The referee’s arms went up, signaling the ball was caught. The crowd screamed as I looked at the clock ticking to zero. I didn’t have time to realize what we had done before the neon green confetti poured out of the ceiling and my teammates swarmed the field.

“Fucking Super Bowl Champions!”

I was engulfed in a sea of my teammates’ laughter and cheers surrounding me. I’d just won the Super Bowl. Yanking off my helmet, I ran to the sideline and was immediately met by Braelon.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, my boy!” We embraced.

“You deserve this. We did this shit together!” I replied and meant every word.

Braelon had been my go-to receiver all year. We’d become the dream team in the media. I recognized that I couldn’t have made it this far without him.

“You did it, Barnes. I knew you had it in you!” Coach interrupted my brotherly love moment with Braelon.

“Couldn’t have done it without you, Coach T!”

I hugged him as some team officials handed us our championship t-shirts. Within moments, I was swept into a press area. I barely had time to slip my shirt over my jersey and place my championship cap on my head before a microphone was pointed in my face.

“Kellon Barnes, how does it feel to win your first Super Bowl?” a reporter asked as cameras flashed in my eyes.

I took a deep breath. I’d been media trained for this very moment.

“It’s a dream come true. I’ve worked for this my entire life.” I smiled.

“It was a close game. Did you ever doubt that you guys wouldn’t pull it off?”

“Doubt is for losers, so no,” I offered as I walked away from the press.

I scanned the field full of the team’s family and friends, searching until I spotted my mom, Charlie, was rushing toward me. Her face beamed with pride and was wet with tears. I broke into a light sprint, eager to embrace her.

“I won, Mom! We won! I’m a Super Bowl champion!” I shouted, feeling the tears welling in my eyes as she wrapped me in her arms. I could feel the weight of all of her sacrifices dissipate. We’d worked so hard to get to this moment.

“Baby, I’m so proud of you!”

The overwhelming joy in her voice made the moment that much better. I glanced down at her shirt, staring at my brother’s picture. Winning the Super Bowl had been his dream long before it was ever mine. It was bittersweet that he wasn’t here to share this moment. He would never get to experience this dream.

“Kellon! One more interview!” a reporter called out.