(S2) - Weekend PT #6 - Childhood Hero

[Roshambo]

Growing up it was easy to see who Dominic Verns saw as a hero on the gridiron. His first jersey, the first football card he framed, the first player he wanted to grow up to become just like - Brian Urlacher. Growing up in Chicago gave Dom plenty of chances to go see his idol in person. He loved his tenacity, his natural leadership, but most of all his innate ability to make impact plays and turn the tide of a game. Now as a player in the NSFL, Verns has even gone on record that he tries to model his game off the legendary Bear. Though not a full transition, Verns too has made the jump from safety to linebacker, though only in certain packages. Most saw Urlacher make the complete change when Chicago selected him out of New Mexico in 2000 NFL Draft. Verns even initially considered going to New Mexico himself to follow the footsteps, but eventually deciding to attend Notre Dame hoping for more exposure. At last year's NSFL Awards Gala Dominic was introduced to a former conditioning coach of Urlacher’s and they were able to set up a co-training session. Dom was all smiles when asked how the training went - “I’ll tell you what, he could still be playing, I shit you not. I’m still a bit sore and that workout was two weeks ago.”



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[kckolbe]

How could you not respect Sammy Baugh? Growing up, Brown was a legend to Kevin Cushing. Despite there being some great players during his time, the moment Cushing learned about Baugh, no one else measured up. A lot of players claim to be able to do it all, the classic “jack of all trades” types. Baugh was not that. He was the KING of all trades. This is a guy who, in one season (1943), was the leading quarterback, the leading cornerback, and the leading punter. Somehow, though, despite that, he wasn’t voted most valuable player. Sid Luckman won and I will never understand why. Hell, in one game that year he threw four touchdowns and had four interceptions. He didn’t throw four interceptions. He caught them. Oh, and his career punt average is still second-best in the entire history of the NFL, and he has the best single season punt average ever. So he’s got that.

Even at QB, one of the most contested positions in the Hall of Fame, Baugh is arguably the best ever. He led the league in completion percentage SEVEN times in his career, one of his seasons still ranking as one of the best ever. In fact, he is still the only QB to record six seasons as leading passer, the only one to have five seasons with the lowest interception percentage.

[AsylumParty]

It's hard to pick just one player that stood out amongst the plethora of stars that Dustin Evans watched with envy as a child. From Ray Lewis, to Ed Reed, to Chris McCallister, the Ravens defense was a spectacle to behold. In fact, they're the reason that Evans grew up playing as a defensive back. He trained his speed and his hands, but as he matured and began to recognize his potential as more than just a hobby or a dream, he fell naturally into a wide receiver role.

That's when he really focused in on one player. The guy that stood out the most to Evans was, and still is, Anquan Boldin. Lucky for Evans, he's playing today, and he's talented as ever.

When watching Evans play its easy to see the similarities, even in the measurables. They're both six feet tall, both two hundred twenty something pounds, and they're both talented possession receivers.

If there's one player that a receiver could model themselves after, not one person would call it a bad decision if you chose Boldin. It'll be interesting to watch Evans develop over the coming seasons to see how closely his maturity aligns as well.

[cosbornballboy]

As a child, the player that Ricardo Sandoval always looked up to the most was Jorge Sandoval Jr., his uncle, who played tight end and fullback for the Norfolk Lightning of the ZGMFL (@124715). He played for a record 20 seasons, and was one of the all time greats. When the league folded, Sandoval was determined to make it in the NSFL, and even though the ZGMFL is back up and running, Sandoval would not leave the NSFL for the world.

But back to father. Sandoval Jr set countless records in the ZGMFL, including, (but not limited to), most receiving yards in a game (576), most receiving touchdowns in a game (6 in the same game), and most wins amassed in a career, where his record all time was 283-31, not including postseason. He was enshrined in San Diego, CA at the ZGMFL Hall of Fame, with an entire hallway dedicated to himself. Jorge Sandoval Jr. only ended his career when he was killed by the Mexican drug cartel whilst smuggling his son over the border after a trip to his home in Tijuana, MX.

Ricardo Sandoval is dedicated to living out his dreams and proving to his father his death was not in vain.

[Blaster]

Blaster Blade's childhood hero has to be Reggie White. Reggie White was a complete monster on Blade's favorite team, the Green Bay Packers. It was like a dream watching Reggie White break through the offensive line and create havoc for the opposing offensive gameplan. Blade is number 92 because of Reggie White. Blade played football because of Reggie White. Blaster Blade became who he is because of Reggie White. Reggie White past away at a relatively young age, the entire world of football was saddened by his death as many knew the impact he had on the game, and the people around him. Blade was extremely saddened by Reggie White's death as Blade looked up to Reggie. Reggie inspired Blaster Blade to become who he is today in the National Sim Football League. Blade will forever remember Reggie White and his dominance on the field, and off the field.

