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Sunday at 2:37 pm
Adam I saw Mr. Rashad downtown at the library talking to Ethan.
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Sunday at 3:11 pm
Rebecca Who’s Mr. Rashad? What were they doing?
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Sunday at 3:13 pm
Adam He’s a counselor at school, my older brother knows him. I have no idea but it looked like an intense conversation.
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Sunday at 4:11 pm
Will Everyone on the football team needs to chill out and stop acting like idiots or get off this thread right now.
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DAD
Hey, bud
The doctor told us what’s going on
She, uh
She told us about something called unconscious thought
Like dreams
You’re not asleep but you’re not awake
The doctor said it’s a sign of increased brain activity, which is awesome
But she said you seem agitated
And she’s concerned about overstimulation
So
First of all, it’s our fault for talking about some of this other stuff, so that’s not going to happen again
But also she is going to change your medication a little bit to help you rest
Maybe not have so many visitors
All these people want to see you, but Mom and I think it’s too much
So for now just close family and friends
Less noise I think will be good
Camille is here, she came with her dad and she has a gift for you
She’s going to say a quick hello just for a minute
You just need to rest and get strong
Nothing else matters.
Sunday at 4:36 pm
Hipstuh Who was at the rally last night for Teddy? Did you see the cops? There were cops there.
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Sunday at 4:51 pm
Nick It wasn’t a rally, it was a vigil. Wow get your terms straight Mr. Hipstuh.
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Sunday at 5:02 pm
Sloane I don’t get it tho, why would cops be there?
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Sunday at 7:14 pm
Clea Has anyone talked to some kid named Ethan?
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Sunday at 7:19 pm
Andrea Ethan who?
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Sunday at 7:28 pm
Clea I don’t know his last name but somebody said he knows something.
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Sunday at 7:33 pm
Rebecca R u talking about Ethan Metzger? I think he disconnected his phone or something, no one has heard from him.
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CAMILLE
Hey
I don’t want to bother you but, um, I brought you a present
It’s stupid, but I thought maybe you would think it was funny
I don’t know
Remember, like, a couple of weeks ago at the beach, you were playing volleyball with your friends and you saw me walking to the Sandy Grille with Olivia and Emily, and you called out, “Yo Bizetti, bring me back some fries?” And I was going to, I swear I was, but then Olivia said it would be stupid and it would look dumb for me to just like drop everything and do whatever you asked me to, and besides, she said you weren’t even serious, you were just showing off for your friends, so she convinced me not to. And then remember when I walked back, you yelled, “Seriously? No fries?” And you and all your friends laughed and I laughed too but then later I felt bad that I didn’t get them for you, but Olivia and Emily told me that I was acting like a third grader, which made me feel like an idiot, so for like the next week I barely said anything to you? Remember that?
I feel, like, I felt like so bad about that, and I really did want to bring you those fries, so, uh, I brought them today
That’s like the stupidest gift in the world to bring someone in, you know, in your situation, I know, but I just, I just wanted to
So anyway
My dad is talking to your parents in the waiting room
I’m not sure what they’re talking about, I think it has something to do with last night
Some of the kids were acting a little weird
At first I thought it was because they were just really upset and freaked out about this whole thing, but then someone said that people were asking questions about what happened
Someone even said the police were there
Which is so weird, right?
So my dad found out and kind of went ballistic
He said everyone who was talking about what happened should leave
He wanted to make sure no one was distracted, because the whole point was for people to pray and think about you and just focus on you getting better
I don’t know what’s happening, Teddy
People are getting weird online too, people are saying stuff
I don’t get it
I feel so bad for my dad
All he’s ever done his whole life is care about his players
Ugh, so
I’m going to have a few of the fries, is that okay?
Should I give them to that nurse guy?
He’s hilarious by the way
Or maybe your parents will want them?
What I
What I really want is for you to eat them.
Sunday at 8:12 pm
Emily I am thinking about Teddy. We should all be thinking about Teddy and what he and his poor family are going through. Please please please stop with this other nonsense and just focus on what’s important and that is our friend getting better I beg you guys.
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Sunday at 8:56 pm
Ephraim I agree! I’m just reading this now for the first time and it’s pretty gross. And seriously stop with the conspiracy theories it’s not helping at all!!!
