I can hardly believe it. It’s SPFL Super Bowl Week. But before I get to that, a quick personal update.
First of all, thanks for the understanding in allowing me to skip a couple of blog posts, even during the most important time of the fantasy season. As some/most of you probably know by now, my mom passed away in the early morning hours of the day after Christmas. As a result of her slow battle against dementia, I’d been preparing myself for this moment for years, but it still hits hard nevertheless. She and I had a special bond. While I have three older siblings, they are all at least ten years older than me. When my father passed away from cancer when I was nine years old, she and I were on our own and we took care of each other. Over the past 6, 8, 10 years, I’ve taken care of her, especially after my stepfather developed terminal cancer himself about seven or eight years ago. Yes, it was often a burden, but one that I’m thankful I was around to shoulder and one that I’m honored to have taken on. She will be missed and I believe that over time the lifetime of wonderful memories will eclipse the harsher ones of later years. I also have complete faith that we will one day reunited and then it will be forever and I won’t have to worry that she’s not quite sure which child I might be.
As a result of facing this real life intermission, I was unable to share my immediate thoughts on what was a most memorable start to the SPFL postseason. So, allow me to try and catch up as succinctly as I can.
I thought this was an outstanding year in our league. For quite a few years, and I say this with as much humility as I possibly can, ye old commish and his mighty Moops largely dominated the league. I was accused of shenanigans and cooking the books, but in reality, I think it was simply the fact that I was by far the biggest football fan in the league. While that’s possibly still the case, the rest of you all have long since caught up to me in managing a fantasy team … and I couldn’t be happier about it. Truly.
The Bright 1s, which entered the league as an innocent eyed, very casual football fan, literally sweating bullets over draft picks back in the day when we still had in person draft parties, has evolved into an incredibly analytical football fan and one of, if not the most formidable owner, year in and year out, in the league. A multiple time champion and almost annual money winner of some level. When we had a rare owner defection this offseason, he also recruited a new owner, who came in guns blazing, obviously knowing the game and the process, qualifying for the playoffs and being a contender all season long. I hope Beauty and the Beasts are now a permanent fixture in the SPFL.
The Piranha Brothers. Man. I have to confess, I was rooting for you this season. This owner and I go way back, to when I was a teenager/twentysomething. We spent a lot of time playing backyard football/tennis ball (a hybrid wiffle/baseball game that rocked TBH) together and he was one of those guys that I loved talking sports with because he knew what he was talking about (mostly, LOL) and wasn’t shy about having an opinion. So, I was thrilled when he joined the SPFL and he’s been a model owner ever since. Almost always the first to pay his dues and always having a good team despite staunchly refusing to consider a trade. However, an SPFL title has eluded him and I thought this was the year. I was looking forward to mailing that check. Yet, after having, by far, without question, the best team in the league from week one, he suffered a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals. It’s happened to several of us over the years and it just goes to show you … on any given Sunday…
The Turf Turtles. She’s been a part of the league since its inception and for most of the time, uh, well, struggled. I can remember early days, even making a couple of mercy transactions for her. But, she’s figured it out. In a big way. After finally winning her first title last year, she’s one game away from becoming a rare repeat champion!
The Corn. The one who rarely manages to pay his dues, but regularly finishes in the top three so that I can subtract it from his winnings. (And no, that’s not a legitimate option…). Most years, after the draft, I look at the Corn’s roster and judge it to be a little shaky, but usually, in the end, it’s right in the mix.
I could go on, but I won’t. I love each of you and your teams. I just wanted to say that I love the parity in our league. I love the fact that I have to work my butt off, just to make our playoffs and that I haven’t won a title in years. I really do. I played in five leagues this season and this is my favorite. Thanks to each of you for playing and for making it so much fun for the rest of us.
SPFL Semifinals
Turtles 165 – Brothers 120: In an upset, the Turf Turtles handed the Brothers their second, and most cruel loss of the season, while starting Jake Browning at QB (who had that on their preseason bingo card???). Breece Hall exploded for 45 points while DJ Chark added 27 (again, who had that on their bingo card?). The Brothers saw their title dreams falter despite the continued solid efforts of Mike Evans (27) and CMac (26).
Corn 131 – Bright 1s 125: The Corn were favored in this matchup and they proved the oddsmakers right, led by Justin Fields (26) and Tyreek Hill (18) while the 1s relied on Amon Ra St Brown (28) and Kyler Murray (20).
Kudos to both the Brothers, who had an amazing, historic type regular season, and the Bright 1s, who overcame a boatload of injuries to nearly pull off another championship season.
As for our Super Bowl week, the Turf Turtles of Tennessee will be facing off with Yesterday’s Corn for SPFL glory, while our regular season division winners, the Piranha Brothers and Bright 1s will battle it out for that third place money. And for the rest of us, we’ll be ringing in the new year. Thanks again to each of you, I genuinely appreciate you.
The Commish
Love you and all you do for this league, Trav. I was so sorry to hear about your awesome mama. She, like mine, was an awesome lady. She raised some fine youngins! I loved her obit. 🫶🏼 This league has been a mainstay for me for however long we’ve been doing this, and your blogs are what keeps me coming back for more. Now, if I could only get you to organize another Blunderbus. 😉
Thanks, Michael. My apologies for the delay in “allowing” this comment. I literally have to clear hundreds of spam comments every week. But, thanks for the condolences and the compliments on the league. And yes, your dad and I were talking about the need for another Blunderbuss very soon. It’s no good only seeing family at funerals.