[Silver Fox]

Fox North’s favorite player growing up was Larry Fitzgerald. Every year, for going on 13 years now, Fox doesn’t miss a Cardinals game. Larry does it all, and just when you think he’s finally on the way out, he switches to the slot and goes right back to relevancy once more. So many NFL players have character concerns – but not Larry! He’s a great guy, a good leader, a fantastic receiver, and Fox hopes he lasts one more year and finally gets that Superbowl ring he so richly deserves.

Fox is also a huge fan of David Johnson; he and Larry make a great team. Watching Larry throw a great block is also an area that hugely impressed itself on Fox’s young mind, and he hasn’t let his own blocking skill slip just in case an opportunity to help like Fitz always does presents itself. Larry’s only misfortune is not getting to the superbowl more than once, Superbowl XLIII, in which he was responsible for the Cardinals hanging in there longer than they otherwise would have. Larry’s a future hall of famer for sure, and Fox hopes he can be at the Superbowl should that happen. In the meantime, Fox will continue to work on his hands in the hopes that one day he’ll be as good of a receiver as Larry Fitzgerald.

[iamslm22]

As a teenager growing up in Brooklyn New York, Avon Blocksdale was a huge Jets fan. He remembers the 2006 NFL draft really well, as the Jets the fourth overall pick. Avon remembers sitting there hoping they would take New York Native D'Brickashaw Ferguson with the pick. Avon was not disappointed as the Jets, shockingly, made the correct choice. Ferguson was a success for the Jets and Avon was a huge fan. There are not many big offensive lineman coming from New York, and to have someone like D-Brick was huge for Avon. Ferguson wound up starting at left tackle on all 160 games of his ten year career, making him the most durable offensive lineman in NFL history. Ferguson was a three time Pro Bowler in the league, making it all three years from 09-11. Of all of these stats, the most impressive about Ferguson is clearly the amount of plays he had. Of ten thousand seven hundred and eight possible plays Ferguson played in an insane ten thousand seven hundred and seven! He missed on hail mary multi lateral attempt play to end a game and that is it. Avon strives for that longevity and fortunately in the NSFL he will not have to worry about that, given the amazing powers of TPE and the fact that NO PLAYER IN NSFL HISTORY has missed a game due to injury.

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[Vikain]

[Bayley]

Benson Bayley's favorite player growing up was Harald Hasselbach. Hasselbach was a Defensive End for the Denver Broncos and a 2 time Super Bowl Champion. He started 10 games in 1995 when Benson was a young kid. He was a guy from the Netherlands similarly to Bayley who was from Amsterdam as well. He has learned a little bit from Hasselbach who was more than willing to give his attention and tips to Bayley. This guy was absolutely a class act and someone to base your entire role as. He is a model to keep in mind and Bayley will surely reach out when the struggles come up.

In addition to Hasselbach, Bayley was a very big Ty Law fan. Law had a swagger about him which was confidence, but he would absolutely back it up. He talked a little more than Bayley will, but he really will form his entire playing style to that of Ty Law. He really enjoyed watching the New England Patriots when he was young so immediately saw Ty Law as someone of impact. He was absolutely disappointed when Law when to the Jets, however, the Patriots put him in the Patriots Hall of Fame. This just shows how impact he was during the power years of the New England Patriots.

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[HalfEatenOnionBagel]

Micah's favorite player to watch growing up was none other than perhaps the greatest tight end of all time, Mr. Tony Gonzalez. Micah didn't even really like the Chiefs, but Tony Gonzalez, that guy was a heck of a football player. He was huge, but he could run and catch, he was a true weapon for his quarterback and a nightmare for defenses. And try to find someone who had something bad to say about the guy, he was definitely a class act. Rarely was he making headlines for saying or doing something stupid; he was well known for his performance on the field. That's probably the biggest reason Micah respected him the most. Plus what a fun name to say: Gonzalez.

Growing up Micah would always try to be like the great tight end, from playing football in the back yard to when he played tight end in high school. But alas, a skillset like that is extremely rare and by the time he got to college, Micah realized he wouldn't make it as a tight end and instead played offensive lineman. Although he had to give up on his dream of being the next Gonzalez, he's pretty happy being the biggest guy on the field and knocking people on their asses every week.