In The Upside of Falling, the main characters each have a strong connection to a hobby that encapsulates their past and their future. For Brett, football is more than just a sport or a means of achieving popularity and admiration: It is a powerful reminder of his loyalty to his father and his dreams of getting out of Crestmont. In a town like Crestmont, football is celebrated with a near-religious zeal: Football games are community affairs, and as the captain of the football team, Brett is celebrated as a hero or town royalty.

When Brett arrives in his English class in Chapter 1, Becca notes his “navy-blue varsity jacket hanging off the back of his chair” like “a flag, announcing who he [is]: Brett Wells, captain of the football team” (4). The varsity jacket symbolizes Brett’s status in a world where football players are considered minor celebrities, and although Brett does not boast this status, his jacket sets him apart. When Becca and Brett begin their fake-dating relationship, he gives Becca one of his football jerseys with his name stitched across the back. By wearing Brett’s jersey, Becca aligns herself with Brett in a public

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