Neely Crenshaw is the main character in the novel “Bleachers.” He is a strong leader and a true All-American, but he has his flaws too. He is not very forgiving and is unwilling to let go of the past. He hasn’t been back to his hometown of Messina in almost 15 years because he can’t bare to face the memories. He despises Rake and blames him and himself as well for his “career ending injury.” These flaws hold him back from reaching his full potential as a person. He has always been a fighter though. All through his years of high school football he was willing to do anything to win. He pushed through a broken nose and a broken hand for his team and to prove a point to the coaches.