Grader, please split the money from this article 50/50 between @"Punter715" and @Amulos
Editor's note: This media is a little different than I've seen people do here before. It's basically a two-parter meant to introduce, in a way, the league to Amulos and his player, Romulus Roman. The first part of the piece is a long-form article in which I am writing as someone spending a day with Romulus before and after the ISFL Draft. Amulos gave me a full fleshed-out backstory and family history, as well as answered a number of questions as his player. The second part is a straight up interview with Amulos the user. We both hope you enjoy!
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A Day with Romulus Roman
“Man, it’s so weird driving through here now. I haven’t been back to this city since me and my brother left for our first season at Purdue. This place isn’t my home anymore. Hasn’t been for years. But, man, I still remember all of these streets and places.”
That’s Romulus Roman, Strong Safety for the Tijuana Luchadores. I’m here interviewing Roman as he gets ready to watch the Season 28 International Simulation Football League Draft. We’re driving around the city he grew up in, Gary, Indiana, as he’s giving me an impromptu tour of his hometown.
Coming out of Purdue University, Romulus and his brother, Remus, were a Safety duo in college that helped turn the Boilermakers into one of the premier defenses in the league. They may be twins, and may play the same position, but the two of them played their position very differently. Remus was the slender, quicker of the pair, and was known for patrolling the deep middle of the field. He was adept at making opposing Quarterbacks think twice about launching one as you always had to fear he would get out there and at the very least break it up, and if you were unlucky, intercept the pass.
Romulus, however, made his name in a much different manner. “I’ve never had the same natural speed or agility as my brother has. He’s just always been a little faster than me. Where I was always better was taking better angles and knowing how to hit someone. But me and him, we have this this almost symbiotic relationship where I know where he’s at and he knows where I am. We always have. It’s what keeps pushing us to be better. If we didn’t have each other, I don’t even know that we ever make it out of this city.” If his brother made teams worry about passing it deep, then Romulus made them worry about throwing across the middle. Throughout his college career, Romulus made a name for himself with his punishing hits and ability to get to the Quarterback. His play in his final season at Purdue was so stellar that he was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award as the Nation’s best Defensive Back.
As we continue driving through Gary, you see the same remnants of a long-gone booming industrial center common in every Rust Belt city in the Midwest. We pass by Jackson Memorial High School, named for Gary’s most famous son, the Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson. “I remember when we were young my parents had us in just about every single after-school activity they could. We played all sorts of sports throughout our time in school – basketball, hockey, baseball – but football was the only one that stuck. We never dreamed when we were kids playing in the backyard together that we would both end up being able to go professional one day.”
“Looking back on it now, though, I don’t think my parents ever put us in all those sports as a way for us to get out of this city. I think they just needed something for us to do while they were at work.” Roman’s parents, Ron and Linda Roman, are just like any other parents in America. “You know, if we turn left here onto Grant Street, we’ll go right by Sunrise Diner. That’s where my mom worked while we were kids. Man. My mom worked her butt off when we were kids, but somehow she never missed a single home game we had.” He starts to tear up a little as a visible smile starts to form. “I’m just so happy that we’re finally able to pay her back for all of the sacrifices she made when we were kids.”
We don’t turn left, however, and instead keep driving straight down West 11th Avenue through Gary’s Westside neighborhood. After about a two mile drive we pull into a parking lot. “Oh man, this is it! This is the spot where it’s all going down soon!” We are standing in front of Roman Bowl, the bowling alley owned and operated by the Roman brothers father, Ron. “Shoot man, I have so many great memories of this place. My bro and I used to help my dad out here on the weekends. We’d work shoe return. We’d go in the back and move stuck pins out of the way. We’d even work the kitchen when someone called out sick.”
The “it” that Romulus is referring to is the Season 28 Draft. Unlike most projected first round picks of the Draft, Romulus and Remus Roman have both decided they won’t be watching the Draft in person this season. Instead, they are hosting a viewing party at Roman Bowl.
“It’s gonna be sick, man. I can’t wait. We’re gonna invite all of the old friends up to watch. Dad even went and picked up a new projected and screen and we’re gonna put it out on lanes 7 and 8.” Romulus stands there for a moment, seeming to be taking it all in. I ask him if when he was playing catch with his brother in the backyard of their parents’ house if either of them thought they would one day be playing professionally. “Man, I never thought that I would even be playing football past high school. I don’t think anyone truly thinks they will make it to the ISFL until their name gets called on draft day. I remember the feeling of being drafted by Tijuana and it was just surreal to hear the DSFL Commish call my name. And now people are saying that tomorrow I might be going in the first round? Seriously? I’m gonna need someone to pinch me cause this is all a dream!”
