#marcus absolutely is an overprotective dad

[hoperays-song]

Fun Facts About Gorillas

While gorillas are young, they are typically primarily raised by their mothers. They rarely even let other members of the troop hold them, a behaviour even less often observed in mountain gorillas. Gorilla mothers carry their children with them everywhere, provide for them, share nests with them, and protect them constantly. They have even been observed to typically not put down their child for the first six months of its life at all. 

When gorilla infants get a bit older, they tend to begin interacting with their fathers more. They’re know to lean on them and involve them in their games. This protects the infants as their fathers care increases their chance of survival if anything happened to their mother, Because then, it’s reported that a lot of times their father becomes the main person to look after the infants.

Despite this, scientifically speaking, gorilla infants have only a 40-75% survival rate in the wild. Meaning, a significant portion of baby gorillas die young. 

Why is this important information? Because Johnny is a gorilla. To be more specific, he’s apparently a Mountain Gorilla. 

So yes, Marcus being an overprotective father makes absolute perfect sense. Especially if aspects of their base species are being kept besides their design.  

As does Johnny primarily taking after his mother and being a mom’s boy, even years after her death. Because he would have been extremely close with his mother during his early years of life. He likely would have been with her constantly, hardly ever around other people, besides maybe his father, and definitely not left in the care of others often. 

And Marcus would have become protective after Johnny’s mum’s death because that’s what Silverbacks do. They take care of their kids. He would be overprotective because he’s already lost a member of his troop and he doesn’t want to lose his kid now too.

[tabl3]

answering some asks in one post for the sake of laziness

Q: If there was a 6th EF member to your rewrite who would it be

A: dooley! I love his relationships with bree and chase, as well as him and kaz being besties. i think he would add enough sunshine to the team too, because the more sunshine-y characters already on the team are somewhat edgy. he absolutely would be traumatized by sharing a home with people who kiss his big siblings on the mouth though lol

Q: AO3 tag?

A: tabs_alt

Q: If the team was in college like Adam, what would their majors be?

A: chase: buisness, bree: art/design, kaz/oliver: some major for pre-med (kaz would make oliver do his homework lmao), skylar: i don't see her as a college type, but probably criminal justice

Q: Logan would like to bake

A: absolutely. that's something that could bond him and adam so he isn't afraid of being nuked by him. also,,, he just gives malewife vibes

Q: when was techertz a thing?

A: so i hinted to it in an earlier book. they were off and on for a few months before ef began and a few months into the team. long story for them lol

Q: are Tasha and Douglas a thing

A: nope. just disaster co-parents trying their best

Q: What do you think of Douglas x Horace and do you think we're gonna get some in the tabl3-verse?

A: i love the ship outside of my universe and totally get the appeal :D however brylar is more important to my rewrite and it's too weird because horace adopted skylar and douglas is bree's biological dad

Q: what are the cats names

A: Posh Spice & Georgiano

Q: So how does the family see each other in your rwite? Is Daniel their brother?

A: yes and no. it's complicated lol. daniel is biologically their brother, but they view him as a cousin and he does the same. it's like that with marcus too (if marcus wasn't evil) daniel calls tasha aunt and douglas dad, while the rats call tasha mom and douglas douglas lmao

essentially when building their family tree they go less by genetics and more by emotional connection, which is why leo is referred to as their brother and daniel isn't (which he's fine with) they used to view donald as their dad and douglas as their uncle, but the line blurred after aijaf so douglas has a weird mix of the roles now (he felt more paternal than uncle affection for them, naomi and leo included, way before but didn't want to step on the kids' toes)

Q: were Kaz nd Skylar pranking Logan

A: oh yes. they embellished adam's overprotectiveness very intentionally for their entertainment (I assume you're asking about the scene where they talk about adam threatening them)

[wingedzombiealpaca]

Some stuff about my "Haunted Michael AU" Part 2: The Aftons and Emilys

More about the AU uwu

William Marcus Afton (1948 - 1994)

Born in London to a neglectful family

Has a younger sister

His mother died two years after his little sister was born

Moved to Utah when he was 17 years old with his father and sister

Met Henry in university

Met his first wife at age 19

Had Michael at age 21

His first wife died three years after Michael's birth

His sister married Henry

Married his second wife at age 25

He didn't care for Michael, because he had him at a young age and "a child would put a threat to his plans for life"

Same with Elizabeth, but he actually cared a little about her

He adored Evan, he was his pride and joy (he was still a little neglectful to him tho...)

Opened Fredbears in 1980

He was a neglectful dad as well, that's why he didn't say anything to Michael about bullying Evan. He tought that Evan would eventually "man up" and stand for himself...he didn't.

