Short Story: The $16 Million Bet
The Carolina Panthers’ war room was tense, lit only by the glow of monitors and the buzz of draft day anticipation. General Manager Marcus Whitfield leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on the highlight reel of Xavier Legette. Explosive speed. Unstoppable off the line. The kind of raw talent that doesn’t come around often.
“Sixteen million,” whispered one of the scouts, shaking his head. “That’s a lot for a rookie.”
But Marcus saw what they didn’t. The Panthers were rebuilding, and they didn’t just need a receiver—they needed a spark. Ticket sales had dipped. Morale was low. And fans needed hope.
Legette wasn’t just a player. He was a symbol.
The pick came in. Cheers erupted. The headline would soon read: Carolina Panthers Explain Why They’re Spending $16 Million on Xavier Legette Just to Ignite a New Era.