Thank you, Better League

by TrueToATLRiseUp | 3 years ago | 0 Comments

Brothers of the Better League, 

As you might have guessed, I am writing this today to inform you all that I am retiring from the Better League today. You might ask, "Why would he make such a big deal like this?" The truth is, I did not see myself being in this position even a few short months ago but because how much I care about not only this league as a whole but especially each individual member. 

 

You probably suspect the reason I'm leaving is because of the extreme lack of success which is absolutely true to an extent. While I love the team building aspect just as much as anyone else, all that building leading to little or no payoff is incredibly discouraging. Other factors have led to this choice as well: having more time for life/work; simply not enjoying playing the game; officially outlasting Tom Brady. Ultimately, it doesn't matter but what is important to me is for the members of this great league to know that they, alone, were the driving force that kept me coming back for more, week in and week out. 

 

After 4 years in BL, I can tell you looking back that I never expected this league to play such a huge impact in my life but I am damn glad it did. Many of you I've known for those 4 years now, some even longer going back to former CFM's, and I can honestly say I am beyond grateful and have no regrets of all the time I've spent with my "internet friend." The truth is, many of you guys I would consider closer than some of my IRL friends. I was lucky enough to be able to meet some of you in Miami and that was absolutely one of the top moments in my life. 

 

I'm not going anywhere.. I'll be around in slack on occasion. Probably (hopefully) not as active as before but will still be there to root on Taint when he makes the playoffs, give Connor hell when the Dawgs beat Florida and shoot the shit in general with all you guys. That being said, I wanted to give a few words to each user to thank you guys for everything you've done for BL in my time here. 

 

Chase, 

What better guy to set the tone. We've had the opportunity to compete on the virtual gridiorn many times over the last several year and it's always a treat. One of the few guys I've talked to and know how honest and down to earth you are. In many ways, I look up to you as an example of what a user in BL and generally what a person should be and act like. Know that I'll still be here for all of your cap/trade questions whenever you have them and wishing you and your family all the best. 

Nick, 

We go back quite a ways. I've not always been completely fair to you but I think you now know that you really have been one of the best league members I've been around over many years. Despite, not being as active in slack as others, it's always felt natural talking sports or life with you. I'm grateful for your ability to lead by example of keeping your head down and putting in the work. 

Lucky, 

This is really a special one for me because I've felt like this is truly one of the best evolving friendships in my life despite us never actually having the opportunity to meet (yet). Like several others, we go back many years and our communication with each other has not exactly always come from the purest of intentions. That said, we're now in a place where I feel like I can come talk to you about things that I wouldn't be able to talk about with the closest people in my life. You are truly a wonderful friend and a better person and while I could go on and on here, I mostly just want to say thank you. 

Little Alex, 

I told you recentely that I see a lot of myself in you. I still believe that. Fortunately for you, that's only the good parts. Your drive to be the very best and never being satisfied will not only help you in madden but in life. If I could buy stock in anyone in this league or anyone I've met playing video games, there's no question, it would be in you. As far as madden is concerned, I truly believe that the sky is the limit and that you have the potential to one day become a pro. There's nothing more I would love to see. 

Morty, 

The true OG. You've always been someone not only me but the entire league can look to aspire to become in BL. 4 rings sure helps but ultimately it's your demeanor and your fairness that sets you apart. I truly look at you with a unique admiration even when you're not in a robe. The years and years of time and work that you've dedicated really makes me wonder how lucky I am to be in a league with you. I'll miss playing against you, seeing you settle down hostile arguments but mostly your ability to observe and think rather than react which makes you a truly inspirational person. 

P Town, 

I know we haven't hardly known each other for long but you certainly can make an impression. I am so happy for you that you found BL and that BL found you because you seem like the type of person who will really thrive. Don't ever let the haters tell you what you should and shouldn't do but also feel free to shoot me a DM and ask my opinion on any significant Falcons roster moves. 

Gamble, 

I look back very fondly on our days in the M19 AFC West. A large majority of the league was not around to witness some intense battles we had back in the day. I really due credit that cycle and specifically our games as to the inspiration to try to grind and become better. You've somehow mastered the art of being strongly opinionated yet also discreet and knowledgable at the same time. I'll be rooting for you throughout the rest of this cycle and beyond. 

Connor, 

Woo boy this is a tough one. Absolutely one of the most genuine and caring people I've ever had the honor of knowing. While I consider myself lucky to call everyone in this league my friend, it absolutely is a privilege to have you as one of the best friends I have in this world. Please don't ever hesitate to reach out to me if there is anything at all I can do for you and know that if you need a teammate for BLFC, I'll be there. I am beyond grateful for all the things you've done to make this league so incredibly awesome. 