When the bite of '83 happened he was livid

He was pissed at Michael, that was the first of many many times he would raise his hands against Mike.

When he killed Charlie, his target was actually Sammy (if William couldn't have his little boy then Henry couldn't either), it just so happened that Charlie was outside the restaurant and he took that chance.

When he noticed the puppet acting weird he realized Charlie´s spirit must have being doing something to it (that's how he discovered remnant)

Thought that if he could get more remnant, he could bring Evan back, so he built Baby and the funtimes.

When Elizabeth got yoinked by Baby he finally snapped, he couldn't bear to look at the funtimes, especially Baby.

The day of the MCI he was angry at all those kids enjoying the party, when he spotted Susie. He wasn't taking remnant for Evan or Elizabeth anymore, he wanted to be immortal.

When he sent Michael to Circus Baby's he knew damn well that he was sending him to his certain death.

He went to the abandoned Freddy's to see if he could get more remnant infused parts to become immortal.

Got springlocked at age 46 (hahah, get springballed peepaw)

Little detail, he didn't put on the suit out of fear of ghosts (since all ghosts were with Michael), he saw the spring bonnie suit, put it on just to rejoice in the "memories" and since the building was leaking and the suit had been rotting there for ages without any maintenance at all, the suit failed and killed William

The rest of the story is the same

Isabella Marie Afton Emily (1950 - 2030)

William was overprotective of her

Met Henry at a university party and fell in love with him instantly

She was 27 when Sammy and Charlie were born

Loved her children a lot

Also loved her nephews and niece a lot

Supported William after Evan passed away

Was completely devastated when Charlie was killed

Divorced Henry and left the country, taking Sammy with her

Raised Sammy on her own after moving back to London

Died of old age 5 years before security breach happens, she was 80 years old

Henry Emily (1950- 2024) 74

Was born and raised in Utah

Fredbears used to be his dad's old pizzeria that he inherited and then rebranded to be Fredbears

Was a doting father and loved Charlie and Sammy to the moon and back

Was absolutely devastated by Charlie's death, blamed himself for not being there to save her.

His wife divorcing him and taking Sammy with her only made his depression worse

He was framed for the MCI and ended up going to prison for 30 years.

When he saw Michael for the first time after getting out of prison he felt bad for how life had treated him

His plan to burn FFPP was not only because he wanted to end William's reign of terror and free Elizabeth and Charlie but also because he didn't want to live anymore. (He didn't care if Michael didn't want to die, he wanted to end it ALL)

Lucía Torres Afton (1948 - 1972)

Michael's mom

She was born in México, but had started living in Utah two years before meeting William

Met William at age 19 on a park and fell for him instantly

Had Michael at age 21

Loved his baby boy so much

Taught Mike a little bit of spanish

Would sing him lullabies in spanish

Was in a car accident at age 24 and died, leaving William to raise Michael alone

Margareth Scmidth Afton (Born 1952)

Born in California

Met William (and Michael) on a dance festival Isabella forced her brother to attend

Started dating him soon after and married just one year after meeting him

Really tried to be a good mom to Mike

Had Elizabeth at age 23

Had Evan at age 25

Discovered Michael's love for art when she found a bunch of doodles he made and tried to strike friendly conversations about them with him

Chided Michael a lot about bullying Evan, but never raised a hand against him

When Evan died she was devastated, but never blamed Michael

Couldn't even bear to look at Evan's room after his death

Elizabeth's "disappearance" (William told her she disappeared, didn't tell her she actually died) completely destroyed her.

After the MCI happened she started suspecting William had some involvement in it

She started getting really scared of him and filed for divorce

Tried to gain custody over Michael but lost the case.

Left Utah, never to be seen again

Charlotte Emily (1977 - 1984)

Sweet baby girl

Michael, Elizabeth and Evan's cousin

Sammy's twin sister

William killed her on the day of her 7th birthday

The kids that left her outside of Freddy's were the same kids that bullied Evan and caused the bite of '83

She defended Evan when Michael bullied him

Felt a grudge towards Henry for not saving her from William

Joins Michael after the bite of '87, worried that he would do something harsh after what happened to Jeremy

She is the one who convinces Evan to join Michael

Recoiled in horror when she saw Springtrap

In the end she forgives Henry for not saving her when he burns FFPP

Charlie IS in the pizzaplex, just not posessing any animatronic, she is IN THE WHOLE BUILDING

Samuel Emily (Born 1977)

Charlie's twin brother

He was William's original target, but was in his father's office when Charlie got locked out of Freddy's

