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Fourteen years have passed since we first sat at Snow Hall and learned that the 1st Battalion of the 158th Field Artillery regiment was being called up for service in Iraq. A lot has changed during that time, so let's take some time to catch up, this time with FDC Chiefs manager Stephen Pennington.
Are you still in the 158? If, not when did you get out?
PENNINGTON: No, I left the 158 at the end of September 2017 when I was hired on to AGR as a recruiter. What did you do post-deployment? PENNINGTON: After the 08-09 deployment to Iraq, I got on some Operation Warrior Training orders for a year helping train up units about to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. After that, I spent a couple years plumbing and a couple more in IT until I deployed to Afghanistan in 2014. Following that deployment, I went back to plumbing for a couple years until I ended up in AGR (recruiting for the Oklahoma National Guard). Where are your from and how did you make it into the 158? PENNINGTON: I was born and raised in Lawton, Oklahoma. I actually planned on joining the Marines. I went through the entire process down to picking my job and swearing in. Then I decided I wanted to think about my options. I ended up going with the National Guard for the college benefits and the fact that I could start school right away rather than waiting until I got out. I ended up in field artillery for a $10,000 bonus and the G.I. Bill kicker. Where do you live now? PENNINGTON: I still live in Lawton. I know, boring, but we like it here and have a lot of family in the area. What are your hobbies outside of FF? PENNINGTON: Did I mention I’m a recruiter? Not a lot of time for hobbies. But, when I do have time, I enjoy taking my daughter Harleigh fishing and going out to the movies with my wife, Michelle. 
What is your fantasy background? How long have you played FF? How many different leagues?
PENNINGTON: I started playing in 2008. I was bored in Fort Hood during mobilization and drafted a team on CBS Sports. I’ve played in at least one league every year since then on multiple platforms, sometimes up to 10 in a year. I really cannot say how many. I wish they were all on Yahoo so I could track it easier. How many championships have you won? How many have you finished second in? PENNINGTON: Again, I played a lot on ESPN, CBS, and NFL before and after coming to Yahoo, and I do not have or remember all of those stats. But, on Yahoo, I have one first-place trophy and six second-place trophies. What is your general strategy in FF? PENNINGTON: I typically use the first five to seven rounds on RB/WR and then get a couple late round QBs and TEs. Defense and kicker are always the last two picks. How much preparation do you do before each season? PENNINGTON: All of it. Do you find you draft better at the cabin with the guys or at home online? PENNINGTON: On the road in a HMMWV isn’t an option? I guess I’ll go with the cabin. Will you be at the draft cabin next year? PENNINGTON: Hopefully. What is the best move you've made in FF? PENNINGTON: 1. Not drafting Michael Vick in 2011; 2. Drafting Travis Kelce in 2014; 3. Picking up Tyreek Hill off of waivers in 2016. What is your favorite FF memory? What is the pinnacle of your FF career? PENNINGTON: My favorite memory is winning a game by less than a point thanks to a Monday Night Miracle. Got the edge from an interception to close out the game. My pinnacle will be winning the Liberty Bowl, which I haven’t reached yet.
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Fourteen years have passed since we first sat at Snow Hall and learned that the 1st Battalion of the 158th Field Artillery regiment was being called up for service in Iraq. A lot has changed during that time, so let's take some time to catch up, this time with Orangebloods manager Randy McKay.
Are you still in the 158? If, not when did you get out?
McKAY: No, I medically retired in November 2009. What did you do post-deployment? McKAY: I worked as supervisor of the Pottawatomie County Jail. Where are your from and how did you make it into the 158? McKAY: I'm originally from Vernon, Texas. I married a young lady from Duncan, Oklahoma and, after spending 12 years on active duty, I decided to transfer over to the national guard and allow her to move closer to her family. Where do you live now? McKAY: McLoud, Oklahoma. What are your hobbies outside of FF? McKAY: I coach seven club volleyball teams and train quarterhorses for cutting competition. 
What is your fantasy background?
McKAY: I started playing in a money league in 2004 and won eight championships throughout the years. But I stopped playing in 2013. It was just was very time-consuming with constant updates and following player news info through the week. I started playing in the OIL in 2015 with the approach of just having fun and it not being so stressful. It's more for kicks and, if I win a championship, awesome. If not, I still have the opportunity to speak with my brothers-in-arms. How long have you played FF? McKAY: That 2004 league was my first, but I've played in multiple leagues every year since. How many different leagues? McKAY: Throughout the years, I would estimate I have played in about 20 different leagues . . . some for money and some for entertainment. How many championships have you won? How many have you finished second in? McKAY: I've won a total of 32 championships and nine second-places finishes (also known as first loser). Is 32 championships a typo? McKAY: No. I've played 15 years with a minimum of five leagues per year, sometimes more. A lot of them were public leagues, but I won the money league quite a bit. What is your general strategy in FF? McKAY: I have approached with the mind set of picking top man on the board the first few rounds and filling in the remaining starters in the mid rounds. I usually reach for a few sleepers and a kicker in the last few rounds. How much preparation do you do before each season? McKAY: I used to spend hours throughout the summer in preparation for the next season. I'd follow on-the-field and off-the-field issues. I paid close attention to contracts and issues that would arise, if players were holding out or were underperforming. Lifestyles of players would be taken into account to account for suspensions that may occur during the season. But these days, not so much effort. I just like to have fun and enjoy being in touch with the guys. Do you find you draft better at the cabin with the guys or at home online? McKAY: I have not had the opportunity to enjoy time at the cabin, so I've drafted from home every OIL season. I would love to come do the live draft in person, so I will put that in the works. Will you be at the draft cabin next year? McKAY: I have that plan in place. What is the best move you've made in FF? McKAY: Like I said, I started playing in a money league in 2004, which was a keeper league. We could carry three players from season to season. My first three players picked in my first-ever draft at the number six pick were, in order: Adrian Peterson; Peyton Manning; and Randy Moss, hence the reason championships came pretty often. What is your favorite FF memory? McKAY: Winning my first championship in my first season against much more experienced fantasy football players. They were all OU fans and passed on Peterson, letting him fall into my lap. Now, I'm just happy to have fun and build memories back home with my brothers, knowing that we all will wake up safe in the morning. Remembering the blood and lives lost that gives us this opportunity is special.
