5) The league has a rich and fascinating history, and our perspectives on it differ from person to person. In 800 words or more, describe any significant moment in ISFL or DSFL history, whether you were around for it or not. Describe the context, the significant members, and the events. What exactly made this event so famous (or infamous) and why does it deserve to be remembered? Events might include championship wins, the inducting of players to the hall of fame, or even a league scandal.
I’ve been around this league long enough to see plenty of scandals, running jokes, memorable events, and juicy drama unfold. Whether it be punishments, mass retirements, resims, or even the pinned messages in general chat, I’ve either seen them all or at the very least know the story behind it. I could talk about the infamous Nuk and the day that the league came together in harmony to roast and condemn this bigoted and hateful user. I could go on and on about the resim in S14 when legendary receiver Trey Willie took the field for the now-defunct San Antonio Marshalls. On a lighter note, I could share some laughs on some of the days that general chat went wild over hickeys and horse blood (you don’t want to know).
However, instead I want to opt for a situation that was a bit more personal to me. I’ve shared some of my feelings to my closer friends in the league, but I haven’t made my thoughts and experiences public, or went into too much detail about what went on before the situation became a league-wide drama case – of which I chose not to be involved in.
Recently, there was a big controversy regarding the Baltimore Hawks. After a movement by the league GM’s to remove Baltimore’s GM’s, HO after hearing from the GM’s of the rest of the league decided that the Hawks’ leadership needed to be changed. Of course, this was a bit of a controversial topic, as some outside of the team agreed with the removal of Butters, while those inside the team were a bit taken aback. The true controversy started after HO’s decision of the new GM’s. Members of the team were hurt that they didn’t pick candidates from within who they believed could right the ship. Others from outside had the perspective that fresh blood was needed to overhaul Baltimore’s culture and reputation. What followed was a massive change in the team’s structure, as their star QB and many other high profile players were traded or left the team in some way. There seemed to be some bitterness with how HO handled the team and between the new GM’s and the old guard of players. A lot of media articles were written and there were a lot of conversations in the league regarding this situation.
All of this is information known to the general public, for the most part. But what I want to present is the lead up to this massive league event. What many don’t know is that many of the issues started before Butters even became a member of the Hawks. Here is my story.
My first look into the Baltimore Hawks and the way the team was ran started when I was drafted. I recall being scouted by Baltimore, but I was not asked very many questions and I didn’t feel like they were super excited for me during scouting. When I heard my name called in the S24 draft, I was surprised yet excited. I had fully expected to go to NOLA on the next pick, however the Hawks traded up for me and I felt good about it. That is, until they drafted another active running back in the same draft. I was a bit shaken up by this, but I didn’t let it get in the way of my optimism. Dewalt was the GM at the time, and I was excited to play for him as we have had great conversations before and found out we’re from around the same area.
It was not sunshine and rainbows for very long, however. Shortly after the draft, expansion was announced. Dewalt became one of the GM’s, and immediately on of my strongest connections was gone. Along with this, Baltimore began making trades that I considered questionable. One player, I found out, wanted to be co-GM, and was traded away to become another team’s GM rather than given an opportunity to become co-GM of the Hawks. A few others that I found pretty likeable as well were sent away. Then, came Butters, who was made co-GM. After essentially blowing up the team, the lead GM stepped down.
I personally believe that Butters was given a pretty tough hand to deal with. The locker room before this was already pretty dreary in my opinion, and after all of these players were sent away the atmosphere was much less positive. One user who I wish not to name in particular was very negative and sucked all the air out of the LR. Along with this, more players were brought in with a certain personality that gave Baltimore a reputation that I don’t believe was bad, rather it was just specific. To me it didn’t come down to liking something or not, it comes down to most of the locker room having a niche interest that a majority of people are not into.
After a full season being sent down, I was called up. And although I was drafted before the other RB, I was the backup – which is understandable considering they had more TPE. But we had similar goals in that we both wanted to be lead back, and I realized that for as long as I was on Baltimore, I would never be the main ball carrier. So, rather than wait until I could exercise my option, I opted for a trade so that Baltimore could get something in return. In turn they allowed multiple teams to talk to me, and I got particularly excited for one team…only for them to trade me to a team that never spoke to me. This was a letdown but I kept my head up. The rest of it is a story for another time.
