Guys, this is why I play the game: The contagious nature of...

[Reginald Rutledge]

unadulterated fun!!!!

WARNING: This is rather long and if you don't like reading stories, I would say get out of this post IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Guys, if you ever play in a league with me, most will tell you it's gonna be about a lot of laughs, wisecracks, hype, and fun! This weekend, I got to play against 3 pretty good guys - Rookie, The Protege, and MIB. For some who may not know these three characters, Rookie is Doug Shanafelt, one of the rising stars in the game. The Protege is Michael Robertson, who is one of the most passionate players I have ever brought to the game, and "Man in Black" Barry Stephenson. He's corporate, he's white boy with a Scottish flava, and just a very dear friend of mine. The experience with all three was great. Each have different personalities and expectations in the game. At the end of the day, all love the game dearly.

I want to share a little with you on why I play the game. Like anyone, I want to win. I love to win but at the end of the day, a part of winning is losing (to me). But just because of a loss, does not mean you really lost. "MIB" was another guy I recruited into the DFW many years ago. When I left the DFW, I left guys like him with the "anchor" in their hand. I knew I wanted to re-connect with guys like him, Rookie, the John Rowans of the world. So having this CBSMF has been great. Most of the guys that play in the CBSMF throughout the country are passionate and dedicated coaches/guys who want the best for the hobby. That's what I found.

I played Barry in a double overtime game. We had the game on our little CBSMF Broadcast Network. Guys had the chance to hear the excitement of why I play the game. The drama and laughter was intense!!! The "Showstopper" or "The Box" was hot! It was late in the double OT. I went up 37-29. Barry had to try to make that crucial first down or TD. He lost yardage on his first 3 plays from the 25. On 4th down, he throws a dramatic pass to the right corner down to the 8. Another set of fresh downs. In 3 plays, we stop him. On the 4th down, he scores to make it 37-35. At this point, he has to go for 2 to tie it in double OT! Next play - SACK!!! At this point, about 14 people are online living out our emotions. The camera goes blank! They are P-O-ed!!! It's the Heidi Bowl all over again!!! I am in a state of EUPHORIA having stopped a lethal offensive team!!! I am dancing around, being my loud obnoxious self!!! Barry has one last opportunity - "The Box"!!!

He ask "The Protege" to shake the Box. It seemed like the longest roll of the dice I had ever seen. Mike shook the Box and dramatically turned around to us and said, "You're not gonna believe this but 6-6 on the defense with excessive celebration (unsportsmanlike conduct). Barry and Mike immediately turned to each other and start hugging and jumping up and around in a circle and crackin' up!!! I immediately high five my friend MIB because I knew, "If I had to lose one like this, I had no problem losing to this guy because he played like a champ". So Barry had new life at the 1 yard line for his 2 pt. conversion. On the next play, Barry got fancy and ran his FB in the power I. We stopped him inches from paydirt to win the game 37-35!

For all that were watching it on TV, it was pure pandemonium and why I play the game. After the game ended, we all sat around for a minute and Rookie said it simply, "Reg, when you do that, it is contagious. You made our game (Pep vs, Rookie) more hyped up because we were watching y'all go through all the emotions.

That's why I play the game. Later that night, I talked to about 5 people including Greg Hardmon and Mozeek who saw the game. They echoed Rookie's assessment. "Y'all came across on camera as just having too much fun Reg" was the theme.

If I can't get across anything else in the game, that's the one thing that I try to show in promoting the game - It's suppose to be fun. If you can't enjoy the presence of that other person, you might not need to be playing the game. If your well-being is wrapped up in simply winning and feeling disdain for your fellow competitor, this might not be a healthy situation for you. The game suppose to be fun. It suppose to bring us great joy to know that you were fortunate enough to find someone that STILL likes to play the game opposite you.

For me, the transition to solitaire would be quite easy. I would definitely enjoy it much better than playing against someone else. I will go back to my world of solitaire soon but while I am involved in a league, I want to have fun and want the people around me to have fun. If the energy ain't high, it probably ain't fun! So if you're gonna be in any league with me, try to be a part of the Peanut Gallery. Laughter is permitted. High jinx is expected. My white brother from another mother, Joel_P, was online giving me a hard time with his customary expletives! He was cracking me up! I wish I could have gotten to write to him to give him a few jokes back! But MIB had me by my throat trying to choke all the life out of me! It was one of those fantastic finishes that is common place in the Shootout style and the CBSMF. I needed the laughter and just being a part of the experience was great!

After the game, I exchanged emails with MIB. I will not bore you with all the personal message but I just wanted to share with you a few lines of our email.

RE: Good Guys Don't Finish Last
...
From:
"Stephenson, Barry"
...
View Contact
To: Reginald Rutledge
Reg,


From Barry "MIB" Stephenson
I have equal admiration for you and the kind of person you are. You are a wonderful man, husband, father, friend and child of God. I truly respect you and would drop whatever I was doing to come help you if you needed me, like you where there for me.

I can't wait to share the Canton experience with you... that will be another one for the memories.... I had a blast playing you today.. it is always a fun time and what the hobby is all about... My Sooners went 0-2 this weekend but they still felt like victories anyway... good times with great friends.... thanks again and I will speak to you soon my friend.. praying for you and your family....

I've always heard that God never gives us anymore than he knows we can handle, and I used to think, "Lord, you've got to be kidding, there is no way I can bear any more...." Apparently he thought differently than I, and now you... I pray you can Persevere, there are so many people who still need you in their lives, I am one of them..

Barry
Reg