CHAPTER 5

FAMOUS

Malik took the snap and headed to the right side. The offensive line kept the Cowboys’ defensive line under control.

Anton moved into position behind Malik, ready for the pitch.

Malik turned the corner and saw a linebacker, the player he had to beat.

Malik faked a pitchout to Anton, but it didn’t fool the linebacker. He kept heading toward Malik.

Still, Malik kept the ball. He tucked it under and tried to fake out the linebacker.

It didn’t work.

The linebacker squared his shoulders and wrapped his arms around Malik.

He slammed Malik to the ground.

The ball slid out from Malik’s hands and popped free.

Just like that, the Giants’ undefeated record was gone. The Cowboys had won the game.

As they jogged off the field, Malik shook his head.

“Why didn’t you pitch that to me?” Anton said. “That linebacker was on you.”

“I thought I could beat him,” Malik said. He shrugged. “I couldn’t.”

After the game, Coach Benson tried to boost his players’ spirits by reminding them of the team’s good moments.

Still, Anton could tell that the coach wasn’t happy with Malik.

After talking to the team, the coach pulled Malik to the side. He talked to him for a long time.

As Malik walked off the field, the tall man who’d been watching from the sideline headed over to him.

“Great game, Malik!” the man yelled. “Three touchdowns!”

“Yeah, but we lost the game,” Anton heard Malik say.

“Don’t worry about that,” the man said. “You did your part.”

Anton couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

The man seemed to be telling Malik that his personal statistics were more important than how the team did.

If Coach Benson heard that, Anton knew he wouldn’t be happy.

Anton walked home with his teammate Jeff, who played tight end. He told Jeff what he had heard. “Well, that’s not too surprising, is it?” Jeff said. “That guy’s always been like that.”

Anton stopped walking. “You mean you know who that guy is?” he asked.

“Of course,” said Jeff. “Don’t you?”

Anton shook his head. “I know he looks familiar,” he said.

“That’s Jerome Biggins. He used to play in the pros,” Jeff said.

“Oh! He’s the guy who was always doing those crazy touchdown dances and getting fined by the league and stuff, right?” Anton asked.

“Yeah, that’s the guy,” Jeff said.

“Why does he care about Malik’s statistics?” Anton asked, confused.

Jeff stopped and stared at him. “You mean you don’t know? Jerome Biggins is Malik’s uncle.”