How do you know if a guy fit?

[Reginald Rutledge]

The Dallas-Fort Worth Miniature Football League is a very much a common league in that you've got guys from all walks of life, professions, ethnic origins, and beliefs. On the surface, it seems like most leagues across the country and to that point, it is. But the DFW uniqueness centers around its ability to not take ourselves so serious.

Yes, there is no doubt when the games kick-off, the coaches are intensely focused on winning. Some coaches handle it differently from other coaches. We've got such great characters in the league that the ethusiasm is like osmosis. It has a way of rubbing off on you.

If you ever get a chance to listen to one of our broadcast, please do so because you will sense right away, "those guys are having too much fun".

When the guest coach came in last week to be a part of the weekend activities, right away you know there must be some interest in what we do. Who in their right mind would make a $300 airplane journey just to watch a league that you have no affiliation with?

But the minute some of these coaches got off the plane, we could sense "they had the right stuff". Case in point, Joel Pritchard, from South Carolina gets off the plane and I immediately hand him my cellphone. Joel has no idea who this is on the other end but immediately begins to crack up! The "fool" on the other end is broadcasting the greatness of RaiderNation. I handed Joel the phone because I got tired of the shenanigans! Ten minutes later after handing the phone to Joel, this Cuban "hitman" was still going on about his team. If anyone else wanted to get a word in edgewise, you would either have to hang up and dial again or wait another 10 minutes. I told Joel that the person he was listening to was "The Don". I told him that he would meet him later that day. If Joel could get through that ordeal, he had passed the first test.

Another jokester in the league is Don Hudson. If you don't know Hud, you would think he is so cocky and brash that he has no feelings for people. Us that know Hudson for years know just the opposite. One of the greatest coaches in the DFW history, Don likes to pull antics and "get the party started" or in our case, "the Peanut Gallery" started. He has great charisma and guys play off what he says. Hudson made a wisecrack racial remark to Joel in jest. For a split second, everybody went silent. Joel came back at him full force saying it may be worse in Texas. That brought down the house! Guys were just rolling laughing at the barbs and exchange between Joel and Hud. You had to be here to understand it. Right then and there, I think many of us knew, this guy was a fit.

Everybody is not a fit in your league. There are many ways to find it out. Fortunately for us, we use the Peanut Gallery to see what guys are all about. Joel was just a natural when he came here.

Then there was Michigan Joe. Everybody here loves Joe and what he brings to the league. He gets off the airplane showing his creations. This guy makes a one day stop through Texas just to be a part of the weekend. Joe loves this style of play and we are trying to help him establish it in the Midwest part of the country. However, he is also one of the new "Road Warrirors" in the DFW. Joe is one of those who is no nonsense pretty honest guy. He balances off some of the rift-raft in the league like myself.

These are just guys you know based on "the little things" that these guys would be great additions to your league. We welcome them with open arms into the DFW Miniature Football League. Catch their games on Internet TV this fall.

Reg

[Hook'em Horns]

I love the game of EFL! A fraternity of brothers bonded together by the common thread of Electric Football. I believe all should be accepted! At least initially. I have grown over the years to not only witness but experience the therapuetic effects of electric football! Not only does it keep guys who would normally be pre-occupied with something else fellowshipping for hours upon hours but it brings out the little kid in all of us which hides beneath our work, our age, and our pride. This game has helped restore my life. It provided physical therapy, psychological therapy and social therapy all while I was going through trying times with my lilfe! No man should be deprived of that. If we can help as a band of brothers to provide what we experience everyday to other individuals locally and/or around the country then we should do so. Reg you have been very instrumental in making this a part of what the DFW league stands for and is all about! We appreciate you for that!

[detroitchild]

Originally Posted by Mike Robertson

I love the game of EFL! A fraternity of brothers bonded together by the common thread of Electric Football. I believe all should be accepted! At least initially. I have grown over the years to not only witness but experience the therapuetic effects of electric football! Not only does it keep guys who would normally be pre-occupied with something else fellowshipping for hours upon hours but it brings out the little kid in all of us which hides beneath our work, our age, and our pride. This game has helped restore my life. It provided physical therapy, psychological therapy and social therapy all while I was going through trying times with my lilfe! No man should be deprived of that. If we can help as a band of brothers to provide what we experience everyday to other individuals locally and/or around the country then we should do so. Reg you have been very instrumental in making this a part of what the DFW league stands for and is all about! We appreciate you for that!

Agreed! (and well said)

This hobby has been all of the above for me as well as it keeps me sane during these trying times in my personal life and for many others in my neck of the woods. All hail EF/MF!!!

[detroitchild]

...if I'm a fit or not but I'm going to enjoy this hobby as much as I can. For those of you who kept it alive and continue to improve it, kudos to you!

Don - a.k.a detroitchild

[joel_p1]

To the DFW league or Peanut Gallery. I had a blast and couldnt have asked for a better time. I enjoy cutting up and having fun as much as anyone. Ive been joked with and picked on my entire life by my late father and grandfather and Ive missed it so much. I felt as thought you guys were lifelong friends and family and welcomed all and any remarks and comments.
I look foward to dishing out some of the peanut gallery antics next year , I had to feel my way through to test the waters out. I see its no holds barred type of play and no one gets upset and its all good. I wish I could be around it more often. I hope I can fit in the league and become as good a giver as receiver in the future. I appreciate you guys inviting me in and making me feel so welcome. Reggie, get me Hudsons number so I can call him and tell him some of the good ol' boys here are looking foward to meeting him also.
Later,
Joel

[RPD]

Very glad to have you, now lets get working on the new DFW video " Cooking and Electric football" featuring the road warrior chef himself " Southern Joel ", look for it in the near future!!

[joel_p1]

I almost forgot but he is far from forgotten. RRRRRRRRRRRR DDDDDDDDDDD
all leagues need more like you to get everyone excited and fired up about playing and hyping your team up . Anytime you want to get the Raider Nation on the board you dont have to look to far. I saw your team had some real talent and would love the opportunity to see if they are all they are hyped up to be against a lowly team from the State of S.C. Keep the excitement up until next season and get ready for the brawl. Ill see you there hopefully.
Ill call you soon and check up on you.
Joel