Roman stands there at the bowling alley for a few moments more, and then turns to me. “Oh snap! I forgot we gotta get over to my parents’ house. Mom’s making her world-famous meat loaf, man! You’re gonna love it!”
We hop back into Romulus’ car, but instead of heading back east towards the center of town we keep going west towards the Illinois border, toward the town of Munster. It’s a small suburb of Chicago which has consistently been regarded as one of the best cities in Lake County, IN. “So man, growing up my parents wanted nothing more for me and my bro than for us to have opportunities they never had. Ever since we were born they saved up whatever money they could in order to help send us to college. When we found out that we were both going to get full ride scholarships, they saw that as their chance to get out of Gary, and used all that money they’d saved up to move out here to Munster. I couldn’t be happier for them. They deserve it.”
We pull up to a nicer two story home near the edge of Munster with a fairly large fenced-in backyard, and two newer Ford sedans sitting in the driveway. “This is my mom and pop’s place,” states Romulus with a hint of pride in his voice. “Let’s get on inside. I’ve gotta give you the tour!”
As we head inside we are greeted at the door by both Ron and Linda Roman. Ron is a large man, who looks to stand about six foot four and is very solidly built. Linda is also fairly tall, standing about five foot eight, and had a slender frame. “My dad actually was an all-state basketball player in high school, and my mom was a volleyball player. That’s how they met!”
Romulus walks into the kitchen as I’m taking my shoes off at the doorway. “OH NO WAY!” he exclaims from the kitchen. “Yo man, you gotta get in here quick. You’re gonna love this.” I get my shoes off and hurry into the kitchen to find Roman sifting through a box full of books, papers, figurines, and dice. “Dude, I thought I had lost all this stuff when I went off to college! It’s all my old Dungeons and Dragons stuff from my old campaigns.”
“We didn’t have a lot of money when the boys were younger,” chimes in Roman’s father, Ron, “so we couldn’t afford all the video games and other things that kids would play. So, my boys got into Dungeons and Dragons. After almost every football game they would have teammates over and play this game in the kitchen. I think a lot of their friends thought that the boys were kind of nerdy for wanting to play it, but eventually they all came to really enjoy it with them.”
Romulus continues rummaging through the old box until he finds a spiral notebook with a creased, green cover. “OH SNAP. Here it is! It’s my notes from my favorite campaign we ever did where I played a Monk.” He sifts through the pages until he finds a crudely-drawn character. “Here we go man! Here’s Harden Free-Seas of the Astral Self. Man, that was SO dope. Me and my bro had so much fun back then. I even got some of my teammates over in Tijuana to start playing a campaign with me.”
Romulus sits and reflects for a moment. I ask him about his first season playing in Tijuana. “Man, I love playing for Tijuana. From the moment I stepped into that locker room it really felt like that team made a place for me, even voting me one of the team Captains last season. They really helped me feel a lot more confident on the field, and that confidence really helped make me become a better player and teammate.”
Being drafted to Tijuana out of Purdue University, many experts wondered how Roman would fit into the Luchadores’ defense which sported two veteran players in the defensive backfield, Buck Nekkid and Jonathan Shuffleboard. Roman showed off his nose for the ball right away during the Luchadores’ Season 27 playoffs run, as he notched 46 tackles, 1 sack, and two interceptions on the season for Tijuana. His play on the field has led many experts to project Roman to go in the first round of tomorrow’s ISFL Draft.
For tonight, however, Romulus Roman is taking time to reflect and enjoy the little things.
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The following day I pack up my belongings and head out from my hotel over to Roman Lanes to join the Roman family and their impressive guest list as they prepare to watch the ISFL Draft. Both brothers, Romulus and Remus, are in attendance, as well as what appears to be close to 50 members of the community. Relatives playing in the ISFL are not a rarity, but it is rare to see siblings, let alone twins, in the same draft class. It’s even rarer to see those siblings both with such high draft grades, as most experts have mocked both Roman brothers to be early second round picks in this draft, with both having the potential to surprise some and be taken in the first. How are the brothers handling it?
“I try not to buy too much into the hype. That kind of stuff can go to your head and it's important in this line of work to stay focused.” I ask him if the two of them have talked about which one of them will be drafted first. “My brother and I have trash talked a lot with each other, but none of it means anything. We are really supportive of each other, and the teams we play for as well.”
