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Proud To Be A USAFLer

Andrew: When I first shut down the league, I was terrified that I had just broken a bond with several guys I had considered good friends. I had no other choice as I was headed into surgery within hours. But I knew that the league would have to stop and I had no idea what the future would hold. After my surgery was over, my recovery went far better than expected and I began to plan out a way to bring back the USAFL and improve all it's features.

I spent about two weeks planning the Scouting Combine system, using the VPNFL, Stadium revenue, a GM Mentoring system by allowing Assistant GMs, and building a site where every team had their own teampage complete with forms for GMs to contribute headlines. Once I had it all in place, I crafted an email to every known former USAFL GM.

To this day, the response I got was the most heartfelt experience I have ever been blessed to go through. Within 24 hours, almost every single former GM replied and signed up for the league. I could not believe how loyal everyone was and how thrilled they were that the USAFL was returning.

I also decided to promote the league by plastering animated banners on every sports related gaming sites and every FBPRO fan site out there. This got the attention of FBPRO.com, which reviewed our site and gave it their highest score. Two weeks later they announced that our site would be the June FBPRO Site of the Month. We were the first league to ever win the award. Until that time, only utility sites had won the award.

By the following week, the FBPRO Radio Show's Jason Tudor contacted me and asked to interview me on their weekly program. Over the telephone, I explained all the great features about the league and how we came up with all our ideas.

In a time span of about four weeks, I went from a hospital bed, to planning the USAFL's return, to seeing how happy everyone was to get back involved, to the league receiving incredible awards.

That moment for me will forever be the proudest moment.
 

Fifty seasons is an incredible achievement. Considering the fact that most online leagues last an average of two or three seasons. Every GM who comes into contact with the league realizes how special our community is. Let's find out when our panel members were most proud.

Bill: When I spent $22 million on Darren Zordich and got abusive IMs from half the league. :)

Todd: I truly enjoyed winning my first GM of the Year award, way back in my first or second season. I still have the e-plaque that Andrew created. But honestly, it's when the 2011 season played itself to conclusion and Buffalo had just won its 2nd consecutive Super Bowl. Winning wasn't the moment though, it was how we won it...with a totally different set of plays. We won with the I-FORM/4-6 combo in 2010, and then with the K-GUN/3-4 combo in 2011. I felt it was really important to prove to the league that any of the 6 offensive and 3 defensive schemes really had what it took to get it done, provided the personnel was there. Had we not won in 2011, or had we won again using the same set of PPPs, I fear we'd have 18 teams running the I-FORM/4-6 today. :)

Fred: My 2 Super Bowls in my first 2 seasons (I was a FB PRO rookie). I guess I set the standard. I've always had +.500 teams, that's another fact that I'm really happy about.

Ben: When I won back-to-back superbowls.

Tom: I'm curious to see if anyone answers any differently, but when September 11th hit, I was just amazed at how quickly people in this league come together, emailing everyone (mainly myself and Bill, who were nearest to the event) and making sure everyone was ok and all there. Made you realize that we just pretty much see words on a computer screen, but behind them are actual people who live the lives we do and think along the same lines (well, most of us anyway) that we do. 9/11 made the league a little more human, something that more than likely will never be lost, and it was something I found pretty damned cool.

Joe: When I took the Giants to the Super Bowl. Just wish I'd have won :). I'd say when my Cowboys of the old USAFL where they won the championship would have been a great experience if I had built them up to that point instead of inheriting them. I'm not saying I'm not happy they won though :)

Garritt: there really is no one time. I've been proud to watch it evolve over the year and it seems to only get better :)

Jean: the 1st (and only time yet) i won SUPERBOWL (over Flip). When i got in the league, i was soooooooo far away from a SB win !

Flip: When Fred started the USARL conspiracy Theory and let’s not forget him quitting and then returning to the USARL in the same hour! Oh wait you meant a USAFL proud moment…hmmmm….still the same!

Mike: I would not be able to pick a time. I am very proud of this league and where it has gone. Back when it started and Andrew put it online there were only a handful of people playing. Tim, Garritt and I are the only ones still here after all this time. As Andrew informed us that the league was expanding or just getting the name out on different sites I thought, Well the end is near. Once a bunch of people get in the league it will be the end of it. I always figured we would not be able to get great guys each time. I with the exception of a few (Dan for one) was wrong. The true strength of this league is the great people that have always ended up here. It is no different today. You guys are the greatest. YOU! Are what make this league great. Garritt does great coding, Andrew handles the day to day website, Tom and his Wife Tara handle the Racing, Myself the Draft, Fred more coding.. etc, etc. All that is needed but, YOU! are why it is great. You all should be very proud of the fact that this league has gone on as long as it has and will continue to thrive. Thank you all for making me proud to say I am a member of the USAFL.

For even more historical data, visit the USAFL History Page to view tons of stats from earlier versions of the USAFL. This page can always be accessed through the USAFL FAQ.