When the NSFL announced that it would expand in season 15, bringing in the Austin Copperheads and the Chicago Butchers, it was obvious that the course of the league would be changed by virtue of adding new teams. But what may not have been apparent was the ripple effect that the expansion draft would have on player movement across the league's existing teams. In order to avoid being taken in the expansion draft and saving his team a protection slot to keep its core together, star Orange County Otters safety/linebacker Danny Grithead decided to enter the free agency ring, with most speculating that he planned to sign for one season with a new team before subsequently returning to southern California. Grithead accepted a massive two year, $21 million contract with the Yellowknife Wraiths that could be voided after one season with a player option. He reportedly turned down even more money from the Philadelphia Liberty. If Grithead had chosen to stay with the Otters, or join another team, or leave Yellowknife in short order, league history would look very different as he stayed with the team for seven more seasons and became a key piece of one of the most dominant stretches of all time by a single team, Ultimus trophies notwithstanding. He eventually entered the Hall of Fame as a Wraith, and laid the groundwork for future Ultimus championships to come after his tenure.
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