Didn't really get an explanation from anyone about what had happened to his sister

Didn't want to leave his father but had no choice

After FFPP burned he was the only succesor to the original owners of Freddy's and became the CEO of Fazbear

Evan Christopher Afton (1977 - 1983)

Inocent baby

Was really spoiled by William and Margareth (making Michael angry with him)

Liked to hang out with Elizabeth and the Emily twins

The Fredbear plush was a gift from William (William installed a camera and a walkie-talkie inside and told Evan that this Fredbear was "special" and that "he can talk")

Evan, being a small child, believed it all

Evan's Foxy plush (the one with the ripped head) was Michael's

Evan actually looked up to Michael, despite the bullying, he thought that his big brother was "cool" and "tough"

The bite of Fredbear happened during his 6th birthday

He was scared of the endoskeletons, not the suits

Also because of his nightmares (fueled mainly by Michael and his friends scaring him with the masks)

Held a grudge towards Mike for a while (for the bite)

He didn't want to join Mike, but Charlie insisted

When Evan saw that Michael was actually trying to fix William's deeds and save everyone, he forgave him

Felt horrible when he saw just how many lives William ruined (he even felt guilty about it)

When he saw Springtrap he thought he was going to faint (even if ghosts can't actually faint...)

When FFPP burned he was waiting for Mike to go through the light together

Also I do not believe in the "Gregory is CC theory. I actually headcanon that Evan returns to the pizzaplex in the form of the Daycare attendant...well, mainly Sun

Elizabeth Giselle Afton (1975 - 1984)

Extremely spoiled by her mother

Loved to dance, the best dancer in the whole family (after Margareth ofc)

Would punch Michael if she saw him being mean to Evan

Hated Michael with a passion after Evan's death

She would call him murderer and horrible brother

She was 9 years old when she got yoinked by Baby

Felt guilty about what happened with Mike and the scooper

Screamed of pure horror after seeing Springtrap

Michael James Afton (1969- 1986?)

Born in Utah

William and his mom had to marry when he was born

He didn't hate Evan, he was just frustrated that he was forced to babysit him and Liz whenever his parents were busy (Which was really often)

He actually loved them both a lot but was waay too prideful to show it

He didn't mean to hurt Evan in any way with his prank

He almost fainted after hearing the *CRUNCH* and seeing Evan go limp

Stayed by Evan's side the whole time at the hospital after the bite, apologized countless times and begged Evan to just wake up

Was in the hospital room when he flatlined

Started having nightmares about animatronics after that

Took Evan's little Fredbear plushie as a memento

Ran away from home at age 16

Stayed at Henry's for some time

He didn't want to go to Circus Baby's but got coerced by William, who used Evan's death as leverage against him

The first time he heard Baby's voice he almost had a stroke

He really believed he could free his baby sister and the other kids easily

The last thing he remembers before dying is the scooper ramming through his stomach and seeing his organs and pieces of broken ribs escape his body

Doesn't remember most of the time Ennard used him as a skinsuit, his conscience was coming and going

After Ennard left his body and he woke up, all he could think of was "Revenge Against Father" and "Save those poor kids"

At 1987 he got a job at Fnaf2's location, thats when Charlie's spirit recognized him and joined him.

He was...extremely unsettled about his cousin's ghost just floating around him and talking to him so calmly

The "Odor" thing IS for being literally a corpse, also for nervous sweating

Felt so defeated after finding out William was behind yet another dead children incident (There's the MCI in 1985 and the DCI in 1987)

Also was devastated about Jeremy getting bitten

Got the security job at Fnaf1's location in 1993

That's when the MCI + Evan joined him

Shortly after getting fired, Elizabeth's spirit joined him, after she had a fight against the other spirits inside Ennard

Poor guy is literally being followed by 8 dead kids...at least Evan doesn't resent him anymore...?

At Fazbears Fright he was disgusted at just how his father ended

Released the MCI minus Cassidy when he burned Fnaf 3's location

Opened FFPP with Henry knowing damn well he would burn as well

Held hands with Evan and Liz as they walked towards the light

But then he wakes up and he's in the pizzaplex like, what the hell...?

When he sees Gregory his dad instincts kick in, he goes into "Dad Mode", he knows Gregory is not Evan, but he looks just like him and hes a big softie (He also knows that, if he's back, something went clearly wrong)

Annnnnd that's about it, I might make more parts for other minor characters (like mah boi Jeremy)

[scribe-of-maat]

My personal rankings for the DC Festival of Heroes stories

11. The Monkey Prince Hates Superheroes (Marcus/The Monkey Prince)

I originally thought we were going to get Eugene doing something but we get an entirely new character. Honestly, I just don’t have a connection to this dude. Maybe he’ll grow on me for now but at the moment, this makes me feel nothing. Maybe if the Monkey Prince and Pigsy designs were more personally appealing I’d like it more, but I’m sure people familiar with the mythos were hyped.

