Greco Quotes

“I was afraid every time, but at least I knew that I wasn’t alone because that’s what those years taught me, that to be alone is to die. And that if you don’t ask for help, especially from the ones who love you the most, then why the hell are we really here?”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco

“So how about I leave you with that? The fact that as I move forward into the next phase of my life, I plan to be a better friend, a better husband, and a world-class father. I think I’ve been all those things, but I can always be better. I do it for my dad. I do it for Mr. Romano. I do it for Leroy and everyone else who saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. Because if life isn’t about having faith in yourself, then what is it really? I, for one, refuse to live in fear. I choose to hold my head high, to pull up those around me, to see the best in the world, and to always, always remember what I’ve been given.”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco

“On the next play, one of their linemen on their strong side lost his footing, and I pushed him the rest of the way to the ground, then swam my way past the next blocker, earning a wide hole toward the quarterback. His eyes met mine. I saw his eyes flicker right, and I knew what was coming. I timed it perfectly. He let the ball launch, and I was already in the air. The ball hit my hands, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to let it go. I came down with it, legs already moving. Their quarterback tried to take me down, but I bulled through him and ran for everything I had. I’m not sure why this next thing hit me in that moment, but what I felt like I was running for most was my dad. He was imperfect. He was probably a criminal. He was many things, but he was still my dad. As I chugged down the field, I heard him next to me, “Run, son, run.” And I ran. And when I stepped foot into the end zone, I went down to my knees, cradling that ball in my hands as time ran out, and my team swarmed me, followed by the rest of the student body.”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco

“looked at the business card. It said “David Sinclair, The Sinclair Foundation.” On the other side was his number. I thought about going for a walk to clear my head, but there was too much to do. Something about Sheila’s revelation had spurred me to action. I promised myself that I would get all my work done. I would be the best student, the best quarterback, the best boyfriend I could be. Somehow, I’d figure it all out. I was almost nineteen, but I’d been a man for a long time.”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco

“But it was the humility and the love shown between parents and daughter that captivated me. Later, when I would have my own boys, I would remember that love; I would remember the Sinclairs’ generosity. For”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco

“I raised my head and nodded at him, though I didn’t feel like keeping my chin up. I wondered how this guy with a leg that was basically messed up beyond repair could say chin up, but I would eventually learn that there were many gifts in life that didn’t require a one hundred percent healthy body. Sometimes, all it took was a little bit of faith.”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco

“When I was a sophomore, Coach suggested I do volunteer work. That volunteer work ended up with me coaching an inner-city school football team. Those kids were a hard nut to crack, but once I did . . . it’s the best thing that ever happened to me, Greco, the best damn thing. You know those kids still write me letters? One kid was failing in school, and now he’s getting straight As. I can’t do that playing football, but I can do that coaching. So, no, I’m not that sad. This just means that maybe I can do that faster.”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco

“I plowed right through the first guy. I literally flung him over my head. I’m not sure how. It was instinct. Survival. How I kept the football? I have no idea, but with the second guy, my left hand went out, planted in his chest, and miraculously, he didn’t keep coming. He slipped to the side. He was on the ground, and I was all by myself. I heard nothing. I saw only the end zone. The rest was a blur. I slipped. I slid. I dodged tackles. If it were possible, I’d probably punched and kicked my way. I don’t know if you call it grit and determination or an out-of-body experience. I’d say the latter. When I finally came to, I was being hoisted in the air like a trophy by none other than Wilbur Downs.”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco

“ribbing. Dealing with other people for him was natural. For me, it was a chore. I’d always felt like there was an instant distance between my peers and me. Maybe it had something to do with the way I was raised. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I’ve basically been acting like an adult since I was five.”
― C.G. Cooper, Greco