March 16, 2015
National Felons League
I watched several live N.F.L. games last fall, right here in Jesup, Georgia. N.F.L. is the acronym for the National Felons league. There were 6 teams in the football league, each named after their respective Captain's favorite NFL team. The teams were selected by draft and play on each Saturday and Sunday during the regular NFL season. There are referees, jerseys, down markers, linesman, chalk lines, etc. It is quite an elaborate affair for prison. I did not participant in the league as my skills have diminished with age and I did not want to risk any injury. I did observe several significant injuries during league play. If you get injured in prison, you subject yourself to the Prison health care system which is not a four star facility.
I did play in a pick-up football game with guys in my unit. I caught several passes for large gains because no one bothered to cover the "old white guy". Near the end of the game, I went up (9 inch vertical leap?) to defend a pass and got nailed in the ribs by a 30 year old who weighed about 240 pounds. I think He had enough of the Old White Guy's surprising success and decided to send a message. It hurt like hell, but I pretended to be just fine. My ribs hurt for six weeks! My career in prison football started and ended on that day.
I have played some pick-up softball this winter. I figured it might be a little safer than football. Apparently, the N.F.L. also has a spring softball league. I was approached by one of the captains who asked if I was interested in playing. I respectfully declined. I told him that I needed to stay as healthy as possible so I can leave this place in one piece and try to be a productive citizen again.
As my prison consultant, Justin Paperny advised me before my surrender, I suggest that unless you plan to make a living playing football or baseball, I recommend that you watch the games as opposed to participating in them.
Ken Flaska