10. What’s in the Box? (Cassandra Cain/Batgirl, And I genuinely do not remember who the white kid is. Hurt or Pain or something)

Cassandra serves up Bao to the white kid, which is cool. But this story feels a little too minimalist to me. Damian calling Cass a monster after killing people and bragging about his compassion earlier in the anthology was rich, though. That hilarity saved this from last place for me.

9. Special Delivery (Damian Wayne/Robin, Bruce Wayne/Batman)

I don’t like Damian so I was already uninvested in this. But then he just hops around and fights the League of Assassins. Again. And talks about how much better he is than everyone else he knows. This kid has literally one story. This feels so off-theme, but of course they can’t have a bat character acknowledge their non-whiteness explicitly in any real way.

8. Sounds (Cassandra Cain/Batgirl, Barbara Gordon/Oracle)

Cass can’t speak all that well. Again. She’s Batgirl for this, which is always cool, but I think if the dude she saved was a named character and more was done other than retread her history I’d have enjoyed it more. As it is now it feels like random bits and pieces were picked from her mythos and displayed rathen than a focus on her racial identity. 

7. Masks (Lian “Shoes” Harper/Cheshire Cat, Selina Kyle/Catwoman)

This would originally have been MUCH lower had I written this about 40 minutes ago, but it’s not like Lian’s been doing anything in the comics until now. If it takes being attached to the cat to get some play, then so be it. I’m mainly looking forward to what being Catwoman’s protege can do for Lian’s personal storyline.

6. Kawaii Kalamity! (Emiko Queen/Red Arrow)

A story I enjoyed because it addressed, albeit rather more indirectly than the higher-ranked stories, the fetishization that East Asian women go through. Her allowing herself to actually enjoy things she enjoys in the end regardless was a cute touch.

5. Perceptible (Ryan Choi/Atom)

I liked Ryan’s look in his Atom getup. Standing next to Bruce at the end, his skin tone was... kinda sus to me, but I’m sure the artist knew what they were doing. I also enjoyed that it addressed that there are a ton more working-class Asians in America that don’t get nearly enough talk. It feels like to be an Asian character you can’t be a regular person, you’ve gotta be super smart or in super talented to get in the door.

4. Family Dinner (Grace Choi, Anissa Pierce/Thunder, Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning, Jennifer Pierce/Lightning)

Grace basically showed up here to be tossed back into comics limbo but it was nice to see her healthy relationship with Anissa. I also enjoyed Jefferson giving her the third degree as an overprotective dad. This one by far felt the most comic book-y with Mammoth and Shimmer literally attacking out of nowhere (no racial commentary here which makes it more standard comic fare than Festival of Heroes) but hey, this is a comic. ALSO also I love that Jennifer looks exactly like China Anne McClain. 

3. Dress Code (Tai Pham/Green Lantern)

Not going to lie, Tai Pham just showing up in the main DC universe out of nowhere is what puts this so high for me. I liked his graphic novel and I want to see way more of him, specifically with Keli and Sojourner. I will say I enjoyed learning what an ao dai and ao gam were. They look so slick.

2. Festival of Heroes (Tatsu Yamashiro/Katana, Victor Stone/Cyborg, Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle)

What elevated this to me was it explicitly addressing racism. We don’t get nearly enough of this in comics. When we do, yeah, it’s ONLY characters of color talking about it and it’s basically relegated to Very Special Episodes which are two pitfalls apparent here, but I still loved it. Random Nubia love also gives it that *chef’s kiss* je ne se quoi as well. My only critique is that the racism feels cartoonish - I know people like that exist, but comic book fandom’s MANY racist readers are not going to see themselves being commented on in it.

1. Hawke & Kong (Connor Hawke/Hawke, Kenan Kong/New Superman)

Taking the #1 spot is Connor and Kenan. I loved their interaction, it gave me those sweet MLMOC vibes that I live and die for. Outside of stuff like this we’d never ever get to see characters who absolutely would be best buds ever interact. More of this, DC, please. And I saw someone put Connor’s name forward to be the Green Arrow of China. I would LOVE to see that happen.

[klaineaddictsfanficrecs]

Fic Name: Light Up the Sky

Fic Author(s): Misscriss2012

Fic Summary: AU. Kurt and Blaine meet on the Fourth of July.