Just a bit after 7 PM local the ISFL Draft presentation begins. The top two picks are no surprise to anyone – Luke Quick and Busch Goose, both out of Kansas City – and no one in the room reacts. Pick three, owned by Orange County, comes and goes with a bit of a surprise at they take Cornerback Anton Bruckner our of Minnesota. The following pick, owned by the Philadelphia Liberty gets announced, and I see both Roman brothers look at each other with for a quick second, and then both begin to clap. The Liberty have chosen to take their college rival (and current Portland teammate of Remus Roman’s) Xavier Walls. The brothers wait a few minutes and give a call to Xavier to congratulate him on being drafted.
The first round chugs along, and with every pick the Roman brothers fail to hear their names picked. You can notice some of those in attendance start to look confused, as these two have been projected by some experts to be first round draft picks. Then, at top of the second round with the 15th overall pick, it finally happens: the Commissioner walks to the podium, “And with the 15th overall pick, the Philadelphia Liberty select Romulus Roman, Safety, Tijuana Luchadores.”
The room explodes with cheers. The brother hug each other and jump up and down. Romulus soon after receives a phone call from Philadelphia’s General Manager duo, Lip Chap and Lip Stache. Romulus is congratulated by just about everyone in the room for the next fifteen minutes or so until the 20th overall pick is announced: “With the 20th overall pick, the New Orleans Second Line select Remus Roman, Running Back, Portland Pythons.” The entire process which just ended a second before the pick repeats itself, and no one seems to be happier for his brother than Romulus.
After the commotion calms down a little, I finally get a moment to talk to Romulus. I ask him how it felt to be drafted into the ISFL, and if he was disappointed to not be drafted to the same place as his brother. “I don't think anyone truly thinks they will make it to the ISFL until their name gets called on draft day. It's an absolutely surreal moment when it happens, finally all the work you've put in has paid off, and I remember growing up dreaming about this moment. To hear the commish call my name, let alone so early was a dream come true for my brother and I, even if it wasn't for the same team.”
And how does he feel about going to the Liberty?
“I knew immediately the Philly was the place I wanted to be after pre-draft interviews. They made me feel welcome, and the locker room environment as well as the relationships of the players felt like home to me. I view this team as a championship squad. We have quite a few young guys on the team for sure, but these young bucks are talented and passionate. We absolutely have a shot this year, and next year, and the one after that. I personally don't believe in "rebuilds." I hope that one day the team can look at me as a leader both on and off the field. Captaining a squad is one of the highest honors a team can bestow and I hope to one day achieve that.”
Philadelphia fans hope that Romulus’s analysis of their team is accurate.
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An interview with Amulos:
Thank you for taking the time to chat with me. First question would simply be how are you doing?
I’m doing really well, I have been really enjoying jumping into the league and meeting a bunch of people with similar interests to me. I would say rarely do Sports people and DND nerds coincide, so this league is a pretty cool niche that I am glad I found.
How did you first hear about the ISFL and what made you want to join?
I came in with the last Reddit class and it seemed super interesting to me. I did a little research on the forums about it before truly taking the leap as well. It seemed legit, didn’t seem like someone was gonna ask me to buy bath salts off them, and when I got the invite to the league chat it was all history. I got to join my team, the Machu Picchu Sols, and get to know some others in my draft class. After that Tonzy and South (two lesser known twins) really went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and get us used to the semantics that came with the league.
You have a really cool story in not just joining at the same time as your twin brother, but also with two other friends of yours. Whose idea was it first to join and how did the others get recruited?
Originally it was my idea to get us in so it’s my fault Titan is here. I had seen posts in the r/NFL subreddit in the past that I had thought about joining, but this last one was the one that truly convinced me. The posters seemed like some really cool dudes and made me feel comfortable enough to join in the fun!
What was your experience as a new user not only creating your player but also being thrust into the community?
I think it was a bit of a steep learning curve at first, but after Tonzy and South’s assistance early on it made the process much easier. I needed help with everything from builds, to min/maxes, to earning money and what to use the money for. I think the forum has definitely grown on me since then, but I remember finding it difficult to locate things at times on the forum that Tonzy and others in the Tijuana locker room were able to help me out with. Nowadays it's about finding a league job to get rich enough to get my T6 equipment every season.
What was your experience with the DSFL draft process?
The DSFL draft process was awesome, it was super cool getting to know all the teams through their locker rooms and scouting events. I really enjoyed the atmosphere it brought about, almost like you were ACTUALLY being drafted by a team, and it also felt neat having a team want you enough to take you early. I remember sitting with my buddies and brothers, even ones that don’t play in the league, watching the draft night excitedly awaiting which team took us.
