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5) Write 800 words or more on something that interests you. It could be related to statistics, to a league issue you take seriously, or a niche part of history that doesn’t fit neatly into either of the above categories. This must be directly related to the league, so don’t wax 800 words about your team’s Werewolf server. Be warned that freedom comes with risk, and this category will be judged especially stringently for anyone trying to spew complete nonsense.
A Career Retrospective (With emphasis on my time in Norfolk)
This is probably going to be a super cheesy article so fair warning. When I first saw that fateful r/nfl post over 6 months ago now, I never knew how much I would fall in love with a simulation football league. I was incredibly intrigued, curious and excited. I had always wanted to play football growing up but due to my below average height I never had the chance. In a way, this league would give me that football experience I was looking for. Pair that with not having anything else to do right at the start of Covid, this league instantly became a place where I sunk a lot of my time into.
Preceding the DSFL Draft, I would hang around gen chat and was maybe in one or two team servers, I can’t remember exactly, but I actually think I talked mostly with people through DMs, with guys like Sid and Sweets (I miss Sweets). I was enthusiastic about my player creation and making him the best he could be right away in every possible way. And I mean everything had to be perfect, I probably sat and brainstormed names for at least an hour before landing on Matt Cross, aka, the Son of Havoc. I wrote a few articles in character, did some history analysis and a QB ratings article which I am still quite proud of to this day, and then before I knew it the draft was upon us.
I had been scouted by most teams and as I mentioned as in a few different team LRs, but honestly I had no clue where I would end up or when I would be picked. I knew there were also a lot of DBs in this huge class, so I was honestly a bit afraid of falling far in the draft. Hearing my name called at Pick 14 for the Norfolk Seawolves was absolutely incredible. I quickly hopped into their LR and I just remember being welcomed by all sorts of people, it was an absolute blast and as the draft continued to progress I also started to take part in welcoming everyone in. It was such a great atmosphere and the excitement from that first day is something I still remember well.
But a lot has changed for me since that first day.
At the end of the season, I was voted as a commodore in Norfolk and earned a spot in the war room which at the time I barely even knew what that meant. The ISFL Draft came around and I was picked 3OA by the Philadelphia Liberty (Huge thanks to Hall and Tim for believing in me and grabbing me so early, I love both of you guys). And then I was introduced to my new team which was also unbelievably fun and exciting. And even during my first season in Philly, I was still super active in Norfolk as well, like I said I had nothing to do at all at this time irl. In fact I got to Rank #1 in both servers quite quickly actually (A title I still hold). And I absolutely loved both teams, I still do.
In the Norfolk War Room, when Scorp and Juni announced to us that they would be stepping down at the end of the season, I was quite shocked. They had done such an incredible job with the team, raising us up and providing us with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. When this position opened up, I honestly had no clue whether or not I was interested. Being a GM sounded like a decent amount of extra work and time to start putting into the league (not that I wasn't enjoying the league it's just I already spent a lot of time across the site and discords). After thinking on it for a few days, I talked with Scorp and Juni about it, and from what I remember they were really excited that I had reached. It wasn't 100% who would be my Co-GM yet, but Blasoon who had also inquired about the position was looking like a good choice for that position, and he would be the one chosen. (Shout out to Blasoon for being an absolutely wonderful GM and person).
Now it's been 2 full seasons of GMing for Norfolk. I was handed off a really good team, with a decent amount of send downs and lots of actives too. That first draft was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed being a GM and meeting and influencing all these rookies. Fun fact 6/7 of Norfolk's draft picks stayed active that season (ignore the fact we traded for a DL who went IA). Our season went really well, we made playoffs which I was super proud of and had the winningest season in Norfolk History! We then went on to win the Ultimini! One of the best moments in the league for me honestly, the Locker Room was so crazy that night and everyone was there to celebrate, seriously people coming out of the woodworks to just have an absolute blast and party in Norfolk.
The next draft class would be an r/nfl class. The pure amount of prospects was insane, obviously not as much as S22 (Best 22) but there was a lot of work to be done, mainly scouting. For the first time since S22, Norfolk opened up their LR by inviting prospects to the prospect chat. Getting to know everyone was so much fun and there were so many great guys that we wanted to bring onto the team but couldn't, however, Norfolk drafted the absolute best of the best across the board. These guys came in and gelled together immediately, joking around a lot and even making our own inside joke (and a series of emotes) about midway through the season. I couldn't have been happier with the locker room environment that they helped revitalize. Our team had a lot of success through the season amidst some bad streaks, and we managed to make the playoffs again (unfortunately as the 2 seed though). We beat Tijuana which got everyone so hyped up and partying once again in the LR, because we'd be back to the Ultimini. We knew our chances were slim but we still had a shot at the trophy for the second season in a row. Unfortunately we lost that game, but we lost graciously. The real Ultimini victory was the friends we made along the way, and I know I certainly made a lot of them.
Heading into my third season as GM, with expansion at the ISFL level, I'm about to face my toughest year yet. We're expecting a lot of call ups and losses, and we're gonna have a decent amount of holes in what is so far a very small class given recent trends. I don't know how the draft or the season will play out, but I'm very nervous. This seems like my first true test as a GM. It's so stressful I honestly don't know what to do. But, I know I'm not alone in this. I've got the most Handsome Co-GM by my side in Blasoon, and a war room full of such amazing people. This season my be a bit shaky for Norfolk, but no matter what our LR will be a place that every prospect should want to be, and we'll grow stronger too. Now that's great beans.