Hi, my name is Tugg Speedman and I play wide receiver in the International Simulation Football League. I was drafted 14th overall (last pick of the first round) in the Season 26 Draft by the San Jose Sabercats. After spending my initial season playing down in the Developmental Simulation Football League for the London Royals, I came up the next year to play for San Jose. I had a rather underwhelming first season as one of the top wide receivers of my draft class and that weighed on me heavily. It wasn’t even from my team or teammates, it was all self-applied pressure of wanting to meet goals and exceed expectations. As I mentioned, I failed miserably at the goals I wanted to hit in addition to also missing the playoffs by a game - after the team won back to back championships. I truly felt cursed all offseason and did a lot of soul searching going into my official second season.
At the start of this season, I had informed the San Jose Sabercats that I wanted to be traded. This was uncharted territory for me as I am not one to voice my displeasure with a situation but I didn’t want to leave the team who drafted me out to dry. I respect my general managers too much to just throw them under the bus and not give them the due diligence of an entire season heads up to try and get something in return for me since I knew I wanted out. To be clear, I wanted out for selfish reasons. I want to put up big numbers and I want to try and set records. I do care more about stats at this point in my career over winning a championship. Honestly, I’m okay if people want to criticize me for that statement, I get it. But this is my career and I only get one of them.
San Jose is absolutely stacked on offense. I honestly feel like they really don’t need me despite some looming re-signings for this upcoming season. Ty Hood is literally one of the best Wide Receivers in the league, James Lewandowski is a phenomenal Tight End, Zach Crossley is yet another solid option in the passing game who plays similarly to me at Wide Receiver, and then there’s me. It would be silly not to point out that we have two fantastic running backs who can catch the ball out of the backfield in Jamar Lackson and Rando Cardrissian. So like I said - it’s very crowded on offense in San Jose. So here I am, coming into my sophomore season in the International Simulation Football League and I have to approach my general managers and tell them I’m unhappy with my role. This was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do since I felt like I was quitting on the team who spent a 1st round pick on me. I’m very thankful for their graciousness and willingness to work with me on my trade request.
I approached them probably after Week 4 or 5 while San Jose was already down record wise and I didn’t feel like I was getting enough looks on top of that. I was incredibly frustrated and decided to send a late night message to voice my concerns with everything. After the conversation I knew it may be a couple weeks before anything happened. Well fast forward to Week 11 following a tough loss at the hands of the Colorado Yeti and I got called into the General Manager’s office. There I was told that I would be put on the trade block and that the Sabercats would be fielding offers for me. I’m not gonna lie, I felt a lot of emotions when I was given the word. I felt relieved because this really is what I want. I felt regret because again, I felt bad that part of me was letting the team down. Lastly, I felt excited. Excited for an opportunity to get a fresh start and to carve out a path where I can be a legitimate option for another team that really does need a player like me catching the ball.
I was given the heads up that I would get a chance to talk to some other teams so that they could get a read on me, what I wanted, and since my contract is expiring at the end of the season - how willing I was to re-sign. So I was reached out to by a couple teams that were actively trying to trade for me and a couple GM’s who just wanted to wish me luck at that they wished they could make the move. So Team A came to me first and honestly, I was very surprised that they were interested in me. We talked about my role for the remainder of this season, then my role going forward as a receiver on their team. I really like what they had to say and that a plan was clearly laid out for me to be a number two option for them as their current second option will be regressing since they’re getting older. In addition to being promised a larger role, this team is also competing for a playoff spot and have been for the last 4 to 5 seasons. This kind of scratches to itches for me as I will get the stats I want and we will be competing for the playoffs. I know I said winning wasn’t my priority but I’d obviously rather be winning than losing. Shortly after Team A reached out, Team B reached out as well. We immediately got down to business and I told them the same thing I told Team A - I want to be a top receiving option in the offense and I want to get my stats, which kind of go hand in hand. With Team B, I would immediately become the team vet at wide receiver and would be the primary receiver on the team. This was music to my ears as this could really help me down the line as I try to make a case for the Hall of Fame. My first season was extremely underwhelming so I want to do everything I can to make up for it. Team B is a couple seasons away from competing but by the time they are ready I will be one of the best wide receivers in the league and it could be timed perfectly. Again, I let the team know I was willing to sign an extension with them. I had great conversations with both teams and honestly, I was excited at either opportunity.
