07-25-2017, 07:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-01-2017, 11:01 AM by JBLAZE_THE_BOSS.)
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Chess vs. Checkers - A battle I never picked[/div]
Jeez, does this guy have an obsession with me or what? Throughout the entire draft process I made a point of focusing on myself, being kind to all of the General Managers I met and just preparing myself to achieve a dream that I’ve had since I was a little kid -- to play professional football. That’s why on draft night it stung so bad when I dropped down the draft board, one GM even had the nerve to tell me I wasn’t going to cut it in the league as a Wide Receiver and if I didn’t switch to safety I’d go undrafted (a stupid suggestion obviously, but that particular GM will learn about my receiving abilities come regular season, that much I promise). But on draft night, after I had finally been selected by the Outlaws a fellow prospect, Smallwood of the Wraiths (sorry, I’ve had a lot of trouble even remembering the dude’s name) immediately insinuated that he was going to have a more successful career then me. Now, admittedly I was a couple drinks deep and I fired back with a “Smallwood? That name means nothing to me.” But I considered it to be some playful rookie hazing, harmless banter between two professionals… but this guy immediately picked a grudge. And I get it, part of the fun of pro athletics is the egos and the sideshow and it feels like our draft class is FULL of those. But in Arizona I’m more focused on building a foundation with my teammates and doing what’s best for the team. I guess that’s what surprised me most, he was so willing to spout off that he was going to have the best individual career… Okay? I play this game to be a champion, and that’s what I intend on doing. Individual accolades will come for me, they always have, but to be a part of an elite team? That’s the goal. That’s the reason I lace up every morning.
I mean seriously, look at some of the comments this dude is making in the press. It's got me feeling like Drake when Meek Mill picked a fight for no damn good reason. Now because I’m a part of the most drama free team in the league and I refuse to let our locker room turn into what I’ve seen from some of the other teams I’m not about to lay down some epic challenge against Smallwood, because I have no reason to hate the guy. Come on, look at his first two preseason games! The dude has already scored three touchdowns, so obviously using me as his motivation has worked.
If you’d believe it, he’s even started having his teammates call him “Checkers” I mean Jesus Christ man, there’s so much wrong with that. First off, Chess is a much more complex game then checkers, so are you saying you’re a simpleton version of me? And then additionally Richard Nixon had a dog named Checkers, and you all KNOW my love for Nixon. So are you saying you’re my pet? I just don’t get the nickname man, but again, keep doing whatever it is you’re doing because it obviously is working for you…. in preseason.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]
[/div]
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Checkers, the small family dog[/div]
I just keep reminding myself of what my auntie always says, “A winner focuses on winning, a loser focuses on winners.” Or wait… Maybe it was Michael Phelps who said that? I can’t quite remember, I get them confused all the time. They look so much alike. But anyways, yeah, I’m focused on one thing and one thing only: that empty spot up in the rafters next to our Season One Championship banner. He can keep focusing on me, and maybe focusing on a better nickname wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Howabout 5D? Or Checkmate? Literally anything but Checkers would be an improvement. I believe in you big fella, use that world-renowned Beloit College education.
[div align=\\\"right\\\"][/div]
Word Count: 665
@tlk742
GRADED
Jeez, does this guy have an obsession with me or what? Throughout the entire draft process I made a point of focusing on myself, being kind to all of the General Managers I met and just preparing myself to achieve a dream that I’ve had since I was a little kid -- to play professional football. That’s why on draft night it stung so bad when I dropped down the draft board, one GM even had the nerve to tell me I wasn’t going to cut it in the league as a Wide Receiver and if I didn’t switch to safety I’d go undrafted (a stupid suggestion obviously, but that particular GM will learn about my receiving abilities come regular season, that much I promise). But on draft night, after I had finally been selected by the Outlaws a fellow prospect, Smallwood of the Wraiths (sorry, I’ve had a lot of trouble even remembering the dude’s name) immediately insinuated that he was going to have a more successful career then me. Now, admittedly I was a couple drinks deep and I fired back with a “Smallwood? That name means nothing to me.” But I considered it to be some playful rookie hazing, harmless banter between two professionals… but this guy immediately picked a grudge. And I get it, part of the fun of pro athletics is the egos and the sideshow and it feels like our draft class is FULL of those. But in Arizona I’m more focused on building a foundation with my teammates and doing what’s best for the team. I guess that’s what surprised me most, he was so willing to spout off that he was going to have the best individual career… Okay? I play this game to be a champion, and that’s what I intend on doing. Individual accolades will come for me, they always have, but to be a part of an elite team? That’s the goal. That’s the reason I lace up every morning.
I mean seriously, look at some of the comments this dude is making in the press. It's got me feeling like Drake when Meek Mill picked a fight for no damn good reason. Now because I’m a part of the most drama free team in the league and I refuse to let our locker room turn into what I’ve seen from some of the other teams I’m not about to lay down some epic challenge against Smallwood, because I have no reason to hate the guy. Come on, look at his first two preseason games! The dude has already scored three touchdowns, so obviously using me as his motivation has worked.
If you’d believe it, he’s even started having his teammates call him “Checkers” I mean Jesus Christ man, there’s so much wrong with that. First off, Chess is a much more complex game then checkers, so are you saying you’re a simpleton version of me? And then additionally Richard Nixon had a dog named Checkers, and you all KNOW my love for Nixon. So are you saying you’re my pet? I just don’t get the nickname man, but again, keep doing whatever it is you’re doing because it obviously is working for you…. in preseason.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]
[/div]
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]Checkers, the small family dog[/div]
I just keep reminding myself of what my auntie always says, “A winner focuses on winning, a loser focuses on winners.” Or wait… Maybe it was Michael Phelps who said that? I can’t quite remember, I get them confused all the time. They look so much alike. But anyways, yeah, I’m focused on one thing and one thing only: that empty spot up in the rafters next to our Season One Championship banner. He can keep focusing on me, and maybe focusing on a better nickname wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Howabout 5D? Or Checkmate? Literally anything but Checkers would be an improvement. I believe in you big fella, use that world-renowned Beloit College education.
[div align=\\\"right\\\"][/div]
Word Count: 665
@tlk742
GRADED