Dale Denton | The Legacy | Rookie Year

[Soapy]

that's a strange ass heisman list lmao

two SMU players, cinci and pittsburgh

[Count]

Not dale’s best game but a W is a W.

[Captain Canada]

Boy looked human in that one but got the dub regardless.

[The JZA]

someone tie his shoelaces together?

Not dale’s best game but a W is a W.

Boy looked human in that one but got the dub regardless.

djp73, Count, Captain Canada, As intended TBH. Entered the game with 75% energy so he had to play smart til he was back at 100%.

In the 4th, Dale broke off a 27-yard run, dodged a DB and doved into the endzone, only for his knee to touch grass just outside the goal line, but there was a flag on the play for holding anyway

Dubs up tho

that's a strange ass heisman list lmao

two SMU players, cinci and pittsburgh

Soapy, There's always been that flux outside Dale, Zeb & Novosad. Now it's LSU & Clemson on the board.

Novosad had a strong start, thought he might've gone all the way

[The JZA]

[chosenone58]

chosenone58, We need more active at Rice University fam, streets are starving

I been working on some other things, but we'll get back to that for sure.

[The JZA]

Chapter VII: Star Boy Pt.1

The Huskies were sittin' pretty at 8-0. A clean 5-0 run in conference play had everybody talkin', even the national media types who ain’t been payin’ attention before. The Washington name rang out like a church bell on Sundays. The team was hot, but bodies were gettin' cold—banged up and bruised from week after week of war in the trenches. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. It was a pause, a moment to reset, to breathe before diving back into the chaos of Big Ten football.

Dale needed it.

Not just the physical break from linebackers and D-Line built like armored trucks, but a mental timeout too. College football wasn't high school. These weren’t just athletes; these were overgrown-ass men with necks the size of fire hydrants. Dale stayed slippin' outta sacks, jukin’ defenders twice his size like he was born with a joystick in his hand. But even Houdini got tired. The hits added up, and so did the stress. The speed, the schemes, the expectations. He had to always be ten steps ahead, or risk being buried under three hundred pounds of regret.

He used the time off smart. Caught up on rest. Hit the books. Clarissa helped where she could, but lately, the tutoring sessions started feelin' more like hangouts now that Dale was back in motion. Having her around to just talk things of life and not football was different. Easy, but comfortable.

"You really don’t know what a gerund is?" Clarissa teased, tapping the page with her pen.

"I know what a touchdown is," Dale grinned.

"Yeah, but that won’t help you pass English comp."

"Then you better keep teachin’ me, Ms. Valedictorian."

Clarissa smirked. "You lucky you cute when you dumb."

"Whoa! That’s a dangerous compliment," Dale chuckled. "Might go to my head."

"Your ego already lives there rent-free."

She brought out his smile in ways the end zone couldn’t. There were still books open and problems being solved, but there were also jokes, inside references, and laughter that filled the gaps between definitions and formulas. They were building something beyond Xs and Os.

Off the field, Dale put in time with the squad. Gym, turf, film study. Quietly, he’d become the one the younger cats started looking toward. The shift was subtle, but real. He wasn't just the quarterback anymore. He was the voice. Grades still gave him hell, but he was fighting to be better—not just for himself, but for the team, for his moms. Every rep in the weight room, every late-night cram session, it was about something bigger than a stat sheet. It was about honor. It was about redemption.

Tuesday night, dorm lights dim, Dale laid out on his bed with the phone to his ear. A moment of solitude. A rare pause.

"Yo," he said.

"What’s up, son?" Mark’s voice came through the line smooth, steady, like an old record player spinning something classic.

The rain, the food, the tempo of everything. Dale shared how different things felt. How focused he had to be. How every mistake came with a consequence.

"But enough about me," Dale said, stretching. "What’s goin’ on with you, old man?"

"Nothing much, steady working and maintaining. I try to catch all of your games when I can. What I miss, I catch highlight clips. You boys did a real number on Rutgers. That was personal."

"Somebody had to be the punching bag, it wasn't going to be us." Dale laughed. "Hopefully they'll get better so it'll never happen again, that was merciless, but I enjoyed it."

Yeah, I'm glad I don't have to play against you. But you're doing good son, real proud of you."

