This video from October of 2020 showed up on my Twitter timeline today. Its a congratulatory video from Chad and Carson to Joe and Tee after their first NFL win. Joe and Tee look so young. Especially Tee 🥹
anecdotes collected of mitch after his rookie nhl season at the 2017 worlds by his teammates and coaches (article published may 20th, 2017)
(this doubles as a happy birthday to nathan mackinnon, as this is one of my favorite articles ever just because of some of his quotes)
"[on mitch only bringing one stick] who does that? 'just marnsy,' shrugged canada teammate and colorado avalanche forward nathan mackinnon."
"[mackinnon:] 'we've grown pretty close since the tournament started ... he's unbelievable. he's going to be one of the best passers in the game for a long time. I didn't know how good he was until playing with him here. he's going to be a great, great playmaker for a long time. it's a treat. I wish I could take him to denver with me. I think carry-on would work.'"
"[jon cooper:] 'his confidence is through the roof and I think that's what really propels him a lot of other guys in his age group. all the guys coming up have the skill and hockey sense, but he just seems to have just a little bit more. and then he's got the confidence to do things that other guys may not. it makes him a special player.'"
"[alex killorn:] 'I've been very surprised about how good a player he really is ... to see what he's doing here, I'm very impressed' ... 'he's a confident kid,' he said. 'he's fun to be around. he's fun to hang around with. he's just a good guy to be around. he's a guy that you would go to dinner with.'"
"[mackinnon:] 'he sees the ice as good as anybody ... he's just going to keep getting better and better. he fits with everybody. he just makes everyone better ... he's awesome. he's fun to play with.'"
"[chad johnson:] 'you learn how skilled he is ... he's obviously a young player and he's still maturing, still growing physically. but he's fearless out there. he's got vision. he can do things out there that are right up there with the best of them. he's just such a smart player and very skilled. he makes everyone better around him."
the maple leafs forward brought just one stick when he embarked on his three-week, 10-game tour of europe, where he's representing canada at the 2017 iihf world hockey championship.
who does that?
"just marnsy," shrugged canada teammate and colorado avalanche forward nathan mackinnon. "I think he changed his curve or something so he only had one of them. they sent him a bunch now.
"but he had a good game with my stick so I was wondering if he's going to switch to it."
he didn't.
despite setting up a couple goals — mackinnon was the recipient of one — while using a borrowed stick, marner returned to his more familiar model when a fresh batch arrived a day later.
"it's just a little stiffer for him," mackinnon said, flashing a grin. "I'm a little bit bigger than marnsy. he's got like a 70-flex or something.
"that's how he shoots."
the way he shoots is one of the few things mackinnon has picked up about marner over the course of this tournament. the two have spent some power-play time on the ice together. they've spent some quality time together off the ice, too.
"we've grown pretty close since the tournament started," mackinnon said. "I didn't know what to expect. he kind of looks like a little nerdy kid, but he's not at all. he's got a lot of swag and confidence. he's unbelievable. he's going to be one of the best passers in the game for a long time. I didn't know how good he was until playing with him here. he's going to be a great, great playmaker for a long time.
"it's a treat. I wish I could take him to denver with me. I think carry-on would work.
mackinnon isn't the only one getting better acquainted with marner's playmaking abilities.
"I've learned he's a really good hockey player," said canada coach jon cooper, who doubles as the bench boss for the tampa bay lightning. "his confidence is through the roof and I think that's what really propels him a lot of other guys in his age group. all the guys coming up have the skill and hockey sense, but he just seems to have just a little bit more. and then he's got the confidence to do things that other guys may not.
"it makes him a special player."
the just-turned-20-year-old was a standout rookie with the maple leafs, scoring 19 goals and 61 points in 77 games with toronto this season.
he's parlayed that strong performance, which also featured three assists and four points in six games in the stanley cup playoffs, onto the world stage.
different maple leaf, same result, it seems. and it's opened the eyes of some of his canadian teammates.
