Playing for Entertainment Purposes Only
 

It's been since the mid 90's when I began to get on chat boards trying to change the "EFL" world "one person at a time". I remember the heated debates when with Vance Warren about one type of play versus another. I remember constantly arguing TTQB vs. Pass Simulation, Steroids v. Natural, FF.COM v. other manufacturers, the creation of 3.2 gram system, and all other topics of EFL/MF. I remember debates on who Hall of Fame inductions that Wally Jabs had created and the division that some felt. There's been more times than not my wife said "just leave it alone".

Throughout the evolution of the game, I could see leagues splitting, strikes occurring, and other tourneys kicking off. I could see guys coming back to the hobby and newbies coming into the hobby being influenced one way or another. I could see politics of supporting one vendor but not the other.

I remember telling guys that what happen in Texas stays in Texas. I knew what we did was so different from the thinking of others. Does that make what we do in the DFW wrong? Not necessarily. In my opinion, what we did was take away limits to the game. If you want to stack, that's your choice. If you want to use everyone's figures, that's your choice. If you want to use boat bases, that's your choice. Whatever you wanted to do is **** near allowed in the DFW League and for that matter, the Texas Shootout.

When I sat here playing this game, it is simply for "entertainment purposes only". Nothing less or nothing more! When I am sitting online arguing over rules, styles of play, or the infamous "Question Man", I am not entertained. In some cases, I am just not even interested in the subject matter.

One of the great things that I have learn over the years in this game is that I can not change this world. For myself, it is beyond changing. What I can do is entertain myself in it. For me, what I do becomes a regional thing. If guys throughout the country want to come be a part of what we do in Texas, we are more than willing to welcome them. We love guys coming to the Shootout and becoming Road Warriors. We get so much entertainment from week-to-week calling each other, getting on 8-way conference calls, talking about an injury to a star running back that changed the game, and the hype around two mediocre teams playing.

I know every league don't have that type of atmosphere, and that's a shame. I know guys are trying to bring a united national front and that's wonderful. But something that has sustained me since 1995 is making sure that I am entertained. Hopefully I don't go around telling you "You must play TSO style or else" but I do let you know I enjoy it and the guys in the DFW League love it. What I hope is that the passion that I show will inspire others to want to be apart of what we do. And in many instances, it does. In some cases, leagues say "Why do we have to do things like the DFW?" Nevertheless, we play for entertainment purposes ONLY! Changing the world is long gone for us grizzled veterans.

And now that I am exploring a life in the legal profession, those changes become more of a distant memory. I get so tired of the constant arguing and barbs being tossed at each other. When I put it all in perspective, I realize that I can only deal with what is happening in my own backyard.

People are being murdered and Americans are homeless and wars are being waged and I find myself in heated battles over trivial things! I find myself waking seeing what the latest shenanigans towards a topic I commented on.

I sometimes forget I play MF with guys who share a similar goal of wanting "hype" and "entertainment" from a world of stress and day-to-day pressures. Those 3 hours of the "Peanut Gallery" and second-guessing a coach and watching a great player stay out of the game because of injury is certainly what entertains me, not the politics of the game.

Just my thoughts,

Reg

reg
 

you are so right reg. i love you man thmbsp$ ppls$ ppls$ :)

your friend jim davis

thmbsp$

Well said.

Darrian

The "Works" of a Rambling Man
 

When I wrote this post, it was 2:00 in the morning and I was deliriously talking out of my mind. I do that during those hours of the morning.

Reg

Nice thread, Uncle Reggie
 

i too, find that entertainment factor to be one of the points of maintaining my MF world.

I get calls from time to time from newbies who tell the same stories that I have heard for the past 10 years about just finding the hobby is still alive etc.

Those stories never get old for me. I spend a lot of time building teams be it painting, detailing, or tweaking that keeps me going.... I can spend many hours just tweaking bases for my entertainment value .....

...Being able to play others who share the same passion (degrees of it may differ) for the hobby/sport. Although I may win more than I lose, it's still a lot of fun to play.

mgngcrz mgngcrz mgngcrz mgngcrz mgngcrz mgngcrz mgngcrz mgngcrz

hear hear
 

No doubt the only thing reason to play or be involved in electric football is the entertaining factor keeps me going playing alone or with someone win or lose its fun when it stops being fun I am done!! Jim

Reg,

What a great post... Now in your best Chris Rock inpersonation say... "but you just had to bring up that Hall of Fame debate, didn't ya".

You are right on, it is all about entertainment. I dropped out for several years just because it wasn't entertaining. But thanks to Don and you I have a renewed interest in the hobby.

