Dale Denton | The Legacy | Rookie Year

[Captain Canada]

I know them receivers mad as hell, running those routes and turning around just to see the QB taking off

[The JZA]

Chapter VI: Mt. Rushmore Pt.2

Saturday Night – Seattle, November 3rd

Saturday night had that electricity in the air, the kind that clung to your skin and made your heart race. By the time the scoreboard froze, the #6 Washington Huskies had the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes bow down on their own knees, 31–28. Husky Stadium was a madhouse, fans screaming like the city just got baptized. Dale Denton? He was the preacher behind the pulpit, delivering fire.

31-for-50 through the air. 265 yards. Two touchdowns. But the stat that hit different—26 rushes for 234 yards and a score. Quarterback numbers? Nah. Those were gladiator numbers. Numbers that put the whole damn country on notice.

And that win wasn’t just a W, it was a statement. It was vindication.

Mark Denton shoved his way through the chaos, pulling his son into a bear hug that damn near cracked ribs. His voice boomed with pride. “My boy!” Mark shouted, shaking Dale by the shoulders. “That was some legendary shit you pulled out there tonight! You put the whole damn country on notice!”

Dale grinned, tired but still juiced off adrenaline. “Appreciate you, O.G. I just wish I held on to the rock better. Them fumbles had me tight. But one way or another, I knew I wasn’t leaving that field without breaking the #1 team.”

Mark cut him off, shaking his head hard. “Fumbles? Boy, fuck them fumbles. You carried this team like a king out there. Don’t let no little slip-up cloud the fact you just bodied Ohio State in front of everybody. That’s Hall of Fame type shit, son. You hear me? Hall. Of. Fame.”

Sharnell came through next, eyes glossy, hugging Dale like he was still her little boy fresh off the Harlem playground. “My baby…” her voice cracked as tears slipped down. “Oh my God, Dale, you were amazing. I’ve never been so proud. You really something special, baby.”

“Ma, c’mon… You actin' like you never seen me play” Dale laughed shyly, blushing like he wasn’t just the baddest man in college football tonight.

“You hush, Dale Denton!” she swatted his arm playfully. “Don’t downplay this moment. Hush!.”

Coach Danielson slid into the circle, clapping Dale on the shoulder, eyes fierce but glowing with pride. “Hell of a performance, son. You earned this one.” He turned, shaking hands with Mark and Sharnell. “Y’all raised a warrior. Be proud.”

“We did work out there, Coach!” Dale said with a grin. “This whole season ours to run through. We locked in till that conference title and natty.”

Coach Danielson’s smirk was thin but approving. “Damn right. But don’t get too high on this win. Rutgers is waiting next week. Enjoy tonight, but Monday morning? We back in the lab. You hear me?”

Dale flashed that wolfish grin, couldn’t help himself. “Coach, I ain’t gon’ lie. I’m letting this one get to my head. We just beat Ohio State, number one in the country. I’ve played a lot of games, but this one? Nah, this one different. Unless we line up Alabama and Georgia next, this might be the peak.”

Coach Danielson smirked, but his grip tightened on Dale’s shoulder. “Enjoy it tonight. But remember—complacency is a killer. I need you sharp. You hear me?”

“Yes, sir,” Dale said with intent. “Season don’t end till we put another Natty in that case.” Dale pulled his coach into a quick hug.

Later, after the celebration keg almost drenched Coach Danielson and Dale made his locker-room rounds, he linked with his parents by the Blazer who perched on it as if they were royalty. They rolled downtown to Von’s 1000Spirits, the nightlife spilling into the streets. Inside, the vibe was buzzing, TVs replaying Dale’s highlights on loop. A couple heads turned, whispers followed—Seattle was recognizing their king.

Mark’s eyes widened at the wall of liquor behind the bar. “Damn, Seattle drinking like this?”

They grabbed a table, ordered up plates and drinks, and settled in. For the first time all night, it was just family.

Dale leaned back, eyes on both of them. "Mom, Pop, I'm really glad y'all came out here. It's... Nice to see y'all out together so cordial, without putting in effort."

Mark chuckles, shaking his head at Dale's observation. "Man, you right. Me and your mama, we've come a long way since then." He reaches across the table, his hand coming to rest on Sharnell's. "It ain't always been easy, but I'm grateful every day for the progress we've made. For you, Dale." His eyes meet Sharnell's, a soft, loving smile tugging at his lips.

