Do any of you guys remember ...

[Reginald Rutledge]

the day when custom figures were taboo? I remember a day, at least, when FF.COM figures were taboo around the country and any mention of them would get you ostracized from leagues and "bashing clubs".

I remember a day when FF.COM figures were not allowed in any of the tournaments around the country other than the Texas Shootout. I remember hearing in some circles that FF.COM figures look like they had army pants and look like Frankenstein. I remember one tournament host telling me "Reg we need you here to help promote our tournament but leave your FF.COM players at home. We don't do FF.COM" The ultimate insult!

I remember a time that if you brought a custom pose out, he had to be inspected, analyzed, and talked about rather than being given the chance to play. There is so much I remembered about the times. And it still goes on in some circles today. I remember a time (not too long ago) that the mere mention of anything positive to say about FF.COM would get you laughed out of a league. Many people/companies never experienced the type of insults that FF.COM endured. Most (companies/manufacturers) have been welcomed with open arms since, often applauded and lauded as genius. Some have their own personal cheerleader sections who do their promotions for them. Fortunately for me, I love to do my own cheerleading/hype because no one knows their product better.

But as I sit here typing this note, I think those negative vibes where the important vibes that kept me pushing forward. It was those "bashing sessions" that energized me to create more than a thousand different custom poses, to continue to try to improve my product. Once a MF'er asked me, "Why will you not defend yourself on the bashing site". My words to him were "I am simply too busy inventing things that will be positive for the game". Any negative chatter would only give them what they wanted; a topic of conversation. Eventually all the conversations on me would have to be replaced with "What can they do about the evolution of the game?"

It was those words of "discouragement" that made me want to show MF'ers things in the game that they were only dreaming about. It was all those words that I knew where discussed that made me want to show that our custom figures were just as good as anything else.

So I thank all those peoples/chatgroups for giving me the inspiration to improve the product and take the game to another level. It was those people who inadvertently help give other people the fortunes of being in the miniature football evolution. It was those people who often times spun companies off of what we did. It was those people who woke up one day wondering why everyone had left them behind. It was those people who could not handle the fact that FF.COM would have 9 lives and continue to show a perspective to the game that no one else could match. It was those people who should take some credit for helping improve the game because without their negative thoughts, I probably would never have tried to push the envelope!

It would have been easy for me to just "take my toys" and go home. But that would have been too easy and not representative of who I was! I am happy I stayed in the game for I know I have helped somebody. Even if it was just one person, it would have been worth the struggle. So the next time you do a custom pose, make sure you not only thank the manufacturers of that product whether its FF.COM or some other company but know that the ability to freely create that player came at some price, albeit small in the total scheme of things. Nevertheless, a price had to be paid. Don't take that for granted. Create that custom pose with all the passion you can have.

Reginald Rutledge
Footballfigures.com

[Shabby J]

I remember several years ago when I started hunting the Iternet for this hobby again, that there was some ill will towards your products. I certainly remember that. As you said stuff that like drives you and makes you stronger.

I am glad FF.com is still here and on top of things in this hobby now.

[Reginald Rutledge]

I want to thank you and guys like yourself who read and filtered through the Bull Crap! It takes a strong will not to be influenced by the masses. It takes a person of character who weighs the situation and make a rational decision based on his own gut feelings, not the word of others.

I am sure you heard bad things even about the 308 Gameboard. Everything I do, I stand behind it. I am not perfect by any means but everything that I do or say, I try to do so with honor and dignity.

So thanks for being a part of the miniature football evolution.

Reg

Personally, even though I have yet to do alot of experimenting . Its stuff like yours that has me interested again. its amazing that miggle never caught on earlier and kept the same stock players for practicaly 40 years. I always was board by the basic blocker- elbows out pose- and would replace them with the tackle who looked more animated and ready.
now there is this whole subculter with people making players and making small mass amounts for others to use.
You didnt say it- I dont think- but in an under ground sence you have possibly caused things to come full circle. there are those that would rather have your stuff than the standard miggle players. and a great deal of them take miggle players and contort them anyway.
Why didnt miggle pay the measley 50 thousand- I believe thats what it was- to renew the license. Was there a tiny percentage because so many recycle the same players they have had for years and the underground keepers of the hobby pretty much design their own toys ? its a stretch, but could be a tiny factor.
Because of people like you and Beenutt its pretty interesting stuff.
Your stuff is great- but on a visualy humorous note- yes , they look frankensteinish . and why not- you basically created another life for this hobby.

[Franny-j-boy]

Reggie, I'm glad i was not around at that time. I don't know how anyone could have put you down. I feel blessed to have seen your work and I have many of your figures. I absolutely love your stadiums and plan on getting one if all goes right. With me, I need some luck. Thank you for what you have done,and fore having the fortitude to hang in there. I love your work and only wish I had the money to buy what I want from you. Gog bless you buddy.

Reggie,

All I can say is thanks...I'm a rookie again at 46 and I love all the "new" innovations. For your player designs, 308 boards, and everything in between I give you a big thumbs up. You help make the game fun again!

[joel_p1]

Reggie,
Im so thankful for you and your products. If it wasnt for you opening my eyes to a wonderful new aspect to this hobby (customizing) "frankensteining" as it may be I would not be as enthusied about this hobby as I am. I get excited almost every day about what else I can create and bring to life. Starting with figure and then putting his feet or shoes on him as I call it to make him scoot down the field. Its as if you breathed life into him, and it makes you feel pride, especially when its for someone other than yourself and they LOVE it too.
So thanks again for what you do and not letting me get bored and settled into the same ol routine of just lining up guys and playing with the same stock figures everyday. Anyone around here that knows me will tell you I use your products and play on your board constantly. I even tweak my figures on your board so I know they will perform well . My hat is off to you and everyone knows that doesnt come off very often either..
Joel

[wolverine]

reg from Day ONE you figures were welcome in the NMEFL as was buzzball and Dwayne figures and ITZ too...the more the better

[Reginald Rutledge]

supported not only FF.CM figures but custom figures in general. For so long, MF'ers were so stuck in the traditional form of electric football, never willing to "come off the porch".

But it was guys like Dirk Thomas, Larry Walker, Jay Boy, th Klingbeils, and a few others who were first to venture out to a whole new era. I had my little customs melted back then but nothing on the level of the creativity of a Larry Walker.

Those are the guys that I am most appreciative of. For me, I was just a "one man force" who really did not care much whether it my stuff was accepted. I only wanted to know I could play with my on team wherever I went.

Later, when I stepped on a player and he did not break, I knew I had something that I could do some amazing things to. So now, we are in an era of miniature football where more people are catching the bug of customizing. It is becomng an accepted practice but much credit goes to guys who are not as vocal as I am.

Reg

[Coach_J]

Hi Reg,

Greetings my friend. I am very happy that you stayed in the hobby. Had you not then when it comes to innovation I doubt if the hobby would have gotten this far. Your innovation has done nothing but help take this hobby to another level. Unfortunately it will sometimes be the negative thoughts that make one push harder to reach a goal. Now custom poses are what most people, if not everyone, wants to purchase. Coincidentally I came across a new coach in my area today on the Miggle chatboard. I spoke to him this evening and told him about what you do as far as players and stadiums. He was stunned at how far the hobby had come and was very impressed with what you do without even going to your website. I gave him your web address so you might have a new customer. As a matter of fact I just noticed that he is currently the newest member on our chatboard.

Have a good day my friend and keep on doing what you are doing.

Coach J