*Ryan Negs' Introduction to Gameday - Printable Version +- [DEV] ISFL Forums (http://dev.sim-football.com/forums) +-- Forum: Community (http://dev.sim-football.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=5) +--- Forum: Media (http://dev.sim-football.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=37) +---- Forum: Graded Articles (http://dev.sim-football.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=38) +---- Thread: *Ryan Negs' Introduction to Gameday (/showthread.php?tid=26474)

*Ryan Negs' Introduction to Gameday - negs - 10-01-2020 As someone who just joined the league, I heard everyone in every locker room talk about how they just wanted game day to come and how they loved to see their players play in the simulation. Being new to this I was interested and thought it was cool but never understood the massive draw or appeal to it. As someone who joined just a week and a half ago, I had done every training opportunity, every opportunity to earn some extra cash, and tried to be as active as possible in the locker rooms. Yet, I still did not get to experience what everyone else wanted to do so badly. Then, we were named to prospect bowl teams. As soon I was named to the Drop Bears, I was finally part of a team now. I felt the excitement of finally performing in my first game. I grabbed my jersey out of the lockers for every practice, scouts of the DSFL teams surrounding the field evaluating our every move. Fortunately, I had an elite offensive line, wide receivers, and running backs at my disposal. Every practice I felt more of a sense of being part of the league and still improving at the same time. On game day, I felt the pregame jitters and grabbed my uniform and helmet and jogged onto the field with the team. In our first game, I struggled a bit throwing for only 150 yards for a touchdown and interception on poor completion. However, my teammates all did amazingly well, holding sacks off, making plays, and running like madmen. As the bowl went on, I started to get more comfortable and gained trust in my teammates. It seemed like every game we were running for 250 yards, not giving up sacks, and the defense playing at an elite level. By the time the playoffs came, I thought we had a great shot. In the championship game, we had an opportunity to seize it and we did. In a come from behind victory, we won the Prospect Bowl! I had a very off game but my teammates kept my head up and played amazingly. The defense had multiple sacks, the offensive line gave up nothing to them and our run game was absolutely unstoppable as it had been all of the bowl. As the timer hit zero, all of us ran onto the field in celebration, realizing what we had just accomplished. Not only did we win a bowl in front of a ton of scouts, we came together as a team and really felt like we were finally part of the league. After the game, I went back and watched the film and by no means was I a perfect quarterback. But as a prospect I know I have time to improve and work on all of that and that my journey is just beginning. The Prospect Bowl was a fantastic introduction to what the ISFL and DSFL are all about and I cannot wait to step into the league with a team. For every young kid growing up playing football getting drafted is the dream. Tomorrow, mine will finally come true. I now know why everyone looks forward to gameday so much, why there is so much anticipation on mondays and why everyone is so committed. Everyone is trying to chase a championship, to be the best, and to work the hardest. However, being part of a team and having great teammates is the best way to do it. I look forward to being a part of the DSFL for the foreseeable future and can’t wait to meet my teammates and develop into the player I know I can be. 616 words