Did you have any idea where you would be drafted?
I think we were all pretty confident that South wanted us on the Portland Pythons, and after hearing the events after the draft it sounded like they were trying to snag me as well when the process started. It was hilarious going to Tijuana and being drafted by South’s twin, with my own twin being drafted by South to Portland. I don’t think there was any team I wasn’t willing to be a part of, and all of them contacted me in one way or another. I just knew for sure that Portland was gonna take all of us back to back if we fell. I’ve never been happier to be wrong, Portland sucks ass. #Lucha4Lyfe!
Okay, what is the deal with this, "formerly Sno Ball" part of your discord name?
You’d think it would be a simple story of me making it as a joke, but in actuality my buddies and I jokingly created a “Hostess Gaming” a gaming “clan” that plays games under the name Hostess gaming. We each have our own unique tag named after a hostess product, mine being “Sno-Ball™”, Vaelynn is “Jumbo Honey Bun”, Titansfan is “Hoho.” We have several other members such as “Ding-Dong” “Zinger” “Fruit Pie” and “Donette”. We have tons of fun with it and make jokes about our rival being Little Debbie.
Some mock drafts out there had you going in the first round of the ISFL Draft. Did you feel disappointed at all that you didn't?
I’d say mildly, but I didn’t mind where I landed. I figured it was down to you guys or NOLA and I was happy to play with Titan this time around. NOLA eventually settled for my brother when they couldn’t get me, and I am sure they are disappointed about it.
Have you been trash talking your brother at all about being drafted before he was?
Right now we are 1 to 1 on drafts. He got taken before me in the DSFL draft, and I was taken before him in the ISFL draft. I imagine that soon enough we will have to break that tie, but right now I have all the bragging rights.
Has Titansfan been trash talking either of you about going in the first round?
Titansfan knows he was drafted in the first out of pity. It’s like the unathletic kid being told he can be captain of the dodgeball team in gym class so that the kids don’t pick him last. It was really kind of you guys to pretend to like him so much, he really needed something to be proud of in his life!
How did it feel to be drafted by Philadelphia?
Philly was my favorite locker room I was a part of, I really enjoyed the locker room, and it was very clear everyone wanted me there from the get go whether they got me or not. Philly was my #1 choice going into the draft, but I would have been happy to play for anyone that wanted me! Since being drafted it’s been nothing but welcoming, people reaching out, even planning some DND sessions for the future!
Did you have any ideas that the Liberty might have been planning to take you?
I knew, similar to Portland, that Philly wanted to get us all if they could. I think this go around I was certain there were a few teams that wanted to snag me or my buddies, but I knew for sure that Philly was going to try and go for everyone. I didn’t think it would be possible to get all of us, but I thought it was highly likely someone could get two if they wanted which is what ended up happening!
Speaking of the Liberty, they're in a bit of a rebuild still, and might still be a couple of seasons away from making deep playoffs runs. How do you feel about the idea of getting in on the ground floor of a rebuild?
I love the idea of starting in a rebuild, it gives me an opportunity to help build a squad to compete for seasons to come and that’s exciting. I haven’t come in off a down swing, and my players peak will likely be around the same time the Liberty has won their 4th or 5th Ultimus since I was drafted here. I am super excited to watch my little dot pretend to play football on stream!
Is there any advice you have for new players are they get used to the site and prepare for their first seasons?
For new players, my biggest thing is to NEVER be afraid to reach out to someone. I would hate for you to lose interest in this league, and someone can be the Tonzy or South for you and your friends. Everyone I have met in this league so far is incredibly friendly and helpful and will go out of the way to make sure you enjoy yourself and understand what’s going on. I would love to be a resource for anyone that wants help when they are just starting out, I know how difficult it might be.
Do you have any goals you'd like to accomplish here either as a user or as a player?
As a user, I would love to just continue to contribute more to my team and the league. I love being a captain for my Luchas, and hope to do that in the ISFL as well. I also wouldn’t mind dipping my toes in GMing some day in the future as well!
As for my player, my goal is the Hall of Fame. I want my player to be well known to anyone in the league and I want my defense to be the first one picked in fantasy as well. It’s for sure a tall order, but I am going to do everything in my power as a user to make it happen! But as we all know, sim gonna sim.
Do you have any plans for your future in the league?
Like I said before, I am going to continue to create players over time, but I would love to try GMing. I think I could be really good at it, and it would be amazing to look at a team and feel like I am truly a big part of it like that. I also am excited for the opportunity to have a great team environment, something that my job outside of the sim can help with!