Fourteen years have passed since we first sat at Snow Hall and learned that the 1st Battalion of the 158th Field Artillery regiment was being called up for service in Iraq. A lot has changed during that time, so let's take some time to catch up, this time with Cocks manager J.P. Peacock.
Are you still in the 158? If, not when did you get out?
PEACOCK: No, I was put on stop loss for the deployment. So, shortly after we came home, I turned in my sand-covered supplies and got out. What did you do post-deployment? PEACOCK: I went to back work like the rest of the world, but it felt like coming home from a vacation! Where are your from and how did you make it into the 158? PEACOCK: From the capital of Stephens County: Comanche, Oklahoma. [Editor's note: The capital, or county seat, of Stephens County is Duncan.] I joined the guard in 2001 at the Duncan armory with a few other guys. Where do you live now? PEACOCK: I am just a few miles on the other side of town now. What are your hobbies outside of FF? PEACOCK: I feel like I have forgotten what hobbies are these days. Like most young guys with a family, I just work. 
What is your fantasy background? How long have you played FF?
PEACOCK: I played the first year in the OIL, but then I didn't think I had enough time to keep up with it. A few years later, we started a league at the office so I jumped back in. I've played in four or five leagues a few years now, maybe eight years in total. How many championships have you won? How many have you finished second in? PEACOCK: I haven't won any at the moment, but I have a few second-place finishes at the office and a couple third-place finishes in the OIL. What is your general strategy in FF? PEACOCK: Make draft picks that blow your mind (Sam Bradford for example). How much preparation do you do before each season? PEACOCK: It depends on the year, but I usually start some research about a month out from draft day. Do you find you draft better at the cabin with the guys or at home online? PEACOCK: It's a great time at the cabin with the guys, but I feel like I might stay a little more focused somewhere else. Will you be at the draft cabin next year? PEACOCK: Possibly. What is the best move you've made in FF? PEACOCK: I don't really know. I take fantasy football one day at a time, so every move I make is the greatest move I've ever made. [Editor's note: Peacock's best move is unquestionably adding Matt Ryan on waivers after the first week of the 2016 season. The move only cost him Dak Prescott, and Ryan finished as the number-two QB that season.] What is your favorite FF memory? What is the pinnacle of your FF career? PEACOCK: For less than a full year, I was tied for the longest winning streak I think at eight or nine. But I think that was beat this last year. Well, now that I think of it, it might have been the longest losing streak. Someone will have to check on that. [Editor's note: It was the longest losing streak; not the longest winning streak. But Mike Rogers's AMMODOGS "broke" that record in 2018, going a perfect 0-13.] OKLAHOMA CITY –– There's an old saying that justice delayed is justice denied, but, when delayed justice is all you can offer, you suck it up and do the right thing. Over the first 13 weeks in 2009, the Arrogant Americans went 9-4. They then won three straight to finish Week 16 at 12-4. But they weren't champions. Why? Because that was the one season the league used a 14-week schedule, pushing the championship to Week 17.
Due to the commissioner's incompetence, the 'Mericans first had to beat a first-round opponent due to there being no first-round bye in 2009. They won again in Week 15 (present-day semifinals week) and Week 16 (present-day championship week). Then, in Week 17, they faced the ThroatPunchers and lost after injuries to Wes Welker and Maurice Jones-Drew and Week 17-restings of other star players. But the 'Mericans would have beaten the ThroatPunchers in Week 16. And they would have won in Weeks 14, 15, and 16, when they averaged 193.95 points per game (due to seeding, they would have avoided the Wolverines and their 220 points in Week 15). Their final record, under current scheduling rules, would be 11-4 with more than 165 points scored per game. And that season ranks fifth in OIL history in OPR (1.265), while the ThroatPunchers' 2009 season ranks 130th (1.026). Therefore, the OIL is officially recognizing Justin C. Cliburn and the Arrogant Americans as the true champions of 2009. That proclamation also means that Cliburn is officially the first manager to win four OIL championships. When reached for comment, Cliburn said, "although I know there will be pushback, I am grateful that a wrong was righted. I just wonder why it took so long when [Kevin] Pyle's 2008 title was retroactively recognized back in 2012." As is custom, the OIL checking account has been drafted $200 to purchase a championship jersey and mini-helmet for the 'Mericans. Pictures will be posted in approximately six weeks. |
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