In all, Baltimore already had its own issues before Butters was asked to step down. All this being said, aside from one person I did like everyone in the Baltimore LR. I and many other players did not leave because of the team’s success. I believe this even is important to remember as it is very important to examine the traits and preferences of a team’s management, and in the future if other teams go through something similar, a lot can be taken away from how this situation went down.
>1100 words
I’ve been around this league long enough to see plenty of scandals, running jokes, memorable events, and juicy drama unfold. Whether it be punishments, mass retirements, resims, or even the pinned messages in general chat, I’ve either seen them all or at the very least know the story behind it. I could talk about the infamous Nuk and the day that the league came together in harmony to roast and condemn this bigoted and hateful user. I could go on and on about the resim in S14 when legendary receiver Trey Willie took the field for the now-defunct San Antonio Marshalls. On a lighter note, I could share some laughs on some of the days that general chat went wild over hickeys and horse blood (you don’t want to know).
However, instead I want to opt for a situation that was a bit more personal to me. I’ve shared some of my feelings to my closer friends in the league, but I haven’t made my thoughts and experiences public, or went into too much detail about what went on before the situation became a league-wide drama case – of which I chose not to be involved in.
Recently, there was a big controversy regarding the Baltimore Hawks. After a movement by the league GM’s to remove Baltimore’s GM’s, HO after hearing from the GM’s of the rest of the league decided that the Hawks’ leadership needed to be changed. Of course, this was a bit of a controversial topic, as some outside of the team agreed with the removal of Butters, while those inside the team were a bit taken aback. The true controversy started after HO’s decision of the new GM’s. Members of the team were hurt that they didn’t pick candidates from within who they believed could right the ship. Others from outside had the perspective that fresh blood was needed to overhaul Baltimore’s culture and reputation. What followed was a massive change in the team’s structure, as their star QB and many other high profile players were traded or left the team in some way. There seemed to be some bitterness with how HO handled the team and between the new GM’s and the old guard of players. A lot of media articles were written and there were a lot of conversations in the league regarding this situation.
All of this is information known to the general public, for the most part. But what I want to present is the lead up to this massive league event. What many don’t know is that many of the issues started before Butters even became a member of the Hawks. Here is my story.
My first look into the Baltimore Hawks and the way the team was ran started when I was drafted. I recall being scouted by Baltimore, but I was not asked very many questions and I didn’t feel like they were super excited for me during scouting. When I heard my name called in the S24 draft, I was surprised yet excited. I had fully expected to go to NOLA on the next pick, however the Hawks traded up for me and I felt good about it. That is, until they drafted another active running back in the same draft. I was a bit shaken up by this, but I didn’t let it get in the way of my optimism. Dewalt was the GM at the time, and I was excited to play for him as we have had great conversations before and found out we’re from around the same area.
It was not sunshine and rainbows for very long, however. Shortly after the draft, expansion was announced. Dewalt became one of the GM’s, and immediately on of my strongest connections was gone. Along with this, Baltimore began making trades that I considered questionable. One player, I found out, wanted to be co-GM, and was traded away to become another team’s GM rather than given an opportunity to become co-GM of the Hawks. A few others that I found pretty likeable as well were sent away. Then, came Butters, who was made co-GM. After essentially blowing up the team, the lead GM stepped down.
I personally believe that Butters was given a pretty tough hand to deal with. The locker room before this was already pretty dreary in my opinion, and after all of these players were sent away the atmosphere was much less positive. One user who I wish not to name in particular was very negative and sucked all the air out of the LR. Along with this, more players were brought in with a certain personality that gave Baltimore a reputation that I don’t believe was bad, rather it was just specific. To me it didn’t come down to liking something or not, it comes down to most of the locker room having a niche interest that a majority of people are not into.
After a full season being sent down, I was called up. And although I was drafted before the other RB, I was the backup – which is understandable considering they had more TPE. But we had similar goals in that we both wanted to be lead back, and I realized that for as long as I was on Baltimore, I would never be the main ball carrier. So, rather than wait until I could exercise my option, I opted for a trade so that Baltimore could get something in return. In turn they allowed multiple teams to talk to me, and I got particularly excited for one team…only for them to trade me to a team that never spoke to me. This was a letdown but I kept my head up. The rest of it is a story for another time.
In all, Baltimore already had its own issues before Butters was asked to step down. All this being said, aside from one person I did like everyone in the Baltimore LR. I and many other players did not leave because of the team’s success. I believe this even is important to remember as it is very important to examine the traits and preferences of a team’s management, and in the future if other teams go through something similar, a lot can be taken away from how this situation went down.
>1100 words