Thank you for your time!
Editor's note: This media is a little different than I've seen people do here before. It's basically a two-parter meant to introduce, in a way, the league to Amulos and his player, Romulus Roman. The first part of the piece is a long-form article in which I am writing as someone spending a day with Romulus before and after the ISFL Draft. Amulos gave me a full fleshed-out backstory and family history, as well as answered a number of questions as his player. The second part is a straight up interview with Amulos the user. We both hope you enjoy!
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A Day with Romulus Roman
“Man, it’s so weird driving through here now. I haven’t been back to this city since me and my brother left for our first season at Purdue. This place isn’t my home anymore. Hasn’t been for years. But, man, I still remember all of these streets and places.”
That’s Romulus Roman, Strong Safety for the Tijuana Luchadores. I’m here interviewing Roman as he gets ready to watch the Season 28 International Simulation Football League Draft. We’re driving around the city he grew up in, Gary, Indiana, as he’s giving me an impromptu tour of his hometown.
Coming out of Purdue University, Romulus and his brother, Remus, were a Safety duo in college that helped turn the Boilermakers into one of the premier defenses in the league. They may be twins, and may play the same position, but the two of them played their position very differently. Remus was the slender, quicker of the pair, and was known for patrolling the deep middle of the field. He was adept at making opposing Quarterbacks think twice about launching one as you always had to fear he would get out there and at the very least break it up, and if you were unlucky, intercept the pass.
Romulus, however, made his name in a much different manner. “I’ve never had the same natural speed or agility as my brother has. He’s just always been a little faster than me. Where I was always better was taking better angles and knowing how to hit someone. But me and him, we have this this almost symbiotic relationship where I know where he’s at and he knows where I am. We always have. It’s what keeps pushing us to be better. If we didn’t have each other, I don’t even know that we ever make it out of this city.” If his brother made teams worry about passing it deep, then Romulus made them worry about throwing across the middle. Throughout his college career, Romulus made a name for himself with his punishing hits and ability to get to the Quarterback. His play in his final season at Purdue was so stellar that he was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award as the Nation’s best Defensive Back.
As we continue driving through Gary, you see the same remnants of a long-gone booming industrial center common in every Rust Belt city in the Midwest. We pass by Jackson Memorial High School, named for Gary’s most famous son, the Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson. “I remember when we were young my parents had us in just about every single after-school activity they could. We played all sorts of sports throughout our time in school – basketball, hockey, baseball – but football was the only one that stuck. We never dreamed when we were kids playing in the backyard together that we would both end up being able to go professional one day.”
“Looking back on it now, though, I don’t think my parents ever put us in all those sports as a way for us to get out of this city. I think they just needed something for us to do while they were at work.” Roman’s parents, Ron and Linda Roman, are just like any other parents in America. “You know, if we turn left here onto Grant Street, we’ll go right by Sunrise Diner. That’s where my mom worked while we were kids. Man. My mom worked her butt off when we were kids, but somehow she never missed a single home game we had.” He starts to tear up a little as a visible smile starts to form. “I’m just so happy that we’re finally able to pay her back for all of the sacrifices she made when we were kids.”
We don’t turn left, however, and instead keep driving straight down West 11th Avenue through Gary’s Westside neighborhood. After about a two mile drive we pull into a parking lot. “Oh man, this is it! This is the spot where it’s all going down soon!” We are standing in front of Roman Bowl, the bowling alley owned and operated by the Roman brothers father, Ron. “Shoot man, I have so many great memories of this place. My bro and I used to help my dad out here on the weekends. We’d work shoe return. We’d go in the back and move stuck pins out of the way. We’d even work the kitchen when someone called out sick.”
The “it” that Romulus is referring to is the Season 28 Draft. Unlike most projected first round picks of the Draft, Romulus and Remus Roman have both decided they won’t be watching the Draft in person this season. Instead, they are hosting a viewing party at Roman Bowl.
“It’s gonna be sick, man. I can’t wait. We’re gonna invite all of the old friends up to watch. Dad even went and picked up a new projected and screen and we’re gonna put it out on lanes 7 and 8.” Romulus stands there for a moment, seeming to be taking it all in. I ask him if when he was playing catch with his brother in the backyard of their parents’ house if either of them thought they would one day be playing professionally. “Man, I never thought that I would even be playing football past high school. I don’t think anyone truly thinks they will make it to the ISFL until their name gets called on draft day. I remember the feeling of being drafted by Tijuana and it was just surreal to hear the DSFL Commish call my name. And now people are saying that tomorrow I might be going in the first round? Seriously? I’m gonna need someone to pinch me cause this is all a dream!”
