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Football is a symbol of How Legacy Shapes Identity. At Marcus’s last school, he played on the junior varsity team, where he set county records for his throws but shied away from situations in which he might get tackled. With a fresh start, Marcus yearns to prove himself, particularly because the team at his new school far outshines his old team. In the early chapters, football is both Marcus’s greatest love and his greatest fear. While he’s good at throwing and has the speed to make downs, he chokes when he feels physically threatened by offensive players. Once Marcus starts practicing with Charlie and learning how to take hits, football emerges as a marker by which Marcus can track his personal growth. As Marcus learns to play offensively, he also begins taking on greater responsibility on his team. As he discovers his capacity to handle responsibility, he gains confidence off the field as well. Marcus’s success getting Charlie to the induction ceremony represents how Marcus puts his newfound confidence to the test and isn’t afraid to back down until he achieves his goal. More broadly, Marcus’s improvement at football shows the importance of sports in the formation of his identity, both as a quarterback and as a person capable of making his own decisions.