Eddie V.

I’m sorry I didn’t see this post sooner. I just returned home after spending the past week in the “ATL”. My mom was in the ICU at Emory Crawford Long hospital, due to heart failure. She isn’t out of the woods yet, but she’s recovering quite nicely.

I had a great time hanging out with you, Glenn, Ernie, and Al a couple of weeks ago. I appreciate you guys coming out and fellowshipping with me at Uncle Steve’s. I learned a lot about you guys as Miniature Football coaches, and as human beings. You gents get high marks in both categories.

As coaches… the four of you are truly professional in how you carry yourselves and your equipment. Your teams were all spectacular in detail and appearance. You guys have some of the best paint jobs that I’ve ever seen. Your team cases were artistically decorated, as well as functional. All four of you exhibited vast amounts of knowledge and expertise on many of the different aspects of Miniature Football.

I got to see Glenn’s mighty Ravens. Glenn is an offensive specialist who has the ability to ring up large scores and stats. He’s already been a champion in the Philly area, but Glenn also has the potential to be a champion outside of his own backyard and possibly one of the best in our hobby.

Ernie Grice’s game reflects the characteristics of the team he uses… the Pittsburgh Steelers. Like Blitzburgh, Ernie uses a stingy defense to suffocate his opponents into submission. His ability to play championship defense has lead him to multiple titles (NEFL&PEFL) in the Philly area. When healthy, Ernie can play at the highest levels.

Al Harvey is a coaches-coach. Al exemplifies what coaching is all about. He truly studies the game and his opponents. He’s a gifted strategist, and one of the best thinkers that I’ve come across. His coaching ability reminds me of another good friend of mine… Simmie “Tookie” Lassiter. Al and Tookie are tremendous at figuring out: how to win on the fly. I have a great amount of respect for the way they make their teams overachieve and play better, regardless of their opponent. Al Harvey is another former Philly champ.

And last but not least Ed Vaughn. I never seen Ed play, but I’ve read about some of his exploits on past message boards, and I remember him winning one of the D.C. tournaments against Big Keith. That alone speaks volumes about the man’s playing abilities. Ed or “Kenny” as his friends know him, has a lot of Miniature Football talents.
He’s a gifted painter, decaler, custom figures maker, and web designer. Ed also like to film games when he’s in the room. He has great passion for this hobby, and the people in it.

These guys taught me a lot when we got together. They even loaned me their tweaking tools, and bases to fiddle around on. Yes we had boards buzzing, helmets a cracking, and men flying about, but watching these seasoned veterans with so much pride and professionalism laughing it up and having a ball really made my day. Sodas, beers, cigars, hamburger, and pizzas just added to the festivities. This wasn’t anything planned it was all spur of the moment.

These gentlemen are all great guys, and I look forward to hooking up with them again. I also want to add my congratulations to Glenn and Al for making it to the PEFL Superbowl game. Good luck to both of you this Saturday.

Take care,

Don Smith