Part of the Klaine Summer Fic Challenge on Tumblr. Prompts filled: Fireworks, Pool, Picnic, Biking, Boardwalk, Beach, Concert, Camping

Fic Trope(s): Blind Blaine, Summer Klaine, Age Gap Klaine

Fic Length (Word Count): 70,853 words

Fic Rating: Mature

Fic Warnings or Triggers: Age Gap (Blaine is 17 and Kurt is 27- Everything is consensual and has parental approval.)

Fic Status: Complete

My Review:

I'm going to address the elephant in the room first, and address my warning. Usually, I do not read age gap fics where one of them is underage. However, the age of consent in Ohio is 16, and it's 17 in New York (the two states where the story takes place), and everything is consensual. They also have parental approval. This is something that is personal for me because my husband and I have a 6 year age gap, and because of the laws in my state, if we would've had sex before I was 18, even if I consented, it could've been considered statutory rape. My mom actually brought this up (and I threw it back to her that we were not sexually active until we were married after I turned 18.) I know that laws vary, especially in the states, so I wanted to make sure that I address this. I am in no way condoning or criticizing the relationship in this story. However, I have to address it because I know a few people that read this fic may be teenagers. This is a work of fiction, and as I said, everything is consensual, and the parents are aware that the relationship becomes sexual, and they approve of it. Okay, that is all on this topic.

About this story, this is the first fic that I read by this author, and I absolutely fell in love with her work. I subscribed to it as she was publishing, and I eagerly awaited updates because it is so well written. There are so many reasons that I love this fic, so I'm just going to mention a few of them.

First and foremost, Blaine is precious. Even though he's blind and is unhappy with his life at the beginning of the story (his parents are extremely overprotective at first), he has an amazing sense of humor and an adventurous spirit. He hates being treated differently because of his disability, but he also has to overcome a lot of challenges because of it, especially since he hasn't always been blind. In addition, because of his parents' overprotective nature, he has to get used to doing things for himself. I have to say that I love how the other characters encourage and support him in this.

I love Kurt in this because of the way he supports Blaine. I won't say that he doesn't screw up in this fic because he makes more than one major mistakes as he is learning to adjust to being in a relationship with a blind man. But what I love about him is that he doesn't write Blaine off because of his disability, and he supports him completely.

I have to say that I love both Kurt's and Blaine's families in this, especially the fathers. Burt is just an incredible dad (in canon and in this story, and Marcus Anderson (Blaine's father.) is amazing. I was worried at first because Blaine's parents seem to ignore the fact that he's gay, and I feared that his parents would be homophobic. Fortunately, they both become supportive of their son. But it's Marcus that I deeply respect in this story because he realizes his mistakes with his son and works to rectify them, and then helping his wife realize that they have to stop treating him like a child. I also have to give props to Kurt and Burt for that though because they point this out, and Marcus realizes that they are right.

Another thing that I love about this story is that the author's versions of Kurt and Blaine are flawed (as any person is) and she treats them like people. This isn't written as a fairy tale (although it ends beautifully), and that's what I love about it. Oftentimes, I read fics where I'm completely aware that people don't act or talk like that in real life. However, I feel like I'm a fly on the wall watching this story play out because it feels so real. It's not overly dramatic. It just feels authentic.

I feel it's important to discuss Blaine's disability, and the way all of the characters handle it, (Even though they didn't all handle it well at first). I feel like I can completely relate because I have a child with a disability (both my child and I have Asperger's) and I work with students who have disabilities (ranging from autism, cerebral palsy, and blindness. Most of the time, people with disabilities want to be treated with empathy, not sympathy. I really love how the author really addresses this by telling this story from multiple perspectives, specifically Blaine's. I just want to hug the author for really addressing these issues, and I love that by the end of the fic, Blaine is confident and happy, and his family and loved ones are so supportive. It's just beautiful. This story makes me cry like a baby every time that I read it.

This might be my longest review yet, and I could say so much more. However, I think it's best to just let you see for yourself how beautiful this fic really is. So, go on. Just have a box of tissues handy.

Fic Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/7327432/chapters/16644001

[mandoalorian]

I only read the summary of "Stay With Me" and I made the most horrified noise at the thought of Max dying so idk what reading it will do to me but to make myself feel better before I read it I want to ask you two things: How would Max feel about having an SO who's strong enough to pick him up/carry him with ease, and do you think Max is the kind of dad who'd do dad things like toss Alistair into the air and catch him, or would he be a more overprotective type of dad?

