Retiring...
 

At the end of the 2009 BAM SEASON I am retiring as a player. I will continue to paint and customize for friends and for show. I have taken some war gaming painting classes and my interest is now elsewhere. I've recently learned drybrushing, layering and inking techniques. I have some figures that I am working on that will blow your mind. I can't wait to be as good as Electric gridiron and studio 13.

Anyhow, I will be getting rid of my teams. If you want to get an early bid in on them send me a PM.

What I'm getting rid of?

A custom Arizona Cardinals medal board 39x24 with a Jimbo Dunagan Arizona Cardinals field cover on it. I have a 48 man roster home and away and the team is already built with bases and ready for a Championship. High Quality paint job on these teams. This team has traveled around the US and has won in the DFW, LAEFL and in the BAM. This team can be yours. Custom poses and all.

A custom Texas Longhorns 308 board by ff.com. I have a 45 man roster. Offense id Dark, Defense in white built and ready to go for the CBSMF. This team does not come based up how it has custom poses and they are ready to go as well.

I thought about keeping my stuff but I don't want to return to playing and the only way that I won't return is that I don't have anything to return to. I love this game a lot and will miss it very much but I'll get even more excitement now when you call me to paint up your squad!

Good luck everybody!

Mike say it ain't so dawg....
 

....holla at me nephew!!

MIKE WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?

he is scared of me :rtfl: :nhnh: , if he loves this game like he said he does then he wouldn't quit. rfr$ :confused: :mad: :eek: :( :eek: :rtfl: :nhnh:
so don't quit my friend :fghttt:

Thanks for the support guys...
 

I must say that it actually felt good to hear from all of the guys that have called me up already and to see the posts but the truth of the matter is this...

Playing the game has caused rift between me and people that I consider family. I've heard many say that I think that my "Sh#&" don't stink, that I'm a spoiled brat and that all I care about is winning. Contrary to their belief I care a lot about the people in the hobby and helping them get better also. I travel around the Country to promote a style of play in efforts to unify the hobby not to make myself look better than anyone. Anyhow, I don't want to go into to much detail because this forum has been through a lot and deserve some positive threads for a change so I'll leave it at that. But most importantly, I need a long long break. I need to begin to dedicate weekends to my son and his youth sports. I need to dedicate more time to family and my girlfriend whom I'm crazy about. I need to save money! I travel too much! Mr. National can have his title back. haha. Most importantly though, I need to make time for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You guys have no idea how much time I put into this hobby! Way too much. I need to allow time for spirtual growth and maturity. I need to become humble in Christ so that I may pass on wisdom to my son. I love this game but I will now put my love into painting and customizing figures. I'm not leaving the forum but you won't see me around at all the venues as you have before in the past.

Mike!
 

Don't quit if you still enjyoy playing. You will seriously regret it. Sure, your success on the field will bring naysayers but try not to respond to that. Besides, good hygiene (courtesy flush) doesn't mean it doesn't stink! :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl: :rtfl:

I know you have been a big help to me with refereeing games. You always answer the phone no matter what. That first game I had to officiate with Steve and Don was brutal to say the least. If you weren't available there that game would have truly been a mess. Thanks! thmbsp$

You have been taking the time to go to other areas and maybe your commitment to the hobby is misconstrued because of your success but you were equally effective at every venue which clearly spoke to your high level of excellence, as opposed to the falsely believed weak opponents. ppls$

Christ is always in your heart and it's important to know that he really shines on those who reach out. My hope is that you keep playing and spread the word of God while you tour. I am quite sure they will listen. :)

Colin Powell once said, "Never take counsel to your fears or naysayers". :nhnh:

Please reconsider. :dohdh:

God Bless!

Mike...do what is in your heart and all else will..
 

know this at the top of my karate competition days, I held my own against the best. Over the years I lost my parents 96 & 02. when I lost them my desire to compete was lost and my compassion for the art. I went back after a few years away and could not find the love or commitment to get back in shape and national level of competition. What I just realized was that stepping back and restructuring my passions would have been more adventagious then totaly leaving the arts. I dont watch karate movies and dont go to tournaments. The mustard seed of desire to compete was rekindled in EF. For me EF is not my everything, but the fellowship and Brotherhood is everything to me 3rd to God and 2nd to my family. Brother you have a gift dont let that be shelved until the dust is too much for the duster...stay humble. I feel you on staying connected by painting for I taught karate in my community free for 3 years and 1 year at a nominal fee...again I found no increase in passion and focused on working with the youth in EF as I still do ...find your knitch and you did say "at the end of the BAM season...." so you have plenty of time to pray on it....***EF is 3rd to God and 2nd to my Family..thmbsp$ You and I must meet this BAM season on the metal as scheduled..looking forward to conversing with you my Brother. keep in mind., I competed in martial arts since I was age 10 retired competitively in 2000(should have taken a time out and not totaly walked away). It was part of my identity, humble in the hood but a beast at tournaments. I won my first state championship in 1982 as a yellow belt fighting in Super Pee Wee (Brown and Black Belts). I did not know that for many upcoming fighters, I was their measuring tool and they looked forwarding to competing against me no matter what the end result wasthmbsp$ ....My point :D God gave you a gift...what you do with it is what you give back to The Most High....funny thing our families look forward to our involvment with the outside stimuli....my mother kept every single trophy 1st-3rd and charished each as if they all were National Championshipsfrstplc Stay the course Brother and remember as my instructor would say.."when competition begins friendship ends...when friendship begins competition ends"......

Yo Mike!
 