"Thanks, Pop."

"I won't lie, I miss coming to your games, being able to see you work in person. Wished you stayed close, but I understand how you feel about here. As long as your happy, I'm happy."

"Man, there's so much time in my college career. If fate makes the call for me to be there, I'll be there. Who knows what'll happen. All I know right now is I'm where I'm needed to be."

"I hear you Son, that's most important."

A moment of silence fell between the two before the conversation shifted.

"You talk to Moms lately?"

Mark sighed. "Yeah"

"Uh-oh, that don't sound good," Dale implied.

"Nah, the same as usual," Mark responded. "She still bent on not making it easy for either of us. But I won't take her justification away from her. But we talk every now and then."

"Mom always been a hard-ass about trife, but you know she's good peoples."

"Maybe to you, but Sharnell always been fiesty with me, through and through."

"And you're complaining about it?"

"I'm old, Dale. Some things do change with age."

"Man, you 40. Chill with the grandpa energy."

"Hey, some days feel older than others."

They both laughed.

"But I guess some things that stay the same is for the good."

"Mom's an O.G., she ain't switching up for nobody. But it's nice that y'all still communicate in some capacity."

"Mhm. Yeah, we're trying, or at least I am." Mark agreed. "Let me flip the script," Mark said, his voice light. "Let me flip the play on you, what's your story? Big time quarterback on the scene, doing big things, you got to have at least 10 of those tenderonies jocking for your attention. You smashin' yet? I know they on you heavy. I hope you wearing rubbers."

"Come on, Pop. Not even like that. I been focused on football. That’s it. Don't get me wrong, there's some eye candy out here, but I'm chilling." Dale assured. "I told you about my grades, they ain't looking good right now, so I got priorities."

"Look at you. Making grown men decisions. I wish I had that kind of discipline back in my day, might've done something better with my life."

"Hey, you're never too old to improve. Long as you're alive, you're growing, not grown."

Marked lets out a chuckle in response of what Dale said. "And where you get that line from?"

"What you mean? That's an original, trademarked by Dale Denton!"

Mark laughed even louder, "I always knew you had a old soul in you, but damn. You ain't lying, son, every day's a journey. Look at you, and here I am supposed to be dropping science on you young blood. You got your head on right. But alright, I'm just asking. I see you. Keep doin' you, I'm proud of ya'."

Their conversation went on for another 35-45 minutes before they called it a night. Dale was different. He may not have seen it immediately, but the effects of living in South Carolina had began to take it's hold on him. Getting out of the streets, finding fertile grounds for his focus on football, just having time to sit and analyze versus thinking on the move. Dale pulled off a 180. It may have just been a year, but spending time with Mark was much needed for him. For them. Though Sharnell was playing hard ball with Mark, Dale's connection with his parents were real and available. He was a long way from Harlem, but somehow, he felt closer to who he was meant to be.

[The JZA]

Chapter VIII: Star Boy Pt.2

The next day on the quad. It was a cool day, nothing crazy but a jacket or sweater was required. Students were going from A to B or lounging around. It haven't rained for a few days, so the grounds were comfortable. The trees shed their colors in slow-motion flurries, and every now and then, a good breeze rustled the fallen leaves that needed bagging. Dale was under a tree, goin’ through the playbook. Flanking him was freshman HB Ezekiel Ragas and sophomore WR Trey Lincoln, but their attention was elsewhere.

"Yo, Dale," Trey seggested, eyes locked on a passing girl in leggings and confidence. "Put that down, man. Ain’t no games this week."

"That's when the real ones study the hardest," Dale said without lookin’ up.

"It's not like we playing right now. We ain't see a snap so far this year."

Dale quickly understood the sentiment, "Maybe not, but you guys are up next. Adam and Rashid are graduating after the season, spots are going to open up. It's up to y'all to lock them down before new recruits do."

"I might be gone by then. I'm thinking about trying my hands with Washington State next season." Ezekiel mumbled. "We're not you, Dale. We ain't coming in to be an immediate star player."

"Bro, you're about to take the same path I did when I was at Notre Dame. I was stuck behind a All-American sophomore. At least y'all got a chance."

