OK guys, here's the update! tonight I fired up the tractor put on my seatbelt, and shifted in the general direction of reverse. the tractor started to move, slowly, then the shifter slipped into reverse gear.
Next, I held the clutch in to disengage the clutch pad, but the tractor kept moving. I began to hit the brakes lightly, then harder, harder, then to stab the brakes rapidly and finally I felt it "break" where the pad came loose from the clutch pad! fixed. so then I parked it, pushed the pedal in, and jammed a top link pin in there to hold the clutch pad off the flywheel.
I can't thank you guys enough!!!