Marcus Fletcher is an underappreciated athlete. This 6’6” tower of lean kangaroo muscle and raw kicking power plays for the local university football team along with one of the more “revered” players, Fang. Even if “the kicker” could have the chance to make a reputation for himself as a brute on the field – as Fang does constantly – Marcus would not ever have such a reputation. Because although he can appreciate the sort of attitude that players like Fang bring to the game, Marcus much prefers to let his abilities speak for themselves, rather than add additional flourish by roughing up other players or showing off to the crowd.
One could say that Marcus is an efficient player; he shows up for practices on time and puts in just as much work as everyone else, even if it might not be required for him to do so, as team kicker. In addition to attending regular workouts and practices with his fellow teammates – and doing his routines with as little showboating as possible – he often plays pickup games of football with his teammates on the quad, where most of them take the chance to showoff in front of the small crowds of women – and some men – that gather to watch these muscular hulks play. In these pick-up games Marcus feels even more out of place; he either is the designated punter for both sides or – if he’s lucky – manages to masquerade as a decent wide receiver. No matter which position he picks during these “exhibition” games, he’ll often pick up the indistinct chattering of the ladies in the crowd with his tall ears. Needless to say that more often then not he’ll hear some of them asking who the kangaroo is, and why he’s playing with the others.
And thus we get to the real reason why Marcus isn’t a showoff; there simply is no precedent or even a RIGHT for “the kicker” to be acting like a brute. Despite his high accuracy and impressive distance records – some which have come close to beating the Conference records – Marcus is simply expected to be perfect without getting any of the praise that comes with it. A field goal is simply the disappointing consolation prize at the end of a failed drive, and - with this as his accepted role – Marcus will finish each and every kick to the best of his ability and say nothing more on it. This third-year college player remembers a time when he tried to showoff and ham it up for the crowd – in his freshman year – but wouldn’t get the satisfaction out of it like the more popular players. Naturally, a bit of resentment has built up over the seasons while playing as “the kicker”. Though his fellow teammates and the coaches recognize his skill for what it is, the lack of crowd enthusiasm and praise from fans has deadened Marcus’ flair for showboating.
However, what has not been snuffed out is Marcus’ enthusiasm for the game itself and for his teammate’s successes. In the locker room and on the side of the field Marcus is quick to acknowledge the feats of every teammate on the field, from the center to the wide receiver. He’s considered one of the most sociable and outgoing of the team, while not being a blatant showoff like some of the more “star” players. Because of this, he’s made many friends on and off the team. Even Fang – whose respect took a good one and a half seasons to earn – can see that Marcus has skill that, while being niche for the game, is admirable nonetheless, though that doesn’t prevent the wolf from poking fun at Marcus from time to time.
Despite accepting his role in the university team there is still that spark of hope in Marcus that he might someday be recognized for his skills. While he may not be the biggest or the fastest on the team, he knows that no one can best the strength of his legs or the finesse of his feet. While he knows this may not be enough to show off with Marcus always as an eye and an ear out for a way for him to rise to the top….
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