," I heard Coach Robinson shout. Kicking an onside kick for a chance to get the ball back. It was a gutsy call, especially with two minutes to play and with timeouts. But, Coach Robinson figured we needed to get the ball back with time to score the tying touchdown. Knowing the situation, the ball had to be kicked for ten yards before we could touch it or have it hit a defender and then we recover it.
Everyone on special teams lined up for the kickoff. I'm sure Kansas City was expecting an onside because they lined up ready to recover it. Diego then tapped the ball with his foot and it ricocheted off of a Chiefs player before one of our players recovered the ball. Again, we went back on the field fired up.
The next three plays were all complete passes from me to Otis that got us to Kansas City's 30-yard line. I then misfired on a deep ball to Jermaine that was tipped and nearly intercepted. Fortunately, it stopped the clock and I was able to regain myself. I then elected to have Kwame run as I knew Kansas City was thinking pass. This decision paid off as he ran for 16 yards and got us to our 14 yard line.
We call a timeout and soon, on the next play, I roll out to my left and take off for the endzone. Not a single defender was in the area and I had no trouble scoring the touchdown. Following an extra point, we were tied at 27. I looked at the clock and saw there were still 45 seconds left on the clock. Knowing Mahomes was on the other side, I knew that our defense had to stop them or else, we would lose the game.
"Onside. Onside."
I glanced over to see Coach Robinson calling for an onside kick. I was stunned. We had just successfully recovered an onside kick before and had tied the game. Now, our special teams unit being asked to do it again. The problem in this situation was that if we kicked it onside and the Chiefs recovered the ball, they had enough time to set up for a game-winning field goal.
But, then again, the same situation could be said for if we had kicked off. Kansas City had a few timeouts and they could drive down to score the game-winning field goal. So maybe Coach Robinson had a point by doing this. Plus, the Chiefs had to be thinking that we were going to kickoff to them. If the onside kick worked one time, perhaps it could work for a second time.
Of course, we couldn't let it be known we were kicking onside. So, we decided to surprise the Chiefs. Our kicking unit lined up like they would on a regular kickoff and Diego would give the impression he would kick it deep. When he started moving, I saw some Chiefs players up front go back in retreat expecting a deep kick. Unfortunately for them, they went back too far and it was just enough real estate for our guys to pounce on the ball after it traveled ten yards.
Everyone was stunned in the building except for us because we had just pulled off a surprise onside kick with the score tied and under a minute to go. I glanced over to see Mahomes and he was showing signs of disbelief. The Chiefs on the sidelines weren't too happy over there. They knew what was coming. I was going to lead my team to the winning score and we would ruin the party.
The only thing I regret about what happened next was not giving Diego a chance to kick the game-winner because I had planned on throwing the ball a few times to get to his range. However, my first pass went to Jermaine, who had a one-on-one matchup and he somehow broke off his defender and steamed his way to the endzone for the game-winning touchdown.
When it was all said and done, we had pulled off a shocking comeback. The final score was 34-27. Just like that, I had won myself another game in relief. I was hugged by a few teammates and once again, Mahomes came up to me.
"Man dude," he said. "I can't believe you. I'm not sure I would feel comfortable facing you again."
"Sorry I had to do that," I said.
We bro hugged and wished each other best of luck for the season. In the locker room after the game, Coach Robinson told us he was excited that we got the win and that we would be riding the momentum going into our next matchup at home. Everyone cheered and we all had a blast. Still, we knew it was only the beginning of what we hoped was a great season.
We flew back to Houston that night and I went to my apartment to get a good night's rest. The next day, I get a text from Coach Robinson asking me to see him. I drove to the stadium and walk to the offices. I enter his door and I see him writing down some notes. He didn't see me for a few moments. I'm sure he was trying to process what he was about to say.
I don't know why, but in that moment, I started to wonder how Todd was. I knew he was badly injured, but how bad was still missing from my radar. I wondered if this was when I would find out the truth of Todd's situation.
Soon, Coach Robinson stops writing and faces me. Nothing is said for a minute as I see him trying to think more. I wonder if the first words he would say to me were either "congratulations, you played a hell of a game," or "you son of a bitch because you nearly ruined the ending to the game." After an endless time of no speaking, he finally lets out his words.
"Todd's out for the rest of the season. You're the man now. You're starting from here on out."
It suddenly hit me. Gordon Henry. Starting quarterback of an NFL team. Not a reliever. Not a third stringer. Starting quarterback. As bad as I felt for Todd and his injury, I was greatful for the opportunity. I knew the guys had confidence in me and I knew I could get the job done.
However, there's a big difference between being the starting quarterback and a backup quarterback. Being a backup means you don't play even though you get reps in practice and there's no pressure on you to perform unless you're needed in. Being a starter means everyone is got their attention on you. You play the most important position in the league. Plus, you now have to call the shots for the offense more times for sixty minutes now. If you play well, then life changes for you.
After playing in so many games of different value, my first start in the NFL would be the biggest one to date.
I spent the entire week practicing as the starter and I grew more confident with each completed pass in practice. The vibe around the team seemed to be more positive for the offense and more negative for the defense. But it was a good negative because they knew that whoever we faced would have a hard time trying to stop me. And it all started with the Indianapolis Colts.
By gameday in week two, I was ready. I was nervous, but I figured I knew the NFL like I knew how to do multiplication problems in math. I take a business like approach to my routine. I arrive to the arena very early on Sunday morning. I get a quick workout in, shower, and get dressed. I'll have breakfast of either cinnamon rolls, cinnamon twists, scrambled eggs, or sausage patties and then I get prepared.
I read a quick chapter in the bible and pray for my health and safety in the game. I then go out to warm up and listen to music. When I get done, I go inside and put on my uniform. I sit alone in my locker and think about the opponent. I think about their strengths and weaknesses on defense. I picture plays to run against them.
Soon, Coach Robinson comes in a gives out his pep talk. He says nothing other than giving the hometown fans a win on opening day would be a perfect way to end the week. He then tells us what we have to do and we break the huddle.
With the sound of cleats walking on the ground, I walk out with the rest of my teammates. Today, I will be the last guy walking out of the tunnel. The offensive starters are going to be introduced. I feel chills knowing I would hear my name from the announcer. My teammates tell me to relax and not let the moment get to you. I wish I could say I took their advice, but that would be a lie. The sad part of the day is that again, my parents weren't here to see me start. I decided to put on a performance for them.
The defense and reserve starters run out first for our guys to a cheering crowd. Soon, our offense is introduced. Otis Miner is first as one wide receiver. Then, our offensive line, including Duncan Elliott. Jermaine Riley follows Duncan while our backfield of Kwame Alexander and Matt Spencer walks out. Then, I hear everything.
"And at quarterback, from Big Bend University. Number 14. Gordon...."
"HENRY"
I run out to the cheering crowd for the first time as a starter. I soon pass through a tunnel of teammates and soon, it's time to kick ass.