"I didn't know much about him," said canada forward alex killorn, also of the lightning. "being in tampa, we don't get the tsn feed. I'm sure people that have tsn hear about him all the time. he's all over the media. I knew he was a really skilled player coming out of junior.
"coming into camp I don't think they knew if he was going to make it or not. seemed like he had a great year. I've been very surprised about how good a player he really is. we saw him a couple times this year but I didn’t know him very well.
"to see what he's doing here, I'm very impressed," he said.
and killorn, like mackinnon, has got to know marner better outside of the rink, too.
"he's a confident kid," he said. "he's fun to be around. he's fun to hang around with. he's just a good guy to be around. he's a guy that you would go to dinner with."
and who would grab the bill?
"oh, I've got a bigger contract so I probably would (pay), but he wouldn't be scared to pick up the cheque."
If marner's on-ice performance keeps up, though, he'll be able to get the next one.
as canada's youngest player, he's racked up the points during the international tournament. only mackinnon 14 points sit higher in team scoring than marner's 11. only four other players in the entire tournament boast a more productive stay in paris, france and cologne, germany than marner.
"he sees the ice as good as anybody," mackinnon said. "he's just going to keep getting better and better. he fits with everybody. he just makes everyone better. it's funny. he seems like he refuses to shoot out there. he's always looking and then just goes top-corner.
"he's awesome. he's fun to play with."
fun to play with. fun to watch. not so fun to face, though.
"you learn how skilled he is," said canada goaltender chad johnson, who played for the calgary flames this season. "he's obviously a young player and he's still maturing, still growing physically. but he's fearless out there. he's got vision. he can do things out there that are right up there with the best of them. he's just such a smart player and very skilled. he makes everyone better around him."
Description: Tee's been dating one of his idol's daughter behind his back. What happen's when the reader breaks her dad's number one rule? How will Ocho react when he finds out?
a/n: I need to start writing shorter, but I physically can't. I hope it meets your expectations ♡
Word Count: 3.6k
Warnings: overprotective father figures, language,
Main Masterlist
♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡
Over the last seven months you’ve been happier than ever. You got a promotion at work, finally moved out of your dad’s house and met him. You’d never felt a love like this, he made you feel things you couldn’t have imagined. He didn’t just care about you, he cherished your love, encouraged your goals, and helped you feel safe. Tee made you feel seen in the world, in his world filled with countless others that would give anything for his attention.
Falling in love with Tee Higgins was easy, hiding it from Chad Johnson was the hard part.
Every Memorial Day weekend your dad throws a small family kickback. At first it was his way of welcoming the summer since us kids were out of school, now that we’re older he does it so we have an excuse to spend time together. This year it’s gonna be in Miami at his new condo and of course he invited all of us, including any plus ones that we wanted to bring. Funny enough Memorial Day falls on the 7 month anniversary of you and Tee being together. The coincidence of the two dates lining up is chilling.
Your dad was the stereotypical black father growing up, he didn’t want his daughters dating anyone until 35. While that rule was broken days after him stating it, there was one he would lay his life on the line for.
‘No daughter of his shall ever date an athlete, but more specifically a football player.’
Real funny coming from him, the legendary NFL wide receiver. It’s also funny that your boyfriend and your dad played for the same team with the same number. Yea you’re pretty much dead if he finds out.
Thankfully there may be someone that can help you.
Calling ‘Future Rich Wine Auntie’…
“Hello?”
“I'm in a crisis.” You huff.
“Oh look it’s my poor little sister crying for my help once again, what did you do this time y/n?” She snickered.
“Jicyra, you’re two years older than me.”
“..and wiser and more stable (financially and mentally).” She mumbled that last part, not very well though.
“Hey!”
You could hear her smirk though the phone. “It’s true, I’m not in my 2nd year of residency making no where close to the current average in your field.” Well she didn’t have to rub it in.