Tim, 

It's difficult for me to admit appreciating a Packers fan but it's been so much fun to compete with you over the last few years. Even though you are not the outgoing type in slack, you were the very first person to volunteer to help me with the tradecommittee and that commitment was matched by your contributions, thoughtfulness and reliability. Finding out that you work in agriculture makes all the sense in the world and I would be lucky to meet more people like yourself. 

Bos, 

To be honest, I really didn't know to expect from you after you came to BL. We had not talked much in previous CFM's but I knew you loved to play and that became elevated even more when you joined the league. I and we are so lucky to have someone thousands of miles away who is so dedicated to BL and the people in it. It's very clear how much you care and I consider I would be monumentally grateful to have the opportunity to meet you across the pond. 

Dan, 

Dan you're one guy here that I know in my heart I don't have to explain how grateful I am for you're being here. Most everyone doesn't know that after a short stint in the original Madden City, it was you who pulled me back into the CFM landscape back in 2018. I can only imagine how much my life would be different if you hadn't sent me that message. I will forever be thankful. Your work ethic is unmatched. I've always known I can come to you and be completely honest and open. Getting to hang out together in Miami only strengthend the belief I had in you being a truly and deeply good person. It's crazy to imagine that you're still so young and I consider myself beyond lucky to call you a dear and close friend. Don't be a stranger with anything you need. Who knows, maybe I'll get that DM from Dan Rainone again this summer. 

Alex, 

I don't even know where to begin. When I first met you, you were the leader of the evil empire of BL who came to Madden City, took Gordon Reisner to new heights and organized a intra-league tournament to prove your dominance over us. I had no idea what your real vision is for BL until I finally joined. Leadership is a quality that most people believe they posses, to some extent. Never in my 28 years have I met a leader who I could believe in more than you. When I really think about what you've done for this league, it's almost impossible to believe yet you were there to do it. I know that only you could've put this together and without you, my life would have been completely different. You're my Aurora brother but you will always be my actual brother through anything. 

Caiden, 

While we did have some fun battles in your first stint in the league, I never truly got to understand who you are as a person. Over the last several months, I've been fortunate enough to learn how good of a guy you really are. Despite all the shit you get for scheduling, you somehow manage to still speak directly and respectfully which tells me a lot about your nature. In madden, you've got the tools to put it all together and I believe you will and can't wait to see it. 

Chap, 

I have a lot of Chiefs fans in my family and none of them can compare to you and how you live your life. Despite some ups and downs in madden, you're always excited and ready to have a good time which is one of the coolest characteristics any person can have. We go back several years and multiple leagues and during every year and in every league I've been grateful to have the opportunity to battle it out with you. If you make the drive out to Denver for a Chiefs Broncos game, just know the first round is one me. 

Ryan, 

I don't think there's anyone in this league that I've shared more DM's with. It sounds crazy but I will actually miss the late night trade negotiations. In all seriousness, it's so much fun to be in a league with you. You are a genuinly fun guy to talk to and I can only imagine how much fun it would be to hang out. I really do hope we get that opportunity. I hope and expect to hear from you in your future madden life and outside of it. 

Cody, 

Man, what an absolute brother. 5+ years of being in leagues with you and it really has never not been anything short of awesome. There's no one I've met online before that I can look up to in every single way. We call each other brothers but I really to look to you as I would a big brother. I think back over all the years of battles and jokes and even toxicitiy we had with each other and I wouldn't change a minute of it. I can truly say that you have absolutely made me a better person. It felt like all those years led up to Miami where, even though we were meeting for the first time, it felt like seeing your best friend for the first time in years. I'll always look up to you and can't wait to see where the next chapter in your life takes you. 

Warrior Monk, 

Though we haven't been in a league for very long, it's so cool to think about what you've got ahead of you. I admire your stubborness when I came into the DM's and your success on the field does not surprise me in the slightest. I hope you do stick around in BL because you absolutely have the opportunity to become one of the greats. 

Kiing, 

Even though we've given each other plenty of shit, I know that there is a ton of mutual respect between the two of us and that really is incredibly invaluable. I've never once not had fun playing against you in madden and your personality and what you bring to the chat is something I look forward to every time I open the app. I know I'm not the only one who is rooting for you to get a ring and I know you want it badly which is half the battle. 

Cam, 

One of the most sincere and kind people that I can imagine have ever been in any CFM. We go back a long way but I can't recall ever feeling an ounce of animosty with you. Even during serious discussions or toxic arguments, you keep it light. It sounds simple, but you just wanting to have fun is something I deeply admire. The type of person you've always been is someone who I strive to be and I hope we stay in touch. 