Aghh yeah! I woke up this morning and chose sadness when I wrote Stay With Me. I hope you enjoy it none-the-less. ❤️

Warnings: allusions to abuse

A partner who could pick up Maxwell? I love that. But I think, at first, Max wouldn't like it. It's not that he doesn't trust you, it's that on the exterior he exudes a kind of dominant energy where he always wants to be in control. If you picked him up and carried him, he'd basically be submitting to you. But that's at first. Once your relationship becomes better established and you get to know each other more, he'd absolutely be down to get picked up and carried. He gets sleepy after his long days at work so he'd really value having a partner who is strong enough to carry him to bed when he falls asleep in front of the television. I actually have a series where the reader is an Amazon, and with that comes her super strength ability -- so it's fun to imagine her pick him up with ease.

Hmm, I think Max would be more over protective. The likes of Marcus M, Oberyn, and Frankie would definitely have fun and play with their kid... doing risky things like throwing them up into the air and catching them, but Max? Not so much. He doesn't want to put his back out. But honestly I can't imagine Alistair wanting to be thrown around either. He really values gentle intimacy from his father, like hugs and appraisal. He loves the little things, like when Max gets a few minutes off work and can sit with Ali, and watch him colour-in or play with Lego. When Maxwell was younger he probably sustained some injuries through the bullying at school, or his father when he got home. He'd be terrified for Alistair to get hurt like that-- especially if it was Max's own fault. So playing games with any risk, like throwing Alistair in the air? He just avoids it completely. Not worth it.

[junker-town]

A scouting report for each player from ‘Little Giants’

Becky “Icebox” O’Shea was the star player for the Giants in “Little Giants” | Warner Brothers production / SB Nation illustration

Let’s grind the tape and come up with some NFL comparisons for the characters in “Little Giants.”

Early in Little Giants, coach Kevin O’Shea — a former Heisman Trophy winner played by Ed O’Neill — holds tryouts for a youth football team and picks all the good players for his Cowboys squad. With one exception.

He whiffs badly (and sexistly) by not letting his niece, Becky, play on his team even though she’s clearly the best. And honestly, why were there even tryouts in the first place? Just let all the kids be on the team. Were the roster limits that strict? Hasn’t he ever heard of a depth chart?

But if a group hadn’t gotten left out, we wouldn’t have the great comeback story the movie turns out to be.

After some practice time to shape up, Coach Danny O’Shea (played by Rick Moranis) gets his Giants team of outcasts (relatively) ready for their big game against the Cowboys. The matchup turned out to be a tale of two halves. The Giants go to halftime down 21-0, but — spoiler alert — come back to win with four touchdowns in the second half.

Given a chance at a do-over, Kevin O’Shea might think differently about how he’d pick teams. With the benefit of hindsight and a little bit of game tape, let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of all the players from Little Giants.

Becky “Icebox” O’Shea

Position: Fullback/Linebacker

Throughout the movie, Icebox is referred to as a fullback by both herself and her father. I don’t doubt that she’s great there, but we don’t get to see much of it. The only time we do is on the final play, the Annexation of Puerto Rico, when she is just a decoy who doesn’t even have the ball. What we do get to see is that she’s an absolute star at linebacker.

Icebox can lay the wood.

She spends the first half of the game as a cheerleader — a main reason why the team falls behind 21-0 — but she’s a lights-out defender in the second half. Cowboys running back Spike Hammersmith is running roughshod over the team early in the game. He couldn’t do a thing with Icebox in his way.

I mean, look at this freakin’ goal-line stand.

Sideline-to-sideline speed, fearless instincts, and the toughness to destroy a player much larger than her. Icebox is a first-round pick. Shame on you, Kevin O’Shea, for ever thinking otherwise.

Pro comparison: Undersized, but hard-hitting Steelers LB Mark Barron

Junior Floyd

Position: Quarterback

Most of the evidence that Junior is an awesome quarterback came during practices. The only significant throw he makes in the game was a deep ball that bounces off the back of Rashid “Hot Hands” Hanon.

He’s gone for most of the second half after taking a cheap shot, right after delivering a huge hit of his own.

Junior is out of the game from that point until he comes back on the field for the last play. While we don’t see many throws from Junior, he does show off his hands and athleticism on the Giants’ first large gain of the second half.

With the exception of Icebox, Junior’s the best player on the Giants. It’s unfortunate that the last play of the game was the only one where both Junior and Icebox are on the field together.

Junior wasn’t at the original tryout. If he had been, he’d be on the Cowboys, because the kid’s got it all. Another first-round pick, for sure.

