Dear Zach,
I've been holding this anger in for far too long. It's time for some closure.
Do you remember those times in 2008 when we were young and stupid? It was magical; with Drew Willy, Naaman Roosevelt, James Starks and company, we shocked the world and won the Mid-American Conference. Those autumn Saturdays were the best times I've ever had. And you weren't just some backup sitting on the bench either. You came in, ready to change the tempo of the offense. I even compared you to a young Tim Tebow, backing up Chris Leak for the Gators in their championship season of '06. (Crazy, huh?)
Coming into next season, I thought, even though Willy was gone, that you would be better; that you would have many more electric moments on the field. I felt that anything was possible. I was ready for a Bulls dynasty.
Then you got the starting job and you began to change like the late autumn winds. That youthful exuberance you had as a freshman disappeared. Those breathtaking moves you created just a year ago were gone. All that was left were overthrown balls, costly fumbles, and soul-crushing interceptions.
The honeymoon period was over, and I hated the real you.
You always seemed distant, like you didn't care. Even when you were out at Mojo's you would always just stand there, back to the wall, emotionless and unwilling to say a word. I could no longer defend you in front of my friends, and there were many afternoons that I spent yelling at you. Our relationship was in serious trouble.
So one day, it was all over. You traded the cold and brutal Buffalo winters in, and ran away to sunny California. I was angry and the next year was terrible. Nobody could replace the void in my heart that you, Drew, James and Naaman created. I was this close to giving it all up and quitting.
But something crazy happened. Sometimes, when you least expect it, when you feel like losing faith, someone comes in and changes everything. This change came from Cincinnati, and even though this new relationship may not last, I needed it. I needed to feel one last time how great Saturdays in the fall were. Things have been going great with this new quarterback named Chazz Anderson.
It would have been extraordinary if I never saw you again, if you just faded into obscurity (or as the great Mike Tyson once said: "fade into Bolivian"); it would have made me happy. But one day, as I was flicking through channels, there you were, in that number 14 instead of that number 6 jersey you would always wear in Buffalo. Of course memories flooded back, and for a moment I missed you again.
But I realized that I am in a better position now. And I'm no longer bitter about you leaving. It needed to happen. You needed a change of scenery and so did I. I am so happy that you are doing well, making those electric moves that you once made, making some wide-eyed college kid in Berkley happy.
I will silently root for you, and hope everything goes well. That is, unless you decide to come back to Buffalo. Then all bets are off. Hey, nobody is perfect.
Much love,
Nathaniel Smith
Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