Now the waiting game happens. I spent a lot of time trying not to think about it like I did following my initial conversation with my General Managers but at this point it was getting pretty difficult. I would keep checking my phone and hope for some sort of update or news but nothing happened. Following the initial night of being placed on the block, the next day became excruciatingly slow and I was just waiting to be called by my agent or notified by my now, former team, the San Jose Sabercats front office. However, this day passed with no new news or updates and I did my best to pass the time by doing some cardio in the infinity pool and going on hikes with my dog. I didn’t even bring my phone on the hike with me as if this would have sparked some sort of spark to me getting traded. It didn’t. Next was a day of rest before our next game and admittedly, I had to make a drink. So I threw on my favorite lazy Sunday movie “The Big Lebowski” and made a White Russian to help myself relax and not overthink. By the time the movie was over, I was pretty relaxed and in a good mood until the Sunday Scaries rolled in. With a looming game coming up tomorrow against the New York Silverbacks and the possibility that I will still be playing for the Sabercats or with Team A or Team B, I started to stress about learning a new playbook and getting acquainted with new teammates or getting back in the huddle with my guys in San Jose where they now know I requested a trade.
Unfortunately no trade happens over night and I’m just mentally preparing for my game against Team A… The New York Silverbacks at this point. Fortunately, I was able to focus on the task at hand and played an okay game against New York. Immediately following the game, I was called by my agent and told that I was traded to… the team we JUST played The New York Silverbacks. A huge relief came over me and I said my thanks to my teammates took a shower and walked over to the other locker room to introduce myself to my now teammates and new General Managers formally.
I want to say two thank you’s to end this article. First, I want to thank my new team the New York Silverbacks. Thank you for taking the calculated risk of trading for me and trusting my word that I will sign an extension with you. I look forward to doing so this offseason. Thank you for being understanding and willing to work with me on what I want my goals to be so that I can be happy as I continue to play in the International Simulation Football League and for your wonderful franchise. I am so excited for this new beginning for both of us together. Tugg Speedman is going to look great in a different shade of green uniform and playing in one of the most amazing cities in the world - New York.
Lastly, I just want to say thank you to the San Jose Sabercats organization for drafting me, helping me develop into the player I am today, and for being willing to help me achieve my goals even though that required me leaving the team. I want to thank my teammates for creating a positive locker room experience and friendly conversation. In another life, I would love to do it all over again with them. And hey, I have a long career ahead of me so I’m not ruling anything out at this point but for now I’m ready for a new start in New York.
At the start of this season, I had informed the San Jose Sabercats that I wanted to be traded. This was uncharted territory for me as I am not one to voice my displeasure with a situation but I didn’t want to leave the team who drafted me out to dry. I respect my general managers too much to just throw them under the bus and not give them the due diligence of an entire season heads up to try and get something in return for me since I knew I wanted out. To be clear, I wanted out for selfish reasons. I want to put up big numbers and I want to try and set records. I do care more about stats at this point in my career over winning a championship. Honestly, I’m okay if people want to criticize me for that statement, I get it. But this is my career and I only get one of them.
San Jose is absolutely stacked on offense. I honestly feel like they really don’t need me despite some looming re-signings for this upcoming season. Ty Hood is literally one of the best Wide Receivers in the league, James Lewandowski is a phenomenal Tight End, Zach Crossley is yet another solid option in the passing game who plays similarly to me at Wide Receiver, and then there’s me. It would be silly not to point out that we have two fantastic running backs who can catch the ball out of the backfield in Jamar Lackson and Rando Cardrissian. So like I said - it’s very crowded on offense in San Jose. So here I am, coming into my sophomore season in the International Simulation Football League and I have to approach my general managers and tell them I’m unhappy with my role. This was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do since I felt like I was quitting on the team who spent a 1st round pick on me. I’m very thankful for their graciousness and willingness to work with me on my trade request.
I approached them probably after Week 4 or 5 while San Jose was already down record wise and I didn’t feel like I was getting enough looks on top of that. I was incredibly frustrated and decided to send a late night message to voice my concerns with everything. After the conversation I knew it may be a couple weeks before anything happened. Well fast forward to Week 11 following a tough loss at the hands of the Colorado Yeti and I got called into the General Manager’s office. There I was told that I would be put on the trade block and that the Sabercats would be fielding offers for me. I’m not gonna lie, I felt a lot of emotions when I was given the word. I felt relieved because this really is what I want. I felt regret because again, I felt bad that part of me was letting the team down. Lastly, I felt excited. Excited for an opportunity to get a fresh start and to carve out a path where I can be a legitimate option for another team that really does need a player like me catching the ball.
