This season was one to remember for rookie Wide Receiver Tugg Speedman of the London Royals. The team went 11-3 and made to the Ultimini Championship game however they fell short, but it was a great season nonetheless. Tugg Speedman broke several records this season in the Developmental Simulation Football League. From breaking the receiving yards in a game record at 153 for the league and team to breaking the team record for receptions in a season with 73 to breaking three playoff records in his first ever playoff game (Receptions: 9, Receiving Yards: 113, and Longest Catch: 39 yards). The London Times once again caught up with Tugg to discuss his rookie season, the tough Ultimini loss, and the upcoming International Simulation Football League.
Reporter: " Hi Tugg, this is the first time we have been able to sit down with you since the halfway point of last season. How are things going? How are you feeling after the Ultimini loss to the Tijuana Luchadores?"
Tugg: "Yeah, it's been awhile since we've had a chance to sit down and talk about me. I'm doing fine, as much as I wanted that Utimini championship, the London Royals and myself both had fantastic seasons. We did a lot of winning and set some records while doing it. The loss to Tijuana will always kind of sting but a loss doesn't define me or this team. We'll bounce back, whether it's with me back with London or me being called straight up to the International Simulation Football League. Time will tell."
Reporter: "Well, that leads me to my next question. How is the draft process going for you? Are there any teams that stand out to you through this process?"
Tugg: "The draft process has been great. I have enjoyed talking to all of the scouts and General Managers around the International Simulation Football League. Some teams have certainly set themselves atop my own personal list for possible landing spots. I have told every single person that has talked to me during this process that I am willing to go anywhere, and I truly mean that. I love the idea of either following in the footsteps of previous great wide receivers and surpassing them on established teams or being a trail blazer with an expansion team and carving my own path. I have also told all of them that I am willing to change positions to running back and quarterback if needed. I am a versatile player and no matter where I play, I am a game changer and will help you win."
Reporter: "I know I can say that if you are a one and done we will miss you here in London, but if you are back for one last go, we will cherish every moment you're here."
Tugg: "London has been a great place for me to be. I love the city, I love the fans, I love my General Managers, and most importantly I love my teammates. There are a lot of us going into this upcoming draft and I look forward to either continuing to play alongside of any of them if it happens but even more so competing against them. If I'm drafted but need to stay down another season, I've told every team that I have talked to that I would be willing to do that. It would give me another shot at an Ultimini Championship down here in the Developmental Simulation Football League but also gives me more time to develop and win Rookie of the Year in the International Simulation Football League. I love winning but I love achievement and accomplishments even more. I want people to remember my name and my greatness. No better way than to just do both!"
Reporter: "That leads me to my next topic... records! Tell us how you're feeling about having your name in the Developmental Simulation Football League and London Royals record books!?"
Tugg: "It is an awesome feeling. My hard work and natural talent translating from the field to paper. It's what you always want to see. It was awesome to get the yards record and if I had one more catch, I believe I would have broken the receptions record for the London Royals. I had a slow start to the season, everyone knows that as I was pretty vocal about it and put in extra work with my guy Cortez. It's to no fault to my coaches or quarterback, our offense is absolutely stacked and it's the reason why I had the season I did and the season London had. Some might think that I'm not the best wide receiver in this upcoming draft, but the people that are saying that aren't paying attention. I am the best wide receiver in this draft and I think you'll see that."
Reporter: "I am sure we will! You had set some goals for yourself before last season had started. We wanted to reflect on those and get your take on them. You were pretty close on them, so I don't think you'll be overly disappointed. Here is the excerpt from that interview...
"While I want to be reasonable for expectations, I want to really challenge myself. I want to haul in at least sixty receptions this year and hit the one thousand yard mark. My biggest goal is to hit at least six touchdowns on the year as well. I want to score and I want to score often. This team is so exceptional especially on offense, so there's no reason I can't at least get close on some of these goals that I've set."
Playing that back, you crushed your receptions goal by 13, you came up short on the yards goal by 159, and came up short on your touchdown goal by 2. Thoughts?"