Pro comparison: Former Colts QB Andrew Luck who couldn’t stay healthy, but could make a huge tackle, if needed

Rashid “Hot Hands” Hanon

Position: Wide receiver

From start to finish, Hanon is talked up as a receiver with an inability to catch. So much so that he puts an absurd amount of stickum — an adhesive that was made illegal in the NFL long before Little Giants came out — to help him catch. It seems like the issue isn’t Hanon’s hands, though; it’s his confidence.

He’s a deep threat who can burn any defensive back but one who’s struggling with the yips. Even when he accidentally glues his hands to his chest with the stickum, he still manages to torch the defense.

You try racing someone with your hands flat against your chest. It’s not easy.

It’s not too surprising, then, that Hanon is able to make a play once he gets out of his own head:

That’s a game-breaking speed right there and a huge miss by Coach Kevin O’Shea. If nothing else, his Cowboys team could’ve used that quickness in the secondary.

Pro comparison: Saints WR Ted Ginn Jr., a speedy, former habitual pass dropper

Tad “Rad Tad” Simpson

Position: Running back

Tad’s weakness is that he’s absolutely terrified of contact. His very useful defense mechanism is that he’s excellent at avoiding it.

Running in circles and not gaining yardage is not ideal, but you really have to respect this elusiveness, while also asking what on earth some of these defensive players are thinking.

Here’s his fear of getting hit coming in handy again.

And again, with a Lamar Jackson-esque juke:

I really worry what’s going to happen when Tad actually gets hit, but his aversion to it is at least bringing out some impressive moves.

Pro comparison: Shifty and elusive Bears RB Tarik Cohen

Rudy Zolteck

Position: Offensive line/Defensive line

At one point in the movie, Steve Emtman, the No. 1 pick in the 1992 NFL Draft, teaches Rudy that football is much a mental game as it is a physical one. That lesson apparently didn’t sink in until the second half, because Rudy gets pancaked early in the game by a blocker.

When Rudy remembers to believe in himself (and also use a little leverage for a change), he delivers a crushing block of his own.

It’s honestly tough to tell if Rudy is any good. He certainly seems to find more success on the offensive line than the defensive line. His consistency is lacking, though.

Pro comparison: The not nearly consistent enough Washington OT Ereck Flowers

Jake Berman

Position: Honestly, I have no clue

Berman’s mostly comic relief with his one-liners and his overly enthusiastic and overprotective mom. His first notable moment in the game is when he disappears into his own uniform like a turtle — which is ridiculously impressive and definitely impossible.

But like any true cinematic momma’s boy, he has to lay out a player who disrespects his mom.

Jake’s also the one who runs the final leg of the relay in the game-winning “Annexation of Puerto Rico.”

What we know about Jake is that he’s small, not fast, not athletic, but pretty mean and fearless when he’s pissed off.

Pro comparison: Noted “Mama” defender, Vonn Bell

Johnny “Viper” Vennaro

Position: Running back

The only big moment for Johnny comes late in the game when his dad — previously too busy to play with his son — shows up. Excited to see his dad and give him a hug, Johnny runs through the whole Cowboys defense to make it happen.

That’s a run reminiscent of Beast Quake.

Pro comparison: Former Bills/Seahawks/Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch

Timmy “Rawhide” Moore

Position: Safety

This is probably the only character we get to know who doesn’t have a personal triumph. He spends most of the movie dressed like a cowboy and then gets run over in his only screen time during the game.

I mean, literally run over.

Come on ref, that sure seems like some unnecessary roughness or something.

Pro comparison: I don’t know. Is there someone who only gets trucked and never actually contributes? Probably a sideline photographer.

Marcus “The Toe”

Position: Kicker

We don’t ever find out the last name of Marcus, but that’s not even the biggest question he raises. The real mystery is WHY is he the kicker?

He gets “recruited” by the group to join the team when they see him kicking a dodgeball. Evidently, that shoehorned him into being the kicker even though there’s no proof he can actually kick a football.

The first play of the game is him completely missing the ball and kicking poor Johnny straight in the nethers.

His moment of glory is bouncing an extra point off the bottom crossbar and just barely through the uprights.

We don’t get to see the next two extra point tries, but the score gets to 21-21. Apparently Marcus keeps making kicks, even though I’m pretty confident someone else should be handling those duties.

Pro comparison: Historically awful Giants kicker Bob Timberlake

Spike Hammersmith

Position: Running back/Linebacker

The only Cowboys player worth knowing is Spike, a cheap-shotting tank of a kid who was — by all indications — raised like a pit bull barking at you through a chainlink fence. He’s the true antagonist of the movie, although I blame his dad for that, more than anything. The guy tells his son that he has to donate his kidney to Aunt Ruth if he doesn’t injure Junior Floyd!