“I know but- look we actually do have a problem.”
“I knew it, you broke your dishwasher.” She cackles.
“Oh my god, I did not break the dishwasher. Why do you say shit like that? I’m talking about Tee and dad.” You rolled your eyes.
“Oh.. wait you still haven’t told him?”
You sigh. “Not that it’s Tee, he knows I’m dating someone.”
“ Just rip the bandaid off, no harm no foul.”
“That’s easier said than done, Cyra.”
“Look all I’m saying is you’re making a really big deal out of nothing. Dad ain't gon do shit, plus he considers Tee a second son half the time.”
ੈ♡˳
After getting off the phone with your sister, you started to devise a plan to tell Tee about the party, but you didn’t get far when he ended up walking through the door less than 10 minutes later. “Baby, where you at?”
“In here!” You forced a smile onto your face as he engulfed you into his fresh cucumber scented body. Probably showered at the facility. “We need to talk.” You both sit.
His face dropped and he slowly released you. “What’s up?”
“It’s not bad, it’s just we need to change our 7 month plans a bit.” You kissed your teeth.
He lets out a breath of air he didn’t know he was holding in, “that’s it. Damn baby you had me thinking this was it.”
“No, no of course not.” You lean over and plant a brief kiss on his lips. “I would never break up with you like that, or ever. Especially if you didn’t even do anything wrong.”
“I mean there was that one dream you had.” His mouth twitched up.
“I’m a very vivid dreamer, I can’t help that. And blame that bitch from the club who tried to get in your pants.”
“Ok what’s this about then?”
“Remember those end of school parties I told you about?” He nods. “Well my dad has invited us to his next one. It’s memorial day weekend in Miami.”
His face shifts in realization, “I guess it’s time to tell Ocho.” He surveys the way you chew on your lips and wont meet his gaze. So he grabs your hands, pulls you into his arms and kisses your head.
“Hey, I got you. Everything’s going to be fine, knowing your dad he’ll make a joke about it, maybe threaten me then we can have good time.”
You look up at him, “you think so?”
“I know so, baby.” You smile and pulls his lips to yours.
ੈ♡˳
You arrive at Miami Dade two days before the party and without your boyfriend, due to him having an early practice the next day. The 3 hour plane ride gave you lots of time to think of a way to break your big news to your dad without him popping a blood vessel or setting anything on fire. You decided to just break the news to him as gently as possible, give him small details then let Tee speak for himself. Sure is putting all the pressure on him a bit harsh, yes. But he asked you out in the first place, so who’s fault is it really?
A little over a year ago.
It was your first official week in Cincinnati when Danielle, a long time friend of yours, suggested that you join her at a party that the guy she was seeing was throwing. Being so new to the city, you took her up on the offer so you could meet people. When you got to the party, it was covered in orange and black jerseys and it dawned on you that this wasn’t just some party.
“Dani, did you bring me to a Bengals victory party?”
The dark skinned woman removed her coat and smiled. The number 1 printed on the white fabric made you scoff. “I knew if I told you he was a football player, you’d find an excuse not to come.”
“You’re dating Ja’Marr Chase?” The bright smile painted on her lips couldn’t be wiped off even if tried.
“Yes, it's been 3 months and I really like him, so please just stay.” So you let the woman lead you further into the party.
Let’s be clear, your dad’s dumb rule didn’t cause your destain for the football culture, it was the fact that your entire life was centered around the sport. Dad’s a legend to the team, brother played just like him and it’s all anyone ever talked about. You stayed away from sport all together, it didn’t help when you majored in Biology to be a physical therapist, but you weren’t actually watching them play.
The party wasn’t as bad as you expected it to be, granted you spent most of the time standing by the bar carefully nursing your drink, but the vibes were nice. You’d already met most of the players on the team through your dad and work, so you weren’t surprised when Tee came up to you.
