Reading Response: Out Of The Tunnel by Patrick Jones

“The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity.” -Lewis Grizzard

Have you ever wanted something so much that you would go to any length to get it? Most people think high school football is just about playing games. But what about everything that happens off the field? Navigating relationships, understanding the hierarchy of players on the team, and trying to fit in without jeopardizing your spot on the team are a few of the things that make playing on a team more complicated than it seems. Out of the Tunnel by Patrick Jones is a story about Brian, a character who has just been promoted to the “Big Six” on his high school football team. This means that his position has changed from the more minor position of linebacker to tight end, one of the most important positions on the team. This also means that he is now a part of a group of six players who others view as the best. They get preferential treatment by just about everyone, including their head coach.  Throughout the events in the story Brian’s feelings about being a part of the Big Six change significantly.

The story begins with Brian feeling excited, yet conflicted about being chosen as tight end for his football team. He likes his current position of linebacker but his dad is pressuring him to play tight end. Being tight end means more than just an important position on the field. As the story continues Brian realizes that his social obligations off the field are important to the other members of the Big Six. This includes attending parties where underage drinking is happening. Being the newest member of the Big Six, Brian is pressured to provide alcohol for these parties, or else he risks being disliked by his older teammates, which could jeopardize his new position on the team. I think Brian gives into the peer pressure he is facing because he wants to impress his father. He realizes that both his father and his coach are aware of the parties that happen because they used to do the same things when they played high school football. He is disappointed in the fact that this is overlooked when it comes to important players on the team, because it is clear that he does not want to participate in all the social activities that go along with being a starting player in a key position on his team. He is realizing that this position comes at a price.

Will Brian continue to “pay the price” to keep his position as tight end? In the story Brian’s emotions have ranged from excitement, hesitation, fear and disappointment as he realizes just what it takes to be a part of the football team. Many people can connect to this idea of having mixed feelings while being peer pressured to participate in something questionable. Teenagers especially encounter peer pressure, whether it relates to sports or not. It is up to them to decide if what they are pressured to do is worth the consequences. This is an important idea to keep in mind throughout life, as people of all ages will face decisions with consequences.