[legendsport]

Washington, DC: November 7, 1919:

Danny Barrell's first exposure to football had been seeing his oldest brother play for Noble Jones College under an assumed name. That had been necessary because Joe Barrell was a professional boxer and the AIAA didn't condone professional athletes competing in collegiate events, even if the sport was a different one. So Joe became "Buck Barnwell" and had a nice career in college football that was now continuing in professional football.

Danny had greatly enjoyed watching football. Playing it? That was an entirely different level of fun.

Danny was a gifted athlete - he knew this and it was something he had pretty much taken for granted. His brothers were all the same way. Heck, it was even evident in six-year-old Harry.

So Danny, like Joe before him, found football to be fun and not least because he was so darned good at it.

This was the final game of the season... and it was for the city championship. Danny's Capital Academy Senators against the Washington Central High School Cavaliers. Central was good... but Danny and his team mates knew that Capital was better.

In the first quarter, Danny, playing tailback in the Senators' single-wing offense, took the snap. Central was well aware that Danny was equally adept at carrying, passing, blocking and punting (and that was just when Capital was on offense). On this play, he ran the ball, following the quarterback around the right end. One of the Central defenders dove at him, but Danny leaped over the would-be tackler and sprinted into the open field. He was fast - years of running on the farm, trying to escape Jack or Jimmy... or chasing Tommy or Fred had made him fleet of foot. The play ended with a touchdown after a romp of 63 yards.

Danny looked into the stands and saw Claudia on her feet and clapping. Next to her Potentas was... well, it looked like he was taking notes. Danny laughed as his team mates slapped him on the back.

Capital won the game and the Washington City championship.

Afterwards, Danny was walking off the field when he saw his coach walking over, in conversation with another man.

Capital's coach was a man named Rudy Beckmann. Beckmann was a big guy - 6'4 and about 270 pounds. He coached not only football, but also baseball, having played both sports. Beckmann had even had a three-year stint with FABL's Washington Eagles, and was a part-timer on the club's 1913 World Championship team. Danny had a lot of respect for Coach Beckmann - he was tough, but fair.

"Dan? I have someone who'd like to have a word with you," Coach Beckmann said with a wave of his hand once he was within earshot.

"Heckuva game, Barrell," said the other man as Danny approached. Beckmann's companion was also tall, but lean and with an easy grace to his movements that somewhat reminded Danny of Powell Slocum.

"Danny, this is Bob Spangler. He coaches the track and field team."

Track and field? Danny tried to keep a straight face. He had no interest in running around in circles.

Apparently he didn't succeed too well with the whole "keep the disdain off your face" attempt. Coach Beckmann frowned and said, "Don't scowl... it's not football or baseball, but you have to be a great athlete to compete in track and field."

Spangler looked Danny in the eye and asked simply, "You a competitor, Barrell?"

Danny was taken aback. He thought the answer to that was obvious - hadn't he just wiped the floor with the opposition out there?

Spangler didn't wait for an answer. "I can see... hell, everyone can see that you've got a ton of athletic ability. But what I want to know is... do you have the fire to push yourself to your physical and mental limits?"

Danny was confused. "I'm not sure what you mean, Coach," he said.

Spangler said, "You can be special, Barrell. That speed you showed... that's a gift. And it will do wonders for you in football... and baseball too."

Danny said, "Let me guess, it can do wonders for me in track too, right?"

Beckmann frowned and opened his mouth to chide Danny for his remark, but Spangler raised a hand.

"Yes, it can. I've been working with track and field athletes for years. I've sent several men to the Olympics." He paused and pointed at Danny's chest. "You could be one of those men."

The Olympics? Danny had heard about the Olympic Games, but hadn't given them much thought. They hadn't been held in 1916 because of the war and at the time of the 1912 Games, he hadn't even turned eight yet.

"Aren't the Olympics next year?" he asked. "No offense, but I'm just a freshman."

Spangler laughed and replied, "Yes, the next iteration of the Games are indeed this coming summer. I'm thinking 1924 for you, Barrell. But... first things first, you'd need to commit to the track and field team so we can start training."

Danny looked at Coach Beckmann and asked, "Isn't that a spring sport? What about baseball?"

Beckmann shrugged and said, "You can do both. You'll be extremely busy, but Coach Spangler and I have discussed this and we will make it work."

Danny shrugged and said, "Hmm... Running around a track? No offense, but that sounds boring."

Spangler laughed and said, "Oh, there's more to this than just running. I've seen you throw and jump too. You have all-around talent. I'm thinking decathlon for you, Barrell."

Decathlon? Danny didn't even know what that was.

"This'll be a challenge. But if you're the competitor I think you are, and are willing to push yourself beyond what's comfortable and easy... that is the path to greatness."

Danny liked the sound of that, so he said, "Well... since you put it that way, consider me interested."