Is it really fair to them? The New Manhattan, NY League

[Reginald Rutledge]

You know, there's an old saying. "Behind every great man, there's a great woman". Well, I think some guy who's great must have lost out on this one because I am here to tell you, I AIN'T GREAT! But this woman I am with sure is!

Last night, my wife and I went out and discussed family and company business, you know, the meeting of the minds. Sometimes, when that happens, I feel so intimidated. I think while she's throwing out all the intellectual powers, I am just spewing out studpidity.

We got on the subject of the new league forming in the New York area. You gotta love a woman who can talk with great intelligence on national politics, Ghandi, and telecommunication and then tell you what a "Bubble screen" does and what a right tackle suppose to do on a power sweep! That's one of those women for the ages!

Well, I told her of the work of Mozeek, Wall Jabs, and Mantaray Dre. Her first question was, "How is Wally?" Then she said, "You know I love Mantaray". She always call him that. Then she asked, "Is Morgan still coming for the Super Bowl?"
Lesson # 1- Getting a wife to buy in to your hobby. She must like the people you surround yourself with.

Of course when you begin a subject about New York, her eyes light up! There are certain things you know about a person because not only were you married to her for more than 23 years but you grew up together pulling each other hair from the 8th grade!

I told her of the rule set which they were going to use. "The Shootout rule set", I said. Her response was, "Are they going to use 4.0 grams?" Wallah, I knew at that point, she was tuned in! I told her then, I wanted to play. Her next response was, "Is that fair to those guys? You did write the rules and have been playing with them for more than 30 years". I thought to myself, "This woman is not only sexy but deep too!" I then told her, "You're right, it is not fair. What I will do is consult." She said, "That's better".
Lesson #2-She is wiser than you!

Now you see who is the intelligence of the Rutledge home! We then discussed the thoughts of Shootout Series. My wife, being a business experts, also puts things in its simplest form for me. That way, I don't trip while coloring in my coloring book with crayons. She then asked about Vegas and the possibility of 3-4 cities being a part of the Shootout Series. She knows more than anyone that I have entertained thoughts of leaving miniature football. To people who are close to me, that is no secret. But she told me, maybe this will invigorate you to do the things that you want to do in the game. Just maybe, this gives her an opportunity to visit these cities every third or fourth year.
Lesson #3-Show her your weakness and she will inspire you.

Being tuned in is something she has been every since I first saw her in the 8th grade. Even back then, I knew I would marry this girl. But I never knew she would ask the question "Is this fair to them?" I never knew she would be the person pushing for the Shootout Series based on the strength of building leagues in New York, Vegas and our continued success in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Lesson #4-If it's a little girl you grew up with and fought all the time, she's probably the right one for you. If you're fighting your wife now all the time, I want to pray for you.

When we left the restaraunt, I had to go back in and get my intelligence off the table because again, she showed why she was much smarter than me.
Lesson #5-Always remember she is just as smart as you or even smarter and its something you've just gotta deal with.

Reginald Rutledge
DFW Founder 1995
Consulatant to the new NY League 2008

[Kansas Bill]

Great story Reg.. I enjoyed it...
You've been truly blessed.. While the majority of us are happy with, and/or would gladly settle for a woman who "tolerates" our hobby.. You've hit the jackpot..

And hey man.. No more talk about leaving the hobby.. ever!

It doesn't matter what you do, or who you are, there's going to be someone out there trying to undermine your efforts.. It's just the way of the world.. All you can do is do your thing..

Take Care Reginald.. Looking forward to getting back down to the DFW area one of these days.. I sure had a great time before.. You've also been blessed with playing EF with a great bunch of guys.

but being a cowboy fan expresses a very high level of intellligence. so give yourself some credit and thank God for YOUR GOODTHING!(as the bible puts it)

[Reginald Rutledge]

Everyday I pinch myself because I know, most women will not put up with being second fiddle to a hobby (from time-to-time). But this one gladly does because she knows the passion I have for the game.

And Kansas Bill, you know "that great group of EF guys" is in every city. You've just got to bring it out of them. Kansas Bill, in the early years of the DFW, we had oppostition to everything I did. No support was the theme of the day.

The more and more they came in contact with the media and coaches from other parts of the country who were willing to come here and fellowship with me, they began to see the benefits to some extent.

Now as we move forward into the more recent years, guys have mastered the rules and now see the benefit of playing with these rules. That has been the key! Having an exciting brand of play and a constant infusion of new blood has re-energized me.

So I know I have something special here. I am grounded in understanding that. I am also grounded in understanding I had to do so much, give so much, and sacrifice so much to make certain that my marriage to miniature football and my wife was a good one.

Reg

Reg,

What a nice storey... thanks for sharring it with us. You are a lucky man to be married to the love of your life as well as your best friend.

Wally