[07.19.04]
Written by: Bob Pinter

For the Love of the Game

[07.19.04] (Somewhere in Hawaii) -- The hot July sun was the backdrop for this summer's PWFFL Picnic. Last year's fantasy football elite gathered in an undisclosed location in the Pacific, to look back on the previous season, talk about expectations, and maybe throw some smack toward the PWFFL ownership. This was a private party started a few years ago by a group of since-retired stars...who just wanted an excuse to have some fun with friends in the days before protection lists and training camps. No owners. No media. Just a group of men who were the best at what they did.

"You think we'll win something this year?" Green Bay Fudgepackers kicker Ryan Longwell wondered aloud.

"Not likely!" shouted Kalamazoo Vikings receiver Keyshawn Johnson, showing off his new 2003 PWFFL championship ring.

"Man, I'm already pumped to get into camp," Yoopers QB Byron Leftwich said, in between bites of fried chicken. "This is our year, baby!"

"You gotta knock us off, first, punk!" Johnson's teammate Ricky Williams shot back.

In between the laughing and jawing, Seattle Slimy Slugs receiver Marvin Harrison ran to the parking lot and grabbed a football out of the back of his Hummer. "What do you say we settle it then, boys?" he asked the group.

The players looked at Harrison, then at each other. "Here? Now?" you could hear some of them.

Payton Manning of the Rhode Island Ridicule stood up. "I like that idea," he said with a smile.

"I'm in," Wisconsin's Priest Holmes declared.

"Let's do it!" Harrison yelled.

The players quickly found their teammates and split up. Shoes and frisbees were thrown down to mark end zones. A quarter was quickly found for the first game.

"It's a tourney," Keyshawn explained. "Top four teams from last year get byes, the other eight will face off based on how they finished."

Looking across to his Kalamazoo foes, Detroit Drive running back William Green smiled at Jamal Lewis. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah," Lewis replied.

"SWITCH!" They both yelled at the same time as they ran across the field, Lewis removing his shirt to signify his new team.

"Oh, what is this!?" Johnson cried out.

"Hey, man, we're traded," Lewis laughed. "I ain't playing for that team no more."

"Well, then neither am I," shouted Vikings QB Kurt Warner. Warner jogged over to the Timbuktu Buccanneers group, where several of his new teammates slapped him on the back.

"Okay, are we done now?" Keyshawn asked aloud. "Green Bay and Wisconsin, you're up first. The rest of you, find a sideline!"

As the players slowly moved off the field, Slugs running back LaDanian Tomlinson walked up to Drive quarterback David Carr and put his arm around him. "Why don't you play with us today?" he asked. Carr gave him a surprised look. "Just try it," Tomlinson said. "I think you'll like it."

And so began the first day of subplots, rumors, and speculation about the 2004 PWFFL season...and a group of guys just playing for the love of the game....

More to come! Green Bay and Wisconsin Up Next!