I’m going to write a personal “What If?” Jed Podolak came into the league as a RB DSFL waiver at the end of S18. He stayed on with the Luchadores for S19 and wracked up 1544 yards – good for 2nd most in the league, and scored 11 TD – enough to tie for 2nd in that category as well.
Podolak excitedly headed off to New Orleans for the S20 season, but the Second Line did not need him at RB. Jed moved to WR and did ok as a ro0kie with 325 years and New Orleans WR2 or 3. The next year was a banner year, however, in New Orleans. Jed moved up to WR1 and he more than doubled his yards receiving to 782 with 5 TDs. But more importantly, S21 would see the Second Line defeat the Wraiths 33-13 to win the Ultimus! Jed had won the ultimate prize in only his second season in the ISFL. Guess that switch to WR was worth it.
But expansion came in S22 and the Ultimus winning Second Line was loaded. They could not protect everyone and so off Jed went to the Honolulu Hahaluas as their second pick in the expansion draft.
What if he had not? What if he had stayed in New Orleans?
The truth is that it is quite likely that Jed’s career would have ended shortly after that Ultimus. I had a lot of things going on IRL and my interest in the league had waned. But going to Honolulu and the challenge of an expansion team trying to fight for relevance was just the spark to keep Jed in the game. And he and I have been here in Honolulu ever since – the past 6 ½ seasons.
But all good things must come to an end. Regression has battered Jed and though he is still catching balls for TDs, his receiving totals are way down. He knows the truth. It’s time to hang up the cleats. At the end of this season, Jed will retire a Hahalua. The team he has played for their entire existence and the one he has called home for all but 2 of his ISFL seasons.
Thank you management, teammates, and fans of Honolulu!
Podolak excitedly headed off to New Orleans for the S20 season, but the Second Line did not need him at RB. Jed moved to WR and did ok as a ro0kie with 325 years and New Orleans WR2 or 3. The next year was a banner year, however, in New Orleans. Jed moved up to WR1 and he more than doubled his yards receiving to 782 with 5 TDs. But more importantly, S21 would see the Second Line defeat the Wraiths 33-13 to win the Ultimus! Jed had won the ultimate prize in only his second season in the ISFL. Guess that switch to WR was worth it.
But expansion came in S22 and the Ultimus winning Second Line was loaded. They could not protect everyone and so off Jed went to the Honolulu Hahaluas as their second pick in the expansion draft.
What if he had not? What if he had stayed in New Orleans?
The truth is that it is quite likely that Jed’s career would have ended shortly after that Ultimus. I had a lot of things going on IRL and my interest in the league had waned. But going to Honolulu and the challenge of an expansion team trying to fight for relevance was just the spark to keep Jed in the game. And he and I have been here in Honolulu ever since – the past 6 ½ seasons.
But all good things must come to an end. Regression has battered Jed and though he is still catching balls for TDs, his receiving totals are way down. He knows the truth. It’s time to hang up the cleats. At the end of this season, Jed will retire a Hahalua. The team he has played for their entire existence and the one he has called home for all but 2 of his ISFL seasons.
Thank you management, teammates, and fans of Honolulu!