Austin, 

I've always had a sincere admiration for several of your strengths, really. Going back over 5 years, you've always know exactly what you want and made that clear. Not only that but more often than not, you've been successful in achieving those lofty goals. That characteristic puts you apart and absolutely makes you someone I strive to be more like. Despite all that, you are a very respectful person, no matter the circumstance. Somehow, after all those years of success in sports, virtual or not, you keep the same drive while also acknowledging and respecting the opponet. I've been incredibly lucky to know you over these last several years and not getting the opportunity to meet you in Miami only makes me want to meet up in Vegas or wherever even more. 

Cloud, 

This is going to sound a little random but back a little over a year ago, after a tough loss, I had said something about wanting to go get high and listen to Kanye. You couldn't agree more and weirdly after that moment I felt like we had somewhat of a connection that others in the league don't. Of course, it goes much deeper than that. You have done such an incredibly wonderful jobs of somehow balancing tons of life changes with madden while obviously putting an emphasis on the latter. I look at where you are now and I know there's more great things to come. I hope I'm there to witness it. 

Kook, 

We've been in this awesome league together for years now and even in the same division I've never had the privilege of getting to know you as well as I'd like to. Nevertheless, on the sticks, you've provided the perfect example of a never give up mentality. It seems like that is finally paying off for you now here in Madden 22 and your success has only just begun. Though I won't be as attached to BL as I have been, I will be sure to keep a close eye on your Jaguars and you continue to climb the ranks. 

Taint, 

One of my absolutely favorite people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I really was disappointed not to meet you in Miami because you're so fun to talk to and joke with in chat and I can only imagine what a great time we'd have together. Despite your easy going personality, you really have made me a better person in so many ways. You've made me kinder, happier, more grateful and apparently worse at madden. I want to kid around with you even here but it's important for me that you know that I absolutely consider you one of my best friends and am here for any and everything you need. 

Hero, 

Though we've been in leagues together for years, it's felt like only recently have I truly gotten an appreciation for how good of a person you really are. There is no one in this league that was more deserving of a championship than you. Your work/life/madden balance is almost impossible to imagine. I'm so happy for you and your family for everything you've earned over the last few years. I think you might be the most good person through and through that I've had the pleasure of getting to know. 

Steel, 

It's been a whirlwind of competition between us over the last few years. We've disagreed, argued, been toxic with each other even in the recent past but I fully hope that we've reached a level of mutual respect which will always be there. Some of the best games I've played in any madden have come against you, many of which I can still vivedly recall to this day. Regardless of all the bs we've given each other, it was so awesome to see all of your hard work come together in a championship. I don't know anyone in this league as dedicated to his craft as you and that's incredibly rare. 

CMass, 

Looking back to the early M20 days, it was hard for me to imagine this league getting much better. You quickly made me realize that not only was that possible but your contributions could take this league to a completely different level. I have a very deep and sincere admiration for your love for this league. Your additions never once went unnoticed and I want you to know how incredibly grateful I am for everything you've done for BL. 

Duhooty, 

We go back further than just about anyone. For a long time, I thought of you as a madden juggernaut who's life goal was to demoralize anyone who opposed them on this virtual football video game. After years of getting to know you, it's become abundently clear that you are much, much more than that. Of all the great things you've accomplished on and off the virtual gridiron, your relentlessness will be something I will always aspire to match. 

Payne, 

You know you're my boy and will be. It's a shame the CL bowl will be finally be put to rest but maybe we can have a Prosponsive bowl sometime in the future. Seriously though I am so glad that you joined BL and love it as much as anyone else here. Non madden related, I put Mahant on a load today and saw your post about DNU for back when I was in Marietta. Ahh the good ol days. 

Phil, 

We've had the pleasure of being in this great league for a long time and you've always been a mainstay. I had hoped you might be swayed from the Broncos this cycle but ultimately am happy you've been able to continuously get your teams that you have so much fun playing with. While the days of your dominance might be behind us, it's your consistency that has been truly remarkable. I can't think of anyone other than maybe Morty who year in and year out has been a game on the schedule you circle and know you have to bring it. 

Kumar, 

Since you joined BL, having you around has been everything I had hoped for and more. You're fun to talk to and to play against and are always on the hunt to continue to improve. Even when you have had struggles, you always have kept that level headedness which I can only attribute to your stubborness. For most people, being stubborn is a weakness that comes back to bite them but from day 1 it's been clear that it's your greatest strength and somehow made it admirable, a truly unique and impressive skill. 

Justin, 

Last but not least. I've given you more shit than anyone over the years. Deep down, I hope you know how grateful I am to call you my friend. Everything you've done for me and the league is something I will be forever grateful for. Of course you're not perfect, no one is, but you are a genuinly good person who wants the best for himself and those around him. That is what seperates you and makes you the terrific man you've become. You've still got many years ahead of you, hopefully with quite a few in BL. You will not have a bigger fan cheering you on from the sidelines. 

 

Thank you to all of you for everything you have done for me and this league. These words only scratch the surface on how grateful I really am. I love you and will miss you all. 

 

Ben Tennant