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Sunday at 9:15 pm
Clea I’m not exactly sure what a conspiracy theory is but I’ve heard from like three people at least that this was not just a football injury, that there is some kind of organized thing on the last day of camp where kids on the team beat each other up for fun, like some sort of competition, it’s a tradition or something, has anyone else heard about this?
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Sunday at 9:44 pm
James Clea whoever you are you need to stop talking RIGHT NOW, you seriously have no idea what you’re talking about.
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INSIDE
Squirts
Punks
You ready to be part of Walthorne Wildcat football
You think you’re ready
Time to find out
Heat
Sweat
Drenched
Heavy
Shouting
Crazy
Start
Hurry up
Start
Ready
Now
Do it
MOM
Hi, honey
I’m back
Janey and I had fried chicken tonight
I saved you some
Dad’s with her at the house, but I’ll be here all night sleeping right next to you
I
I don’t know what’s happening
Today was
Today was a long day
I just
I’ll be quiet now
Today was a long day
But I think you’re better
You really seem better to me
I just want you to get better
I just want you back, Teddy.
Sunday at 10:02 pm
Susie I don’t get why everyone is being so mean to each other when one of our classmates is in the hospital like fighting for his life.
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Sunday at 10:19 pm
Jackson People are jerks online sometimes, that’s why.
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Sunday at 10:48 pm
Wassup Why does wanting the truth make people jerks?
#TruthIsFreedom
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MONDAY, AUGUST 29
8:00 AM
PATIENT REPORT
FURTHER REDUCTION OF BRAIN SWELLING.
BREATHING ON HIS OWN FOR LIMITED PERIODS.
REMAINS FREE OF ANY SIGNS OF INTERNAL BLEEDING.
CONDITION: GUARDED
INSIDE
Hey, Teddy
I’m Will
I’m one of the captains
I’ve been watching you
You can really play
You’re going to do great things on this team
So
We want you to be part of something special
Come on
It’ll be fun
Makes you part of the program
Makes us all brothers
It’s cool
Pretty intense
You seem like someone who would be totally into it
Are you down?
Are you one of us?
Cool
Very cool
It happens during the Rookie Rumble
We call it the Hit Parade
Here’s how it works
Monday at 8:14 am
Clea Something other than football happened for sure. I heard someone came up behind Teddy at the end of practice and decked him or pushed him and he hit his head.
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Monday at 8:23 am
Nick Heard where? Why would someone do that? That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard, whoever said that is a moron.
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Monday at 9:18 am
James This is pathetic.
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Monday at 9:22 am
Will VARSITY FOOTBALL PLAYERS OFF THIS THREAD
DO NOT POST
I MEAN IT
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WALTHORNE DEPT. OF EDUCATION
PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO RECORDING
MONDAY, AUGUST 29 AT 9:37 AM
MR. RASHAD: How are you doing today?
ETHAN: Fine.
MR. RASHAD: I thought we’d meet here for a little change of pace. Can I order you some breakfast?
ETHAN: No thanks, I’m not really hungry.
MR. RASHAD: Got it. Well, thanks for coming. I hope you’re okay with the earlier hour. They say the brain works at maximum capacity an hour after you wake up.
ETHAN: [INAUDIBLE]
MR. RASHAD: How did you sleep last night? A little better?
ETHAN: Pretty good.
MR. RASHAD: That’s great. I’m just asking because your parents are a little worried.
ETHAN: You talked to them?
MR. RASHAD: Of course. I talk to them every day.
ETHAN: They always worry about stuff.
MR. RASHAD: That’s because they’re good parents, and good parents worry.
ETHAN: So what did they say?
MR. RASHAD: Well . . . they seem to think you’re not sleeping too well.
ETHAN: I mean, it’s not like I didn’t see my friend collapse right in front of me. And now he’s in a coma and he might die and I’m supposed to just sleep like a baby? Wouldn’t that make me like a psychopath or something?
MR. RASHAD: Your parents know you pretty well, obviously, and they’re concerned.
ETHAN: Meaning what?
MR. RASHAD: Meaning, they seem to think there may be something else going on.
ETHAN: That’s crazy.
MR. RASHAD: Well, maybe, but perhaps there’s something that you don’t feel ready to talk about. Or almost feel ready to talk about.
ETHAN: Like what?
MR. RASHAD: You tell me.
ETHAN: I already told you what happened. You can ask anyone who was there.
MR. RASHAD: Okay.
ETHAN: I looked it up online. Concussions. Head injuries. It happens all the time in football.
MR. RASHAD: You looked it up? Why?
