“I Will Only Sign A New Deal Under One Condition”: Baylor Star Declares
The room was thick with tension as the contract papers lay untouched on the sleek, polished desk in front of him. Jermaine Carter, the star running back for the Baylor Bears, leaned back in his chair, his eyes piercing through the glass windows of his agent’s office. Outside, the Texas sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the city streets, but inside, the air was electric with anticipation.
“I’m not signing anything until you hear me out,” Jermaine said, his voice steady but laden with an edge of finality.
Mark Donovan, his agent, adjusted his glasses, trying to keep his composure. He had dealt with high-profile athletes for years, but Jermaine was different—special, explosive, and unpredictable. “Jermaine, I understand you’ve had a lot on your mind lately, but this is a major deal we’re talking about. An offer from the NFL, endorsements lined up. This is your future.”
“I’m not looking to just cash in,” Jermaine said, his eyes narrowing. “I’m looking for respect.”
Mark blinked, clearly taken aback by the statement. “Respect?” he repeated. “You’ve got millions of fans, the scouts are talking about you as a top pick in the draft. Respect is a given, Jermaine.”
“No,” Jermaine snapped, his voice suddenly rising. “Respect isn’t a given. You know damn well what I’m talking about.” He stood up from his chair, pacing around the room. “The schools, the teams, the media… they’ve been brushing me off, treating me like a commodity. I’m not some freak show they can parade around. I’ve bled for this school, for this team. And yet, every time I turn on the news, it’s the same story—’The next big thing.’ Well, if I’m the next big thing, then why the hell does it feel like I’m just another player they can throw away?”
Mark was silent for a moment, taking it all in. Jermaine’s frustration wasn’t just the usual athlete’s ego; it was raw, deeply personal. “What exactly are you asking for?” Mark finally asked, his voice quiet but understanding.
Jermaine stopped pacing and turned to face him. “I want a deal that reflects my worth. I want the respect I deserve, not just for my talent, but for my commitment, my drive. I want a promise. A real one. That Baylor, and whoever drafts me, will stand by me when things get tough. That when I face injury, or a bad season, I won’t be discarded like yesterday’s news. I want something that says I’m not just a tool to be used and thrown away when they’re done with me.”
Mark’s eyes softened, but he remained professional. “You’re talking about something bigger than just football. This is personal, Jermaine. You’re asking for a guarantee that teams won’t turn their backs on you. No contract can ensure that.”
“Then I won’t sign,” Jermaine said, his voice low but unwavering. “I’ll leave the game altogether. If it’s all about the business, then I’m out. They can have their endorsements and contracts. But they won’t have me.”
Mark didn’t know how to respond. Jermaine wasn’t just an athlete—he was a man who had given everything to this sport, only to realize that at the highest level, everything had a price. And right now, it was his soul.
As the sun finally set, the silence in the room was deafening. Jermaine wasn’t bluffing. This wasn’t just a negotiation—it was a declaration.
And Mark knew it: he had never seen the Baylor star so determined, so unyielding. This wasn’t about money anymore. It was about something far more important—dignity. And Jermaine wasn’t going to settle for less.
