Date: November 24, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Mondauk Park, Fort Washington PA
Event Description (from Facebook)
The Felix Bowl series has a long, complicated history. The first ever edition was held in February of 2008 (!). This was the first Giants-Pats Super Bowl and featured just two teams. One was deemed the Giants and one was the Patriots. Since the Patriots were undefeated and huge favorites, my team was naturally the Giants (I do love to be the underdog). That made Mitch Sacks Eli Manning (holds up) and me like Plaxico Burress or something crazy like that (I’ve metaphorically shot myself in the leg many a time so yeah, holds up).
It was a pretty epic game, stretching across 3+ hours. The Giants made a mid-game comeback only to be torched by QB Eric Lau in the final stages. None of us could drive yet so our parents were literally waiting in the parking lot of Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School as I made everyone stand around and listen to me announce the offensive and defensive MVPs.
Back then, basically none of us were on Facebook so I would organize the event by literally calling everyone’s house phone, asking their parents if their son was home and then telling them to come play with me (the kids not the parents, although you know Carl Silver would kill it).
It’s been almost 11 years since that first event and there have been countless tournaments that I have selfishly attached my name to, stretching across not just football, but also a basketball FelixBowl and a volleyball FelixBowl.
But never before have we attempted what I will attempt this year.
You may be wondering why I have sent out a Facebook invite almost two months before the event is set to happen (or maybe you aren’t, this kinda seems on brand for me). Well, this year we will have both a real FelixBowl (held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, all are invited, it’s going to be awesome, please come) and a virtual FelixBowl.
Those of you who have been around may remember that last year, I did a series of Backyard Football player comparisons that I honestly think increased participation and general enthusiasm by at least 30%. It got John Miller out of retirement.
Well this time, I will be simulating the football match-ups ahead of time in a FelixBowl style tournament where each team is composed of players that I have matched as best as possible to the people who respond to the Facebook event. That should build some drama and trash talk for the real event. I will, of course, keep you updated on how all the games unfold so you can be aware.
If you want your virtual self to be involved, here’s what you do. Respond to this Facebook event as honestly as possible. If you aren’t gonna be able to make it, that’s fine. Even if you can’t make the actual event, I’ll still include you in the virtual fun. But I would appreciate answers that are as honest as possible so that 1) I can get a good idea of how many people we will have and how many supplies we need and 2) maybe I can make some teams that may resemble the actual teams we have in the real life version of the game. Which I feel like would be fun.
Anyway, let me know if there’s a non-Facebook user who wants in on being in the virtual game. Spread the word about the real game (most importantly) and enjoy the experience. All input will be considered, but not all will be incorporated. The virtual tourney begins next weekend so get your sign ups before then.
All the best,
Commissioner Dobbs
Lead Up
I think most people showed up just because they were concerned about my general well-being after I decided to orchestrate a very crazy Backyard Football tournament featuring our Backyard Football Player Comparisons. Things may have gotten a little out of hand, but hey that's the kinda guy I am. If you want to relive that face tournament it is in a google doc link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UCR3yI4TwLY500Y_3LAC_fOUjPxXavFI_Mw0MrDhJ4c/edit?usp=sharing
Attendees
Three Teams: If I recall, I believe the Leopolds and the Felixs both said that they wanted to play together and that left Lerman to draft up his own third team (which played very well, but ultimately ended up third).
Team 1
Ian Leopold
Andy Leopold
Dan Johnson
Tom Lorenzi
Team 2
Jarrett Felix
Luke Felix
Mitch Sacks
Ben Shatzman
Todd Warszawski (?)
Team 3
Mark Pyfer
Dave Lerman
John Miller
Other people who were there: Ryan Sacks, Matt Sidell was there for a little, but ultimately got tired out and had to leave, Ben Razon, but I know no McGrath, possibly Brett Tannenbaum as well but I don't think this year he was there for whatever reason
We also had fans for the first time in Felix Bowl history as both of Leopold girlfriends showed up to watch their men bring home the title and Terry Park also showed up to check in and see how we were doing
What I Remember
I think this had some of the longest games ever once we got into the actual tournament part. We moved to a 3 downs system from a 4 down system (I think the year before is when we first tried it) and the defenses became quite stout. Lerman's team and Felixes's team both had a super long battle before ultimately Felixes's team prevailed. The championship was a bit back and forth (I think there was a play where Shatzman stepped out of the back of the end zone before making a catch which might be the first time in Felix Bowl history we have ever seen that happen) and that swung some momentum back toward team Leopold.
I also know for a fact that I got absolutely Moss-ed by Ian Leopold multiple times when I thought I was in great position and Andy Leopold had a truly unreal catch over my brother as well. It was a really awesome set of games.
Result
Winning Team: Ian Leopold, Andy Leopold, Dan Johnson, Tom Lorenzi
Runners-Up: Jarrett Felix, Luke Felix, Mitch Sacks, Ben Shatzman, Todd Warszawski
I feel like with our combined memories, we can probably (hopefully?) remember all the teams from this past year so definitely chime in if you think you remember.
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