Tugg: "It's funny to go back and hear myself give those without much knowledge of team records but I was and still am ambitious. I did crush the receptions goal which is a testament to our game plan in London to get me the ball. As I mentioned before this London team is absolutely stacked so I can't be too upset coming up short on the yards goal as that one was a little lofty and the touchdown goal as our run game was also extremely potent this year. If I come back for another season, I will probably be throwing up the same goals that I did not quite meet but increase my receptions goal since I hit that one pretty easily. I think I can do this without my boy Cortez. He certainly made my life easier but I am who I am and that's the best damn wide receiver in the league."
Reporter: "If you're back, there is no doubt in our mind that you can build upon the amazing rookie season you had here in London. Going back to the International Simulation Football League draft. Who do you think is going to draft you or who do you think should draft you?"
Tugg: "Those are two different things unfortunately. Who SHOULD draft me? Everyone. I have said it over and over, I am a game changer however not every team has a need at wide receiver and there are some other exceptional players in this draft, many of them are my teammates in London. Based on my conversations and taking a look at teams depth chart and regression, I think I could end up with the Berlin Salamanders, Arizona Outlaws, Philadelphia Liberty, Honolulu Hahalua, and back to back Ultimus Champs San Jose Sabercats. I guess I will say that's my top 5 most likely places to land and I want to make sure this does not get taken out of context and reiterate that I am willing to go to any team, I just think I will be drafted by 1 of those 5".
Reporter: "Exciting times for an exciting wide receiver. Tugg thank you for your time. If this is my last chance to interview you while you're still a London Royal, thank you for making these interviews fun and helping this team win games and dominate."
Tugg: "We'll see, no goodbyes just yet. I do want to say one final thing. To the fans: thank you for coming out this season and being the best fans I have ever played in front of. To my coaches: Thank you for making this transition to the Developmental Simulation Football League easy and putting me in a position to dominate week in and week out. To my teammates: thank you for always being ready to play and rise up through the challenges. We may not have won it all this season but that will never take away what we did accomplish together. For those of you leaving after this season, good luck up there in the International Simulation Football League and those of you who are entering the draft this offseason with me, good luck and I look forward to changing locker rooms with you or competing against you."
Reporter: "Thanks Tugg! Good luck this week."
Tugg: "Anytime! Go Royals baby!"
Reporter: " Hi Tugg, this is the first time we have been able to sit down with you since the halfway point of last season. How are things going? How are you feeling after the Ultimini loss to the Tijuana Luchadores?"
Tugg: "Yeah, it's been awhile since we've had a chance to sit down and talk about me. I'm doing fine, as much as I wanted that Utimini championship, the London Royals and myself both had fantastic seasons. We did a lot of winning and set some records while doing it. The loss to Tijuana will always kind of sting but a loss doesn't define me or this team. We'll bounce back, whether it's with me back with London or me being called straight up to the International Simulation Football League. Time will tell."
Reporter: "Well, that leads me to my next question. How is the draft process going for you? Are there any teams that stand out to you through this process?"
Tugg: "The draft process has been great. I have enjoyed talking to all of the scouts and General Managers around the International Simulation Football League. Some teams have certainly set themselves atop my own personal list for possible landing spots. I have told every single person that has talked to me during this process that I am willing to go anywhere, and I truly mean that. I love the idea of either following in the footsteps of previous great wide receivers and surpassing them on established teams or being a trail blazer with an expansion team and carving my own path. I have also told all of them that I am willing to change positions to running back and quarterback if needed. I am a versatile player and no matter where I play, I am a game changer and will help you win."
Reporter: "I know I can say that if you are a one and done we will miss you here in London, but if you are back for one last go, we will cherish every moment you're here."
Tugg: "London has been a great place for me to be. I love the city, I love the fans, I love my General Managers, and most importantly I love my teammates. There are a lot of us going into this upcoming draft and I look forward to either continuing to play alongside of any of them if it happens but even more so competing against them. If I'm drafted but need to stay down another season, I've told every team that I have talked to that I would be willing to do that. It would give me another shot at an Ultimini Championship down here in the Developmental Simulation Football League but also gives me more time to develop and win Rookie of the Year in the International Simulation Football League. I love winning but I love achievement and accomplishments even more. I want people to remember my name and my greatness. No better way than to just do both!"