ETHAN: What do you mean, why? I just—I wanted to know more about it.
MR. RASHAD: Okay.
ETHAN: So everyone should just leave me alone and stop acting like there’s some big mystery.
MR. RASHAD: Okay.
ETHAN: Can I go? I’m not hungry and I don’t really have anything to say.
MR. RASHAD: Of course. Just—just one more thing.
ETHAN: What?
MR. RASHAD: Is it true you’re quitting football?
ETHAN: I—Where did you hear that?
MR. RASHAD: Well, your mom mentioned to me that you were supposed to go in for your JV uniform fitting yesterday afternoon, but you told her you didn’t want to go.
ETHAN: That doesn’t mean anything.
MR. RASHAD: I thought you loved football.
ETHAN: I did. I mean, I do. I just—I haven’t figured it out yet. I haven’t decided.
MR. RASHAD: Well, I get that. That’s understandable, after an event like this. It’s a lot to process.
ETHAN: I’m gonna go now. I don’t think—I don’t think this is doing anything.
MR. RASHAD: Okay, Ethan. Good to see you. I’ll see you tomorrow.
ETHAN: Tomorrow? Seriously?
MR. RASHAD: Just for a few minutes. Just a quick check-in.
ETHAN: I don’t know what else we have to talk about.
MR. RASHAD: Maybe nothing.
ETHAN: I don’t see why I have to keep doing this.
MR. RASHAD: You don’t. No one is forcing you.
ETHAN: Well my parents keep telling me I have to come. But maybe I’ll skip it. No offense or anything.
MR. RASHAD: None taken. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow, and maybe I won’t.
ETHAN: I just don’t want to think about it anymore. Talking about it doesn’t make anything better, it makes it worse.
MR. RASHAD: I totally understand why you feel that way.
ETHAN: I don’t ever want to talk about it again for as long as I live.
DAD
Oh man, what a morning
I could seriously cry right now, seeing you without that tube in your mouth, even for a few minutes
This is it, Teddy, we’re on the long road back, the beginning of the end of this whole nightmare
Listen, Ted, I need to tell you something
I haven’t told your mom yet
She is dealing with a lot of her own stuff
I’m not sure she’s ready to handle this right at this second
But it’s totally
I had a visit from the police last night
And they, uh
They asked a few questions
Told me a few things I wasn’t
I didn’t know about some of it
I was led to believe this was a football injury, nothing more
A head injury
That’s what I’ve been told by everyone
The coach gave me his word
Now suddenly I’m hearing other stuff
I mean uh
Mom has been saying it for years
We all know football’s a rough sport
People get hurt, kids get hurt, it’s all part of the game
But, son, if something happened
If somebody did something to you on purpose
Well, that’s
I can’t even begin to
And I understand the team mentality, the need to belong
When I was in college, our fraternity did some crazy things
You pay your dues, you go through some stuff, you act like an idiot and do idiotic stuff sometimes, that’s part of the deal, I get all that, I do
But you guys are just kids
Just kids
If somebody did s
omething to you I
Okay
You need to get better first of all
I’m just
I guess I might be losing it a little
I only want you to get better and not worry about any of this
But the police seem to think something else went on
And I just want to make sure you know that if something happened
If someone did something to you, if any of these kids did anything to you, I will make it right
I will protect you with every last breath in my body
I will find out what happened and I will make it right—
MOM
Jim
What are you talking about
Make what right?
Our son is in here fighting for his life
Please don’t upset him
And look at this pillow
How many times do I have to tell them how he likes his pillow
Why is this so difficult to understand, I’ve shown them a thousand times
DAD
Sarah, can I
Can we talk outside for a minute?
MOM
What?
DAD
We should talk outside, Sarah.
MOM
Fine
Fine
Be right back, Teddy.
Monday at 11:09 am
Rebecca So now people are saying it’s like this thing the football players do, like sometimes the older kids beat up the younger kids, it’s like something you have to do if you want to be on the team.
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Monday at 12:16 pm
Eric Yeah right. As if the coaches would allow that.
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Monday at 1:27 pm
Susie Nice tribute page you guys. Way to support each other and share thoughts about Teddy. Good going.
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Monday at 2:24 pm
Britt Guidance counselors or therapists are talking to all the kids who were there and somebody said now they’re trying to figure out what really happened, so like maybe whoever said it wasn’t just a football injury was right after all.
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Game Changer Page 6