An open letter to the NSFL,
My name is Morgan Marshall. As of right now, I am a first year running back for the San Antonio Marshals. I enjoyed an incredible DSFL season statistically, and I’m honored and privileged to have been part of a 13-1 squad that ranks as one of the best teams in DSFL history. Almost all analysts have pegged me as a surefire first round selection in the S15 Draft. I’ve made a name for myself, teams have reached out to me - by all accounts I’m on the fast track for success.
But there’s one thing I’ve made clear every time someone has asked me what matters most - winning trumps everything. And last night was a failure; at home, in the playoffs, off the back of a historic season, we failed to execute. I failed to execute. Football’s a team sport, and if I can take some of the credit for the regular season victories, I have to be held accountable for the defeat like everyone else on our squad. I was outmatched by a Luchadore defense that tightened up when it mattered and stopped me from converting a number of crucial third down runs. I was outplayed by Forrest Gump who elevated his play when it mattered and was the better rusher. It was Gump who received the praise by the broadcast, not me. Because when it mattered, I failed to execute.
I’m confident that we would easily beat the Luchadores in a seven game series. We are the better team, we have better players, and we have home field advantage. But this isn’t hockey. We don’t get that second chance.
Similarly, I am confident that I am a better prospect than Gump, no disrespect intended. I have trained more, I have better stats, I am more active. But you wouldn’t know it by watching that game.
So while I wish Portland (and Tijuana, to a lesser extent) the best of luck in the Ultimini, I won’t be watching. My focus is now on the NSFL Draft. I’ll be relentlessly training and training, getting into contact with interested teams, and hoping to land in the perfect situation once draft night rolls around. And I want to reaffirm my opinions on my future in the NSFL for any GMs that hear me:
I want to win. I don’t care if that’s next season or five seasons after that, if you don’t have a viable plan for postseason success sometime in the concrete future, I don’t want to be stuck in mediocrity my entire career.
But if I land on a contender, I do not want to spend a good portion of my prime years as a backup on a team whose established starter has another five to six years left before I can take their place. I am confident that I am good enough to be a franchise star in the right situation, especially after a season or two more of training. You will not find a better starter in this draft.
I’m not opposed to being a backup for a year or two if necessary to improve my skills. That’s just part of working my way up. But please don’t draft me if you cannot see me as your guy in the near future.
That being said, I’m a team player at heart, and I am fully committed to buy in to any culture that selects me. I’ll always be a Marshal, even if I never play a snap in the DSFL again, and whichever team picks me will receive the same dedication through seasons of victory and seasons of failure. I’m willing to take lower contracts for the sake of the team, can accept backup roles if necessary, and can help set the tone of a locker room.
There is one matter I will not budge on, and that is position changing. I will switch away from running back when hell freezes over. I did not sign up as a running back in the NSFL just so I could change my mind. Running back is my passion, and if you don’t have room for me at my position, I will find someone who does.
I’m not at all opposed to the idea of playing for an expansion team. Unless I’m drafted by one however, I’d prefer to play as a backup in the major leagues than to be sent down to the DSFL. Gotta get chipping away at those records sometime.
This season ended in disappointment. But I’m nothing if not relentless, and I’ll keep on fighting throughout the offseason and into S15 to improve. There’s an 80% chance that the team who selects me won’t be an expansion team, so I want to take the time to thank TC and all my rookie teammates for the incredible season we had together. It was an honor to Marshal up with you all, and I hope I can continue playing with as many of you as possible in the majors for years to come. And to everyone else in the NSFL, I’d like to issue a word of warning: I don’t plan on giving up any time soon. My career is just beginning.
Signed,
Morgan Marshall
My name is Morgan Marshall. As of right now, I am a first year running back for the San Antonio Marshals. I enjoyed an incredible DSFL season statistically, and I’m honored and privileged to have been part of a 13-1 squad that ranks as one of the best teams in DSFL history. Almost all analysts have pegged me as a surefire first round selection in the S15 Draft. I’ve made a name for myself, teams have reached out to me - by all accounts I’m on the fast track for success.