Roman stands there at the bowling alley for a few moments more, and then turns to me. “Oh snap! I forgot we gotta get over to my parents’ house. Mom’s making her world-famous meat loaf, man! You’re gonna love it!”
We hop back into Romulus’ car, but instead of heading back east towards the center of town we keep going west towards the Illinois border, toward the town of Munster. It’s a small suburb of Chicago which has consistently been regarded as one of the best cities in Lake County, IN. “So man, growing up my parents wanted nothing more for me and my bro than for us to have opportunities they never had. Ever since we were born they saved up whatever money they could in order to help send us to college. When we found out that we were both going to get full ride scholarships, they saw that as their chance to get out of Gary, and used all that money they’d saved up to move out here to Munster. I couldn’t be happier for them. They deserve it.”
We pull up to a nicer two story home near the edge of Munster with a fairly large fenced-in backyard, and two newer Ford sedans sitting in the driveway. “This is my mom and pop’s place,” states Romulus with a hint of pride in his voice. “Let’s get on inside. I’ve gotta give you the tour!”
As we head inside we are greeted at the door by both Ron and Linda Roman. Ron is a large man, who looks to stand about six foot four and is very solidly built. Linda is also fairly tall, standing about five foot eight, and had a slender frame. “My dad actually was an all-state basketball player in high school, and my mom was a volleyball player. That’s how they met!”
Romulus walks into the kitchen as I’m taking my shoes off at the doorway. “OH NO WAY!” he exclaims from the kitchen. “Yo man, you gotta get in here quick. You’re gonna love this.” I get my shoes off and hurry into the kitchen to find Roman sifting through a box full of books, papers, figurines, and dice. “Dude, I thought I had lost all this stuff when I went off to college! It’s all my old Dungeons and Dragons stuff from my old campaigns.”
“We didn’t have a lot of money when the boys were younger,” chimes in Roman’s father, Ron, “so we couldn’t afford all the video games and other things that kids would play. So, my boys got into Dungeons and Dragons. After almost every football game they would have teammates over and play this game in the kitchen. I think a lot of their friends thought that the boys were kind of nerdy for wanting to play it, but eventually they all came to really enjoy it with them.”
Romulus continues rummaging through the old box until he finds a spiral notebook with a creased, green cover. “OH SNAP. Here it is! It’s my notes from my favorite campaign we ever did where I played a Monk.” He sifts through the pages until he finds a crudely-drawn character. “Here we go man! Here’s Harden Free-Seas of the Astral Self. Man, that was SO dope. Me and my bro had so much fun back then. I even got some of my teammates over in Tijuana to start playing a campaign with me.”
Romulus sits and reflects for a moment. I ask him about his first season playing in Tijuana. “Man, I love playing for Tijuana. From the moment I stepped into that locker room it really felt like that team made a place for me, even voting me one of the team Captains last season. They really helped me feel a lot more confident on the field, and that confidence really helped make me become a better player and teammate.”
Being drafted to Tijuana out of Purdue University, many experts wondered how Roman would fit into the Luchadores’ defense which sported two veteran players in the defensive backfield, Buck Nekkid and Jonathan Shuffleboard. Roman showed off his nose for the ball right away during the Luchadores’ Season 27 playoffs run, as he notched 46 tackles, 1 sack, and two interceptions on the season for Tijuana. His play on the field has led many experts to project Roman to go in the first round of tomorrow’s ISFL Draft.
For tonight, however, Romulus Roman is taking time to reflect and enjoy the little things.
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The following day I pack up my belongings and head out from my hotel over to Roman Lanes to join the Roman family and their impressive guest list as they prepare to watch the ISFL Draft. Both brothers, Romulus and Remus, are in attendance, as well as what appears to be close to 50 members of the community. Relatives playing in the ISFL are not a rarity, but it is rare to see siblings, let alone twins, in the same draft class. It’s even rarer to see those siblings both with such high draft grades, as most experts have mocked both Roman brothers to be early second round picks in this draft, with both having the potential to surprise some and be taken in the first. How are the brothers handling it?
“I try not to buy too much into the hype. That kind of stuff can go to your head and it's important in this line of work to stay focused.” I ask him if the two of them have talked about which one of them will be drafted first. “My brother and I have trash talked a lot with each other, but none of it means anything. We are really supportive of each other, and the teams we play for as well.”