“Dr. Y/n Johnson, I thought you said I’d never see you outside the office.” He smiled discreetly looking you up and down.
“Uno’s dating my best friend.” You said nodding towards the couple on the dancefloor. “She dragged me here without telling me it was for y'all. But I guess congratulations are in order, AFC champs.”
“Oh you know, just another thing to be thankful for, just like you in that dress.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere Higgins, but buy me another drink and maybe I'll bite.”
“Anything for a few more minutes with your fine ass.”
ੈ♡˳
Minutes at the bar turned into hours on the phone then days just to see that charming smile, so yea flattery got him the world.
Your phone buzzes knocking you out of your daydream.
Mean Ass Bitch: I've been in the airport pickup line for 10 minutes, where you at bitch?
LOML T💜: missed you when i got home mamas, call me when you get there
You bite your lip hiding the grin that he put on your face as you click on his contact. It rings once before you hear that deep southern drawl come through. “There goes my baby.. How was ya flight baby?”
There isn't a moment when you don’t feel the warmness in your chest and butterflies in your stomach when it comes to this man. The charm may have gotten him in the door, but it was his goodhearted, loving nature that gave him the key.
“Hi..it was good, I managed to get a nap in so that was nice.”
“Only the best for my baby. How you feelin? I know your nerves been goin crazy.”
Just as you were about to answer, you spotted your sister, your very mad sister. “Hold on babe, J looks like she wants to kill me.”
“All good, we can't have that. Call me when you can, I love you.”
“I love you more Tamaurice.” You smirk as you get to her car.
“You the only one allowed to say that, wouldn't be gettin away wit that shit if you weren't so beautiful.” His tone lacks the seriousness he implied as his light chuckles come through the phone.
“Sounds good to me, byeee.” You can’t help laughing as you hang up and put your bags in Cyra’s Audi.
“I hope you ain’t laughing at me dying in this damn heat waitin for your slow ass.” She mean mugged as you ducked into the car.
“Nah, it’s because you're dressed like goddamn big bird in that damn sweat suit.” You teased.
“I will kick you out of this car, quit playin’ bitch.”
“Okay, okay,” you sigh as she pulls out of the airport traffic. “So how’s my gorgeous real estate queen big sis doing?”
“You know what, I’m good. Charmin’ rich people outta they money for some last leg beach houses that’ve seen one too many hurricanes. I’m very excited to get on this boat with a glass of champagne and just relax.” You nod along as she turns the radio on. “How’s the Tee and dad situation going?”
You take a deep breath and sink further into the seat, “I’ve decided to just let his presence speak for itself. They already know each other, but ‘Tee the wide receiver’ is very different from ‘Tee the man that’s dating his daughter’. I’ll try and ease the idea of him before he gets here, there’s no way I’m taking all the heat from this.”
She scoffed, “you just gon’ let your man take the fall?”
“He has said he’d do anything for me, so it probably won’t be that bad.” You shrugged.
“Yea ok Y/n, I can’t wait to see this blow up in your face.”
ੈ♡˳
Walking into your dad’s house felt like going through a time capsule, he only bought it a few months ago but the walls and shelves were filled with pictures of us as kids and football memorabilia. “Dad she’s here.” Cyra sings taking your bag down the hallway that you hope has the rooms.
You find him in the kitchen arms deep in hamburger meat. “Uh oh Docta Johnson in the house. Come here and give your old man a hug.” Shaking you head, you humor him as much as you can without touching his hands.
“How you doing old man?”
“I’m alive, I’m happy and I’m excited to meet this boyfriend of yours. Where he at, did you tell him to wait outside? Baby you know I’m good.” He smiles as wide as he possibly can.
“I’m glad to hear it, but he’s not here yet. He has work so he’ll be flying out tomorrow night.”
He smirks. “At least he has a job.”
Your jaw drops, “that was one time and you said you wouldn't bring it up again.” He chuckles as a frown builds on your face.
