What makes a man a man? What makes a football player? Questions like these have perplexed even those with the highest of Wonderlic scores. I’d like to posit that the answer is, undoubtedly, perseverance. Tonight was, as you all know, the long-awaited Season 22 NSFL draft. We all waited with baited breath, and finally, the time to shine had come. Top DSFL prospects to bench players to unknown waiver pickups (like me) were eager to see what the future would hold for them. And, as the proceedings began, they abruptly ended. But I, and the other hopefuls outside of the first round, we waited. We persevered.
It is an uncommon tale, that of a double-digit-round draftee. But I would argue that our willingness, our hunger, our perseverance, is what sets us apart. Not every man has the strength, nay, the heart to watch a full two and a half hour broadcast. But those of us that do, we will.
Once the stream is smoothly sailing, everyone is on board. The picks are not as expected, and the surprise gives us all a thrill. The live chat is teeming with opinions and mock draft upsets. But, it’s once the 7th round rears its head that the crowds start to dissipate. The top-tier picks are all but gone. The commentators have less and less to say as the picks roll in. And somehow, it’s not even halfway over.
No one expects to go undrafted. After all, there are more picks than prospects available. But that’s not important, because at this stage, a man’s pride overtakes his perseverance. ‘Where is my name? Will I be drafted here, with those who played last season? I would sure hope so.’ But this is not the case. As round 9 concludes, the paranoia sets in. ‘Have I been drafted?’ Fate becomes ever unclear.
Once the 10th round begins it’s anyone’s game. New players, older players, underdeveloped players; they’re all in it together now. No one wants to be left to the last few rounds. No one wants to be left amongst the dead that will be rapid-fired through the stream. But the fear sets in. ‘I will be left behind; I will be forgotten’. The flame will die just as soon as you lit it. These tense moments are where the strong are tested. The psyche is pushed to its limit. ‘How much longer is this going to last?’ you ask. But no one can answer, because no one knows. All those around you show little to no sign of life. The rest of the field seems like a ghost town. And though you didn’t know much about the prospects picked earlier, you feel like more people are in your shoes as the draft drags on.
But suddenly: daybreak! A familiar name crashes through the storm clouds that have formed. You’ve been drafted! You exist! You live! As the excitement rushes through, you feel a sense of calm. Then, you feel a sense of unease. ‘Have I really gotten this worked up over a simulation football league’s draft? Has the quarantine pushed me that far?’ Yes. Yes it has.
But then you realize that regardless of your draft position, your current stats, or the team you’re on, you know that this season will be a blast. There is no need for concern or nerve. You know what you’re doing. You stuck it out; you watched the whole stream. You know not why you did it, but you know you’ll do it again. And you know that media is still paying out at 1.5x.
Thank you guys for a fun draft, and thank you to Sarasota for the pick!
Cheech65, #122
It is an uncommon tale, that of a double-digit-round draftee. But I would argue that our willingness, our hunger, our perseverance, is what sets us apart. Not every man has the strength, nay, the heart to watch a full two and a half hour broadcast. But those of us that do, we will.
Once the stream is smoothly sailing, everyone is on board. The picks are not as expected, and the surprise gives us all a thrill. The live chat is teeming with opinions and mock draft upsets. But, it’s once the 7th round rears its head that the crowds start to dissipate. The top-tier picks are all but gone. The commentators have less and less to say as the picks roll in. And somehow, it’s not even halfway over.
No one expects to go undrafted. After all, there are more picks than prospects available. But that’s not important, because at this stage, a man’s pride overtakes his perseverance. ‘Where is my name? Will I be drafted here, with those who played last season? I would sure hope so.’ But this is not the case. As round 9 concludes, the paranoia sets in. ‘Have I been drafted?’ Fate becomes ever unclear.
Once the 10th round begins it’s anyone’s game. New players, older players, underdeveloped players; they’re all in it together now. No one wants to be left to the last few rounds. No one wants to be left amongst the dead that will be rapid-fired through the stream. But the fear sets in. ‘I will be left behind; I will be forgotten’. The flame will die just as soon as you lit it. These tense moments are where the strong are tested. The psyche is pushed to its limit. ‘How much longer is this going to last?’ you ask. But no one can answer, because no one knows. All those around you show little to no sign of life. The rest of the field seems like a ghost town. And though you didn’t know much about the prospects picked earlier, you feel like more people are in your shoes as the draft drags on.
But suddenly: daybreak! A familiar name crashes through the storm clouds that have formed. You’ve been drafted! You exist! You live! As the excitement rushes through, you feel a sense of calm. Then, you feel a sense of unease. ‘Have I really gotten this worked up over a simulation football league’s draft? Has the quarantine pushed me that far?’ Yes. Yes it has.
But then you realize that regardless of your draft position, your current stats, or the team you’re on, you know that this season will be a blast. There is no need for concern or nerve. You know what you’re doing. You stuck it out; you watched the whole stream. You know not why you did it, but you know you’ll do it again. And you know that media is still paying out at 1.5x.
Thank you guys for a fun draft, and thank you to Sarasota for the pick!
Cheech65, #122