Just a bit after 7 PM local the ISFL Draft presentation begins. The top two picks are no surprise to anyone – Luke Quick and Busch Goose, both out of Kansas City – and no one in the room reacts. Pick three, owned by Orange County, comes and goes with a bit of a surprise at they take Cornerback Anton Bruckner our of Minnesota. The following pick, owned by the Philadelphia Liberty gets announced, and I see both Roman brothers look at each other with for a quick second, and then both begin to clap. The Liberty have chosen to take their college rival (and current Portland teammate of Remus Roman’s) Xavier Walls. The brothers wait a few minutes and give a call to Xavier to congratulate him on being drafted.
The first round chugs along, and with every pick the Roman brothers fail to hear their names picked. You can notice some of those in attendance start to look confused, as these two have been projected by some experts to be first round draft picks. Then, at top of the second round with the 15th overall pick, it finally happens: the Commissioner walks to the podium, “And with the 15th overall pick, the Philadelphia Liberty select Romulus Roman, Safety, Tijuana Luchadores.”
The room explodes with cheers. The brother hug each other and jump up and down. Romulus soon after receives a phone call from Philadelphia’s General Manager duo, Lip Chap and Lip Stache. Romulus is congratulated by just about everyone in the room for the next fifteen minutes or so until the 20th overall pick is announced: “With the 20th overall pick, the New Orleans Second Line select Remus Roman, Running Back, Portland Pythons.” The entire process which just ended a second before the pick repeats itself, and no one seems to be happier for his brother than Romulus.
After the commotion calms down a little, I finally get a moment to talk to Romulus. I ask him how it felt to be drafted into the ISFL, and if he was disappointed to not be drafted to the same place as his brother. “I don't think anyone truly thinks they will make it to the ISFL until their name gets called on draft day. It's an absolutely surreal moment when it happens, finally all the work you've put in has paid off, and I remember growing up dreaming about this moment. To hear the commish call my name, let alone so early was a dream come true for my brother and I, even if it wasn't for the same team.”
And how does he feel about going to the Liberty?
“I knew immediately the Philly was the place I wanted to be after pre-draft interviews. They made me feel welcome, and the locker room environment as well as the relationships of the players felt like home to me. I view this team as a championship squad. We have quite a few young guys on the team for sure, but these young bucks are talented and passionate. We absolutely have a shot this year, and next year, and the one after that. I personally don't believe in "rebuilds." I hope that one day the team can look at me as a leader both on and off the field. Captaining a squad is one of the highest honors a team can bestow and I hope to one day achieve that.”
Philadelphia fans hope that Romulus’s analysis of their team is accurate.
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An interview with Amulos:
Thank you for taking the time to chat with me. First question would simply be how are you doing?
I’m doing really well, I have been really enjoying jumping into the league and meeting a bunch of people with similar interests to me. I would say rarely do Sports people and DND nerds coincide, so this league is a pretty cool niche that I am glad I found.
How did you first hear about the ISFL and what made you want to join?
I came in with the last Reddit class and it seemed super interesting to me. I did a little research on the forums about it before truly taking the leap as well. It seemed legit, didn’t seem like someone was gonna ask me to buy bath salts off them, and when I got the invite to the league chat it was all history. I got to join my team, the Machu Picchu Sols, and get to know some others in my draft class. After that Tonzy and South (two lesser known twins) really went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and get us used to the semantics that came with the league.
You have a really cool story in not just joining at the same time as your twin brother, but also with two other friends of yours. Whose idea was it first to join and how did the others get recruited?
Originally it was my idea to get us in so it’s my fault Titan is here. I had seen posts in the r/NFL subreddit in the past that I had thought about joining, but this last one was the one that truly convinced me. The posters seemed like some really cool dudes and made me feel comfortable enough to join in the fun!
What was your experience as a new user not only creating your player but also being thrust into the community?
I think it was a bit of a steep learning curve at first, but after Tonzy and South’s assistance early on it made the process much easier. I needed help with everything from builds, to min/maxes, to earning money and what to use the money for. I think the forum has definitely grown on me since then, but I remember finding it difficult to locate things at times on the forum that Tonzy and others in the Tijuana locker room were able to help me out with. Nowadays it's about finding a league job to get rich enough to get my T6 equipment every season.
What was your experience with the DSFL draft process?
The DSFL draft process was awesome, it was super cool getting to know all the teams through their locker rooms and scouting events. I really enjoyed the atmosphere it brought about, almost like you were ACTUALLY being drafted by a team, and it also felt neat having a team want you enough to take you early. I remember sitting with my buddies and brothers, even ones that don’t play in the league, watching the draft night excitedly awaiting which team took us.