“I’m just playing, but this guy already sounds ten times better than what his name.. Jackson! Yea he was a leech.”
“Okay, that enough boy talk. Want some help there?” You ask gesturing to the mountain of meat on the marble counter.
“I would love some, you always were the better cook. But don’t tell your sisters I said that.” He nods with a hushed voice.
You chuckle walking over to the sink. “You just did.” His brows furrowed.
“What do you mean?” Chade and Jicyra tapped his shoulders from behind him. He eyes whitened out.
“What I meant was that Y/n’s good with protein heavy meals. Cy you make a mean salad and Chae you make the best cookies.” He smiled.
“Nice try, I do be throwin’ some flour around tho.” Chade remarks.
“Whatever, we’re off to buy some supplies for the party. Bye!” Then its just the two of you, in the kitchen seasoning about 20 lbs of meat and forming it into decent sized patties.
“So is there anything else I can squeeze out of you about this fine young black man? He is black right?”
You scoff, “what if he isn’t, what’d you say?”
“None, nothing. Your hair look too good for you to be dating a white man.” Your jaw drops for the second time today.
“I can’t. I don’t know why I’m helping you.”
“Aww my poor middle child.” You shove his arm causing him to get raw meat on his shirt.
“Ok, I deserved that.” He nods, side eying you. “Don’t even try it.”
“You no fun. Come just tell me something about the guy.”
You bite. “Fine, yes he’s black. He’s tall, kind, smart, sweet and I guess he’s pretty athletic.”
He hums, “athletic huh. What we talkin here NBA, NHL, FIFA?”
“I ain’t giving you no more, you’ll see him tomorrow and I’ll let him speak for himself.” You finish your part then walked out of the kitchen.
“I can read in between the lines Y/n! If Ja’Marr walks in this house tomorrow, I’m beating his ass!”
If he only knew how close he really was.
ੈ♡˳
You ended going out to dinner with your sisters when they got back. It was fun it being just being them, you could gossip and chit chat all you wanted without Ochocinco lurking around. Before bed you and Tee talked all about each other’s day and all the nerves about him meeting your dad. He reassured you that there was nothing he couldn’t handle and nothing your dad could say that changed how he felt about you. It felt good going to bed knowing your boyfriend had no worries about your relationship changing at all.
The next day was pretty chill, dad was too busy with the last minute preparations for the party. So you spent most of your time at the mall with your siblings. Your brother pretty much just groaned about the heat and the amount of time you spent in stores, but you reminded him plenty of times that he could go off on his own and he chose to stay. With that said the four of you had a pretty nice time. Until the ride home, when you could not get away from the Tee questions.
“Don’t you think its weird that they shared the same number and team?” Junior spent 20 minutes just going over the similarities between them like you hadn’t already known how odd it was.
“Jr leave her alone. How’s his stamina though?” Chade was the youngest, as anyone could probably tell with her bluntness.
“No sex questions please, this is a rental and Jr’s not afraid to blow chunks.” Cyra joked.
“Yall act like I don’t have sex.”
“Ok so would like to know what Matt and I did at your New Years Party?” Chade smirked.
He eyes just about fell out of his head. “You and Matt? Matt my best friend? YOU AND MY BEST FRIEND FUCKED AT MY PARTY?”
That was the end of the questionnaire.
ੈ♡˳
The second you pulled into the driveway you noticed two things: your dad’s SUV was still absent and there was another random car by the curb.
“Who’s that?” Cyra shrugged in response and just motioned you to get out. Normally someone would’ve taken offense to be thrown out of a car, but then your favorite person in the world got out of the other car.
“Damn, he is tall.” Jr’s comment was deaf to your ears as you ran over to your boyfriend.
“Hey babygirl.” He smiled wrapping his arms around you.
