Roster Archive (2022-2024).

Perhaps it’s PTSD, but when a correctional officer appears at the door of a cell and says your name, nothing good usually follows.

Xavien Marshall, usually known to the Ohio Department of Corrections as number 713845, instantly sat up straight when he heard “Marshall!” come from outside his door. He was dressed in the same khaki jumpsuit he had been wearing some variation of for the last 8 years, complimented by an orange bandana around his forehead pushing back his unkempt hair. The bandana was off limits in the prison, he can’t even remember how he got it now, so he quickly yanked it off his head before diverting his attention to the officer at the door.

“Pack it up.” The officer said. Xavien quickly looked dumbfounded. His first thought was that he was being taken to isolation, but why? A bandana? That can't be right. He hadn't been in a fight in almost a month.

“Why?” he asked back, a general no-no but Xavien has never been much of a rule follower.

“… you don’t know? You made parole. There’s a bus headed back to Cleveland. Get your shit.” the CO replied. Xavien couldn’t believe his ears. He had an opportunity at parole in 2020 but his Mom was informed he didn’t make it. She had cried when she broke the news to him over the phone. She didn’t live much longer after that, so he had no one on the outside to check on his status. He hadn't even realized he was eligible.

Elation quickly filled him. He started to pack all of his things, then realized all the material prison things that had made life on the inside more bearable no longer mattered. Packs of ramen noodles were a delicacy in the life he had grown accustom to, but this life was going to be quickly forgotten. Xavien's mostly stolen food and recreational items were given away and his bed and sheets packed within 3 minutes, and he was on his way out. The officer took him to an office where a parole officer sat behind a desk looking at him with an angry snarl. Xavien Marshall has never liked cops, and this was the most stereotypical one he had ever seen.

“Sit down. We need to talk before you go.” The angry cop said. Xavien obliged. “I’m Officer James. I’m in charge of assigning your full time parole officer. Where will you be living?” he asked. The question hadn’t crossed Xavien’s mind in years. His mom was gone now. He had made no effort to stay out of trouble since his first parole deferment. He assumed he’d serve his entire fifteen years. Now his mind raced. He truthfully didn’t have much of a clue where anyone was anymore.

“I have a brother.” Marshall explained. Not many people make it out of East Cleveland, so his brother probably hadn’t either.

“What’s his name? One of your conditions is to not be around a Jay’nathan Crawford.” The officer informed him that a reunion with his lifelong friend Lucky Jay was not in the cards for a few more years.

“Zander Marshall.” Xavien replied. Officer James began scribbling, then looked up.

“I know you haven’t had much of a chance to think about this, but you’re going to be required to work.” Xavien had no idea what he could do to make a living. He’d been an enforcer for the last 8 years and made his money protecting others or collecting debts… the same type of things that got him into prison. He had one plan in life and that was the NFL. That ship had sailed. James broke the silence “Let’s call your PO, he’s a pretty good guy from up there and really dedicated to helping you guys get back on track. You’ll like him a lot. His name is Officer Martin.” Now Xavien was really doubting everything, he’d never met a cop he had liked… especially since they set him up. Officer James dialed and sat through a few rings before Martin picked up. He explained he was assigning him a new parolee and informed him that he would need help finding a job.

“Xavien Marshall? Wasn’t he an outstanding football player at Euclid a while back? I think he had some D1 offers.” Officer Martin said through the phone. Xavien wished he could smile, but the memory of his now washed away childhood dreams only made him regret the life he had chosen. Sadness had gone away years prior. Now he only felt rage. James glanced up at Marshall, seemingly clueless of his high school glory. Xavien simply nodded yes.

“That’s the guy, it seems.” Officer James said.

“What an outstanding athlete… you know, James, I may have a really good opportunity for him… but it’s a little crazy. He’d have to keep an open mind.” Officer Martin explained. Xavien lowered an eyebrow as James looked to him curiously, raising his eyebrows right back as if to ask Xavien for an answer.

“I mean, whatever keeps me free, what you got?” Xavien asked. The room sat silent for a long ten seconds.

“As soon as your bus gets here, get to my office. We’ll see what you think.”