Mick Johnson

The protagonist and narrator of the book, Mick Johnson is the son of Mike Johnson, a former college star and NFL player. From an early age, Mick loves football because his father introduces him to the sport, and because he wants to exceed his father's near-mythical status as a football player. As Mick gets older, all he wants to do is to play football. His life revolves around it. In order to give Mick an edge over the other future football players, his father Mike keeps him out of school one year longer, making him begin kindergarten one year later.

In high school as a freshman, Mick makes it onto the second string of the varsity team, and becomes special teams captain. But spurred on by his father and by his own desire, Mick wants to be able to start games. When Mick's first string position holder...