“What are you doing here? It’s only 4 and you weren’t supposed to land until 9. You know what I don’t care.” He lifts you onto the trunk of the vehicle so you’re eye to eye and guides your lips to his. Another feeling you could never get tired of, his plump lips against your glossy ones. Your arms wrap around his neck in an instant to pull him closer into you. You love being able to relinquish all control and just let him move you how he sees fit. He pecks your tropical scented lips once more before helping you down.
“Well that is an image I’m never getting out of my head.” Jr shakes his head and takes your bags out of the car.
“Let’s go in the house so Y/n can properly introduce us to her beau.” You stay glued to his side as you make your way into the condo.
As Junior rounds the corner to the bedrooms he stops in his tracks and the bags drop onto the floor.
“JUNIOR MY PERFUME!” Chade shoves him and grabs her bags. “Oh shit.”
Cyra being in no mood for their nonsense, pokes her head down the hall. “What the hell is wrong with you- hi daddy.” You shoot her a panicked look. She responds with an equally panicked shrug. The situation is impossible, there’s only one way to the living room and its to pass that very hallway.
“This is not how this was supposed to happen.” You whine at the lowest voice you could manage. Which didn’t end up being that low in the end.
“How what’s supposed to happen?” Your dad’s voice bellows out. Tee squeezes your shoulder as the man walks into your view.
“Surprise?”
He sighs. “Damn, I owe Junior some money.”
“I’m sorry, what?” You blink. All of sudden your brother bursts out laughing and starts dancing around your father.
“I told you! He had his mind set on you bringing either Ja’Marr or Burrow ‘as a wildcard’. I’m ten thousand dollars richer people.”
“You bet ten racks on who she was dating! Dad I thought you were smarted than this.” Cyra expresses dumbfounded like the rest of you.
“Dad what the fuck? Is that why you wanted to know if he was black or not?” You rolled your eyes before walking past the man into the living room.
“Y/n it wasn’t like that-
“I don’t care, I’m just glad you lost your money to the dumbest person here.”
His forehead creased, “Was that her way of calling me the new dumbest person?” Both of your sisters nodded. “Got it.”
Then Tee, still standing at the doorway, clears his throat. “Ocho.”
Your dad turns back towards him and pulls him into a ‘bro-hug’. “Well if it isn't the younger taller version of myself. I should’ve known it was you, not because of that but you didn’t exactly take your eyes off of her when she came down to that practice.”
Tee chuckled. “Couldn’t help it, man. I would’ve talked to you the last time you came to practice, but I was under strict instructions not to. When the love of your life tells you something, I make it habit to listen.” Chade nudges you as your face heats up.
“Love of your life huh? Glad to know she’s in good hands, and you have no excuses not to go for my records now. You got a physical therapist on speed dial.” They laugh together.
“See, I told you you were worried for nothing.” Cyra joins you on the couch.
“Yea I gues you were right.” You mutter bringing a smirk to her face.
“I’m sorry what was that? Did The Dr. Y/n Johnson just admit that she was wrong.”
You pressed your lips together and got up. “You heard me or do you need an audiologist? Cause I can’t help you in that area, you’re just getting old.” You walked over to Tee, quickly grabbed his hand and ducked when a pillow came flying your way.
“Im only 2 years older than you bitch.” You cackled running down the hall to your room.
“Hey, no funny business in my house!” You shut the door and laid back against it trying to calm down while Tee sat on the bed studying you.
“What?” You walk over and stand between his legs.
“I like this side of you.” He sucks in his bottom lip scooting back on the bed.
“Yea, well I know a side you like even more.” You saying climbing onto his lap.
His hands go around your hips and cup your ass. “Oh I like this Y/n very much.” You push him back and place ghost kisses on his lips.
“Woman if you don’t- You go to give him a peck but lightly bite his lip instead. “Fuck.”
He closes the distance between you, sucking in your lips and licking into your mouth.
Yea you had nothing to worry about at all.
♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡
a/n: reblog if you like, comment or request any scenarios you'd like for me to write for our octopus lover♥︎