Reporter: "That leads me to my next topic... records! Tell us how you're feeling about having your name in the Developmental Simulation Football League and London Royals record books!?"
Tugg: "It is an awesome feeling. My hard work and natural talent translating from the field to paper. It's what you always want to see. It was awesome to get the yards record and if I had one more catch, I believe I would have broken the receptions record for the London Royals. I had a slow start to the season, everyone knows that as I was pretty vocal about it and put in extra work with my guy Cortez. It's to no fault to my coaches or quarterback, our offense is absolutely stacked and it's the reason why I had the season I did and the season London had. Some might think that I'm not the best wide receiver in this upcoming draft, but the people that are saying that aren't paying attention. I am the best wide receiver in this draft and I think you'll see that."
Reporter: "I am sure we will! You had set some goals for yourself before last season had started. We wanted to reflect on those and get your take on them. You were pretty close on them, so I don't think you'll be overly disappointed. Here is the excerpt from that interview...
"While I want to be reasonable for expectations, I want to really challenge myself. I want to haul in at least sixty receptions this year and hit the one thousand yard mark. My biggest goal is to hit at least six touchdowns on the year as well. I want to score and I want to score often. This team is so exceptional especially on offense, so there's no reason I can't at least get close on some of these goals that I've set."
Playing that back, you crushed your receptions goal by 13, you came up short on the yards goal by 159, and came up short on your touchdown goal by 2. Thoughts?"
Tugg: "It's funny to go back and hear myself give those without much knowledge of team records but I was and still am ambitious. I did crush the receptions goal which is a testament to our game plan in London to get me the ball. As I mentioned before this London team is absolutely stacked so I can't be too upset coming up short on the yards goal as that one was a little lofty and the touchdown goal as our run game was also extremely potent this year. If I come back for another season, I will probably be throwing up the same goals that I did not quite meet but increase my receptions goal since I hit that one pretty easily. I think I can do this without my boy Cortez. He certainly made my life easier but I am who I am and that's the best damn wide receiver in the league."
Reporter: "If you're back, there is no doubt in our mind that you can build upon the amazing rookie season you had here in London. Going back to the International Simulation Football League draft. Who do you think is going to draft you or who do you think should draft you?"
Tugg: "Those are two different things unfortunately. Who SHOULD draft me? Everyone. I have said it over and over, I am a game changer however not every team has a need at wide receiver and there are some other exceptional players in this draft, many of them are my teammates in London. Based on my conversations and taking a look at teams depth chart and regression, I think I could end up with the Berlin Salamanders, Arizona Outlaws, Philadelphia Liberty, Honolulu Hahalua, and back to back Ultimus Champs San Jose Sabercats. I guess I will say that's my top 5 most likely places to land and I want to make sure this does not get taken out of context and reiterate that I am willing to go to any team, I just think I will be drafted by 1 of those 5".
Reporter: "Exciting times for an exciting wide receiver. Tugg thank you for your time. If this is my last chance to interview you while you're still a London Royal, thank you for making these interviews fun and helping this team win games and dominate."
Tugg: "We'll see, no goodbyes just yet. I do want to say one final thing. To the fans: thank you for coming out this season and being the best fans I have ever played in front of. To my coaches: Thank you for making this transition to the Developmental Simulation Football League easy and putting me in a position to dominate week in and week out. To my teammates: thank you for always being ready to play and rise up through the challenges. We may not have won it all this season but that will never take away what we did accomplish together. For those of you leaving after this season, good luck up there in the International Simulation Football League and those of you who are entering the draft this offseason with me, good luck and I look forward to changing locker rooms with you or competing against you."
Reporter: "Thanks Tugg! Good luck this week."
Tugg: "Anytime! Go Royals baby!"
Quote:1524 words
Also I hope this will count for some 1.5x media (I'm not sure if that's happening or not but it's draft week and I need money).
![[Image: G9HSj7o.png]](https://i.imgur.com/G9HSj7o.png)
![[Image: yVOZkN6.png]](https://i.imgur.com/yVOZkN6.png)
![[Image: HOF004-Speedman.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/258N4TJw/HOF004-Speedman.png)