Did you have any idea where you would be drafted?
I think we were all pretty confident that South wanted us on the Portland Pythons, and after hearing the events after the draft it sounded like they were trying to snag me as well when the process started. It was hilarious going to Tijuana and being drafted by South’s twin, with my own twin being drafted by South to Portland. I don’t think there was any team I wasn’t willing to be a part of, and all of them contacted me in one way or another. I just knew for sure that Portland was gonna take all of us back to back if we fell. I’ve never been happier to be wrong, Portland sucks ass. #Lucha4Lyfe!
Okay, what is the deal with this, "formerly Sno Ball" part of your discord name?
You’d think it would be a simple story of me making it as a joke, but in actuality my buddies and I jokingly created a “Hostess Gaming” a gaming “clan” that plays games under the name Hostess gaming. We each have our own unique tag named after a hostess product, mine being “Sno-Ball™”, Vaelynn is “Jumbo Honey Bun”, Titansfan is “Hoho.” We have several other members such as “Ding-Dong” “Zinger” “Fruit Pie” and “Donette”. We have tons of fun with it and make jokes about our rival being Little Debbie.
Some mock drafts out there had you going in the first round of the ISFL Draft. Did you feel disappointed at all that you didn't?
I’d say mildly, but I didn’t mind where I landed. I figured it was down to you guys or NOLA and I was happy to play with Titan this time around. NOLA eventually settled for my brother when they couldn’t get me, and I am sure they are disappointed about it.
Have you been trash talking your brother at all about being drafted before he was?
Right now we are 1 to 1 on drafts. He got taken before me in the DSFL draft, and I was taken before him in the ISFL draft. I imagine that soon enough we will have to break that tie, but right now I have all the bragging rights.
Has Titansfan been trash talking either of you about going in the first round?
Titansfan knows he was drafted in the first out of pity. It’s like the unathletic kid being told he can be captain of the dodgeball team in gym class so that the kids don’t pick him last. It was really kind of you guys to pretend to like him so much, he really needed something to be proud of in his life!
How did it feel to be drafted by Philadelphia?
Philly was my favorite locker room I was a part of, I really enjoyed the locker room, and it was very clear everyone wanted me there from the get go whether they got me or not. Philly was my #1 choice going into the draft, but I would have been happy to play for anyone that wanted me! Since being drafted it’s been nothing but welcoming, people reaching out, even planning some DND sessions for the future!
Did you have any ideas that the Liberty might have been planning to take you?
I knew, similar to Portland, that Philly wanted to get us all if they could. I think this go around I was certain there were a few teams that wanted to snag me or my buddies, but I knew for sure that Philly was going to try and go for everyone. I didn’t think it would be possible to get all of us, but I thought it was highly likely someone could get two if they wanted which is what ended up happening!
Speaking of the Liberty, they're in a bit of a rebuild still, and might still be a couple of seasons away from making deep playoffs runs. How do you feel about the idea of getting in on the ground floor of a rebuild?
I love the idea of starting in a rebuild, it gives me an opportunity to help build a squad to compete for seasons to come and that’s exciting. I haven’t come in off a down swing, and my players peak will likely be around the same time the Liberty has won their 4th or 5th Ultimus since I was drafted here. I am super excited to watch my little dot pretend to play football on stream!
Is there any advice you have for new players are they get used to the site and prepare for their first seasons?
For new players, my biggest thing is to NEVER be afraid to reach out to someone. I would hate for you to lose interest in this league, and someone can be the Tonzy or South for you and your friends. Everyone I have met in this league so far is incredibly friendly and helpful and will go out of the way to make sure you enjoy yourself and understand what’s going on. I would love to be a resource for anyone that wants help when they are just starting out, I know how difficult it might be.
Do you have any goals you'd like to accomplish here either as a user or as a player?
As a user, I would love to just continue to contribute more to my team and the league. I love being a captain for my Luchas, and hope to do that in the ISFL as well. I also wouldn’t mind dipping my toes in GMing some day in the future as well!
As for my player, my goal is the Hall of Fame. I want my player to be well known to anyone in the league and I want my defense to be the first one picked in fantasy as well. It’s for sure a tall order, but I am going to do everything in my power as a user to make it happen! But as we all know, sim gonna sim.
Do you have any plans for your future in the league?
Like I said before, I am going to continue to create players over time, but I would love to try GMing. I think I could be really good at it, and it would be amazing to look at a team and feel like I am truly a big part of it like that. I also am excited for the opportunity to have a great team environment, something that my job outside of the sim can help with!
Thank you for your time!
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