Playing Norbert was fun

[Reginald Rutledge]

One of the best things about having brought in Road Warriors was getting the opportunity to hang around guys such as JEasymoney (Jim Davis), Norbert Revels, Kevin "The Souljah" Boddie, Dru Sparks, and Michael Robertson, among others. But also seeing these guys in their element with raw emotion and the excitement that Road Warriors generate.

But one of the most enjoyable times was playing Norbert and his KC Chiefs in a game which resonated throughout the league. If Norbert recalls, it was a great autumn evening with the game passing from afternoon lighting to evening darkness. On that day, Norbert got the best of me. His team came clearly ready to play, in a stadium!

I remembered a statement that he made about me being in a hoody totally covered up from head-to-toe. What he did not know was my fear and allergic behavior to mosquitoes. Most people don't know that but that is one of those phobias I have never been able to shake. I love playing games outside but I must be "hosed down" in insect repellant. And then sometimes, that is not enough.

Nevertheless, what I saw on Norbert's face was something out of toy stores! This grown man of 40 plus years (I think) saw everything he had imagined about the game come to life and he was the starring actor! The lights, the stadium, the people in the stands, the hype around the game, the pregame, and the speed of the game made for an amazing imagery. The game was on centerstage under the lights and weather was perfect for football.

I constantly remember him saying words like "Unbelievable, Wow, Amazing" and many more describing his experience in the game and what I did in the DFW League. It was truly captivating to him to the point that he offered to go online and speak of the virtues of what we do. "No need for that", as I told him I just wanted him to experience what I do in the game. This is what brings me to the game. Nothing else! Yeah, I want to win just like everybody else but to know you can make it look real on a miniature scale means more to me than anything else. I will win some and I will lose some. If you think you should not lose or will not lose, you should never go onto the field, because it is a part of the game. But on that day, in time, I think I won something bigger than a game. I won a guys heart and passion about the game. He was that "little kid in the candystore" we all talk about.

Thanks Norby for comin' and reminding me of why I play the game.

Reg