But there’s one thing I’ve made clear every time someone has asked me what matters most - winning trumps everything. And last night was a failure; at home, in the playoffs, off the back of a historic season, we failed to execute. I failed to execute. Football’s a team sport, and if I can take some of the credit for the regular season victories, I have to be held accountable for the defeat like everyone else on our squad. I was outmatched by a Luchadore defense that tightened up when it mattered and stopped me from converting a number of crucial third down runs. I was outplayed by Forrest Gump who elevated his play when it mattered and was the better rusher. It was Gump who received the praise by the broadcast, not me. Because when it mattered, I failed to execute.
I’m confident that we would easily beat the Luchadores in a seven game series. We are the better team, we have better players, and we have home field advantage. But this isn’t hockey. We don’t get that second chance.
Similarly, I am confident that I am a better prospect than Gump, no disrespect intended. I have trained more, I have better stats, I am more active. But you wouldn’t know it by watching that game.
So while I wish Portland (and Tijuana, to a lesser extent) the best of luck in the Ultimini, I won’t be watching. My focus is now on the NSFL Draft. I’ll be relentlessly training and training, getting into contact with interested teams, and hoping to land in the perfect situation once draft night rolls around. And I want to reaffirm my opinions on my future in the NSFL for any GMs that hear me:
I want to win. I don’t care if that’s next season or five seasons after that, if you don’t have a viable plan for postseason success sometime in the concrete future, I don’t want to be stuck in mediocrity my entire career.
But if I land on a contender, I do not want to spend a good portion of my prime years as a backup on a team whose established starter has another five to six years left before I can take their place. I am confident that I am good enough to be a franchise star in the right situation, especially after a season or two more of training. You will not find a better starter in this draft.
I’m not opposed to being a backup for a year or two if necessary to improve my skills. That’s just part of working my way up. But please don’t draft me if you cannot see me as your guy in the near future.
That being said, I’m a team player at heart, and I am fully committed to buy in to any culture that selects me. I’ll always be a Marshal, even if I never play a snap in the DSFL again, and whichever team picks me will receive the same dedication through seasons of victory and seasons of failure. I’m willing to take lower contracts for the sake of the team, can accept backup roles if necessary, and can help set the tone of a locker room.
There is one matter I will not budge on, and that is position changing. I will switch away from running back when hell freezes over. I did not sign up as a running back in the NSFL just so I could change my mind. Running back is my passion, and if you don’t have room for me at my position, I will find someone who does.
I’m not at all opposed to the idea of playing for an expansion team. Unless I’m drafted by one however, I’d prefer to play as a backup in the major leagues than to be sent down to the DSFL. Gotta get chipping away at those records sometime.
This season ended in disappointment. But I’m nothing if not relentless, and I’ll keep on fighting throughout the offseason and into S15 to improve. There’s an 80% chance that the team who selects me won’t be an expansion team, so I want to take the time to thank TC and all my rookie teammates for the incredible season we had together. It was an honor to Marshal up with you all, and I hope I can continue playing with as many of you as possible in the majors for years to come. And to everyone else in the NSFL, I’d like to issue a word of warning: I don’t plan on giving up any time soon. My career is just beginning.
Signed,
Morgan Marshall
Transgender lesbian, S15 veteran, media extraordinaire, and the sim's punching bag. Fascists and bigots are welcome to fuck off.
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For Your Reading Consideration:
Before the Butchers | The Jungle
The Giving Tree | Volume II | Volume III
A Winter of Discontent | Volume II
The Rockiest Road | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | Finale
Two Essays on Unfree Agency: On Agents | On Contracts
Eclipse of the Honey Moon | Volume II
Gemini Media Awards:
S39 | S40 | S41 | S42 | S43 | S44 | S45 | S46 | S47
All Winners
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— — —
— — —
For Your Reading Consideration:
Before the Butchers | The Jungle
The Giving Tree | Volume II | Volume III
A Winter of Discontent | Volume II
The Rockiest Road | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | Finale
Two Essays on Unfree Agency: On Agents | On Contracts
Eclipse of the Honey Moon | Volume II
Gemini Media Awards:
S39 | S40 | S41 | S42 | S43 | S44 | S45 | S46 | S47
All Winners
— — —