Dealing with the Barbs and Critics and Rising Above It

[Reginald Rutledge]

No one knows better than me about the critics and barbs aimed at me and my company. Just got through talking to a guy who told him that someone just told him, FF.COM was out of business. I've been accused of stealing someone's decals, football figures, stadiums, DVDs, rules and everything else EFL related. I even have the NFL and NCAA calling me up or writing me weekly about intellectual property issues. I've heard the criticism. I have taken the criticism. But I don't let the critics get to me. Actually, I find it quite inspiring when things like that happen.

I say this because some times I think guys who do good for this hobby just get slammed. I spoke with one of my friends over the weekend about what he does in the hobby. This guy has great passion. He's recognized as a great ambassador to the game. He's taken over where some others left off. Without what he does, I definitely would not be coming to any EFL tournaments. Guys like him must be commended for all the work they do in the game. Not a lot of us understand the amount of time and energy it takes to make calls all over the country and try to get people to come. I always ask the question, "Why am I calling you up to get you to have some fun?" We should just want to do this anyhow!

Sometimes he comes under heavy criticism. It's a heavy toll to bear for just trying to bring happiness into someone else's life. He's one of the few who seeked me out when he heard things about me. For that, I am grateful. He's one of the great minds in the game of electric football. I know he wants to play but selflessly host tournaments. When we talk, a 2 minute conversation turns to 2 hours because there is so many things to discuss.

I don't know how many people could have gotten LaVelle Shelton, Joyce Rogers, Jim Jackson, Wally Jabs, Edgar Downs, Frank Johnson, Jim Davis, and me in a room together for one last hurrah! This guy is doing what others have tried to do and probably will never be able to do again, that's bring all these JOKERS together in one room together again.

I just want to say thanks for twisting my arm through Rose, my wife. You knew I had no interest in being a part of any more EFL functions but now I get the chance to see guys like Andre Cogdell, Sean Carter, Jimbo, Jim Davis, Greg Hardmon, Wally Jabs, Steve Martin, Anthony Burgess, Mike Turner,
K-LO, Patrick, Norbert Revels, and so many others for (in some cases) the first time! I get to hang out with one of my new best friends, Darrian Ross (Ross promises me a dinner. He does not know I am 6'6" and 340). There is so many guys that I see writing on this board that I will finally get to meet. If you have a beef with me, here's your chance to come up to me and get it out in the open.

This would not be possible without this guys efforts. People will sit back and criticize and hope for a poor turnout. That's just people. But like I tell everybody who comes to the Texas Shootout, "If you're here, you're going to have a good time".

So thanks to my good friend Don Smith for putting on this event. Your efforts along with Lisa (YOUR BETTER HALF) should definitely be commended with great praise for bringing such a diverse group of EFLers together for a great weekend at the Seawall Brawl!

Reginald Rutledge