When Wasrabi Gleel stepped in front of the podium after a dismal loss to the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers, the reporters all stopped murmuring to one another and the room went silent. Wearing a Grey Ducks hoodie with the hood over his head, his disappointment was palpable, and yet he forced a smile to the crowd of reporters. Tapping the microphone, a shrill cry of feedback filled the room before he spoke.
GLEEL:
Good evening, everybody, as you can probably imagine, this isn’t the way we wanted to end our season, but these things happen. Credit to the Buccaneers, they outplayed us on all sides of the ball, and the proof is in the pudding. I love burgers as much as the next fella, but no one wants to get a 50-burger laid on them on the last game of the season. We’ll come back from this and be a better team next year. The offseason starts today. Any questions?
Good evening, everybody, as you can probably imagine, this isn’t the way we wanted to end our season, but these things happen. Credit to the Buccaneers, they outplayed us on all sides of the ball, and the proof is in the pudding. I love burgers as much as the next fella, but no one wants to get a 50-burger laid on them on the last game of the season. We’ll come back from this and be a better team next year. The offseason starts today. Any questions?
REPORTER ONE:
Wasrabi, how would you grade your rookie season in the DSFL? Did you live up to your expectations?
GLEEL:
I’m really proud of my body of work this season.Over 100 tackles, a handful of sacks, and INT, passes defended--the only thing I’d like to see personally is some forced fumbles. I need to get back in the weightroom this offseason to try and bulk up a bit more. Thing is, I’m not getting any faster any time soon, and so if I can’t compete with speed, I’ll compete with strength and smarts. But at the end of the day, the thing I’m most disappointed in is not getting to the playoffs. I wanted that so much for my team and all my Duck brothers, but it wasn’t meant to be this season. If I don’t get called up next season, you can believe I’m gonna do everything I can to get this team to the playoffs and ultimately to the Ultimini.
REPORTER TWO:
Have you given much thought to the ISFL draft and where you might end up?
GLEEL:
Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. I slid in the DSFL draft to the 8th round. I’ve been playing with a chip on my shoulder ever since. Honestly, there are so many good Linebackers in this class, people like Richard Leaking, Donald McBobby, Winchester, Burfict, these players are really talented and might be taken before me. I expect to slide again, partly because people are always sleeping on Gleel, but also just because the depth of talent at the position is so great. I’m not concerned about which round I go in, because frankly I would rather be a steal for a team than a reach.
In terms of WHERE I go, I couldn’t tell you. I really think all teams have some interest in my work. The league is expanding to include more 3-4 schemes, and that is going to require more LBs on the roster. To any prospective GM, know this about Gleel: I might not be the fastest, or the strongest (yet), but there isn’t a person out there that will question my loyalty to my team. You’ll be getting a team player from day one, and I know I’m going to produce at a high level in the ISFL. Mark my words. Next question.
REPORTER THREE:
Do you believe you’ll remain at the Linebacker position in the ISFL?
GLEEL:
I do, yeah. Though I’m different, you know, I’m much more of a POWER LB rather than a speedy guy, so I’m hoping to become the strongest LB in the DSFL in a couple years. I’d be happy to dabble out of position as a DE if it helped the team. It’s all about the team, man.
REPORTER FOUR:
How do you think the Grey Ducks are going to fare next season after going 5-9 this season?
GLEEL:
We have such a young squad, I think we have a ton of potential. Expansion means it’s more likely that we are going to lose some players in call ups, but the rising sophomores, Rotchburns and Vermillion, they are going to keep our rushing attack strong. You got me coming back most likely, not sure about Chainbreaker, Hilliard, or Ranger, but I’d be so happy to play alongside those guys again. Plus we’ll have the first overall pick, so I’m hoping we’ll be able to nab a real solid rookie to round out our team. Like I said, I’m very optimistic.
REPORTER FIVE:
Is there anything you want to say to your teammates about how the season went?
GLEEL:
Yeah, great question. I just want all the Ducks in the locker room to not be too discouraged by this season. It’s not the end of our story, not even close. We’ve had our share of disappointments, our share of bitterness and defeat, but we’ve also had great moments in the locker room, and huge victories on the field. There isn’t a single person on this team that I wouldn’t want to go to work with every single day. We’re a family, and we’re going to weather this adversity with grit and determination, and restore honor to the Grey Duck’s legacy. Okay, Pam, last question.
PAM PRINGLE:
Who were some of your favorite opponents this season? Players on the field that you admire and respect from other squads?
GLEEL:
Great question, Pam, let’s see. . . I want to give a big shout out to the QB of Norfolk. Ramza is a hell of a competitor and one of the best I’ve played against. For Running Backs, Zoe Watts had a tremendous season and I am very thankful she’s likely being called up next season. Great Twitter presence, but I’m tired of trying to catch her out there. She’s too fast! My biggest rival at the Linebacker position is another Birddog, Richard Leaking. That’s one bad dude out on the field, and his game shows it. He had 8 sacks in the regular season or something, and I’m just so impressed with his body of work. Felix Archstone is another guy that I’ve battled with, and I miss being on the same team as him so maybe if the draft is fortuitous I’ll get to squad up with him again. Landshark reunion, baby!
Juan Domine has been one of the players I look up to the most in the league, him along with Chainbreaker have taught me a lot about how to play this position and their guidance is something I value dearly. I gotta say, I’m very impressed with the renowned GOAT TANK for his game as well. Hell of a player, and he got to our QB tonight for a safety. He’s going to be a high pick for sure. Rich Triplett, shoutout to him in Tijuana, hell of a player as well. The best thing about being in this league is that everywhere I turn there is someone with a story, someone coming from humble beginnings who is making the most of their football career, and it’s been a privilege getting to know the other players this past season. I can’t wait to play them all again. Thank you all so much for the questions, and next time we talk, we can talk about which team got the steal of the draft--Wasrabi Gleel.
He walked away from the podium just as the reporters, who’ve gotten to know Gleel and his candor, began applauding a player who was overlooked in the beginning, but has since turned the page to a new and exciting chapter of his ISFL career.
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