Commercial Fiction
Date Published: February 23, 2023
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
In the twilight of his NFL career as a middle linebacker for the Chicago Storm, Mike “the Steelman” Stalowski masks his physical pain and mental anguish with alcohol and painkillers. The fan favorite has a rebel image and a notorious reputation, and he plays a violent gridiron game fueled by inner rage.
While estranged from his wife and living in the fishbowl environment of professional sports, he unexpectedly meets the fresh-out-of-college Kim Richardson. She sees through Mike’s star persona to who he really is—a kind guy from the Southeast Side of Chicago who has never forgotten his humble blue-collar roots. The lives of the star-crossed, seemingly mismatched couple collide during a whirlwind romance that culminates in a tragic series of events.
The Walk-On is a timeless tale of love and loss that explores the consequences of personal decisions and the rewards of faith, redemption, and hope.
Early Reviews
“An interesting read where star linebacker Mike Stalowski confronts the inevitable challenges every NFL player faces as they transition to their post-football life. His experiences may seem exaggerated, but they are still very real.”
Gary Fencik, Chicago Bears, Super Bowl XX Champion
“Despite his NFL fame and bad-boy attitude and antics, I empathized with the humble guy from a blue-collar background fighting painful emotional and physical demons. . .Ultimately, The Walk-On is an incredible story of love and loss, with faith and mentorship fostering hope for the future.”
Bill Rancic, Author of the New York Times bestseller, You’re Hired
“Just like the protagonist’s very fast sports car, The Walk-On will leave you, from the very first paragraph, just a little breathless as you navigate all the sharp turns that come fast and furious at the reader. . .”
Jean Becker, Author of the New York Times bestseller, The Man I Knew: The Amazing Story of George H. W. Bush's Post-Presidency
“The Walk-On is a fascinating story of self-sabotage and redemption. A page-turner!!!!”
Mary Pat Kelly, Bestselling author of Galway Bay, Of Irish Blood, and Irish Above All
EXCERPT
He fumbled for his radio. “Squad…645. Confirmed vehicular rollover at
Belmont Avenue exit, Lake Shore Drive. Send CFD stat, copy…stat.”
“645, copy. CFD enroute.”
He ran toward the vehicle, an older coupe with big tires and mag
wheels. A wet blanket appeared to be wrapped around the base of a nearby tree
trunk.
Pointing his LED flashlight in that direction, George discovered a
young woman with a gaping laceration above her left eye. Her head and neck were
snapped back like a broken Pez candy dispenser. Glass shards were sprinkled
over her bloody face. Her eyes were fixed and vacant. A shredded sweater
exposed her torso and a wingless angel tattoo above her left hip. Gibson
checked for a pulse — her slender wrist was limp and lifeless.
Gibson noted the STORM 52 vanity plate, assuming it was a football fan’s show of affection. The driver, a
tall stocky white male wearing sweats and a hoodie, was alive. His forehead
oozed blood. The front seat passenger, a smaller black male, also had a bad
head wound. Both were unconscious. Neither wore a
seatbelt.
Their legs appeared to be trapped under the twisted remains of the
mangled dashboard. The car’s front end had collapsed into the engine compartment. Probably lost control and rolled it.
Gibson took another look inside the wreck, stunned by his sudden
recognition of the driver’s long, blue-streaked blond hair, wet and matted with blood. He
quickly called for license plate verification. After what seemed an eternity,
his radio crackled.
“Unit 645, Illinois plate STORM 5-2 comes back on a passenger car. A
1970 Chevrolet coupe registered to Steel Trap, Inc., 2020 North Lincoln Park West, Chicago.” The dispatcher hesitated. “Registered owner is
Michael J. Stalowski.” An eerie pause. “Copy?” Gibson shivered and recalled two
vehicles blow past him minutes before he was dispatched to the scene.
It wasn’t long before the fire department rolled in with a show of force,
working quickly and methodically with the Jaws of Life to peel back the classic
Chevy’s roof like a tuna can lid. Both male victims’ legs were trapped. Every
precious second mattered in the race to extricate them. Within minutes, their
stretchers were loaded into waiting ambulances.
The paramedics’ preliminary assessment of Mike
Stalowski’s injuries indicated a broken right tibia and severely lacerated
right wrist and forearm, gouged by flying glass. The passenger’s right foot was
almost severed at the ankle by shards of jagged steel. The paramedics, fearful
the skin and muscle connecting his shattered ankle bones were in danger of tearing
off, hoped they could get him in the hands of surgeons before he bled out.
The lifeless female was carefully loaded onto a backboard. A neck
collar was secured and an oxygen unit began to pump into her lungs. Paramedics
worked feverishly to establish vital signs. Defibrillator paddles failed to
jolt her heart. Despite the monitor’s stubborn flat line, they continued their valiant efforts all the way
to the Northeast Metro ER. The wails of the three sirens overlapped in the
stillness of the early morning hour.
By the time the ambulance trio arrived at Northeast Metro, a Channel 5
news mini-cam van was already positioned at
the ER ramp, after picking up emergency responder radio transmissions about a
vehicle crash possibly involving two Storm players. Gibson and three CPD escort
squads set up a security perimeter to keep the ambulance entrance ramp free and
clear. Quickly challenged by the arrival of additional media jockeying
for position and curious early-rising pedestrians, the perimeter was expanded,
sending the cameras and reporters down the block.
Despite their efforts, by dawn the hospital was swarming with local and
national media. Head Coach Don Castro and Mike Stalowski’s agent, Shel Harris, rushed to the hospital. No one could fathom the
catastrophic tragedy unfolding on the heels of last night’s devastating loss.
Reporters and camera crews engulfed Shel Harris as he approached the
emergency entrance. Local Channel 7 sports reporter Ryan Donegan stuck his
microphone in Shel’s face. “Mr. Harris, what can you tell us about the accident that put
the Steelman and Christian Blackwell in the hospital?”
About the Author
Richard Podkowski, a native of Chicago’s South Side, began writing fiction while studying criminal justice at Loyola University Chicago.
As a United States Secret Service special agent, Richard protected U.S. presidents and foreign dignitaries and investigated major domestic and international financial crimes. After retiring from the Secret Service in 2003 as a supervisory special agent, he became a management member of a Fortune 100 company's global security group. For the last several years, Richard has been a private sector strategic security consultant.
Inspired by professional athletes who lived in a fishbowl under constant media scrutiny and made life-altering mistakes, Richard wrote The Walk-On. Other projects include a holiday rom-com manuscript and a crime story. In his free time, Richard enjoys riding his road bike, working out, and making Christmas ornaments. He currently resides with his family in Los Angeles.
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