Shit, I been here a year already and still haven't gotten a ball my way." Trey highlighted. "But I might stay if I catch a play with one of these honeys out here, especially with Benny fine ass!"

"Who? Addy Benefield? Can't catch that my boy." Ezekiel joked on Trey.

"Quit hating and play the backfield bruh, she's prime for the cause."

"Man, talk to me about Sofia Cosculluela, that's a bad one right there." Ezekiel shifted the predicate.

"Man, both y'all mindset is weak." Dale injected.

"But the flesh is strong, my brother Denton!" Trey preached.

"Preach on, brother Lincoln! Show this young brother of ours the light of the feminine delicacy," Ezekiel nudged Dale with a smile.

"Both y’all trippin’," Dale said. "Y’all focused on cheeks instead of playbooks.".

They went back and forth, laughing, talkin’ reckless. The jokes flew faster than fall leaves in the wind.

"You calling the kettle black while you boo boo'd up with blondie these past few weeks." Trey calling out Dale.

"Me? Nah, that ain't what y'all think."

"Mhm, tell us anything."

"Dead ass, she's was just helping me with my studies, get back on track and shit. I fell off bad with midterms. Besides, she's dating some dude at Washington State."

"So basically, she's for the campus."

"If that's your play" Dale rebutted.

"Nah, my boy, that's all you. Just like shorty over there who's been glancing over here a few times."

Dale looks up, a little too fast for his liking as he scanned the area.

"Look at him, got sparkles all in his eyes." Trey ribbed Dale with a big smile across his face, Ezekiel chiming in on the tease.

"And this is why y'all not on the field, bunch of clowns."

"Ease up man, we're just messing with you." Trey slyly put.

"I'm sure one of these biddies got your name on them. We gone get you laid if nothing else star boy."

Dale raises his eyebrows, "Nah, I'm cool for right now."

Ezekiel looks at Dale, "Dude, I know you not scared of some play."

"Nah, definitely not scared. Just in chill mode." Dale stood firm on.

"Yeah, sounds like you're scared." Ezekiel egged on. "We understand."

"Y'all remember that famous line from Michael De Santa on GTA V: Stick to the fucking plan."

Ezekiel cut his low eyes to Dale, "I also remember that line from Lamar: "Maybe if you got rid of that old yee-yee ass haircut you got, you'd get some bitches on your dick."

Ezekiel and Trey laughed it up while dapping each other

"I can't win with you two." Dale shook his head.

"Nope! You the one always ranting about you from Harlem. Well, show us how y'all do things on the east side." Trey applied pressure. Then Trey hit him with the bet.

"I'll tell you what, small game. You got the pick of the litter, $100 you smash something. Bring receipt."

Dale looked at Trey like he betrayed him, "Bro, you do know that I've turned down two NIL deals already, right?"

"Man, all I'm here is all this talking but no agreement. I'm starting to think some things about you star boy!"

"Yo, Zeke, get your mans B'".

"Nah, I'm with Trey on this."

Dale looks at both Ezekiel and Trey in disbelief. "Word? This is what we doing our first year together?"

Trey smiles at Dale with a tight lip.

"... $500." Dale negotiated.

"What? Come on, we're college students, who you take us for? Be reasonable. Getting some cash and ass."

Dale pondered what Trey just said. His mind verted to Keisha and how she did him dirty, and if hoes were about, then why should he care.

"Aight, fine, I'll do it."

Just as Dale was trying to shake on it, Trey pulls his hand back with a big smile, "Damn Dale! You really about to pimp yourself out for $100? Sheesh you easy!" Trey joked.

Ezekiel doubled in laughter with tears in his eyes.

"Oh, you were in on this too, huh? Man, F y'all." Dale collected his things and stood up to leave Ezekiel and Trey behind. "See y'all bozos on the bench."

Trey couldn't stop laughing as he tried to plea with Dale but he wasn't having it. Dale knew they were just messing around, but still, it hit him in his pride a bit. He walked off, headphones in, letting music drown out the echoes of their laughter. It wasn't about the bet. It was about respect. They may have gotten over on Dale this once, but best believe, the get-back was coming. Not outta spite, but principle.

[The JZA]

I been working on some other things, but we'll get back to that for sure.

We ride when you ready fam

[The JZA]