I was given the heads up that I would get a chance to talk to some other teams so that they could get a read on me, what I wanted, and since my contract is expiring at the end of the season - how willing I was to re-sign. So I was reached out to by a couple teams that were actively trying to trade for me and a couple GM’s who just wanted to wish me luck at that they wished they could make the move. So Team A came to me first and honestly, I was very surprised that they were interested in me. We talked about my role for the remainder of this season, then my role going forward as a receiver on their team. I really like what they had to say and that a plan was clearly laid out for me to be a number two option for them as their current second option will be regressing since they’re getting older. In addition to being promised a larger role, this team is also competing for a playoff spot and have been for the last 4 to 5 seasons. This kind of scratches to itches for me as I will get the stats I want and we will be competing for the playoffs. I know I said winning wasn’t my priority but I’d obviously rather be winning than losing. Shortly after Team A reached out, Team B reached out as well. We immediately got down to business and I told them the same thing I told Team A - I want to be a top receiving option in the offense and I want to get my stats, which kind of go hand in hand. With Team B, I would immediately become the team vet at wide receiver and would be the primary receiver on the team. This was music to my ears as this could really help me down the line as I try to make a case for the Hall of Fame. My first season was extremely underwhelming so I want to do everything I can to make up for it. Team B is a couple seasons away from competing but by the time they are ready I will be one of the best wide receivers in the league and it could be timed perfectly. Again, I let the team know I was willing to sign an extension with them. I had great conversations with both teams and honestly, I was excited at either opportunity.
Now the waiting game happens. I spent a lot of time trying not to think about it like I did following my initial conversation with my General Managers but at this point it was getting pretty difficult. I would keep checking my phone and hope for some sort of update or news but nothing happened. Following the initial night of being placed on the block, the next day became excruciatingly slow and I was just waiting to be called by my agent or notified by my now, former team, the San Jose Sabercats front office. However, this day passed with no new news or updates and I did my best to pass the time by doing some cardio in the infinity pool and going on hikes with my dog. I didn’t even bring my phone on the hike with me as if this would have sparked some sort of spark to me getting traded. It didn’t. Next was a day of rest before our next game and admittedly, I had to make a drink. So I threw on my favorite lazy Sunday movie “The Big Lebowski” and made a White Russian to help myself relax and not overthink. By the time the movie was over, I was pretty relaxed and in a good mood until the Sunday Scaries rolled in. With a looming game coming up tomorrow against the New York Silverbacks and the possibility that I will still be playing for the Sabercats or with Team A or Team B, I started to stress about learning a new playbook and getting acquainted with new teammates or getting back in the huddle with my guys in San Jose where they now know I requested a trade.
Unfortunately no trade happens over night and I’m just mentally preparing for my game against Team A… The New York Silverbacks at this point. Fortunately, I was able to focus on the task at hand and played an okay game against New York. Immediately following the game, I was called by my agent and told that I was traded to… the team we JUST played The New York Silverbacks. A huge relief came over me and I said my thanks to my teammates took a shower and walked over to the other locker room to introduce myself to my now teammates and new General Managers formally.
I want to say two thank you’s to end this article. First, I want to thank my new team the New York Silverbacks. Thank you for taking the calculated risk of trading for me and trusting my word that I will sign an extension with you. I look forward to doing so this offseason. Thank you for being understanding and willing to work with me on what I want my goals to be so that I can be happy as I continue to play in the International Simulation Football League and for your wonderful franchise. I am so excited for this new beginning for both of us together. Tugg Speedman is going to look great in a different shade of green uniform and playing in one of the most amazing cities in the world - New York.
Lastly, I just want to say thank you to the San Jose Sabercats organization for drafting me, helping me develop into the player I am today, and for being willing to help me achieve my goals even though that required me leaving the team. I want to thank my teammates for creating a positive locker room experience and friendly conversation. In another life, I would love to do it all over again with them. And hey, I have a long career ahead of me so I’m not ruling anything out at this point but for now I’m ready for a new start in New York.
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