Thanks,

Wally

!!!
 

I'm so glad to hear you talk about the enjoyment of the game being your focus. Reg, your enthusiasm is one big reason why I started getting into this hobby. I love it and the people I've met so far both in Texas and abroad.

Right on Reg, the Peanut Gallery awaits starting Friday and continuing right through the weekend, and yes Reg your enthusiasm and energy is a big part of the reasons I joined the DFW league, and I have enjoyed every minute of it, and hopefully we can continue to enjoy, energize, and grow the hobby, here in Texas and throughout the Nation, Road Warriors are you out there?

Entertainment purposes only...
 

Reg,

Sorry I didn't see this thread when it was first written. As I sat here reading it this morning, a lot of thoughts went through my head. It amazes me how similiar we view a lot of the things that go on in this hobby. It also must be noted that many positive things are being done by a lot of good people; so in a sense, there is change happening. Thank you for this thought-provoking post, because it (indeed) provoked my thoughts.

Peace,

Don

I play For ?
 

I just like turning the board on and watching the little guys go. mgngcrz

No Problem Old School
 

Don,

I owe you a call this weekend. We need to catch up. I get so much out of the entertainment, of seeing a Mantaray 'Dre come here and compete and act like a kid in a candy store, or seeing Kevin Boddie go 3-3 on a successful Road Warrior swing, or seeing an Oscar Woodard (former champion) comeback being a part of the peanut gallery.

I just love the energy at one of our games. Guys intent on whopping each others butt but shaking hands afterwards and gettin' a laugh off of it.

The politics and all the other shenanigans, I've been past done with those antics. I will definitely try not to waste guys time reading any post on debates of the game anymore. It get's me no where and it gives the reader "tired head" after ahile.

Reginald

Hey RD
 

Off the subject...why do you have 3 championship trophies in the background there? Lol

Reg....
 

.....after talking to you and Don Smith I echo these words;

It gets me nowhere!!! Just having fun and enjoying the game is what I want to do. Who cares on how one plays or which way is better then the other. The main reason we play this game is for the joy it brings us and to keep us with football year round when the big boys rest after the superbowl. I know that when the NFL season is over MF keeps my Jones going until the next season starts back up.

only fun can come if you let it
 

Its a fun game can be play so many ways all are right Al Davis had a saying just win baby!! ours its have fun baby!!lffng$

Jeff Priest Made a Great Post Once about...
 

his league and the people and talent in that league. Jeff was right on.

It's guys like Robert "RJ" Jackson who I have never met in person but will meet this week for the first time. RJ and I have been like childhood brothers who never knew each other. We entertain each other on the telephone. When RJ first called to join the league, he and I put a few other coaches on the phone to welcome him to the league. If RJ recalls, it was not your usual pleasantries of "Nice to have you in". These guys, Pep, Earnest and Ron Temple along with DeWone are all a part of our "Peanut Gallery". Everyone's in it! They get on and began to berate RJ! For some, that may have been offensive! For RJ, it was right down his alley! RJ began to give them the same treatment. At that point, the guys knew RJ could withstand the pressures of what we put some of these coaches through. RJ passed the test and really entertained in his assessment of these coaches.

When RJ comes here next weekend, these same guys will embrace him, help him, and get him in on the Peanut Gallery. As RJ become "rooted" in the DFW, he will share in the experience, the entertainment of what we do, and walk away "Win or Loose" having the best experience of his MF experience.

It's guys like Manataray 'Dre who adds excitement just by his enthusiasm. People here genuinely love 'Dre. What he brings to this league can not be measured in wins or losses but by the character and supportive nature. 'Dre takes a ribbin' like everyone else but 'Dre is a part of what's so entertaining about the DFW.

Then there's Kevin Boddie from Washington. This guy's like a kid at a candy store. I've never seen a 40+ year old guy that needs a sedative to play MF. His presence adds entertainment and hype to what we do. He's one of the surprising rookies who has come in and mastered the rules in a favorable manner.

We are entertained by the sheer joy of making each other laugh! If you've never experienced what we do here in Texas, you have got to find your way here for the 2007-2008 Super Bowl on February 28 thru March 2. The games will be for entertainment purposes ONLY and the Lombardi Crown!

Reggie......
 

RIGHT ON. IF you don't have fun, don't play, cause you bring others down.
AS I said before about RJ playing in the DFW, HE brings fun, laughter, and trash
talking. OH,by the way, HE GOT GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MERRY XMAS


BRONCOMAN