"But through it all, you've always been our north star. Our guiding light." Sharnell's eyes meet Dale's, filled with a deep, abiding love. "I know we haven't always been the picture-perfect family, but I hope you know how much you mean to us. How much we appreciate and adore you." "Yeah, I know." Dale nodded. "I'm just happy to see y'all making it work, even if it took all these years."

Mark noticed the shine it took to Dale and Sharnell. It ate at him inside, knowing he bailed on the best years of their lives, but he couldn't let the torment be the focus, all he could do is be in the moment.

The warmth in the moment gave Dale the push to let the real thought spill out. “Look… I been thinking hard lately… I’m considering declaring for the NFL after this season.”

The table went silent. Sharnell froze, concern flashing in her eyes. “Baby, I thought you wanted to finish school? Get your degree?”

Dale shrugged, voice low but steady. “I did. But this… this window don’t stay open forever. NIL deals don’t last. I could go back to college anytime. But the league? The money? The chance? That clock ticking.”

Mark exhaled heavy, rubbing his beard. “You think you ready for that jump, son?”

“I won’t know til I do it. Best case—I go pro and ball out. Worst case—I flame out, but I got a bag to fall back on. I can’t play scared.”

Sharnell sharply looks at Dale, retorting. "And in this economy, that kind of money burns through just as fast. I'd still want you to get your degree, to have something to fall on, baby."

Mark nods. "Your mother's right, a million today ain't what it was 20-30 years ago."

Dale nodded in agreement. "Trust, I know. This inflation ain't been kind to anyone but to those who put in place. But this world is a business. You win some, you lose some, but scared money don't make money, whether I have a degree or not."

"I don't know, Dale." Sharnell interjected. "It really would make me feel better if you stay the full four years and have something to show for it. I get it that you're there to play football, but I'm just concerned about your future."

“Ma, the future is football,” Dale said, his tone unshakable. “That’s my legacy. Y’all got plaques on the shelf—none of them from spelling bees, all from football. That’s where my gift lies.”

Mark cut in, eyes narrowing. “But you really gonna pass up history? Son, you know you’re on track to be the second player ever with two Heismans, etching your name next Archie Griffin. You stay another season, you could be the first with three Heismans. ‘Mr. College Football.’ That’s a legacy nobody ever touching.”

That idea hit Dale different. His ears perked. He tried to hide it, but he couldn’t. Still, his voice stayed measured. “I ain’t gonna lie… that sounds crazy. Like… bigger than life. But I gotta think about setting us all up for the long run. Make sure we never struggle again. Secure the bag. Secure the family. Legacy in college don’t feed nobody but the fans.”

Sharnell knew he was right to a degree. She knew the long hours slaving away for another man's riches just to make bread out of breadcrumbs for longer than she cared to remember. "I hear you, Dale. Me personally, I'd finish school and get the degree. The NFL can wait another year... But, you're 21 now. You can make your own decisions. And if you feel that taking the next step is more beneficial, then I can't do anything but support my baby boy."

Mark was beside himself, pulled both ways.

"Pop... I see you're struggling with this..."

"I am, but... Your mother is right, you're your own man now. This is a big step you'd have to take for yourself. I'm still in agreement with your mother, you should stay the for the full ride, and give them one hell of a senior season. But if you feel the NFL is calling right now, then you better get me that first jersey you sale!" Mark grinned in full support.

Dale laughed, tension breaking. “Say less, Pop. Say less. But listen, it's not concrete, but I just wanted your thoughts on my future. I still got some time left to make a final decision. I'm not saying I don't wanna finish, I'm just looking at what's on the horizon..."

The waitress dropped off their plates—two Northwest salmons, a Cobb, a Quatre Viande, black Hennessy, a Skinny Bitch and water . Sharnell said grace, and just like that, the heavy talk slid to the side. For the rest of the night, they ate, laughed, and soaked in victory.

But deep in Dale’s chest, the decision still burned. Stay for history… or leap into the unknown.

[The JZA]

I know them receivers mad as hell, running those routes and turning around just to see the QB taking off

Captain Canada, We all hitting 4.20 at the combine #CardioDay

[djp73]

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

djp73, lol Unfortunately, we need them for a little while longer

[djp73]

I mean ohio

[The JZA]

[djp73]

what'd rutgers do to your coach?

[The JZA]

what'd rutgers do to your coach?

djp73, They stepped on our field thinking they had a chance. We highly took that as disrespect