"That had to be tremendously painful for Howie, having to endure the public scrutiny that came with [his altered role]," Rapke said. "But he soldiered on in an amazing way, and ultimately his patience and his ability to keep his own desires and ego in check paid enormous rewards for Howie, and it's now paying dividends for the organization. And look at what they've accomplished this season, even with all the injuries. If someone wrote it up and pitched that script to me, I say, 'Oh, come on -- this is a Hollywood ending, and no one will buy it.' "