Game Changer

“Light in the darkness / Circles without shape / Colors I can’t see / Memories I can’t feel”

When Teddy Youngblood “speaks,” it is through fragmentary bits that grow into complete sentences and complete thoughts. To capture the feeling of struggling to remember, Teddy’s voice is fractured into these pieces, without punctuation, and without syntax.

“I’m here / I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart / I’m never going anywhere again”

Sarah, Teddy’s mother, visits him in the hospital. In her first appearance, she promises that she is present and not leaving anymore. This passage provides background into Teddy’s family and its dynamics, foreshadowing the conflicts to come.

“Remember they used to call you the ‘game changer’? / Because you were always the one who made the difference”

The novel’s title is first mentioned as Teddy’s dad reminisces about his positive memories of his son playing football. Jim’s memories are laced with pride and demonstrate the impact Teddy’s playing had on his father and their relationship. His wistful language and tone point to his inability to believe anything negative may have happened and erases any doubt shown by others that Teddy will play again.