Outrageously poor parenting aside, Spike is a freight train of a running back. Just about every time he touches the ball, it takes an army of Giants to tackle him.

He’s also a pretty terrifying linebacker. The major flaws in his game are that:

He flies over the head of Tad Simpson on one tackle attempt and gets flipped by Icebox trying to go over her. Keep your feet on the ground, Spike.

Icebox is in his head. For all the bravado, it’s pretty obvious that he’s worried about Becky O’Shea when he’s headed for the goal line in the final seconds of the game.

Spike takes himself out of the final play by chasing down and tackling Icebox during “The Annexation of Puerto Rico.”

Ultimately, Spike’s machismo and violent play is his undoing and helps the Giants score a game-winning touchdown.

Pro comparison: Reckless Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict, who is suspended for the rest of the 2019 season.

[hoperays-song]

Assorted Johnny Headcanons

Johnny wears a ring with a rabbit mask on it as a symbol of his dad’s gang. While they aren’t really a gang anymore (and arguably were never one in the first place), Marcus still insists he wears it just in case.

He was absolutely the quiet kid in school and kept to himself.

His jacket was originally his dad’s and a lot of his childhood photos have his mother wearing it as well. He got the jacket when he was 13, after numerous school calls telling Marcus that the staff was worried about Johnny’s lack of social life, in an attempt to make his son more confident.

His mother died when he was only six years old. Johnny never fully recovered.

Johnny is extremely overprotective of his jacket and won’t allow anyone to wear it. The first person he did let wear it was Ryan, his boyfriend.

Johnny was raised bilingually and can fluently speak, read, and write both Hindi and English. He also learned ASL when he was in junior high and he practices it a lot.

His favorite color is teal, preferably dark teal.

He pierced his own ears at 14 years old. Marcus nearly had a heart attack (despite the fact he did it himself at 12).

While Marcus was in jail, Johnny proceeded to get three tattoos, a lip piercing, and an eyebrow piercing. He was grounded for a week for not double checking the safety protocol of the shop that did it.

He came out to his family after Sing 1. Turns out, they’d known for years longer than Johnny had.

(Human AU) Johnny found a pitbull mix puppy when he was 15 which he brought home. While Marcus had insisted that they had to take the dog to a shelter in the morning, he gave in after realizing Johnny slept on the floor of the garage to stay with the puppy. Johnny names her Olive.

He lived with Rosita and her family as a foster kid while his dad was in jail.

Johnny has always been small for his age, and a lot of times when he was little, he was assumed to be a lot younger than his actual age.

He doesn’t actually have any real friends before the talent show. Besides the fact he was never the most sociable kid, he was worried that any of his friends would be pulled into his family’s dangerous lifestyle so he kinda kept himself socially distant from his peers.

Johnny is actually the second music prodigy in his family, as while he is a singing prodigy, his mother was a piano prodigy.

His mother taught him to play the piano before he could even walk and Johnny’s happiest childhood memories were playing with her. 

His dad met Stan and Barry when he was just six years old so he honestly does not really remember a time when his uncles weren’t involved in his life.

Johnny looks just like his mother. Like is practically her splitting image. The only thing he shares with his dad is his nose and stubborn streak.

Johnny has been diagnosed with a panic disorder, depression, and PTSD. However, those all sprung from his mother’s death instead of the gang, despite what people think. He’s also autistic.

Whenever he is tired or upset, his accent comes across a lot stronger, same as his use of slang.

Johnny considers both Ash and Nooshy to be older siblings of his, and Meena as his younger sister. He also treats them accordingly and will address them as such. It isn’t strange to him mainly due to his dad basically doing the same thing with Stan and Barry when he was little.

He has a fear of hospitals and pretty much everything medical related as it reminds him of his mum and the fact she died in a hospital.

[hoperays-song]

Slightly Overprotective, But Clearly Justified

***Johnny visiting his dad in jail during the school year, looking absolutely horrible.***

Marcus, worried: How have you been Johns? Are you eating? Sleeping? What about water?Are you drinking enough water?

Johnny, shrugging: I mean, sometimes my tears get in my mouth? I don’t know, I’ve been busy.

Marcus, horrified: ... I’m calling Rosita. And no theatre for a week.

Johnny, exhausted and annoyed: One, please don’t call her, you’ll just stress her out. And two, you can’t ban me from my job!

Marcus, rolling his eyes: One, should have though about that before stressing me out. And two, just watch me.