You can't retire. You can, however, take a break. Somtimes that's needed. I know I've been thinking of taking a break since late 2004, but it's difficult. As much as we love this hobby, it takes a lot of strength to take that much needed break. Take as long as you need, but you can not retire. Period.

-Adrian-

Not Now
 

I don’t think that you need to retire. I think you need to adjust certain areas of your time. The first adjustment should be the amount of time that you spend on the road. You don’t have to attend everything. In fact, you don’t have to attend anything. By doing that alone, you will save your money, you will be able to attend church services throughout the week, spend time with your son and girlfriend, etc. Don’t sell your equipment. Don’t give it away. Keep your gear and play at home when you feel like it. You don’t have to be all or nothing all of the time. Balance is the key.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

From out of the shadows.......
 

Retirement?

We have been given a gift and nothing lasts for ever! It's been great having you around and you will greatly missed. I would keep my most precious items as a testiment of what you once had. You never know who you may inspire in the future.Now, take a break and quit messing around and go win some more trophies......
hlmt$ :dohdh: hlmt$

Mike, just take a break....
 

Wow,
Things have never been that serious in the hobby to force so many quality guys to box up their players and go home.

Look Mike, I have never have the experience of playing you on the board or fellowshiping in the stands, but you are one of the few coaches that win 8 of 10 games or better. You are expected to perform at that level all the time no matter what.

So games against you take on new meaning for your opponents. IT IS A BIG GAME to most of them so emotions will run high. That kind of thing happens all the time so it comes with the title. However, if you cannot forgive that person or they want to hold something over your head, then you maybe right in your new pursuits.

Coach Karim hit the point in his reflections of his karate days - you will forever be a measuring stick to coaches looking to improve their games. So instead of retiring - why not give back to those you have beat down over the years and help them improve to a new plataeu in their quest to "Be like Mike!":dohdh: :dohdh: :dohdh: :dohdh:

We both play in the BAM, but do not play each other, but I hope that you don't just walk away.....

K-LO

Thanks guys...
 

Wolf sent me a PM along with a few other guys but his message had a way of standing out. Wolf you are a wise man sir and I appreciate your wisdom and leadership when making decisions about what is best for this forum.

What I have realized is that I had EF too high on the priority list. It showed in my success throughout the Country but in contrast it also showed in my failures in life outside of EF. I may decide to keep some of my things after all so that I may show my son one day but I will be getting rid of a lot and retirement and/or a very long break will definetely take place. Competition is a drug in itself and it is very addicting that is why guys like Brett Favre can't retire. That's why Michael Jordan came back. That's why Nolan Ryan pitched for 20 years. It's a drug and I'm an addict and just like many drugs the addiction can cause seperation between family and friends. It can cause family to turn on each other because the game is not put into its true perspective. This game falls well below my spitritual, family and professional obligations. Not to mention my obligations to myself to be active in the community with Youth sports and staying healthy which also requires a certain level of committment.

I thank you guys and I now realize how many of you guys talked smack to me but truly were my brothers at heart! haha. I appreciate that. As I stated before I will still be active on the forum and will continue to offer my opinion on styles of play and other topics that is discussed on the forum. I'm now Troy Aikman the "analyst" instead of Troy Aikman the "Quarterback". I'm still a part of the game but no longer in the game.

mike robertson
 

I will let you win if you dont resign, I promise not to score 70 points on you, honestly. look chump dont ask me to come back then you walk away hahaha, you are afraid now that my spartans are ready, look man i'll change the bases on them to let you win. i made my spartans especially for you and you only, now ******** it your gonna play me. I know you heard reports about my offense called 'jail break', i wont play them against you, i'll use my nieces team against you, she's 6 and she based them up herself.


MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS, VINCENT PEATROS:fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt: :fghttt:

Appreciate your convictions, Mike!
 

While those that know the Lord will struggle with "stuff" from time to time, those who perservere are willing to do inventory, hopefully keeping short accounts, to examine ourselves to evaluate our priorities and true affections.
Nothing wrong with having and doing stuff, but when the stuff has you, it can be diifficult to make the changes needed. When I got saved, I got rid of a lot of things which either took up unnecessary time or were just totally inconsistent with my confession of Christ. Felt great when I did. But, I've learned over the years that I am inclined to be obsessive. If I get into something, I can't do it halfway, I'm generally all in. Knowing this helps me. And though I also plan to use this hobby to build relationships, preferably those that would lead others to Christ, I have to be careful that I don't find MYself shipwrecked.
You can't go wrong if you follow the leading of His Spirit, confirmed by His word. So, if you sense this is His plan, do whatcha gotta do, bro.thmbsp$

Good luck
 

Mike,

I know where you are coming from and wish the best in your decision. Family and your spiritual life DO come first. Second, EF is both a game and a hobby. It is unfortunate that their is bad blood between foes and friends. Many in this hobby are to competative and intimidating. This tends to turn many newcomers away. THIS IS JUST A GAME. Many people out their have to take that statement to heart.
Jerry McGhee has always said that he does'nt understand why I come to conventiosn without the mindset to win....... Their you have have it. I come to conventions to have fun, further the development of my skills in the hooby and to share with others and will always continue to so....
I look forward to seeing all of you in Canton. If possible, Mike I would love to see you their as well.

play alone
 

Mike play a season of solitaire the peace will sort things out about the hobby!!

Keep in touch though
 

Mike:

Since you tried to tell us all this last year, and since you've acheived virtually all you can on the field your decision makes more sense to me now than it did 1 year ago. After all life is long and with a nice brake I bet you'll get back into things later on down the line. Only you know whats best and what your priorities are.

Take care and thanks for all the advice.

Curtis